Rating 2023 NFL contenders by tiers: AFC headlined by Chiefs, Bengals, Payments getting into common season

Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports activities

Tier 2: Wouldn’t be stunned in the event that they made a run (4)

New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Baltimore Ravens are a group that I don’t really feel is getting sufficient respect once we discuss potential contenders. They had been in a position to straighten out Lamar Jackson’s contract state of affairs and it wouldn’t be stunning in any respect to see him get again to his MVP kind, particularly with a brand new offensive coordinator and a refreshed staple of receivers, together with Odell Beckham Jr. and first-round rookie Zay Flowers. For all their points final season and Jackson restricted to 12 video games, they nonetheless went 10-7 (a testomony to how good a coach John Harbaugh is) and had a protection that ranked seventh within the league in DVOA. As long as Jackson stays wholesome, they’ll be a menace.

Coaching Camp Competitors: Huge Receivers

Clifton Brown, BaltimoreRavens.com

Greatest Battle

With Beckham, Bateman, Flowers, Duvernay and Agholor entrenched as the highest 5 receivers, the battle for the sixth and maybe closing vast receiver slot will probably be intense. Third-year goal Tylan Wallace will attempt to separate himself from the pack, with Proche, Treadwell and others seeking to shine. The competitors at vast receiver must be intense all through coaching camp, and receivers on the bubble will seemingly get a lot of the reps throughout preseason video games.

Below the Radar

Agholor had a robust efficiency throughout OTAs and minicamp, making contested catches and displaying dependable palms. Jackson and Agholor confirmed very good timing on a number of back-shoulder throws, and Agholor took benefit of his additional reps whereas Bateman was sidelined. Agholor should face an uphill battle to be focused incessantly on Sundays, however he’s a participant to observe heading into camp.

Rating the NFL’s prime 10 offensive coordinators getting into 2023

Sam Monson, PFF

7. TODD MONKEN, BALTIMORE RAVENS

Todd Monken is one other coordinator who has had stints within the NFL and school ranges already. He returns to the skilled ranks to take cost of the Baltimore offense and current Lamar Jackson together with his first new offense at this stage after having fun with a lot success underneath Greg Roman. Monken’s final coordinator position within the NFL was underneath Freddie Kitchens in Cleveland when the whole season unraveled in a rush, however he was additionally in cost when Ryan Fitzpatrick performed a few of his greatest soccer in Tampa Bay. The Georgia Bulldogs’ offense had additionally been cooking underneath his tutelage. It is a big season for Monken, given Jackson’s distinctive skills.

The ten most intriguing individuals within the Ravens group for 2023

Childs Walker, The Baltimore Solar

Rock Ya-Sin

That is extra concerning the Ravens’ method to a significant place than about Ya-Sin, a younger veteran who has been stable in protection during the last two seasons and slots comfortably throughout from Marlon Humphrey.

The Ravens might have used a first-round choose on a possible beginning cornerback. They might have introduced again Marcus Peters, who didn’t play as much as his earlier commonplace in 2022 after coming back from a critical knee harm however nonetheless carries big-play potential. As an alternative, they selected a quieter route with Ya-Sin, and for now, not less than, they’ll hope a beginning nickel again and some credible backups emerge from the gathering of younger defensive backs they’ve drafted over the subsequent three years.

If this method comes again to chunk them, Ya-Sin might turn out to be a scapegoat for his or her lack of ambition in filling out a place they’ve historically handled as some of the vital on the roster. Or, he could possibly be a reliable cog in a machine that hums alongside.

Why star NFL operating backs have been devalued: What’s subsequent

Invoice Barnwell, ESPN

Have groups gone too far in how they worth the place?

I don’t imagine so, as a result of we haven’t seen a operating again play at a very excessive stage on his rookie deal after which have his group let that participant depart in free company with no repercussions. The category of 2017 was the check case for whether or not groups could be keen to maneuver on from a proficient again on the finish of his rookie deal, however each one of many star backs in that class — Ezekiel Elliott, Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook dinner, Alvin Kamara, Aaron Jones and Joe Mixon — landed an extension. Exterior of perhaps Cook dinner’s contract, did any of these offers age nicely?

You may make a case that groups must be keen to contemplate shifting on from even one of the best backs on the finish of their rookie offers. As I referenced right here, nearly each a type of important second contracts for operating backs has did not reside as much as expectations. NFL contracts are purported to pay a participant for what he’s going to do versus what he has completed, and time after time, we’ve seen groups pay backs for the latter and get one thing considerably much less over the second deal.

Artwork Modell, who introduced soccer again to Baltimore, a semifinalist for consideration into Corridor of Fame

Adam Thompson, CBS Information

Modell owned groups that produced 28 successful seasons, 28 playoff video games, two NFL Championships (1964 and 2000), three different appearances in NFL title contests (1965, 1968, and 1969), and 4 visits (1986, 1987, 1989, and 2000) to AFC Championships.

He was additionally influential in launching Monday Night time Soccer, and he chaired the NFL’s Tv Committee for 31 years.

Modell died in 2012 on the age of 87.

“Artwork was an enormous in our business,” Ravens’ Govt Vice President Ozzie Newsome stated after Modell died. “He was my boss – however he wouldn’t let me name him that – my mentor, and most significantly, my good friend. He was probably the most caring, compassionate individual I’ve ever identified. The alternatives he gave me are historic, and I will probably be ceaselessly humble and grateful.”

Modell has been denied enshrinement into the Corridor of Fame for years.

On August 15, one coach or contributor will probably be chosen for closing consideration for the Class of 2024.