The Baltimore Ravens’ roster is going to look much different this season. On top of the fact that multiple starters on both sides of the ball said goodbye in free agency, the additions of headline-worthy names like Derrick Henry and Nate Wiggins highlighted a season of change that swept through the state of Maryland.
There were a few holdovers from last year’s teams who managed to survive Baltimore’s yearly offseason purge, effortlessly dodging trade rumors while (mostly) avoiding being thrown into competitions with hotshot rookies. In effect, Baltimore gave those players a vote of confidence by trusting them to be reliable starters.
With these three players all figuring to start at some point during Baltimore’s 2024 push for a championship, it’s fair to say their stock is as high as it has been in months. Time will tell if they can carry that momentum over to the regular season.
3 Baltimore Ravens whose stock soared after 2024 roster changes
3. Trenton Simpson
The Ravens have been quick to say that Simpson is by no means a locked-in starter following Patrick Queen’s surprising defection to the Steelers, but their refusal to use one of their top picks on a linebacker could show the confidence they have in the former Clemson star as a player.
The Ravens likely invested in Simpson with the thought that Queen could leave in free agency. Taking a top-shelf athlete with elite coverage skills and great speed for his position is certainly a good way to guard against Queen departing, and Simpson is now ready to assume that starting role next to Roquan Smith.
The Baltimore Ravens will lean on Trenton Simpson
Simpson will also have the benefit of playing next to one of the game’s great mistake erasers in Smith. This could give Simpson more margin for error and new defensive coordinator Zach Orr some welcome relief as he relies on a second-year player to replicate All-Pro production from Queen in 2024.
Simpson certainly fits the mold of what Baltimore wants from their linebackers, as he possesses many of the same traits that helped Queen eventually start performing like a cornerstone. While asking him to be Queen could be a very tall order right off the bat, Baltimore is clearly very bullish on his potential.
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