A number of players around the league are primed to make a leap this season due to their situation and/or opportunity following a busy NFL offseason, which has featured its share of change among NFL rosters.
With the first practice fast approaching, we’re looking at ten under-the-radar players who could surprise in 2024.
RB Justice Hill
Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) runs the ball against the Houston Texans during the second quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Hill will be a free agent in 2025, and he’s coming off his most productive NFL season after a career-high in rushing yards (387), receiving yards (206), receptions (28), and total touchdowns (4).
Even with Derrick Henry on the roster, Hill will still have a prominent role in Todd Monken’s offense while Keaton Mitchell continues to regain his form after suffering a late-season torn ACL.
TE Isaiah Likely
Dec 31, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) runs following his catch for a second quarter touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
After Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews went down in Week 12, the emerging Likely had 21 catches for 322 yards and four touchdowns (15.3 yards per catch). Likely is the more athletic option at the position, and could begin to cede snaps from Andrews.
CB Arthur Maulet
Jan 6, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet (10) breaks up a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Allen Robinson II (11) during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Maulet initially signed with Baltimore after spending two years with the AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
Last season, Maulet played in 14 games and logged 37 tackles, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, an interception, and five passes defended.
The 30-year-old Maulet will compete with Ar’Darius Washington for the slot cornerback role.
DT Travis Jones
Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Travis Jones (98) during the first quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
The 2022 fourth-round pick has recorded 60 combined tackles in 32 games with 2.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits, and five tackles-for-loss.
Jones has shed weight, and Baltimore will look to benefit from his pass-rushing opposite Justin Madubuike on the interior.
He played 129 more snaps on defense last season than he did as a rookie, and Jones could be in line for a breakout campaign.
LB Malik Harrison
Nov 20, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison (40) reacts after making a play against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
The Ravens re-signed Harrison to a one-year deal this offseason, and his versatility could allow him to fill roles vacated by Jadeveon Clowney and Patrick Queen.
Harrison can play inside linebacker or edge rusher and should see his snap count increase after he played 21% of the defensive snaps last season. Harrison’s 307 special teams snaps lead all returning players.
CB Damarion “Pepe” Williams
Oct 23, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Damarion Williams (22) looks on before a game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
The competition for snaps at nickel cornerback will be something to watch. Baltimore re-signed Arthur Maulet after an efficient first season with the Ravens. The Ravens love to deploy All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton as a slot defender, or STAR, limiting the opportunities for a third cornerback in that role. n a versatile role after he played 465 snaps at slot corner last season, per Pro Football Focus. Williams is a physical cornerback, and if he’s healthy, he could allow Zach Orr to move Hamilton around even more.
OL Andrew Vorhees
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 08: Andrew Vorhees #72 of the USC Trojans in the second quarter at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 08, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Vorhees appeared in 44 games on the offensive line at USC, with 25 starts at right guard before the All-American tore his ACL during the 2023 scouting combine.
Vorhees could step right into the lineup after a redshirt year as a rookie, and he could be a perennial Pro Bowler if he can stay healthy.
CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (5) warms up before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The Ravens drafted Armour-Davis in the fourth round two years ago believing he could grow into a key player opposite Marlon Humphrey.
The 24-year-old cornerback landed on injured reserve in December and has struggled to stay on the field throughout his two-year NFL career, appearing in just 12 of Baltimore’s 32 games.
The Alabama product has been solid on special teams and could break out in 2024.
WR Devontez Walker
CHAPEL HILL, NC – OCTOBER 07: Devontez Walker #9 of the North Carolina Tar Heels runs down the field during a football game against the Syracuse Orange at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on Oct 7, 2023. (Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Baltimore has three dynamic starters in Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor, but rookie Devontez Walker could take the down field passing game to another level.
Walker exited the ACC with a career average of 16.8 yards per catch over his college career, and he offers quarterback Lamar Jackson big play potential.
LB Tavius Robinson
Oct 15, 2023; London, United Kingdom; Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tavius Robinson (95) in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Robinson gained valuable experience that will help continue his development as he enters Year 2.
Robinson is coming off a season where he played 335 snaps. Robinson played in all 17 games and notched 26 tackles and one sack.
