We made it! Welcome to the tenth and final day of State of the Ravens. We’ve completed coverage of offense and defense, so now it’s time to move onto special teams.
The Ravens have always been known for having excellent special teams. Fans know that’s John Harbaugh’s background, and perfection has become the expectation for this unit. Heading into 2024, the NFL made massive changes to kickoff procedures. Now, the kicking team (aside from the kicker) will line up on the receiving team’s 40 yard line. Receiving blockers will line up on the 35, and only the kicker and returner can move until the ball is fielded. Naturally, teams will race to gain an advantage with the new rules, and you better believe that the Ravens will be at the forefront of that race. Let’s take a look at the team’s specialists in 2024.
Kicker: Justin Tucker
Punter: Jordan Stout
Long Snapper: Nick Moore
Returner: Deonte Harty — Tylan Wallace — Justice Hill
Beginning with kicker, Justin Tucker is Justin Tucker. There isn’t much more you can say about the greatest kicker in NFL history. He’s under contract through 2027, so fans will be treated to #9 knocking it through the uprights for years to come. Interestingly, there were reports of the Ravens trying to bring in UFL standout Jake Bates, who made some ridiculous kicks with the Michigan Panthers. There’s no way the front office was looking to replace Tucker—or carry two kickers on the roster—so this probably would’ve set up another Kaare Vedvik scenario. For those who don’t remember, Vedvik was having a lights-out 2019 training camp and went 4-4, including a 55-yarder, in the preseason opener. The Vikings immediately pounced on him, giving up a 5th-round pick in the 2020 Draft to bring him to Minnesota. Although Vedvik couldn’t stick in the NFL, the Ravens certainly benefited from him, turning that pick into DL Broderick Washington. Bates elected to sign with the Lions, but it’s reasonable to expect the Ravens to try this strategy again in the coming years.
At punter, Jordan Stout averaged 47.8 yards per punt last season, decreasing his touchback percentage to 7.6%. And while he isn’t at Sam Koch’s level (yet), the Penn State product has been serviceable for Baltimore. Going into his third year, Stout will continue to make strides in his game.
Last year, rookie Tyler Ott served as the team’s long snapper to replace the injured Nick Moore, but Moore is expected to return this season. He made 2nd-team All-Pro in 2022, so it seems as if the Ravens are set at that position.
At kick returner, Eric DeCosta brought in Deonte Harty, who made first-team All-Pro as a returner in 2019. He primarily returned punts in Buffalo, but the new rules mean he’s likely to return kickoffs this season. He flashed game-breaking speed against Miami last season, when he took a punt 96 yards to the house. Tylan Wallace is right behind him, and he’s a solid returner himself. Fans will remember his game-winning touchdown against Los Angeles, and he’ll give Harty some competition for returns. Justice Hill will be there just in case someone gets hurt, but ideally the Ravens don’t want one of their top-line RBs returning many kicks.
Three-Year Plan
The Ravens are set at kicker, punter, and long snapper. Perhaps they spend a late-round pick on a speedy WR next year to try and get younger—and cheaper—at kick returner; both Harty and Wallace are on expiring deals. The special teams excellence fans have been treated to should continue for years to come.
And that’s a wrap for State of the Ravens 2024. Thank you so much for tuning in over the past two weeks. This project was a lot of work, but I’m very happy with the final product—and I hope you are, too. Feel free to leave suggestions in the comments so I can improve for the 2025 edition!
