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Five under-the-radar Ravens to watch against the Colts
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- Five under-the-radar Ravens to watch against the Colts
The Baltimore Ravens don't lack star power. There's an understatement, right? Lamar Jackson , Derrick Henry , Kyle Hamilton , Roquan Smith , and Marlon Humphrey are among the most recognizable names in the NFL.
That's part of the challenge. On a roster loaded with established stars and Pro Bowl talent , some important contributors inevitably receive less attention than they deserve. Ravens fans know these players. The national audience may not. Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts offers an opportunity to change that.
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If Baltimore opens the season with a victory, don't be surprised if a few of these under-the-radar Ravens play significant roles in making it happen. They may be less mentioned outside of Baltimore, but don't be surprised if you're hearing their names more often nationally come Monday.
Broderick Washington, defensive tackle
Nnamdi Madubuike receives a great deal of the attention along Baltimore's defensive front, and deservedly so. Broderick Washington, however, remains one of the defense's most important supporting pieces.
Washington does much of the thankless work that allows others to shine. He can occupy blockers, help control the line of scrimmage, and create opportunities for linebackers and edge rushers to make plays. With Jonathan Taylor expected to be a focal point of Indianapolis' offense, Baltimore will need its interior defensive line to hold up against the run.
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Washington may not fill the stat sheet, but his impact could be felt throughout the afternoon. He's completely capable of throwing the Colts ' offensive game plan out of whack.
Roger Rosengarten , right tackle
Despite earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 2024, Roger Rosengarten still hasn't received the same level of individual acclaim as Ronnie Stanley . That's understandable. Stanley is a former All-Pro and one of the league's premier left tackles. Rosengarten, however, has quietly become a critical piece of Baltimore's offensive line.
The Colts feature multiple edge defenders capable of creating problems, including Laiatu Latu and Arden Key . Keeping Lamar Jackson upright will be one of Baltimore's biggest priorities. Rosengarten's performance could ultimately influence the outcome as much as any player not named Jackson or Henry.
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Durham Smythe , tight end
Every NFL team experiences roster turnover. Few positions changed more dramatically for Baltimore than tight end. Mark Andrews remains one of the offense's cornerstones, but 2022 draftees Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar are no longer part of the equation. The Ravens responded by signing Durham Smythe and drafting Matt Hibner and Josh Cuevas.
Smythe isn't expected to produce gaudy receiving numbers. That's not why he's here. The veteran has built his career doing the little things coaches love: blocking, handling dirty-work assignments, and making timely plays when called upon. If Baltimore strings together long scoring drives Sunday, there's a good chance Smythe helped make them possible.
Any safety not named Kyle Hamilton or Malaki Starks .
The starting secondary is settled, and it has been for a while. Nate Wiggins and Chidobe Awuzie are expected to handle duties on the outside, while Marlon Humphrey continues to patrol the slot. Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks headline the safety room.
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The NFL season, however, is rarely that simple. Defensive coordinators rotate personnel, injuries happen, and game plans often require additional defensive backs. That's where players such as Jaylinn Hawkins and Keondre Jackson could enter the picture.
Whether it's special teams, sub-packages, or rotational snaps on defense, Baltimore's depth at safety could quietly become an important storyline against Indianapolis.
Final thought
The Ravens don't need their under-the-radar players to become stars. They need them to do their jobs.
That's often how winning football works. The highlights usually belong to Lamar Jackson or Derrick Henry, but victories often come from players making blocks, filling gaps, handling assignments, and capitalizing on opportunities when they arise. If Baltimore starts the season 1-0, don't be surprised if several lesser-discussed Ravens helped make it happen.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Five under-the-radar Ravens to watch against the Colts
