Crimson Tide NFL Team Rundown: Baltimore Ravens

What should Ravens fans expect from their team heading into 2023, and how can former Crimson Tide members contribute to their success?

The Baltimore Ravens avoided a disastrous offseason, which included Lamar Jackson demanding a trade in late March following a 10-7 campaign that ended in a wild-card loss at the Cincinnati Bengals. The front office didn't crumble under the pressure, however, eventually extending the quarterback  on a five-year $260 million contract. 

The Ravens have surrounded Jackson with some offensive firepower in tight end Mark Andrews and wide receiver Rashod Bateman. The Ravens also signed free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr and drafted Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. 

While Baltimore plans to rely heavily on their MVP quarterback to score points, the Ravens also have made it a point always have a strong defensive presence. The Ravens have a top-notch secondary, led by former Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey. 

The All-Pro cornerback commands an experienced Ravens secondary that has Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams anchoring the safety positions. The Ravens also signed free-agent cornerback Rock Ya-Sin this past offseason after he spent three seasons with the Colts and one season with the Raiders. 

How can former Alabama players contribute to the success of the Baltimore Ravens in 2023? 

The Ravens hold two former members of the Crimson Tide on their active roster heading into the 2023 training camp, with Humphrey anchoring a strong secondary and cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis as his backup. 

They say that iron sharpens iron. If the saying holds true, then every wide receiver on this Ravens squad should be lining up for one-on-one reps with Humphrey in training camp. He was the best man-corner in the league in 2022, with a 90.2 coverage grade according to PFF, allowing just a 74.5 passer rating when thrown in his direction. Humphrey is as close to a lock on the Ravens roster as you can get without being a superstar quarterback. 

With Humphrey locking down one-half of the field, how can Armour-Davis contribute to the Ravens in 2023? 

By learning from his Alabama counterpart and competing in training camp. Ya-Sin has not played a full NFL season yet in his career, with only nine starts in 2022. If Ya-Sin is unable to play in 2023, whether it be injury or poor performance, Armour-Davis has a clear-cut path to significant playing time in 2023. Either way, he's in position to get significant playing time this season. 

What can Baltimore Ravens fans expect from their team in 2023?

If the Ravens hope to return to the postseason success that they have seen under head coach John Harbaugh, then the offense has to be able to put up points against the top defenses in the NFL. Following the loss of Jackson to an injury in Week 12 of last season, the Ravens could only muster 14.2 points per game over the final six games. Defensively, the Ravens will look to rely on a strong secondary to slow down the opposing passing attacks. While that will be easier said than done (the Ravens will play against Joe Burrow twice, Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa, Brock Purdy, Matthew Stafford, and CJ Stroud), Humphrey and Co. should be able to make any opposing quarterback's job more difficult, especially when a pass rush consisting of David Ojabo, Tyus Bowser, Justin Madubuike, and Michael Pierce.

The Ravens have 10-13 games that they can win in 2023, which should keep them competitive with Joe Burrow and the Bengals for the majority of the season in the race for the AFC North, as well as all but guarantee them a wild-card spot in the 2023 NFL playoffs. 

Scores of Crimson Tide Players Nested With Baltimore Ravens

Active Baltimore Ravens

#5 Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB
#44 Marlon Humphrey, CB

Unrestricted Free Agent

#17 Kenyan Drake, RB

Active Alabama Crimson Tide Players by Team