Analyst ranks Ravens defense outside the top 5 in the NFL

The 2023 Baltimore Ravens defense was a unit to be feared, generating pressure, turnovers and left fouls that felt extremely uncomfortable. However, according to Bleacher Report, the Ravens defense won’t be a top-5 unit next season.

The BR NFL Scouting Department ranked every NFL defense by draft and had the Ravens as the No. 6 defense heading into the season.

The criteria BR used is: “Using last year’s performance as a baseline and taking into account coaching changes, incoming and outgoing talent, we ranked all 32 of the league’s defenses.”

BR wrote: “Todd Monken got a lot of credit for opening up the Ravens offense, but they made it to the AFC Championship Game because of a lockdown defense.”

Based on that statement, why would BR believe they won’t be a top unit again? BR explained: “They are losing a significant amount of coaching and playing talent.”

The Ravens had a staggering number of free agents after the season. Despite this, BR wrote: “There are several main characters who stick around to create a formidable unit.”

The Ravens still have star LB Roquan Smith, who writes to BR: “Roquan Smith remains one of the few off-ball linebackers in the league.” Smith is the leader on this defense and will look to continue the success of 2023.

BR points out, “He (Smith) leads a seven that was able to retain Justin Madubuike, who had a breakout season with 13 sacks.” Madubuike was one of the biggest bright spots on the 2023 team as he became a playmaker for Baltimore and secured a huge payday.

“His versatility and ability to pressure the interior quarterback will make life easier for everyone up front and a revamped coaching staff,” BR wrote.

Ravens’ Defense lost key players in Free Agency

According to Pro Football Reference, the Ravens were the No. 1 defense in points allowed and No. 6 in yards allowed.

However, the Ravens lost several key defensemen who played key roles during the 2023 season. BR wrote: “Jadeveon Clowney was second on the team in sacks last season and will be gone.”

Clowney trailed only Madubuike in sacks and was a big reason the Ravens led the NFL with 60.0 sacks. The veteran joined his hometown Carolina Panthers, although the Ravens did their best to bring back the pass rusher.

The Ravens also lost the other half of their dynamic duo at the linebacking position to a division rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. “Patrick Queen was a perfect running mate for Smith,” BR explained, but now he will roam the field in black and yellow instead.

The Ravens also took a big hit in their secondary with key losses at both CB and safety. BR wrote: “Ronald Darby and Geno Stone made crucial contributions to the secondary.”

Both Darby and Stone played key roles with injuries to veterans Marcus Williams and Marlon Humphrey. However, the Ravens hope to have offset these losses by drafting CB Nate Wiggins with their first-round pick.

Coaching carousel hits Ravens defense hard

It wasn’t just the players who left Baltimore, the coaching staff also suffered an exodus. BR wrote: “Ask Philadelphia Eagles fans how much coaching turnover can hurt.”

The Ravens lost key members of the defensive staff that they will have to try to replace. “Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald became head coach, while defensive line coach Anthony Weaver and defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson both got defensive coordinator jobs,” BR wrote.

Macdonald joined the Seattle Seahawks, while Weaver joined the Miami Dolphins and Wilson joined the Tennessee Titans.

The Ravens tried to fill the coordinator vacancy internally. BR wrote: “The Ravens have named 31-year-old Zach Orr as their next defensive coordinator. He will have to make an immediate impression.”

Orr will have plenty of talent to play with, but he will have to work with a team that has championship expectations.