Where do Buccaneers rank among division winners likely to repeat in 2024?
By Brad Smith
No. 3: Baltimore Ravens
With a 12-5 record, the 2024 league MVP in Lamar Jackson, and their first AFC Championship game appearance since 2012, the Ravens are a popular choice to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LVIIII this year. To do that, Baltimore must evade a stacked AFC North division, with all four teams having a legitimate chance at winning the division this year.
This offseason, the Ravens did an excellent job at re-signing their players, highlighted by a four-year, $96 million extension for defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, as well as re-signing linebacker Malik Harrison and slot corner Arthur Maulet. Baltimore also made one of the biggest splashes in free agency, signing former Titans running back Derrick Henry to a two-year, $16 million deal, giving the Ravens the top rushing backfield in the NFL.
In the draft, Baltimore added a pair of stout cornerback prospects in Clemson's Nate Wiggins and Iowa State's TJ Tampa in rounds one and four, respectively. General manager Eric DeCosta also addressed the team's offensive line and the wide receiver core, with the selections of Washington State's Roger Rosengarten and North Carolina's Devontez Walker.
It's worth noting that the Ravens did lose defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, linebacker Patrick Queen, and three starters on the offensive line this offseason, while residing in the AFC North. The Bengals project to rebound from a 9-8 mark in 2023 with the return of quarterback Joe Burrow, while the Steelers added quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to also move past their 9-8 mark from last season.
In addition to the consistent success of the Browns, who went 11-6 last year behind veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, remaining at the top of the AFC North isn't going to be easy for the Ravens in 2024.