The Baltimore Ravens are sitting at 7-2 halfway through the 2023 season, which is a pleasant surprise in itself. Still, the Ravens could not get to this point if they did not have some pleasant surprises along the way throughout the roster. Who are the individuals who are making things click for the Ravens halfway through this year?
5. The Baltimore Ravens got career years from contract-year players
In the summer before the season there was a lot of talk about the potential contract extensions of two rising players. Patrick Queen and Justin Madubuike were expected to have big contract years, but the biggest surprise has to be Geno Stone.
Stone was not tendered by the Ravens, who let him test the market, but eventually, he came back. Now, he is the glue to the defense and leads the NFL in interceptions. The timing is perfect as he is about to hit the market in free agency.
Madubuike was expected to play well. The Ravens could not get a deal done with him even though he had been improving for three straight years on this defense. When you combine the idea that he has been consistently improving along with playing for a contract this year, it is easy to see Madubuike having his best year. Did you think he would pass his career-high in sacks by the midway point, though? That is a surprise. Did you think he would lead all interior linemen in sacks? More than Aaron Donald and Chris Jones right now? This is something impressive.
Lastly, Patrick Queen has continued his ascent next to Roquan Smith. After the start of his career, it is such a nice note to see Queen holding up right now. These three have made this season much better than expected.
4. The Baltimore Ravens pass rush is shaping up
The Baltimore Ravens fanbase wanted them to add a pass rusher in the worst way as recently as last Tuesday. However, from where they stand right now, you actually have to be pretty impressed. Justin Madubuike is holding his own upfront, and while it is hard to say that the edge rushers have been perfect all season, where they stand right now is better than where they have stood all season.
Jadeveon Clowney is the big surrise of the group. He ha sbene excellent from week one, and had another great game against Seattle. He has been the constant, but fans have wondered if they needed more next to him.
Kyle Van Noy signed in week four and already has five sacks. His strip-sack capped off a two-sack game and turned a drive for Seattle into points for Baltimore before the half. Then, there is Odafe Oweh. Oweh played well against the Houston Texans and Laremy Tunsil before getting injured in week two. Still, he came back and recorded two sacks in the past three games. Sunday may have been his best.
The Ravens are expected to get Tyus Bowser back soon, and a group of Clowney, Van Noy, Bowser, and Oweh is enough to win games. This is a great turn from what many saw as a weakness back in weeks three and four.
3. The Baltimore Ravens found something in Brandon Stephens
Back in August, most people wondered if Brandon Stephens would start at safety or cornerback. There was a legitimate case to be made that he could play either one at that point. He settled in at cornerback, more because of the need there than it was because the team wanted him there. Now, he is a trusted starter across from Marlon Humphrey.
Stephens is strong and plays physically, and he attacks the ball at the catch point. He has faced groups like the Bengals and Seahawks and has not allowed a touchdown yet. He has outlasted both Ronald Darby and Rock Ya-Sin, two players who were supposed to earn spots over him.
Those two were injured, which bought Stephens time. Then, they split time across from Stephens. While they looked fine, Stephens looked better and was playing full games. The platoon turned into Marlon Humphrey, and last week, the Ravens made Ya-Sin a healthy scratch because they needed depth elsewhere. In week one, if someone told you the Ravens had too many quality cornerbacks, you would laugh. That is a nice change, a surprise from what was happening.
2. Kyle Hamilton is becoming a star for the Baltimore Ravens
Everyone figured that Kyle Hamilton would take that step into being a leader on this defense, and one of the better players. He was drafted in the top 15 and most people thought he fell too far when he did. Stil, the rise that he has taken has been pleseant to say the least. Hamilton is playing his best football right now. What is impressive is that the more that is being asked of him is bringing out the best from him.
Hamilton has been asked to play the slot when the team was thin in the slot and he ha sbeen asked to play his traditional rolea sthe deep safety when that is called for as well. On Sunday, with Daryl Worley back the Ravens used Worley at safety for 22 snaps and Arthur Maulet in the slot for 21 snaps. When Worley played, it was Hamilton in the slot and when Maulet played, it was Hamilton back deep. It was one of th ebest games of his career.
Geno Stone is getting all of the attention because of the interceptions, and deservedly so. However, Hamilton being so versatile down in the box allows Mike MacDonald to call the plays that set Stone up for these interceptions. The unit is excelling thanks to Kyle Hamilton.
1. The Baltimore Ravens health is improving
If you had said in the first four weeks of the season that the Ravens' health would be a positive development at the halfway point, someone would call you crazy. That is why it is such a pleasant surprise. The Ravens lost JK Dobbins for the year and may not get David Ojabo back. Still, they lost names like Mark Andrews, Odell Beckham, and Rashod Bateman through the early portion.
The group did not finish a game together until week five, but they have been gelling since then. The Ravens offensive line did not have the same group from before the season started and finished a game together until week six. Weeks six through eight were the healthiest the line has been. Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum went out in week one and are finally back. Morgan Moses missed week nine, but it is not expected to be a longer-term injury. If the Ravens can get him back, they could have full health on offense.
On defense, Marlon Humphrey and Odafe Oweh have missed legitimate time, and both of them are back and playing their best football. Arthur Maulet is healthy in the slot, and Daryl Worley gives them safety depth to move Kyle Hamilton around. If they get Marcus Williams back they will have no questions. This is the healthiest they have been and the most positive outlook we have seen. They could even get Tyus Bowser back, who has not even played this year. The Ravens health is a big positive right now.