by Sean Gannon

Baltimore made the playoffs the last three seasons before missing the playoffs last season, and in large part, that was due to Lamar Jackson’s bone bruise in his ankle, causing him to miss the previous four weeks of the season. But it wasn’t just Lamar Jackson who was injured. Before the season even started, the Ravens became injury-plagued. Running back J.K Dobbins tore his ACL in late august of 2021, Justice Hill would tear his Achilles just a week later, followed by Marcus Peters, and bye Week 13, Marlon Humphrey was out for the season. So the Ravens lost four crucial players to season-ending injuries, three of whom never even got to suit up.

The offseason of the Ravens was solid. They signed Marcus Williams to a 5-year $70 million contract, Calais Campbell returned, and Michael Pierce returned after a brief stint in Minnesota. Plus, the Ravens had what I thought was one of the best drafts of 2022. Kyle Hamilton at pick 14 was an absolute steal for Baltimore. Hamilton was a projected Top 10 pick entering the draft and fell right to their lap. He is an excellent safety with the ability to get downfield and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Then the Ravens traded Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to acquire the 23^rd pick from Arizona. This was a great move. The Ravens are committed to the run game, and their playstyle is centered around Lamar Jackson. Brown would never be able to get big wideout money with a team that runs the ball as heavily as the Ravens do. With that trade, they were able to get the best center/guard prospect in the draft in Tyler Linderbaum, who will immediately step in and boost the run blocking unit of Baltimore and will fit nicely into their run-centric offense coming from Iowa. Then, in the second round, they were able to get David Ojabo. Ojabo tore his Achilles during Michigan’s pro-day. Still, once he is fully healthy next season, he will be the future edge rusher for the Ravens organization; another projected Top 10 pick Ojabo will most likely miss 2022 but watch out for 2023!

The Ravens are hoping to reclaim their crown as the kings of the AFC North, especially after the Bengals destroyed them in two games and made it to the Super Bowl. A fully healthy Baltimore team with Lamar Jackson, Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, J.K Dobbins, and Justice Hill is one scary team that can compete with the best the NFL has to offer. Do not expect a 4^th place finish in the North with an 8-9 record in 2022. Baltimore will have the 23^rd easiest schedule and can easily win 11+ games. You factor in a quick rebuild year for the Steelers with no Big Ben and quarterback uncertainty for the Browns. There is a route for the Ravens to make a playoff run if not retake the AFC North.