Fear Not! The 2023 NFL regular season keeps getting closer with each passing day. Every team will have its Pro-Bowlers, All-Pros, and breakout athletes. The Ravens are no exception. Three Ravens on this current roster are looking to make a name for themselves.
Ravens DB Hamilton (14) – Tommy Gilligan/USA Today Sports
Three Break Out Candidates for the Baltimore Ravens
Kyle Hamilton: The second-year defensive back from Notre Dame had some decent numbers last season as he notched 62 tackles, five passes defended, two sacks, and one forced fumble his rookie year. Unfortunately, he did not snag himself an interception last season. Hamilton is looking to have a bigger role with the Ravens, and he just may have the shot with Chuck Clark traded to the New York Jets earlier this offseason.
Hamilton even said he has a lot to improve on as he continues developing in the NFL and having his sight set on moving forward to the 2023 regular season.
The Ravens should utilize Hamilton in a similar manner to the Los Angeles Chargers’ use of Derwin James according to Pro Football Focus by having him line up to tight ends and taller wide receivers and move around the defense with the Ravens utilizing him as a dime and nickel cornerback.
Baltimore has a top-10 NFL defense ready for Hamilton. He will be able to make a larger impact at the cornerback or safety position making the Ravens very lethal in the always bitter and challenging AFC North.
Ravens WR Bateman (7) in action – Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Rashod Bateman: There is no question Bateman struggled with injuries during his first two seasons in the league. With Odell Beckham Jr. acquired via Free Agency and Zay Flowers recently drafted, Bateman is that speedy wide receiver almost lost in the shuffle. However, it would be a mistake to count him out
Baltimore has not had a wide receiver break over 1,000 receiving yards in a season since Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in 2021. The most receiving yards Bateman had in a season was his rookie campaign back in 2021 with 515 receiving yards as he was recovering from groin surgery.
According to Jack McKessy of Draft Network, Bateman has the framework and skill sets for a talented wide receiver in the NFL. Bateman needs to stay healthy for all 17 games to put up incredible yardage to make the promise of a breakout year come true.
As mentioned earlier, OBJ and Flowers are on the team, but having Bateman as a forgotten receiver option could be a good thing as many opposing defensive backs will focus their attention on OBJ and Flowers leaving Bateman open to opportunity.
Ravens LB Oweh in action – Terrance Williams/AP Photo
Odafe Oweh: The third-year linebacker’s play this season will determine whether the Ravens will pick up his fifth-year option on his contract. It all comes down to how he performs out on the defense.
Oweh had 33 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one pass defended in his rookie season before regressing to three sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in his sophomore season. Oweh did have 43 tackles in his second season.
Oweh told reporters this offseason he is looking to dominate and help out the defense be the best they can be for the season since the Ravens lost veterans Calais Campbell and Justin Houston to free agency. Houston led the Ravens in sacks last season with 9.5 sacks.
Oweh looks to be the perfect third-year linebacker up for the challenge to embrace the Raven Way with the arrival of Chuck Smith as the team’s new outside linebacker coach. Smith has operated a pass rusher training program and has worked with Campbell, Houston, All-Pro Von Miller, and Aaron Donald to name a few. Oweh is in excellent hands with Smith as his new linebackers coach.
Overall: Each of these three Ravens is in situations where the sky is the limit for a breakout role whether it is their second or third year in the organization. Competition is always fierce in the NFL, but Baltimore has the spirit and heart that these three men will play like Ravens when Sunday comes calling!
