Ravens All-Pro linebacker makes a list of the Top 10 NFL defenders to build around
Ravens All-Pro linebacker makes a list of the Top 10 NFL defenders to build around NFL.com's Bucky Brooks made a list of 10 players to build around for 2025, and Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith made the list at No. 8.
The Baltimore Ravens weren't overly active during the first few days of NFL free agency. Still, the team added DeAndre Hopkins to the passing game, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie on defense, and Jake Hummel to the special teams. The Ravens retained Ronnie Stanley, Patrick Ricard, and Tylan Wallace, while the restructure of Marlon Humphrey created $13 million in salary cap space.
The team then added DeAndre Hopkins.
Even with the inactivity and loss of Brandon Stephens, Malik Harrison, Patrick Mekari, Josh Jones, and Chris Board, the team is still in the midst of a Super Bowl window and has 11 2025 NFL draft picks to help restock.
Baltimore has signature stars on defense, and NFL.com's Bucky Brooks just revealed a list of 10 defensive stars in the NFL that he would most want to build around entering the 2025 season, and All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith made the list at No. 8.
Off-ball linebackers are rarely viewed as essential pieces to a championship puzzle, but Roquan Smith is a unicorn, a sideline-to-sideline menace with outstanding instincts, awareness and diagnostic skills. The three-time All-Pro is a tackling machine with underrated pass-rushing skills (21.5 career sacks) as a blitz specialist. He's a disruptive presence on the field and leader of a Ravens defense that strikes fear in the hearts and minds of opponents -- an ideal second-level cornerstone.
Smith was voted to his third straight Pro Bowl after leading the Ravens' defense and finishing fifth in the league in tackles (154). Smith is one of the fiercest and best tacklers in football; Last season, he also had 1.5 sacks, one interception, and four tackles for loss.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
42 minutes ago
- USA Today
Contract situation reportedly not in great place for Patriots dream trade target
The rift between the Washington Commanders and two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Terry McLaurin isn't any closer to closing. When responding to a fan question in a mailbag article, NFL insider Albert Breer claimed things were "not in a great place" between McLaurin and the Commanders. However, he does expect the two sides to resume negotiations when the players return from their break. Whether that leads to an actual deal or not remains to be seen. Breer wrote: "They have a lot of work to do. I'd expect that work will pick up again when the league comes back from break in a few weeks. But it's still not in a great place. So we'll see what happens—there's plenty of time to get something done." The mere mention of a contract dispute involving a talented wide receiver should get the New England Patriots' attention. They are still reconstructing their roster, and the addition of a playmaker like McLaurin would be a major lift to the offense. But how far is McLaurin willing to go to get a new deal? He skipped out on mandatory minicamp. Would he skip training camp and be willing to sit out actual games for a new contract? The latter might be the only way a team like the Patriots would have any hope of a blockbuster trade. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Justin Tucker hopes to thread needle between claiming innocence, accepting responsibility
When the NFL announced on Thursday that former Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has received a 10-game suspension under the Personal Conduct Policy, the initial reaction based on the bare-bones statement was that the league completed its investigation and its in-house legal process with a finding that Tucker had done what he was accused of doing during one or more massage-therapy sessions. It quickly became clear that the suspension didn't result from the procedures created by the NFL. It came from a negotiation between the league, the union, and Tucker. Advertisement And that's what made aspects of the statement issued by Tucker's representative confusing. Especially at the outset. 'We are disappointed with the NFL's decision," Rob Roche began in the comment that was widely distributed to reporters and for the most part disseminated with little if any context or explanation. The NFL's "decision" wasn't to suspend Tucker 10 games. It was to propose (presumably) a longer suspension if the process played out and to offer Tucker a 10-game suspension. It was Tucker's "decision" to accept the 10-game suspension. That fact, obscured by Roche's statement, is an important one. Tucker accepted a 10-game suspension for something he loudly insisted he didn't do. Advertisement "Justin has always strived to carry himself in a way that would make his family and community proud," Roche added. "He stands by his previous statements." But does he? Who accepts a punishment for something they know they didn't do — especially when reasonable minds will be inclined to include that accepting a 10-game suspension represents an admission of responsibility? "In order to put this difficult episode behind him and get back on the field as soon as possible, we have advised Justin to accept this resolution and close this matter," Roche said. "The people who know Justin best know his character and understand that while he remains fully committed to excellence as a football player, he is deeply dedicated to his most important lifetime roles as a father, husband, and friend.' It's one thing to advise Tucker to take a one-game or a two-game suspension. Ten games sends a much different message. Ten games suggests that Roche and others feared the league would emerge from the hearing before retired judge Sue L. Robinson with a much longer suspension. Advertisement And so, on one hand, Tucker still says he didn't do anything. On the other hand, he has accepted a TEN-GAME SUSPENSION for something he swears he didn't do. That's a difficult needle to thread, especially if he plans to eventually sue the Baltimore Banner for defamation based on the reporting that sparked this situation in late January. For a defamation case to fly, Tucker will have to prove that the information was false (and that the Banner knew it was false or acted with reckless disregard to the truth or falsity of the information, since Tucker is a public figure). The suspension means, as a practical matter, that Tucker will also need to show that even the NFL was duped by the false allegations.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Pickens Apology Due As Camp Issues Major Statement About Cowboys Star
Pickens Apology Due As Camp Issues Major Statement About Cowboys Star originally appeared on Athlon Sports. FRISCO - A George Pickens apology is owed. No, not from him. To him. At first glance, it appeared that new Dallas Cowboys receiver Pickens dumped on his responsibilities back in Pittsburgh, as he long ago agreed to host a youth football camp this summer there. Advertisement Then came the trade to Dallas ... and a change. Pickens isn't doing that camp. As an initial response, the host company, TruEdge, announced, "We have been notified that George has walked back on his word'' and added that it "deeply frustrated" about the "sudden decision" and about Pickens' "disappointing lack of accountability disregard for families and children." Oops. Now the company is the one "walking back'' things, having released a statement this week that amounts to an apology as that initial email to campers' families had an 'inappropriate' tone and 'mischaracterized' the situation. Advertisement 'Regrettably, the language used in our original message mischaracterized George's intent and actions,'' the company has now announced. "While our frustrations stemmed from the uncertainty surrounding the event, it was never our intention to publicly question George's professionalism, integrity, or commitment to the community. We now understand that the tone and implications of our message were not only inappropriate but inconsistent with our values as an organization. "We recognize that he was navigating a significant career transition during this time and that his team kept open lines of communication with us.' In fairness to Pickens - whom the Steelers traded last month essentially in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick from Dallas - Pickens' decision to pull up stakes in Pittsburgh as he transitions to the Cowboys never seemed all that offensive to us. We would also note that we wonder how many youthful Steelers fans want to see Pickens now, as opposed to his announced replacement, Pittsburgh tight end Pat Freiermuth. Advertisement The Cowboys are taking on a player in Pickens who has behavioral baggage; there is no denying that. But this seems like a case of piling on. So the apology of sorts is right-minded. Related: Cowboys' Pickens Creates 'Goodfellas' Nickname For Lamb Pairing Related: Cowboys Sign UFL Star As Fans Question 'Commitment' Want more Cowboys? Check into the Fish Report here! This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
