The Baltimore Ravens have earned high national praise throughout this offseason, being recognized as one of the league’s top returning teams ahead of the 2025 season. This continued last week when they earned the No. 1 spot in ESPN’s roster rankings.
The list ranked all 32 teams based on projected offensive and defensive starting lineups, with subcategories of biggest strength, biggest weakness, X-factor, and nonstarter to be aware of. Unsurprisingly, quarterback was listed as the Ravens’ biggest strength.
“Lamar Jackson, an All-Pro in each of the past two seasons and the NFL MVP in 2019 and 2023, is one of the best in the business,” said ESPN’s Mike Clay. “He fell just short of his second consecutive MVP last season even though he led the league in QBR (77.3) and produced career-high marks in passing yards (4,172) and passing touchdowns (41, the second most in the league).”
Clay also noted that veteran Cooper Rush, who the Ravens signed to a two-year deal in free agency, is a solid backup. Rush is an upgrade over Josh Johnson and makes the team’s quarterback room as a whole more well-rounded.
As for biggest weakness, offensive guard was chosen — which is also not awfully surprising. Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees are the projected starters at each guard spot, with the latter set to replace the departed Patrick Mekari on the left side. While Faalele has garnered some offseason hype, he was also one of the worst statistical run blockers in the NFL last season, which Clay points out.
Fortunately, the Ravens are solid at the other three offensive line spots and have high-level surrounding playmaking talent. This helps mitigate any potential poor performance from the guard positions, although both Vorhees and Faalele have the upside and potential to improve and exceed expectations this season.
Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Loop were listed as the team’s X-factor and nonstarter to know, respectively. Stanley’s X-factor status is more due to his checkered injury history more than on-field ability. Last season, though, Stanley played in every game for the first time in his career and bounced back in a big way.
Loop was drafted by the Ravens to replace Justin Tucker as the team’s new kicker. He has big shoes to fill and despite possessing strong leg talent, Loop’s adjustment to the professional level could be a swing factor for the Ravens in close games.
Directly behind the Ravens in ESPN’s roster rankings were the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs. As for the rest of the AFC North, the Cincinnati Bengals ranked No. 9, the Pittsburgh Steelers ranked No. 19, and the Cleveland Browns were second-to-last overall at No. 31.
Do you agree with ESPN’s rankings that the Ravens have the NFL’s best starting lineup? Share your thoughts below and discuss!
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