Roquan Smith is 'Like Ray Lewis!' Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Lamar Jackson Scouting Report

Roquan Smith is 'Like Ray Lewis!' Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Lamar Jackson Scouting Report

In the world of the Baltimore Ravens, there is no higher praise than a Ray Lewis comp. And as the Ravens ready for their Week 5 meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Lamar Jackson has opted to ... go there.

"Roquan,'' Jackson said, "is like a Ray Lewis for us."

Roquan Smith is in his first full season with the Ravens this year, having been traded here by the Chicago Bears for financial reasons. ... and Baltimore is reaping the benefits.

Roquon Smith / USA Today Sports

In 2022, between playing for both clubs, Smith totaled 169 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three picks and six passes defended en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance and a First-Team All-Pro selection. And he's doing it again now for the 3-1 Ravens, as through the first four games of 2023, Smith has already recorded 43 tackles, 1.5 sacks and three passes defended.

Jackson, in making the legendary parallel, pointed out how Smith has helped the Ravens defense is multiple ways, from being more fundamentally sound to being more explosive in pursuit of the ball.

Smith, who was originally selected by the Bears with the eighth overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, has been a ballhawk and a playmaker in his career.

"Roquan's like a Ray Lewis for us." @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/qrwSnvfbl1

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 4, 2023

And now Roquan is ready to unleash all of that on the rival Steelers, maybe playing a fun game of "chase'' of the Hall of Famer Lewis, who played here for an incredible 17 years, making 12 Pro Bowl appearances while earning First-Team All-Pro honors seven times.

Of course, that is for then. For now? Roquon being Roquon will be needed against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.