The Baltimore Ravens currently find themselves atop the AFC North at 7-3. After an inconsistent start, they have solidified themselves as one of the strongest outfits in the AFC. Their path to the playoffs is a comfortable one and the team is getting healthier down the stretch too.
With Baltimore having played good football so far, and with more good football expected, the Ravens 2023 Pro Bowl candidates list is a long one. There are, however, more considerations than only individual performance. The Pro Bowl has limited spaces per position and, every year, there are some surprising nominations.
The 2023 Pro Bowl games vote recently opened for fans.
Pro Bowl Starters For the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore could have a strong presence at the Pro Bowl this season. The Ravens’ potential 2023 Pro Bowlers include some of the league’s best at their position, who could get in on reputation alone.
Kicker Justin Tucker
At this point, Justin Tucker is a sure-fire lock to make the Pro Bowl. On reputation alone, Tucker would likely make the Pro Bowl due to his respect from players across the NFL and popularity among fans. Tucker’s season has, once again, been within the top three kickers in football. The 32-year-old is clutch for the Ravens and has helped them seal a few victories this season.
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey
Marlon Humphrey is a shutdown corner in the traditional sense. The Ravens defensive back shadows opposition primary wide receivers and guards them out the game. As of right now, Humphrey is one of the best in the league at his position. He is not a ‘flashy’ Pro Bowl pick, however, as he is not a turnover machine given that he has just two interceptions so far. Against the Miami Dolphins, Humphrey played fewer snaps due to fitness concerns and the Ravens need not be reminded of how that game finished.
EDGE Justin Houston
Many would view Justin Houston as a bit of a surprise pick here. However, Ravens fans know that there is nothing to be surprised about. Houston has been an unsung hero for them and is currently one of the league’s most efficient pass rushers. His Week 9 performance with 2.5 sacks and a pick earned him a deserved AFC Defensive Player of the Week award. If Houston remains healthy for the rest of the season and continues to produce on this trajectory, a Pro Bowl selection is not only justified but, rather, necessary.
Return Specialist Devin Duvernay
Devin Duvernay is the league’s best kick and punt returner. He was nominated as the AFC’s return specialist in the 2022 Pro Bowl and his numbers this season have showed no signs of slowing down. His kickoff-return touchdown against the Dolphins in Week 2 will be his main highlight but, throughout the games so far, he has consistently secured good starting field position for the offense. Duvernay was also the WR1 during Rashod Bateman’s first absence but has since reverted back to a gadget/WR2 role.
Devin Duvernay with a 103-yard house call to start the game.
M&T Bank Stadium absolutely erupted as he was running down the sideline.
Ravens 7, Dolphins 0 #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/ua8hLtncZ2
— Rocco DiSangro (@RoccoDiSangro) September 18, 2022
Offensive Guard Kevin Zeitler
Offensive linemen do not often get much respect around the league, but Kevin Zeitler is an exception. Zeitler is regarded as one of the league’s best offensive guards and he has performed to an elite level this season. What makes Zeitler’s performances even more impressive is the fact that he has had four different left tackles starting beside him but has still put in solid performances. Zeitler has also played 100% of offensive snaps for the Ravens this season.
Fullback Pat Ricard
There are only so many household names at the fullback position and Pat Ricard is probably the most famous one in the AFC. On this alone, Ricard could make the Pro Bowl due to his reputation among the fans. He has, however, also had an outstanding season. The 28-year-old has seen an increase in usage (mostly as a blocker) due to Nick Boyle’s lack of involvement.
Inside Linebacker Roquan Smith
The Ravens acquired Roquan Smith from the Chicago Bears via trade a day before the deadline day. He has been a fantastic addition to the Ravens so far and showed his dominance against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. The young star currently has 2.5 sacks and two interceptions on the season. A Pro Bowl selection for Smith is pretty much a given provided he does not suffer any major setbacks.
This is how you lead the NFL in tackles. Roquan Smith defeats the block and takes down Dwayne Washington in the red zone. Ravens end up forcing a field goal. pic.twitter.com/jYmAOn24eT
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) November 9, 2022
Pro Bowl Potential
The Ravens’ potential 2023 Pro Bowlers depends on factors beyond individual performance. For various reasons, the players listed in this section might not make the Pro Bowl despite playing at a Pro Bowl-calibre level this season.
Tight End Mark Andrews
Mark Andrews is arguably the Ravens’ best player, so why is he not in the top tier? The answer is Travis Kelce. Truthfully, Andrews has had a quieter season than before and has also missed two games through injury. His 488 receiving yards and five touchdowns puts him on a Pro Bowl trajectory, but not when Kelce is lurking. Andrews will likely be a Pro Bowl alternate.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson is playing at a Pro Bowl level, there is no doubt about it. There are, however, far too many good quarterbacks in the AFC. Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Tua Tagovailoa are among the MVP-caliber quarterbacks ahead of Jackson currently and, if all the current trends continue, it looks as though Jackson could miss out on the Pro Bowl due to there being too much competition.
Safety Marcus Williams
Marcus Williams’ injury really derailed his chances of making the Pro Bowl. Prior to the setback, Williams looked like Baltimore’s best defender, seemingly generating turnovers on a weekly basis. If Williams returns from injury and plays at the same level as before, he has a chance to be selected to the Pro Bowl. However, his path there would likely have been much easier without the injury.
Marcus Williams with an absurd interception. pic.twitter.com/WWLxU7Zg4m
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 18, 2022
Cornerback Marcus Peters
The Ravens had a banged-up secondary last season, with multiple players suffering long-term injuries. Marcus Peters was among the casualties, and he ended up missing some of the start of 2022 too. His performances have steadied as he has got back into playing shape though and, along with Humphrey, has formed one of the best cornerback tandems in the NFL. Given that Humphrey is likely to make the Pro Bowl, however, it seems unlikely that Peters will also be selected.
Outside Chance
The Ravens’ potential 2023 Pro Bowlers could include some surprise names, especially if the team finish strong.
Offensive Tackle Ronnie Stanley
Ronnie Stanley missed the start of the 2022 season but, now that he has returned properly, has looked very good. The Ravens struggled when they used the Ja’Wuan James, Patrick Mekari and Daniel Faalele. The return of Stanley has solidified the position, especially given that Stanley is one of the league’s best blindside blockers. Having missed so many games though, it is hard to see Stanley making the Pro Bowl unless the Ravens go on a long win streak to close out the season.
Center Tyler Linderbaum
General Manager Eric DeCosta drafted Tyler Linderbaum in the 2022 NFL Draft with the pick they received from the Arizona Cardinals for Marquise Brown. Linderbaum has played excellently so far, as reflected in the Ravens rookie report after the bye. Linderbaum is a Pro Bowl-calibre center, but with Creed Humphrey around, it seems unlikely that he will be named a starter. The rookie is currently in the mix to be listed as an alternate for the position.
Defensive Tackle Calais Campbell
Calais Campbell is probably in his last year in Baltimore, but he is making sure that it is one to remember. The veteran has been quietly having a superb season and has been one of the team’s best interior pass rushers and run stuffers. He is not as flashy a pick as some other players, but Campbell would certainly be deserving of more media attention. He could sneak into the Pro Bowl as a starter if he continues to ball out and the Ravens finish strong.
Calais Campbell ROCKED Andy Dalton on this play pic.twitter.com/8giNNneizG
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) November 9, 2022
Underrated and Unlikely
As with all teams, there are underrated gems. The Ravens’ potential 2023 Pro Bowlers should all have a strong presence across the NFL and among its fans. These players have played decently for Baltimore but, due to their lack of media attention, are unlikely to make the Pro Bowl.
Defensive Tackle Justin Madubuike
Baltimore have been trying to build a young defense for a while now. It seems that DeCosta is nearly there, with a young core of Smith, Patrick Queen, Odafe Oweh and Kyle Hamilton, among others. One surprise name is Justin Madubuike. He has been essential to the Ravens this season and was particularly impressive when Michael Pierce was healthy. Madubuike’s strong performances are known to Ravens fans but, outside of Baltimore, he is a fairly unknown name.
Justin Madubuike crashes inside with a power rip then has the balance and quick feet to stay upright allowing him to maintain speed and SMACK Tom Brady.
This is about as hard as they will let you hit Tom Brady in 2022. Crushed him.
Madubuike three sack game this year inbound. pic.twitter.com/wYCSDOTEmz
— Spencer N. Schultz (@ravens4dummies) November 2, 2022
Tight End Isaiah Likely
This is purely a projection-based selection. Isaiah Likely has impressed as a rookie so far. The hype originated in the off-season, when he was said to be impressing coaches, and was even dubbed as the team’s ‘third receiver’. The hype eventually came to fruition in Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers though, which has now set the rookie up for an expanded role in the offense. Mark Andrews is expected back soon but Likely could continue to retain a big role (especially if defenses give more attention to Andrews).
