Ravens report card: Let’s (gulp) grade every position (yikes)

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The Ravens dazzled in their season opener.

It’s been downhill since then.

After putting up 41 points on the Indianapolis Colts, the Ravens lost to a New Orleans Saints team that is now 3-5. At the time, they had their star quarterback and two healthy centers. Their biggest missing pieces were defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike, linebacker Teddye Buchanan and wide receiver Zay Flowers.

The following week, they beat the Dallas Cowboys in an ugly game. Week 4’s game against the Tennessee Titans started well, but after Jackson was injured near the end of the first half, the team was holding on for its life.

Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley pulled together an overtime win against a hot Atlanta Falcons team before losing two straight to division rivals, the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals.

There seemed to be a turnaround coming when Jackson returned for Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills — and then he was hurt on his first play. There’s been an unraveling since then, and the Ravens got stomped by the Jacksonville Jaguars in primetime.

They have another primetime game incoming, but going from “Thursday Night Football” to “Monday Night Football” gave the Ravens a mini bye. Head coach Jesse Minter said they used it to evaluate. So we’ll do the same. Here’s how each position group has fared through the first half of the season:

Quarterbacks: D

Each quarterback who has played has shown some really good things and just as many, if not more, bad things. In three of his four games, Jackson had impressive completion percentages and quarterback ratings. But against the Saints he had a quarterback rating of 87.4 .

Huntley led the team in a comeback against the Falcons with poise, putting together the game-tying and game-winning drives. But Huntley couldn’t keep the offense moving before suffering a toe injury that will keep him out long term.

Rookie Joe Fagnano had some impressive passes when he stepped in against the Bills, but things deteriorated from there. He gets grace for playing injured, but the Ravens did not attempt anything ambitious through the air when he started against the Jaguars.

Now we’ll see if Jacoby Brissett can lift this grade.

Running backs: C

Derrick Henry’s yards per attempt sit below 4, Justice Hill has rarely been used and Rasheen Ali’s contributions are barely above nonexistent.

However, Henry is shouldering more due to Jackson’s absence and is playing behind a struggling offensive line.

Wide receivers: B

It’s hard to succeed if the ball isn’t finding you. Neither Huntley nor Fagnano is a prolific passer, and the offensive line isn’t providing time to throw from a clean pocket.

Nonetheless, Flowers has been a bright spot. He’s made plays and was on pace for another 1,000-yard season prior to Jackson’s and Huntley’s injuries.

Rookie Ja’Kobi Lane, who put together a spectacular preseason, has shown he can make big catches against NFL starters. But he has been limited by his own injuries.

Beyond those two, the Ravens need more. The new coaching staff spoke highly of Rashod Bateman, but he’s been targeted half as many times as Flowers. No other receiver has more than 10 targets.

Tight ends: C

Mark Andrews has the second-most receiving yards on the team. He also has the most fumbles — as well as five drops, several at crucial moments. He’s averaging just 5.5 yards per target, down from 9.8 in 2024.

Rookies Matt Hibner and Josh Cuevas have flashed but need to be more consistent catching the ball.

Durham Smythe’s injury was a major blow because of his blocking ability. Andrews has stepped up as a blocker; Pro Football Focus has graded his pass blocking and run blocking in the 70s.

Offensive line: F

The run game is floundering. Quarterbacks are under constant pressure.

It all ties back to the line.

There have been critical injuries, including three to centers, but even the players who came into camp as starters are struggling.

Veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley has allowed two sacks, four quarterback hits and 19 pressures. Veteran left guard John Simpson has allowed one sack, two hits and 17 pressures, and he finished the Jaguars game with an astonishingly low PFF pass blocking grade of 4.5.

Starting right tackle Roger Rosengarten has allowed two sacks, four hits and 20 pressures. Of all of them, rookie Vega Ioane is performing best, allowing one sack, two hits and 10 pressures.

Only three offensive lines in the league have as high a responsibility for the sacks the quarterbacks have taken, according to Fantasy Points Data.

And that’s all without getting into the presnap penalties.

Center Cam Jurgens has not played multiple games with the same starting quarterback since he arrived in a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s unclear how Ryan Neuzil, whom the Ravens acquired from the Falcons, will fit in.

Defensive line: C

The run defense is probably one of the strongest parts of the Ravens’ performance this season. They’re holding opponents to 3.6 yards per carry, tied for fourth in the league. Although they haven’t faced the best backs the league has to offer, they shut down the Falcons’ Bijan Robinson, who is the best in the league.

The interior line could help generate more pressure on passing downs. It is also struggling with fundamentals, including tackling. Madubuike said Wednesday, after breaking down the linemen’s performance, they need to improve in all areas.

Outside linebackers: C

Trey Hendrickson is bringing the pressure. It’s just not converting to sacks.

With Madubuike back and drawing attention, it seemed as if the pass rush would be unlocked. Instead, it’s continued to dwell in the lower half of the league when it comes to sacks. Losing Tavius Robinson, a reliable force, hurt because the young pass rushers have not taken off.

In his second year, Mike Green has four sacks and 17 pressures. He ranks 59th at his position, according to PFF. Rookie Zion Young has not had a sack and has four pressures. Undrafted rookie Ethan Burke has one sack and five pressures.

Linebackers: B

The middle linebackers have been doing their best to hold it down. This group has had fewer noticeable gaffes than the rest of the team.

Roquan Smith, who seemed to have lost a step last year, is playing faster and with more precision. Teammates have hyped up Trenton Simpson for years, and he finally seems to be having that breakout season.

And, after tearing his ACL in December, Buchanan is back contributing. He and Simpson have played well enough that neither deserves to be taken out, so the coaches have worked out a rotation.

However, the Ravens are giving up the third-most completions 5-15 yards downfield, an area linebackers and safeties are responsible for. The linebackers haven’t contributed much as blitzers, either.

Safeties: C

Kyle Hamilton is the best player on the defense, but there’s a steep drop-off from there.

Jaylinn Hawkins has been injured, but before that he was getting beat badly in coverage. He’s allowed a passer rating of 142.6 when targeted and has given up 14 receptions. Malaki Starks is also getting picked on, allowing a passer rating of 156.6 and giving up 19 catches. Both are playing stronger against the run.

Even Hamilton has had his moments when he’s gotten beat or missed an important tackle. But his versatility and intelligence lift the defense as a whole.

Cornerbacks: D

Marlon Humphrey’s PFF score is not nearly as bad as you would think. He’s been solid through long stretches — but when he messes up, he really messes up. His mistakes have come in high-profile situations, and he’s given up 16.9 yards per reception allowed. He also has five missed tackles and has struggled against the run.

Nate Wiggins remains inconsistent with a 12.9% missed tackle rate.

The group also hasn’t settled on a consistent dimeback, switching between Keyon Martin and Chandler Rivers. The Ravens lost TJ Tampa early, and he’s working his way back in. And Chidobe Awuzie has been less reliable, with a 28.6% missed tackle rate.

The secondary has been allowing too many explosive plays.

Special teams: D

The Ravens are on their third kicker. After Tyler Loop struggled through the start of the season, he went on injured reserve. Jake Moody, brought in to provide competition for Loop, was poached after his first Ravens game.

The team signed former Miami Dolphins kicker Riley Patterson, who will make his Ravens debut Monday. There have been four missed field goals.

Punter Ryan Eckley has a strong leg but is looking for consistency.

All the other phases have struggled.