The Baltimore Ravens have gotten off to a strong start to this season with the help of some star power. While the Pro Bowl voting is going on, and it is still a few weeks until we start to learn who will make it, the following players are on the right track, and something crazy would have to occur for them not to make it.
3. Kyle Hamilton is playing like a Pro Bowler for the Baltimore Ravens
Kyle Hamilton took the second-year jump that many thought he would. He leads all safeties in sacks this season and is second in run stops, according to PFF. Beyond that, his coverage ability has been exceptional. The Ravens have asked a lot of Kyle Hamilton.
He started the season at strong safety, but injuries in the slot had him shifting down into the box to play the slot for a little bit. That is when he had all of his sacks, and he kept his team in the game against the Colts. In recent weeks, the Baltimore Ravens have taken advantage of his skill set.
They are shifting him in and out of the slot and using matchups to dictate the best play. Asking Hamilton to do all of this while seeing him not only maintain his play but look better should get the respect of the national media. It will not be surprising if the former first-round pick has some national attention, but even if he does not get the fan voting, there is a good chance that the players and coaches will see that he has helped take this defense to the next level.
2. Roquan Smith is a lock for the Pro Bowl
It is hard to say that there has been a better linebacker in the NFL since the Baltimore Ravens traded for Roquan Smith. He immediately came in and turned this defense from a solid unit on the rise to one of the best defenses in the NFL. The fit was just too perfect.
Roquan Smith has the leadership and diagnosis skills to make players around him better. Patrick Queen has seen his play dramatically improve, and he is having a career year next to Roquan Smith. He immediately saw his play improve from there.
The Ravens can blitz from different areas, knowing that Smith can fill the gaps. They can also trust Smith to audible and change disguised blitzes based on the offensive look. This has allowed Mike MacDonald to get a lot more creative in the way that he calls plays.
Roquan Smith was an All-Pro last year, and his play improved. The Ravens should have a better record this year, and the credit will continue to come to Roquan Smith. It would be stunning if he did not make the Pro Bowl for the second straight year with the Baltimore Ravens.
1. Will the Baltimore Ravens see Justin Madubuike make his first Pro Bowl?
This is one that is the most surprising. In some ways, it should not be because Justin Madubuike has improved his play every year in his career. His pressures, sacks, and win rate have improved every year. With this being a contract year, and the Ravens electing not to sign him, it should not be a surprise that he is playing his best football. However, it is a bit of a surprise that he looks like one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL.
He is second in sacks behind Chris Jones amongst interior defensive linemen. His 4.5 sacks are just one behind Jones and one behind his career high. Madubuike currently ranks 12th in pass rush win rate and ranks 14th in pass rush productivity, per PFF. Oh, and he always has been one of the best run-defending interior linemen; that is the strength of his game.
So, we are talking about a well-rounded player. This will be the test about how much football people are watching. Justin Madubuike is not a household name and is not going to get voted in based on his past play. He needs to exceed the reputation of others in a game that has become a popularity contest.
On the field, he is one of the best interior lineman. Will he get the recognition? He should.