Where does the Baltimore Ravens' defensive "triplets" rank among the best units in the NFL?
Where does the Baltimore Ravens' defensive "triplets" rank among the best units in the NFL? originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The term "triplets" usually refers to a teams' trio of offensive stars at quarterback, running back and wide receiver, but it can also be applied to the defensive side of the ball.
Advertisement
A defensive trio - with a lineman, linebacker and defensive back - may be even harder to keep in tact from year to year. Teams who can retain star players, especially those on all three levels of the defense, are best equipped for success.
In Sports Illustrated's latest ranking of these triplets around the league, the Baltimore Ravens earned as much praise as any for their core of stars.
Baltimore is ranked having the second-best defensive trio with lineman Nnamdi Madubuike, linebacker Roquan Smith and safety Kyle Hamilton leading the Ravens flock.
They were second only to the Philadelphia Eagles tandem of Jalen Carter, Zack Baun and Quinyon Mitchell.
Advertisement
"Smith and Hamilton remain two of the best at their respective positions," writer Gilberto Manzano said. "Madubuike dropped off a bit from his breakout 2023 season, but his presence in the middle of the defensive line provided favorable matchups for his teammates. All three were named to the Pro Bowl last year, with Smith and Hamilton making All-Pro teams."
Madubuike, a former third-round pick in 2020, is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl nods despite that aforementioned dip in production from his Second Team All-Pro selection. Regardless, the last two seasons have seen Madubuike come into his own as a foundational piece on the Baltimore D-line.
Last season, he finished with 6.5 sacks (half as much as 2023), 43 tackles and one forced fumble.
Smith is entering his fourth year with the Ravens and has continued to be one of the NFL's best linebackers this deep into his career. The seven-year vet is on a streak of two consecutive First Team All-Pro honors.
Advertisement
In 2024, Roquan led the Ravens in tackles with 154. He also added one forced fumble, fumble recovery, interception and four pass deflections.
Hamilton, much earlier in his career, has also turned into a perennial All-Pro. A recent article puts him atop the safeties ranking in the NFL after just his third year in the league.
The Notre Dame product finished with less interceptions and sacks than his 2023 year, but he played all 17 games for the first time in his career, helping set a career high with 107 tackles.
As a whole, Baltimore wasn't as productive defensively as its stellar 2023 season, but with these three anchoring the group on all levels, the Ravens are poised to control the AFC North for years to come.
Advertisement
Related: Ravens CB Makes Double-Digit Prediction for Sophomore Season
Related: Ravens' Linebacker Position One to Watch in 2025
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
This Penguins' Game May Have Altered History For The Florida Panthers
Apr 11, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; aChicago Blackhawks center Tyler Johnson (90) collides with Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) after Johnson scored a goal against the Penguins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Chicago won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images On Tuesday, the Florida Panthers became back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 at home, 5-1. Not only was it Florida's second-straight Cup win, but it was also their third consecutive Stanley Cup Final. They lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 before besting the Oilers in back-to-back Cup years, and - given that they handily beat a very good Edmonton team in six games despite partaking in their third-straight Final - they may not show any signs of slowing down. Advertisement But this near-dynastic force, in a way, all started with a loss in the spring of 2023 by a different NHL team. No, Florida isn't where they are because of a singular notch in the "L" column by the Pittsburgh Penguins. But, had Pittsburgh won this one game, a lot may have changed for Florida that could have altered their destiny. On Apr. 11, 2023 - in the penultimate game to their regular season - the Penguins were set to square off against the lowly, rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks on home ice. In order to end up clinching a playoff spot, Pittsburgh simply needed to beat Chicago, one of the league's worst teams. And they did not succeed. Can The Penguins Trade Up For Blackhawks' Third Overall Pick? Can The Penguins Trade Up For Blackhawks' Third Overall Pick? It has been rumored that the Advertisement Pittsburgh Penguins would like to trade up in the 2025 NHL Draft. Chicago went up, 1-0, approaching the midway point of the second period on a goal by defenseman Connor Murphy. Then, a little more than five minutes into the third, Penguins veteran forward Evgeni Malkin scored a power play goal to even the score. But - five minutes later - Pittsburgh was dealt a double-gut punch. Just past the 10-minute mark of the final frame, Buddy Robinson and Andreas Athanasiou scored back-to-back within 26 seconds to put the Hawks up, 3-1, pretty much sealing the deal. Pittsburgh forward Danton Heinen scored sandwiched between two Chicago empty-net goals by Tyler Johnson and Mackenzie Entwistle, but it was not enough. Pittsburgh was dealt a course-changing loss, as it, ultimately, led them to miss the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. They also lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets in overtime, 3-2, a few days later, but even if they won that game, the Penguins would have missed. Advertisement And the team that squeaked into the postseason instead? The Florida Panthers. Like Pittsburgh Before Them, The Florida Panthers Are Reinventing The Wheel Like Pittsburgh Before Them, The Florida Panthers Are Reinventing The Wheel Anyone who has been invested in the National Hockey League over the years knows that, as the seasons pile on, the game evolves. In the 2021-22 season, the Panthers won the President's Trophy as the best team in the league, but they were swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Tampa Bay Lightning and made a shocking coaching change in the aftermath, hiring Paul Maurice and canning Andrew Brunette. They also shook up their roster in the offseason of 2022, acquiring and then extending Matthew Tkachuk from the Calgary Flames in exchange for star forward Jonathan Huberdeau and top-four defenseman Mackenzie Weegar. Advertisement There were a sequence of moves in the following years that made them what they are. But, had they missed the playoffs in 2023 after a President's Trophy-winning season - all because the Penguins beat the lowly Blackhawks - it stands to reason that Florida GM Bill Zito may have made some more impulse moves to shake things up after a near-miss. Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Maybe they would have fired Maurice. Maybe they never go out and get veterans like Brad Marchand, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Seth Jones. There's no telling how their timeline and their roster management would have played out had the Penguins won that game against Chicago. Every ounce of credit goes to Zito and the Panthers for becoming the machine they are today. More than likely, it was bound to happen eventually, anyway, regardless of what happened in terms of the 2023 postseason. Advertisement But the Penguins inadvertently opened the door of opportunity for the Panthers to begin their run at three straight Final appearances when they lost, perhaps, one of the most winnable "must-win" games in franchise history. As a result, the Penguins became a cellar dwellar. And the Panthers became a monster. Amazingly, unbelievably, incredibly, the Florida Panthers are back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions Amazingly, unbelievably, incredibly, the Florida Panthers are back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions The Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup Champions. Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more! Featured image credit: Charles LeClaire - Imagn Images
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
New Florida Stadium Video Hypes Up Fans
New Florida Stadium Video Hypes Up Fans originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A short video posted by the Florida Gators' official account stirred excitement among fans early on June 20. The fifteenth-second clip featured quick cuts of Gators football players, crowd energy, and on-field celebration. Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow scores a touchdown as Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Donald Washington attempts a tackle in the BCS National Championship Game in Glendale, Arizona, on Jan. 8, Emmons-Imagn Images The message was direct. The Swamp, known for its atmosphere and noise, remains a difficult place for opponents to play. The video didn't offer new footage or an announcement. Instead, it aimed to set the tone. Game days in Gainesville have always leaned into the idea of toughness and pride, and this video leaned into that same identity. Fans responded quickly. One user replied, 'Can't wait to hit the swamp this year,' capturing a common reaction among Gators supporters. Another called it 'My happy place,' suggesting the stadium still holds emotional weight. Advertisement While most replies were positive, one user from an opposing fanbase commented, 'Easy stadium to play in,' adding a bit of competitive back-and-forth to the post. Another one commented, 'And Eagles'. The phrase 'Only Gators get out Alive' is a longtime slogan tied to Gators football. It's often connected to the loud, high-pressure environment that The Swamp is known for nationally. The post received over 11,000 views within the first day. It also collected hundreds of likes and dozens of comments. This quick reaction suggests continued engagement around the Gators program, even outside the regular season. No current players or coaches were tagged or quoted in the post. It was a tone-setting move, built around tradition and energy. Fans seemed ready to embrace it. With the season still ahead, the early signs of interest point to another loud fall in Gainesville. Advertisement Related: Florida Football: 5 Best Quarterbacks in Gator History Related: Florida Football: Ranking the Toughest Games on the Gators' Schedule This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The Wraparound: Can The Panthers Keep Bennett And Marchand?
Welcome to the off-season. The Wraparound is here to discuss the NHL and more in rapid-fire topics. Can The Panthers Keep Bennett And Marchand? by The Wraparound Can The Panthers Keep Bennett And Marchand? by The Wraparound undefined Here's what Emma Lingan and Michael Augello discussed in this episode: Advertisement 0:00: Where do the Florida Panthers rank among recent dynasties in the NHL? 3:30 What does the future hold for the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid with his impending free agency in 2026? 6:50 Will the Florida Panthers retain Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett? 10:30 After Mitch Marner's charity event in Toronto was cancelled, is it all but confirmed that he will be leaving the Maple Leafs? 13:35 What team is the best fit for Jonathan Toews? 15:38 What team that wasn't involved in the 4 Nations Face-Off could make some noise at the 2026 Olympics? 17:35 Could the Vancouver Canucks move on from Thatcher Demko this summer? Advertisement 20:20 Is there a scenario where the New York Islanders draft anyone other than Matthew Schaefer? 21:45 How will Roman Josi's recovery impact Barry Trotz's off-season priorities? 25:40 Making early predictions for the 2025-26 NHL season See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes. Apple Podcasts Spotify Podbean iHeartRadio Amazon Promo image credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
