Unsung heroes of the offensive line for the Ravens in 2023
While the team included well-known players, breakout stars, multiple Pro Bowlers, and standout rookies, there were also several underappreciated yet impactful players who were lesser-known starters and those who stepped up into key rotational roles. This article highlights the players whose contributions mostly went unnoticed but were still clutch. The Baltimore Ravens had one of the best seasons in franchise history in 2023, led by the most balanced offense in the Lamar Jackson era, and helped the three-time Pro Bowler win his second career league MVP award.
When the Ravens offense lost their two most explosive players at the position to serious injuries, the five-year veteran showed himself as a dynamic difference maker in the closing minutes of the game. Hill tied his career total for rushing touchdowns through his first four years in the league with two in the season opener when J.K. Dobbins was injured. Because of his skill as a pass blocker, Hill was the Ravens’ go-to running back on third downs and in two-minute offenses. After electric undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell was injured in Week 15, Hill took on a bigger role as an every-down back.
In the Ravens’ Week 17 victory over the Miami Dolphins, Hill also continued to be a factor on special teams, covering and returning kicks, including tearing off a career-long 78-yarder that set up an eventual touchdown drive on the first possession of the second half. He finished with a season-high three rushing touchdowns and set new career highs in both yards (387) and rushing attempts (84). In 16 games, including five starts, Hill scored his first receiving touchdown of his career. He also outperformed his combined career total in receiving yards (206) and targets (39).
Unheralded heroes don’t usually include four-time Pro Bowlers, but fullback is perhaps the least recognized position on either side of the ball. In order to play it effectively, a player must be able to switch between being a tight end and a sixth offensive lineman on any given play, which Ricard did superbly in 2023. Despite having his run of consecutive Pro Bowl selections broken, he was named an All-Pro by the Associated Press as a member of the second team.
The seven-year veteran was crucial to the success of the top-ranked rushing unit in the league even though he played the fewest offensive snaps since the 2020 season, despite widespread speculation during the offseason that he had been phased out of the Ravens’ new-look offense in the first year under Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken. Veteran running back Gus Edwards had a career year thanks in large part to Ricard, who was frequently seen punishing Edwards with a block as he crossed the goal line. His outstanding efforts also led to the Ravens’ red zone offense taking a turn for the better after it had faltered in the previous two seasons.
The 12-year veteran was arguably the Ravens’ most reliable and dominant offensive lineman during what was perhaps his best season to date. Pro Football Focus reports that on 609 pass-blocking snaps in 17 games, including the postseason, Zeitler allowed just 21 pressures, three sacks, and a pressure percentage of 3.5. This demonstrated his true elite status in pass protection.
