4 unheralded studs on the Baltimore through week six

The Baltimore Ravens are sitting at 4-2, and most fans think the record could be better. We all know Lamar Jackson and Roquan Smith, and the emergence of Kyle Hamilton has led to this great start, but the quality of the depth and the talent across the starting lineup has also carried them through. Which players are not getting that same love?

4. The Baltimore Ravens are getting quality play out of Michael Pierce

We need to talk more about how good of a season Michael Pierce is having. Justin Madubuike is getting all of the love upfront because he is getting so many sacks during a contract year. Roquan Smith gets all of the love for the run defense because he racks up so many tackles. However, the unheralded name who is keeping Smith clean and taking on blocks to help Madubuike is Michael Pierce.

Pierce has been everything you wanted this year and actually has shown more pass rush than expected. Still, his role is to eat up blocks and take up space in the interior. Quarterbacks cannot step up in the middle of the pocket because he is there, and running backs have to run around the mountain because they are not giving up any ground in the run game.

Pierce had been known as one of the best run defenders in the NFL and is slowly gaining that reputation back. He sat out in 2020 and played in just 11 games between 2021 and 2022. At his age and injury history, it was fair to wonder if he could get back this form. The Ravens are thankful for what he has brought them so far.