Rising Ravens star earns praise while another receives the cold shoulder

USA Today

5 hours ago

A rising Ravens star Is missing from a list that everyone ought to be reading.
The best NFL teams have figured it out. There are different ways to build a superior roster, but to compete annually, a franchise quarterback must be located. Now, that's easier said than done. The Miami Dolphins are still trying to replace Dan Marino, and though the Baltimore Ravens came to town in 1996, it took until 2018 to land Lamar Jackson.
The journey towards the elite doesn't end with phenomenal quarterback play. It's only the beginning. Teams must invest in their offensive line, weapons for the quarterback, and elite pass rushers.
The saying is well-known. Every great team has a nice mix of drafted players and free-agent acquisitions. Eric DeCosta and his staff are certainly passing the eyeball test.
Kyle Hamilton is named among the NFL's elite young players, but where in the heck is Tyler Linderbaum?
As the Ravens begin their quest for the organization's third Lombardi Trophy, all eyes will be on the veterans: Jackson, Derrick Henry, DeAndre Hopkins, Roquan Smith, and Jaire Alexander. The latter four names on that list arrived through trades and free agency.
The scales are balanced, though. Baltimore has drafted well. Malaki Starks and Nate Wiggins are going to be stars. Mike Green is going to surprise people. Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum are already stars.
Hamilton recently ranked 11th on CBS Sports' list of the top 25 NFL players who are 25 years old and under. While that's a respectable mention, one could argue that Linderbaum's absence is a snub, but in the meantime, here's what Cody Benjamin, the writer of this one, said about Hamilton. It's hard to disagree with this theory.
"It's almost unbelievable now that Hamilton started just four games as a rookie, because the last two seasons, he's been all over the ball at every level of the field for the Ravens. Need a timely sack? He can do it. Need a critical pass breakup? He's there. The Notre Dame product all but sets the standard for do-it-all safety play."
Players 1-10 preceding Hamilton on this list are Ja'Marr Chase, Jayden Daniels, Penei Sewell, Patrick Surtain II, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sauce Gardner, Aidan Hutchinson, Brian Thomas Jr., and Derek Stingley.
Linderbaum is a two-time Pro Bowler, landing on both of the most recent rosters, and it isn't out of the realm of possibility that he could venture towards All-Pro territory. Isaiah Likely is another notable name. He's second on the tight end depth chart behind the great Mark Andrews, but it is clear that Likely has starting tight end potential.
Benjamin always does excellent work. He's undoubtedly one of the more informed voices in this field, but Linderbaum's absence from this list is certainly worth a challenge flag.