Players like Lamar Jackson, Gus Edwards and Orlando Brown Jr. broke out in 2018, helping propel the Baltimore Ravens to the AFC North crown. It’s always great when a team can have so many unexpected contributors, as players who break out make their respective teams stronger in areas that might have been deemed weak spots prior to the season.
Every year, each team finds a diamond in the rough, or a player who makes an impact far past what any analyst or fan could have imagined. The Ravens are one of the best teams at finding players with massive potential and putting them in a situation to be successful.
With a few key breakout players last season and a few who underwhelmed, which players are primed for a breakout season in 2019?
TE Hayden Hurst
The Ravens selected Hurst with the 25th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. They hoped he could become one of Joe Flacco’s favorite targets while also providing solid blocking for the running backs. It’s safe to say that Hurst didn’t pan out as immediately as Baltimore was hoping.
The 25-year-old tight end suffered a foot injury in the preseason which caused him to miss the first four games of the regular season. He was never able to find his stride, as he finished his rookie season with 13 receptions for 163 yards and one touchdown in 12 games.
He displayed some nice blocking ability, but his receiving numbers did not emulate that of a first-round pick. Some pundits were skeptical of the decision to draft Hurst, and so far the decision to draft Hurst isn’t off to a great start.
Hurst was well known in training camp for his hands but didn’t form the bond with either Flacco or Jackson in his rookie season. Hurst will look to improve in the offseason and form a dynamic tight end duo with fellow second-year tight end Mark Andrews.
With a full offseason, Jackson being the starting quarterback from the get-go and less competition at tight end, Hurst has a golden opportunity to find his footing in 2019.
S DeShon Elliott
Elliott was picked in the sixth round by the Ravens in what was deemed one of the biggest steals of the draft. Luke Easterling of Draft Wire had Elliott going in the fourth round. However, his rookie year was cut short when he suffered a season-ending arm injury in the preseason.
Elliott finished his three years at the University of Texas with 105 tackles, 11.5 of which were for a loss. He also hauled in nine interceptions in his three years, including six in his junior year, as he is known for his ball-hawking skills.
With uncertainty surrounding whether safety Eric Weddle will be a cap casualty, and with Tony Jefferson having a down year, the Ravens could look for a new face to lead the back of the secondary. Elliott fits the bill nicely. He profiles to be rangy free safety with great instincts and ball skills with the ability to make receivers pay for coming into the secondary.
Depending on what happens in the secondary with Weddle, Elliott could get a prime shot at a starting role and a breakout season in 2019.
OLB Tim Williams
Williams was one of our picks last offseason to have a breakout season in 2018. However, he rarely saw the field, playing just 11.5 percent of the defensive snaps. Still, he racked up two sacks in his limited time, showing he has the skill set necessary to break out.
With linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs set to hit free agency this offseason, Williams is next in line for a bigger role. How he does this offseason and in training camp will help define just how big of a role it is and if he can be a starter.
At Alabama, Williams was one of the fastest pass rushers in the NCAA. He could blow by offensive linemen and had an insane spin move. He even showed a bit of power in his rushes. But Williams was raw and needed to be refined a bit, so his slow start in the NFL is somewhat expected. But entering his third year in 2019, Williams will have to put it all together and show he’s capable of having the type of big season the Ravens envisioned when selecting him with the No. 78 pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
Williams might not have a better opportunity than 2019 to shine. With questions as to who will supply the pass rush for Baltimore, Williams should be thrown into the mix almost immediately. He just has to produce consistently enough to take it.
