In the NFL, the first stop for any hype train is the locker room. After over a month of training camp, three preseason games and countless meetings, players have a pretty good idea of which up-and-comers need playing time — and which need a little more practice time.
So who’s ready to emerge in Baltimore? On Sunday and Monday, 13 Ravens veterans were asked to name an under-the-radar teammate they think is poised for a breakout year. Here’s how they answered.
RB Justice Hill
“I’d say [inside linebacker] ‘Trent’ Simpson, just because he’s been putting in a lot of work. You can tell that he’s really dedicated to it. He really cares about what he’s doing and he really cares about doing a great job and being great. ... He’s just been doing a lot of great things in camp, flying around, and when game time comes around, he’ll be ready for it.”
WR Tylan Wallace
“I’ve got to say ‘Bate’ [wide receiver Rashod Bateman]. I mean, dude has had the consistency as far as getting open and everything, man. I feel like he’s worked so hard, and I just feel like this year is his year. I feel like he’s going to really break out this year. I don’t know. I can’t explain it.”
TE Isaiah Likely
“Trent [Simpson], Bate [Rashod Bateman] and [cornerback] Nate [Wiggins]. ... When I look around the room, just seeing them work in the offseason, seeing them in OTAs [organized team activities], training camp, everything. Putting it all together, it’s gonna be special. ...
“[Simpson and Wiggins are] really just learning, never really getting beat by the same move twice. Always playing their leverage, always being disciplined, patient and them just really knowing route combinations — routes in general. And just being really able to react and use their athleticism.
“I say really just him [Bateman] just being out there and showing everybody. The confidence is there. Everything he does on the field from route-running, catching the ball and blocking is there. So it’s really just showing everybody the talent that he has.”
TE Charlie Kolar
“I think [Rashod] Bateman’s awesome. Obviously, [wide receiver] Zay [Flowers] had a lot of catches last year, and with OBJ [Odell Beckham Jr.] and some of the guys, ‘Bate’ didn’t have as many [catches], but I think Bate’s uber-talented. I think he’s hungry. I think he’s the healthiest he’s been in years. I think he’s great. I’m really excited for him. Fingers crossed — everyone’s got to stay healthy — but that’s a common theme with all football players. But I think Bate looks awesome.”
C Tyler Linderbaum
“I’ve got to keep it in-house with the linemen. I’m going with all the new offensive starters to break out, just because that’s where I see work every day. Guys like Andrew [Vorhees], Daniel [Faalele], even Roger [Rosengarten] ... just continuing to get better. Both of them [Vorhees and Faalele] — kind of different scenarios what they’re going through, but Andrew hasn’t played football in quite some time, battling back from injury, so just how much he’s grown from when he first started, working through that [ACL] injury and just getting more comfortable playing football. And then Daniel, he’s never played guard in his life, so being able to make that transition down there, just the growth that I’ve seen from both of them is awesome, and they’re only going to continue to get better each week. So I’m excited for them.”
OL Patrick Mekari
“I think everyone’s doing great. ... I think there are a lot of playmakers on offense. They [wide receiver Zay Flowers and tight end Isaiah Likely] both seem really focused. I thought they had a good camp. I think they’re ready for Week 1, so I’m excited to see what they’re able to do. And then on defense, the D-line has been solid. [Outside linebacker] Odafe [Oweh], I think, is going to have a breakout year, so I’m hoping for that. ‘Buike’ [defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike], ‘Ro’ [inside linebacker Roquan Smith] and Trent — Trenton Simpson, I’m excited to see what he’s going to do, too.”
DL Broderick Washington
“[Defensive lineman] Travis Jones. I think the reason why is because he’s always been stronger than everybody — one of the strongest guys on the team, for real, honestly. But he’s learned how to translate that strength into football strength and know what he’s doing with it. I feel like when he first got here, he was just naturally stronger than people and [would] be throwing people around without really thinking about doing it. But now, I think, it’s more purposeful, what he’s doing. But I can’t wait to watch him this year.”
OLB Tavius Robinson
“Probably my boy Trenton [Simpson] or [outside linebacker David] Ojabo. Both hard workers, and since OTAs, they’ve been here grinding, so I think both of them are going to have great seasons, for sure.”
ILB Trenton Simpson
“I have to go with my guy [outside linebacker] Tavius Robinson. Obviously, the work he put in, we’ve been grinding together. So just excited to go out there and see his work pay off. ... The role from our rookie year to our second year, we know what to expect now. But I just see him progress and play faster, having fun.”
CB Brandon Stephens
“Man, you can go all across the board, man. Just looking at Trent [Trenton Simpson], this is his first season. Really liking the fire. I’m expecting him to do big great things for us, but man, I could name several players.”
CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
“A.D. [safety Ar’Darius Washington] ... I would’ve picked him to break out last year, and then he had the injury. Like, we all knew he was the starting nickel and played super well in the Houston game [in Week 1] and Cincinnati [in Week 2] when he got hurt. And if you would’ve asked me last year, I would’ve said A.D. But now that he’s healthy again — and just prayers that he may stay healthy — the world gets to see the type of athlete he is. There’s not a lot of guys his size that can play in this league. And I think people should see that. And I think, one, they should realize it before they see it, because he’s in Year 4 for a reason. Being an undrafted guy, not being the biggest, not the fastest, but you’re in Year 4 — why? And if people are not asking that, then he’ll wake him up.”
S Kyle Hamilton
“I say Travis Jones. ... I think he’ll solidify his name as a top-three-to-five guy at his position in the league this year. ... It’s different, though, going in practice, but I can already tell he’s going to affect the game more than most people at his position. So I’m excited for him. He’s strong as hell, big as hell and can move. Smart. Gets off blocks. Tackles. Rushes the passer. Just everything that you would want.”
S Ar’Darius Washington
“Definitely [No.] 5, Jalyn Armour-Davis. Learning the defense, making plays, breaking up passes and everything like that — that impressed me the most. He’s come a long way from last year. He was kind of hurting last year, and getting over that hump, I feel like he’s going to have a breakout season.”
Baltimore Banner columnist Kyle Goon contributed to this article.
