Tag: Brandon Williams

Bleacher Report names best player Ravens could potentially add in 2022

Bleacher Report named the best player that the Ravens could potentially add in 2022

When the 2022 offseason begins, the Baltimore Ravens will have plenty of decisions to make regarding the future of their team. They have many talented players slated to hit free agency, others could retire, and they are currently projected to have 10 draft picks in the 2022 NFL draft.

When listing out the best player that every NFL team could potentially add in 2022, Brett Sobleski of Bleacher Report named current Chicago Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks for Baltimore. He explained his decision by talking about how Hicks is a powerful player that blows offensive linemen away with his pure strength.

“…When healthy, Hicks is a game-wrecker. He’s so powerful at the point of attack that he overwhelms blockers and often reestablishes the line of scrimmage.”

Sobleski also pointed out that Hicks is a few years younger than current Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who is facing an uncertain football future, as he is now 35-years-old, as well as good insurance for Brandon Williams.

“At 32, he’s a few years younger than Campbell while also providing more insurance if/when Brandon Williams leaves in free agency. Baltimore’s defensive interior could and should look significantly different in 2022.”

With Hicks currently scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency in 2022, it’s unknown where he’ll suit up in 2022. Hicks wouldn’t be a long-term solution at a position that needs one, but he could certainly provide a few good years of dominant play, provided that he’s healthy.

Bleacher Report names one starter that Ravens must replace in 2022

Bleacher Report named one starter that the Ravens must replace in 2022

The Baltimore Ravens have plenty of talent on their roster on both sides of the football. However, they could be looking at some major changes defensively, including at the defensive line position.

Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report put together an article of one starter that every team must replace in 2022, and for Baltimore he highlighted defensive tackle Brandon Williams, citing his lack of full-time snaps, lack of development and lack of fully healthy seasons.

“Firstly, he’s never been a full-time player as a massive interior defender. Secondly, the veteran defensive tackle never developed as expected when the Ravens wanted him to play alongside Michael Pierce and become a more disruptive force. Thirdly, Williams hasn’t played a full 16-game slate since 2018. Finally, the nose tackle is now 32 and less of a factor at the point of attack as part of Baltimore’s run defense.”

Williams signed a massive five-year, $52 million extension with the Ravens back in 2017, and has been one of the better run-stuffing defensive linemen in the league for a long time. When Williams wasn’t on the field, the drop off of Baltimore’s run was very noticeable. However, paying such a big salary to a player who doesn’t play a full compliment of snaps and is limited in other areas has put off some, and he might not return to the team in 2022 if they can’t agree on a price point that works for both of them.

Ravens release final injury report for Week 12 matchup vs. Browns

The Ravens released their final injury report for their Week 12 matchup against the Browns

The Baltimore Ravens have dealt with many different injuries throughout the course of the 2021 season. Not only have they lost countless stars for the season, but also have had to deal with a multitude of multi-week and multi-month ailments.

On Friday ahead of their Week 12 matchup with the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore released their final injury report of the week. The team ruled out three players in wide receiver Miles Boykin, offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, and safety Ar’Darius Washington while also listing 10 players as questionable, including two defensive lineman and four cornerbacks.

The good news for the Ravens is that quarterback Lamar Jackson is not listed on the final injury report after practicing fully for all three days. wide receiver Devin Duvernay and inside linebacker Josh Bynes are also not listed.

Baltimore gave two of their players rest days to nurse and recover from some of their injuries in tight end Nick Boyle and defensive lineman Brandon Williams. Boyle played his first game in over a year in Week 11, so a rest day isn’t out of the ordinary while Williams has been nursing a shoulder injury for the last few weeks.

Ravens announce inactives for Week 11 matchup vs. Bears

The Ravens officially announced their inactives list ahead of their Week 11 game with the Chicago Bears

The Baltimore Ravens’ inactive list for Week 11 against the Chicago Bears has a lot of big-name players on it, namely quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson has been dealing with an illness for most of the week but looked like he was going to be playing after coming back to practice on Friday.

Things took a turn on Saturday afternoon when Jackson was put back on the injured list and downgraded to questionable.  He tried to give it a go today before the game, but he’s clearly still not feeling like himself. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley will make his first-career start today for Baltimore.

The Ravens’ secondary is also taking a hit this afternoon with cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Anthony Averett both inactive.  This season has been a brutal one in terms of injuries for Baltimore, but they need to continue to persevere if they want to maintain their lead in the AFC North Division race.

The remainder of the inactives for the Ravens are wide receiver Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin, offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi and defensive tackle Brandon Williams. The team used every inactive spot on an injured/sick player.

The Bears put out their inactives list as well, and they will also be missing multiple key contributors.

Ravens announce inactives for Week 9 matchup vs. Vikings

The Ravens released their list of inactives for their Week 9 game against the Vikings

The Baltimore Ravens will take on the Minnesota Vikings in a big Week 9 matchup. Both teams will be looking for a win, as they were both left with a sour taste in their mouths following embarrassing losses the last time they suited up. Baltimore fell to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7, while Minnesota lot to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8.

On Sunday before kickoff, the Ravens announced their inactives list. The majority of the list wasn’t a surprise, but the team will be without one offensive playmaker who a lot of people thought could take the field for the first time in a few weeks

In a surprising move for the, wide receiver Sammy Watkins is inactive against Minnesota. It seemed to many like he was on track to play after being out the last few weeks with a hamstring injury.  It would’ve been nice to see him play next to the duo of Marquise Brown and Rashod Bateman for the first time.

The defensive line takes a bit of a hit with Brandon Williams also being inactive. Hopefully the defense can step up and put some pressure on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Running back Latavius Murray and offensive lineman Patrick Mekari weren’t expected to play after missing practice all week. Undrafted free agent rookie safety Ar’Darius Washington rounds out the list.

The Vikings also released their inactives, and will be missing former Baltimore defensive tackle Michael Pierce. It was also announced before game time that All-Pro safety Harrison Smith was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, meaning that he will miss the contest.

What kind of impact will DL Derek Wolfe have in his return to the Ravens’ defense?

Derek Wolfe will make a big impact in his return to the Ravens’ defense

Earlier in the week, the Baltimore Ravens designated defensive end Derek Wolfe to return from short-term injured reserve. Wolfe has been sidelined with back and hip issues since training camp, and his designation means that Baltimore has 21 days to put him back on the 53-man roster, which signals that he could be active when the team hosts the Minnesota Vikings on November 7th.

Wolfe’s return to the Ravens’ defense comes at a great time, especially after all of the struggles that they’ve had before the bye week.  Baltimore definitely could use a player like Wolfe to improve the pass rush by generating some interior pressure, which in turn would help the secondary.  The more pressure the defensive line gets, the more of a chance the quarterback makes a mistake that could lead to an interception or a fumble.

The veteran defensive lineman was one of the unsung heroes of the Ravens’ defense in 2020 as he finished the year with 51 total tackles and one sack. However, he was one of the best run stuffers in the NFL and freed up his fellow pass rushers for sacks using stunts, proving his worth goes far beyond the box score.

It’s going to be good to see Wolfe back on the field with the other members of the “Monstars”  in Campbell and Brandon Williams.  The defensive line will also be able to rotate players a lot more during games, which will keep them fresh so they can make more of an impact late in the 4th quarter. Fellow defensive lineman Calais Campbell has played a lot more snaps in 2021 than initially anticipated, so having Wolfe back will ease the burden on him and others on their defensive line.

Wolfe signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the team during the 2021 offseason. His return to the Baltimore defense will count as an addition to the unit, and it helps that he already has a year in the scheme to go off of. Here’s to Eric DeCosta for not having to make a big time trade at the trade deadline knowing that he was going to get Wolfe back in time for the stretch run.

Ravens activate three players from Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Ravens activated three players off of the Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Baltimore Ravens’ front seven was stretched extremely thin during their Week 3 over the Detroit Lions, as the team had to place defensive linemen Brandon Williams and Justin Madubuike on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, as well as outside linebackers Justin Houston and Jaylon Ferguson. It was reported that Ferguson had tested positive for COVID-19, and it appears that Williams, Maubuike and Houston were most likely all close contacts in some way.

On Wednesday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reported that the Ravens activated three players from the Reserve/COVID-19 list in Williams, Madubuike and Houston, giving Baltimore much needed reinforcements on their front seven.

As Zrebiec notes, all three players will be eligible to play in the Ravens’ Week 4 matchup with the Denver Broncos. Ferguson was the only player out of the four not activated, and unless he gets taken off of the list in the next few days, he might not be available for Sunday in Denver.