10 Ravens who exceeded expectations during 2023 NFL season

The Baltimore Ravens have concluded their 2023 season, and the focus now shifts to what’s shaping up to be a franchise-altering offseason for general manager Eric DeCosta.

Where things currently stand, Baltimore is expected to have roughly $7,328,828 in cap space via OverTheCap, the 20th most in the NFL.

The Ravens amassed the best record in the NFL (13-4) but could not advance to the Super Bowl after a 17-10 loss to the Chiefs in the AFC title game.

With the offseason underway, we’re looking at ten players who exceeded expectations during the 2023 regular season.

QB Lamar Jackson

The expectation was that Jackson would play well in 2023, but he improved leaps and bounds under first year OC, Todd Monken.

Jackson, the 2023 NFL MVP, threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 821 yards and five scores. He helped the Baltimore Ravens (13-4) finish with the best record in the league and led them to a playoff win over Houston.

Jackson received 45 of 50 votes for AP first-team All-Pro.

RB Keaton Mitchell

Dec 17, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) hands off to running back Keaton Mitchell (34) against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The undrafted rookie outplayed Melvin Gordon in the preseason, and by midseason, was the most productive running back on the roster.

Mitchell was one of the highest graded players on offense, and finished his rookie year with 47 attempts, for 396 yards and two touchdowns in 8 appearances with two starts.

WR Zay Flowers

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half in the AFC Championship football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The young rookie carried the Ravens passing attack, logging 77 catches for 858 yards and 5 touchdowns on 108 targets.

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

Playing in relief of an injured Mark Andrews, Likely started 8 of 17 games in 2023, logging 30 catches for 411 yards and 5 touchdowns.

DE Jadeveon Clowney

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (24) and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (92) during the first quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Clowney finished the year as one of the highest graded performers, logging a career high 9 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, 51 hurries and 71 QB pressures.

DB Geno Stone

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 20: Geno Stone #26 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before a game against the Carolina Panthers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Stone started 11 of 17 games for Baltimore this season, finishing second in the NFL with 7 interceptions, along with 68 tackles and 9 passes defended.

CB Brandon Stephens

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary (26) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen (6) and cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) during the third quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Stephens started 16 games at cornerback, and the converted safety logged two interceptions, and a 65.5 grade in coverage.

DT Justin Madubuike

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 31: Justin Madubuike #92 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Madubuike had a breakout season with a career-high 13 sacks to lead all NFL defensive linemen. He recorded at least a half-sack in 11 straight games (weeks 4-15), tying the record for the longest streak in NFL history.

LB Patrick Queen

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen (6) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Queen had a career-high 133 tackles (84 solo) and matched a career high with six passes defensed, while adding 3.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Queen is the only NFL defender to produce at least 400 tackles, 10 sacks and 10 takeaways since he entered the league in 2020.

DB Kyle Hamilton

Dec 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) intercepts a pass against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

First round picks are expected to produce, but Hamilton has developed into one of the league’s top defensive players in only his second season.

Hamilton became the first NFL defender since Tyrann Mathieu in 2015 to notch four interceptions, ten passes defended and at least 10 tackles for loss in a single season. Hamilton had three sacks and 13 passes defensed.