Which Baltimore Raven didn’t live up to expectations in 2024?
Last week I asked you which Baltimore Ravens player exceeded expectations most in 2024. The top answer from the readers of Baltimore Beatdown named safety Ar’Darius Washington being No. 1, with various picks at No. 2 ranging from offensive lineman Daniel Faalele, rookie tackle Roger Rosengarten and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy. This week — and my apologies for doing this on a Monday to start your week — but we’re going over the inverse.
Today’s Question of the Day:
Which Ravens Player Underwhelmed Most in 2024?
My Answer: sigh… safety Marcus Williams
When Williams was signed, I was all aboard. I labeled the signing “a brilliant addition,” and stand by it. Top-tier free safety was the play and Williams’ first two seasons were excellent. In 21 regular season games from 2022-2023, Williams delivered five interceptions, 16 pass breakups, a forced fumble and 79 solo tackles. In 2022, he allowed a passer rating of 42.9 (reminder: throwing it out of bounds each pass is a 39.5).
But then, 2024 happened. Be it the change of defensive coordinator to Zach Orr or a Space Jam scenario where a cartoon alien got his hand on Williams, sapping away his athletic and football prowess, something changed.
Williams became the lowest-graded safety in PFF with a 42.9 overall grade over the regular season (minimum 20% of snaps). His coverage grade was the second worst (37.3). And it’s hard to believe it was an issue with the change at coordinator when teammates Kyle Hamilton (2) and Ar’Darius Washington (8) were both ranked top eight in overall defense with grades 90.1 and 80.3, respectively. They were both top five in coverage grade, too; Hamilton ranked fourth with an 87.9 and Washington right behind him with an 84.2.
Nothing exemplified Williams’ struggles more than getting lost in Week 10 against the Cincinnati Bengals where he was caught watching tight end Mike Gesicki and letting Ja’Marr Chase blow right past him in deep coverage as Joe Burrow stared down Chase the whole way, and hanging Brandon Stephens out to dry for a 70-yard touchdown.
Which Ravens’ player do you believe exceeded expectations the most in 2024? Scroll down to the comment section and let us know!