Throughout the 2022 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Below you will find a Week 1 roundup for the Baltimore Ravens in our consensus 2022 NFL Power Rankings.
ESPN -- Rank: 9
Who's on the hot seat: LB Patrick Queen
It's a critical time for Queen because the Ravens will have to decide whether to exercise his fifth-year option next offseason. He hasn't become the every-down middle linebacker that was originally envisioned. Queen has struggled in coverage and getting off blocks, which is why he was moved to weakside linebacker. But new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who was Queen's position coach in 2020, said the game has slowed down for him. It took until Queen's third season before he broke out at LSU. The Ravens are hoping Queen can do the same this season after being Baltimore's first-round pick in 2020.
It's a critical time for Queen because the Ravens will have to decide whether to exercise his fifth-year option next offseason. He hasn't become the every-down middle linebacker that was originally envisioned. Queen has struggled in coverage and getting off blocks, which is why he was moved to weakside linebacker. But new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who was Queen's position coach in 2020, said the game has slowed down for him. It took until Queen's third season before he broke out at LSU. The Ravens are hoping Queen can do the same this season after being Baltimore's first-round pick in 2020.
NFL.com -- Rank: 10
Will the Football Gods show mercy? The 2021 season won't be remembered fondly by the Ravens and their fan base. Injuries ravaged the roster from training camp until the end of the season, with the franchise posting its first losing record since 2015. Lamar Jackson was one of the many players who missed extensive time, and a monster rebound season could lead to the NFL's biggest payday ever. It will be interesting to see how much Jackson runs the ball in this offense: Baltimore desperately wants to keep its franchise star on the field, but the best version of the Ravens' attack has Jackson lighting up defenses with his legs -- especially with No. 1 wide receiver Hollywood Brown now catching passes from Kyler Murray in Arizona.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 16
The Lamar Jackson contract situation isn't a good thing heading into the season. They also have major questions at receiver and pass rusher.
The Athletic -- Rank: 6
The good news: The Ravens were the most injured team in the league by adjusted games lost last year and still nearly made the playoffs. Some positive regression on that front combined with the expected improvement on defense and Lamar Jackson's contract-season bump could make this a special year in Baltimore. In the eyes of The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec, Odafe Oweh and Rashod Bateman seem primed for breakout seasons.
The bad news: Per TruMedia, there's no recent precedent for a team whose mascot suffered a season-ending injury going on to win the Super Bowl.
Nugget to remember: In Jackson's three seasons as a starter, the Ravens finished, in order, first, third and 11th in rushing DVOA. If they're going to reverse that trend line, they probably need a big season from J.K. Dobbins, who might not be ready when the regular season begins. It could be running back flotsam déjà vu.
The bad news: Per TruMedia, there's no recent precedent for a team whose mascot suffered a season-ending injury going on to win the Super Bowl.
Nugget to remember: In Jackson's three seasons as a starter, the Ravens finished, in order, first, third and 11th in rushing DVOA. If they're going to reverse that trend line, they probably need a big season from J.K. Dobbins, who might not be ready when the regular season begins. It could be running back flotsam déjà vu.
The Ringer -- Rank: 8
Baltimore missed the playoffs for the first time in the Lamar Jackson era last season after the roster, particularly the running back group and the secondary, was decimated by injuries. I'm here to remind you that Jackson is still the NFL's most dynamic player and the primary reason the Ravens remain a deep postseason contender. Health permitting, which is far from a guarantee, Jackson should reassert himself as one of the league's most prolific signal callers on his way back to the playoffs.
Yahoo! -- Rank: 6
It's not ideal for the Ravens to be starting the season with a lot of questions at running back. Gus Edwards will start the season on PUP. They've been coy about J.K. Dobbins' health and availability heading into Week 1. The Ravens did sign Kenyan Drake, and maybe that saves them early in the season as Dobbins and Edwards get back to full health.
PFT -- Rank: 12
In a tightly-packed AFC, they're as capable as anyone to get to the postseason and win more than one game there.
Previous updates:
- Baltimore Ravens 2022 Power Rankings Roundup: Post-Draft
- Baltimore Ravens 2022 Power Rankings Roundup: Post-Super Bowl 56
More Baltimore Ravens pages:
- Baltimore Ravens Mock Draft Roundup
- Baltimore Ravens Snap Counts
- Baltimore Ravens Franchise Leaders
- Baltimore Ravens Draft History
- Baltimore Ravens Schedule
- Baltimore Ravens Tickets
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