Lamar Jackson is the reigning MVP, yet the Ravens depth chart 2024 tells a story that isn't just about trophies and highlight reels. It’s about a massive gamble. Eric DeCosta, the man pulling the strings in the front office, let several key veterans walk out the door this past offseason. You've got a rebuilt offensive line, a secondary that's talented but thin, and a backfield that basically hinges on one 30-year-old superstar staying healthy. It’s risky.
Honestly, if you look at the names on paper, the starting eleven on both sides of the ball looks elite. Top tier. But NFL seasons aren't won by starters alone. Injuries are inevitable. When you look at the 2024 Ravens roster, the gap between the "A-team" and the backups feels wider than it has in years. That’s the reality Baltimore is living in right now.
The King and the MVP: A Backfield With No Room for Error
Derrick Henry. The name alone carries weight. Signing "King Henry" was the loudest move the Ravens made, and on the surface, it’s a dream pairing. Imagine a linebacker trying to decide whether to chase Lamar to the edge or stick his head in the fan against a 247-pound locomotive. It’s a nightmare for defensive coordinators. But here’s the rub: Henry is 30. In running back years, that’s basically 105.
Behind him, the Ravens depth chart 2024 gets murky fast. Justice Hill is a fantastic change-of-pace guy. He’s reliable, great on third downs, and catches the ball well. But he isn't a volume runner. If Henry misses three games, can Hill carry it 20 times? Probably not. Keaton Mitchell, the lightning-fast undrafted find from last year, is still working his way back from that nasty ACL tear. Rasheen Ali is a rookie with potential, but he's unproven. The Ravens are essentially betting that Henry’s "ageless" narrative holds true for one more season because the drop-off behind him is steep.
Protecting the Franchise: The Offensive Line Shakeup
This is where things get genuinely stressful for Ravens fans. You lost Kevin Zeitler. You lost John Simpson. You traded Morgan Moses. That is sixty percent of your starting offensive line gone in a single spring.
Replacing them isn't easy. Andrew Vorhees, who basically had a "redshirt" rookie year while recovering from an injury, is stepping into a huge role. He’s strong, sure, but he’s never played an NFL snap that counts. Then you have Daniel Faalele, a human mountain who has struggled with speed rushers in the past. Roger Rosengarten, the rookie out of Washington, is high-upside but needs to put on some functional strength to handle AFC North power.
If this group doesn't gel by October, Lamar Jackson is going to be running for his life. You can't run a sophisticated Todd Monken offense if your guards are getting walked back into the quarterback's lap. Tyler Linderbaum is the glue at center—thank god for him—but he can't block three people at once.
The Wide Receiver Room: Flowers and the Search for a Number Two
Zay Flowers is the real deal. His rookie season proved he’s a twitchy, separation-heavy nightmare for corners. But who scares you after him? Rashod Bateman just signed an extension, which shows the team still believes in the former first-rounder, but the production hasn't matched the pedigree yet. He needs to stay on the field. Period.
Nelson Agholor is a steady veteran presence, but he’s more of a WR3 or WR4 at this stage of his career. Then you have the young guys like Tez Walker. Walker has vertical speed that can't be taught, but he’s raw. The Ravens depth chart 2024 at receiver is built on "potential" rather than "proven results." If Bateman doesn't have a breakout year, teams are just going to double-team Flowers and dare Mark Andrews to beat them over the middle. Speaking of Andrews, Isaiah Likely has looked so good that the Ravens are basically forced to play two-tight end sets more often. It might be their best way to hide a lack of WR depth.
Roquan Smith and the Defense of the North
Zach Orr is the new defensive coordinator, taking over for Mike Macdonald. That’s a massive shift. Orr is young, aggressive, and was a hell of a player for Baltimore himself. He’s inherited a unit led by Roquan Smith, who is arguably the best off-ball linebacker in football.
The Interior Pressure
Justin Madubuike got paid. $98 million worth of paid. Now he has to prove last year’s double-digit sack total wasn't a fluke. The Ravens depth chart 2024 on the defensive line is actually pretty solid. Michael Pierce is a space-eater. Travis Jones is poised for a massive Year 3 leap. This is the strongest part of the roster.
The Edge Paradox
Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo. Two guys with all the physical tools in the world but limited sack production. Kyle Van Noy is back, which is a huge relief because he was their most consistent pass rusher last year. But you can't rely on a 33-year-old to be your primary sack artist forever. Adisa Isaac, the rookie from Penn State, needs to contribute early. The Ravens’ scheme usually creates sacks, but they need someone to win one-on-one battles in the fourth quarter of playoff games.
The Secondary: Depth vs. Star Power
Kyle Hamilton is a unicorn. He plays safety, nickel, linebacker, and blitzes like a maniac. He is the centerpiece. Beside him, Marcus Williams is an elite ball hawk when his shoulders aren't falling apart. But look at the corners.
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Marlon Humphrey is still the alpha, but he dealt with nagging injuries all last year. Behind him, the Ravens drafted Nate Wiggins in the first round. Wiggins is fast—like, 4.28 fast. But he’s also thin. In a division with Amari Cooper, Ja'Marr Chase, and George Pickens, he’s going to get tested physically. Brandon Stephens was a pleasant surprise last year and solidified his spot, but if Humphrey or Stephens goes down, you’re looking at T.J. Tampa or Arthur Maulet (who is great in the slot but limited outside) to play heavy snaps. It’s a talented group, but it feels one injury away from a crisis.
Special Teams: The Goat and the Rest
Justin Tucker is Justin Tucker. Even a "down" year for him is better than 90% of the league. Jordan Stout has developed into a very capable punter, and the return game should be solidified by Tylan Wallace or Justice Hill. This is the one area where the Ravens depth chart 2024 is undisputed. John Harbaugh’s background is special teams, so this unit will always be disciplined.
Final Assessment of the Roster
The 2024 Baltimore Ravens are a "stars and scrubs" build, more so than in previous years. The stars are some of the best in the NFL. Lamar, Henry, Andrews, Linderbaum, Madubuike, Roquan, Hamilton. That’s a core that can win a Super Bowl.
But the "middle class" of the roster—those reliable 3rd and 4th-year players who provide depth—has been thinned out by the salary cap. Success this year depends almost entirely on the health of about eight specific players. If the offensive line finds its footing and the young corners hold up, Baltimore is the favorite in the AFC North. If not, it’s going to be a long season of Lamar Jackson trying to do too much.
Actionable Insights for Following the 2024 Ravens:
- Watch the Left Guard Battle: Keep an eye on Vorhees and Andrew Meyer. If the Ravens start shuffling the line in Week 3, it’s a sign of trouble.
- Monitor Keaton Mitchell’s PUP Status: His return changes the dynamic of the offense by adding a home-run threat that Henry doesn't provide in the passing game.
- Track Defensive Rotations: Zach Orr’s success will be measured by how he uses Kyle Hamilton. If Hamilton is stuck in deep safety roles too often, the defense loses its teeth.
- Red Zone Efficiency: With Henry and Andrews, the Ravens should be the best red-zone team in the league. If they settle for field goals, the coaching staff will be under fire.
The Ravens are playing a high-stakes game. They've traded depth for top-end talent. In a physical division like the AFC North, that’s a gamble that usually catches up to you in December. We'll see if Harbs can keep the ship steady.