Top five most valuable people for Baltimore Ravens in 2024

The Ravens have Super Bowl aspirations once again this year after falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game last season. Baltimore did lose several key players in free agency, but the core of this team is what makes it special.

Here are the franchise's five most valuable people for 2024.

5. Running back Derrick Henry

Henry joining the NFL's best rush offense from a year ago feels unfair. The two-time NFL rushing yards and touchdowns leader (2019, 2020) could take the Ravens ground attack to a level the league has yet to see.

The only thing that could slow Henry down is his health, but he has played in at least 15 games in every year of his career except in 2021, when he suffered a Jones fracture.

Baltimore has a plan for the 30-year-old, and if successful, will find itself in contention for a Super Bowl once again.

"First and foremost, like every player, we want him to make it through the season. It's a long season — 17 games," offensive coordinator Todd Monken said, via Ryan Mink of the team's website. "So, we'll see how that goes. I mean, he's been so durable."

4. Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike

Madubuike is coming off a breakout season in which he registered a career-high 56 tackles and 13 sacks. As a result, the Ravens gave him a well-deserved four-year, $98 million contract this offseason.

It's rare to find an interior defender that can have the type of impact Madubuike did last season. If he picks up where he left off, he'll be worth every penny.

Baltimore's defense allowed the fewest points per game (16.5) and sixth-fewest total yards per game (301.4) in the league last season and Madubuike is a big reason why it could do it again.

3. Wide receiver Zay Flowers

The Ravens have been searching for a No. 1 wide receiver for some time now, whiffing on several playmakers in the first round.

However, they seem to have finally found one in 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers.

Baltimore still didn't have a receiver eclipse 900 yards last season, but Flowers came the closest, leading the team with 77 catches for 858 yards.

He's confident he's going to take his game to another level in 2024.

"[I want to] take the whole game to the next level, everything from blocking to catching," Flowers told reporters in July. "I'm trying to get better at everything, and I'm trying to improve every year and prove all the doubters wrong."

2. Linebacker Roquan Smith

The Ravens made a splash move for Smith two years ago, trading a second-round pick for the now 27-year-old and then signing him to a five-year, $100 million extension. It's safe to say it was worth it.

The No. 8 overall pick in 2018 has recorded 244 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two interceptions and 11 passes defensed since joining Baltimore.

Smith has established himself as one of the best, if not the best, inside linebacker in the league, filling the shoes of legend Ray Lewis quite well.

The Ravens defense has always been at its best with an elite player in the middle of it and Smith provides that on a weekly basis.

1. Quarterback Lamar Jackson

What hasn't already been said about Jackson?

The 27-year-old is simply one of the best players in the entire league and he proved that again last year when he threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns while also rushing for 821 yards and five touchdowns on his way to earning his second NFL MVP award.

As long as Jackson is healthy, Baltimore will have a chance to contend for a Super Bowl, even if his 2-4 record in the postseason is a bit underwhelming.