It’s raining… Linebackers! The linebacker core is young and strong, but they do not have any Pro Bowlers this season.
During the 2022 Season, the Baltimore Ravens received some linebacker help in the form of Roquan Smith via a trade from the Chicago Bears as he helped the team reach the playoffs before getting knocked out by the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Baltimore Ravens Linebackers Outlook for 2023
Smith, who was traded from the Bears last season, was the only past Pro Bowl linebacker for the Ravens despite having a few big names that were Pro Bowlers for previous teams (Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Houston, respectively).
Key Losses: The Ravens have released veteran linebackers Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Houston, Steven Means, Vince Biegel, and Daelin Hayes. The losses of Pierre-Paul and Houston mean the Ravens don’t have the talents of the two previously experienced former Pro Bowl veterans in the linebacker lineup influencing and teaching the younger talent.
Houston could potentially come back and re-sign with the Ravens as he led the team with 9.5 sacks. However, it is not all cloudy weather for the Ravens lineup as they do have a lot of young talent on the roster such as Malik Harrison, David Ojabo, Odafe Oweh, Patrick Queen, John Ross, Trenton Simpson, and Kristian Welch- potential breakout candidates depending on how the season goes for the team.
Key Returners and new additions: The Ravens have Roquan Smith who re-signed with the team on a five-year $100 million deal. He was the only Ravens linebacker to make a Pro Bowl on the active roster. Smith finished the 2022 season in purple and gold with one interception for 19 yards, three pass deflections, two sacks, and 86 tackles. On the Bears, Smith had two interceptions for 22 yards, three pass deflections, two and a half sacks, and 83 tackles.
Ravens LB Patrick Queen (6) – Tommy Gilligan/USA Today Sports
Third-year linebacker Patrick Queen led the team with 117 tackles, had five sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries for five yards, two interceptions for 11 yards, and six pass deflections. The sky is the limit for Queen, as he has yet to make a Pro Bowl. Despite that, he was part of a traditionally strong defensive team with 48 sacks and 1,147 tackles last season.
The Ravens have drafted Trenton Simpson in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Clemson. Simpson had 72 tackles, two and a half sacks, three pass deflections, and two forced fumbles with the Clemson Tigers last year.
Ravens LB Kristian Welch (57) – Joey Pulone/Baltimore Ravens Photos
Baltimore is bringing back both Kristian Welch and Del’Shawn Philips to help the young linebacker core stay fresh and prepared for the upcoming 2023 season.
Linebacker breakout season potentially: With younger linebacker talent on the Ravens roster, it will be time for Smith to pass the Pro Bowl torch to other talented linebackers in the lineup.
The closest the Ravens have to a second linebacker making it to the Pro Bowl is Patrick Queen, who led the team with 117 tackles, as mentioned earlier.
Another potential breakout candidate is Odafe Oweh, who is coming off a regressed second season in Baltimore. Oweh is looking to have a bounce-back 2023 season with the arrival of defensive coordinator Chuck Smith in the fold.
Smith has been a private coach since 2001 and has worked with Pro Bowl talents such as Von Miller and Aaron Donald.
Grey skies rolling in: As mentioned earlier, this Baltimore Team does not have Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul, and without their veteran experience, it could potentially lead to struggles in the linebacker position.
Roquan Smith is the only Pro Bowl linebacker on the team, and younger guys need to step up in order to make the Pro Bowl themselves.
There is a potential that Oweh could regress even more, but that looks unlikely.
Tyus Bowser did miss some time last season while recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered during the 2021 season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even though Bowser suffered a minor knee injury, he should be ready for training camp.
Overall: With only one Pro Bowl linebacker on the Ravens, the defense still looks to be a top-10 unit in the NFL, with Smith and Queen leading the young linebackers to a strong 2023 campaign.
Ravens LB Tyus Bowser (54) – Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports
Veterans like Bowser will also provide great leadership for the younger linebackers to step up when things get tough in the trenches.
Prediction: The 2023 Baltimore Ravens season will be another strong campaign for the team’s main defensive identity, and we, as fans, will be ready for the showers to begin this September.
