Lamar Jackson Not A Top 10 QB In ESPN’s Annual QB Survey
Baltimore Ravens superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson finds himself in unfamiliar territory: Outside the top 10 in ESPN’s annual QB survey.
ESPN asked over 50 NFL scouts, coaches, players and executives to submit their lists of the top 10 quarterbacks in the game. The 2019 league MVP, however, finished outside the top 10 a year after claiming the No. 8 spot.
“Hard to stay healthy when you run that much; he’s actually gotten a lot better as a passer,” an offensive coach said of Jackson to ESPN. “But if you play that way (with a run-heavy attack) and it’s a close game and you’re down, it’s really hard to win, because you’re asked to do what you only minor in, not major in, and that’s passing the ball when they know you are gonna pass it.”
Jackson missed five games last season, including the final four due to an ankle injury. The Ravens were 7-5 in games he started, and 1-4 in games started by other quarterbacks. Without Jackson for the final stretch, Baltimore missed out on the postseason for the first time since 2017.
Maryland sports betting apps are widely expected to launch at some point here in 2022 or early next year. If so, Baltimore sports fans would have the option to bet on a Ravens team that enters the season as the betting favorite to win the AFC North at multiple sportsbooks, including FanDuel (+160).
If Maryland sports betting goes live, the sportsbooks will offer special promos to new customers. This would likely include risk-free bets that can be worth as high as $1,000 to $1,500 depending on the sportsbook.
The top 10 quarterbacks on ESPN’s survey (in order from first to tenth): Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Tom Brady, Joe Burrow, Matthew Stafford, Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson and Dak Prescott.
For his career, Jackson is 37-12 with a 64.1 completion percentage, 84 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. He has also racked up an incredible 3,673 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns in 58 games.
If he can stay healthy for 2022, Jackson could very easily reassert his status as a top-10 QB in the game right now.
Marlon Humphrey Ranks 8th In ESPN’s Cornerback Survey
Arguably the most important player on the Ravens defense, Marlon Humphrey at least wasn’t snubbed in ESPN’s survey of the top cornerbacks in the game.
The Ravens’ 2017 first-round pick landed eighth in the 2022 survey, one year after claiming the No. 2 spot. The two-time Pro Bowler missed the final five games of 2021 with a torn pectoral, and the Baltimore secondary simply wasn’t the same without him.
Humphrey and fellow Pro Bowler Marcus Peters have formed one of the NFL’s best cornerback duos since the latter arrived via trade in 2019. Both men excel as ball-hawkers, but it’s also Humphrey’s slick coverage skills that make him one of the game’s elite corners.
In five seasons, Humphrey has nine interceptions, 64 pass defenses and 12 forced fumbles.
Jalen Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams claimed the top spot, followed by Marshon Lattimore, Jaire Alexander, Xavien Howard, J.C. Jackson, Denzel Word and Patrick Surtain II. The rest of the top 10 was rounded out by A.J. Terrell (ninth) and Trevon Diggs (10th).
Calais Campbell Praises Anthony Weaver, Excited About Potential Of D-Line
Coming off a disappointing non-playoff season, the Ravens decided to bring key defensive pieces back for another go.
In April, they handed veteran mainstay Calais Campbell a two-year deal worth $12.5 million. Last week, pass-rushing standout Justin Houston was brought back on a one-year pact after spending nearly four months on the open market.
The Ravens will once again rely on Campbell, Houston and second-year product Odafe Oweh to lead the defensive line. Though Baltimore had the league’s top rushing D a year ago, the blitz-happy defense mustered only 34 sacks. Only eight teams finished with a lesser total.
But after a recent mandatory minicamp session, Campbell expressed his optimism about the look of the defensive line this year. He cited the young talent and assistant head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver.
“We have some talent. We have some young guys full of potential that are working really hard. I think Coach ‘Weav’ is an incredible coach who is going to really help the D-line really mature and develop,” Campbell said, via Kevin Oestreicher of Ravens Wire. “When you have the kind of talent we have, and when have a good work…everybody in there is a grinder…We always say, ‘The team goes where the D-line goes.’ Obviously, there’s the quarterback, and there’s the D-line. I feel like we have to be at our very best and lead this team.”
The six-time Pro Bowler was acquired via trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020. In two seasons as a Raven, Campbell has 5.5 sacks and 29 quarterback pressures.
Campbell and Houston are no longer consistent threats to push for double-digit sacks in a season, but they remain quality starters who also provide valuable leadership for a young Baltimore defense.
The Ravens defense will look considerably different this year. Peters is back after missing an entire season, and the team added two potential All-Pro safeties in Marcus Williams (signed in free agency) and Notre Dame product Kyle Hamilton (drafted 14th overall).
If the defense can return to its usual dominant form, the Ravens will find themselves right back in Super Bowl contention.
