Ray Lewis ranks Ravens star as the clear best player at his position

Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis has ranked Baltimore Ravens standout Roquan Smith as the best linebacker in the NFL.

Lewis was asked by CBS Sports at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games to rank the top four linebackers in the league today. To not much of a surprise, Lewis penciled in Smith atop this list.

"That’s gonna be hard," Lewis said. "Roquan Smith, Fred Warner. I love Bobby Wagner. Oh, and probably Devin White or one of them boys in Tampa."

Smith has blossomed since the Ravens went all out to acquire him from the Chicago Bears ahead of last season’s NFL trade deadline. Just this season, he anchored a Ravens defense that led the NFL in a multitude of stats, including in points per game allowed (16.5).

Smith watched film with Lewis during the offseason, and it sure ended up paying off for him. The sixth-year linebacker earned First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors this season. He also finished in eight place in the vote for the 2023 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

Overall, Smith tallied 158 total tackles and 42 blitzes over 16 regular season games played this year.