Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Williams Should Be Going to the Pro Bowl

The Baltimore Ravens have two players going to the Pro Bowl, but the name not on the list is arguably the most deserving of them all.

The Baltimore Ravens are getting some love despite the poor season. Just not enough to keep everyone happy.

Marshal Yanda and Sam Koch, two of the best at their respective positions, are headed to the 2016 Pro Bowl which will take place in Honolulu on Jan. 31.

Each is deserving of the honors. Koch, a 10-year veteran, will be headed to his first after leading the NFL in net punting average the past two seasons. He is also fourth in gross average per punt and has been a weapon for the Ravens all season long. His peers and coaches have noticed how effective he has been as they voted him in despite finishing fourth in the fan voting.

Meanwhile, this is the fifth for Yanda, who is the highest rated offensive lineman by Pro Football Focus once again. That is nothing new for Yanda, but he did join exclusive company in Ravens history as only the sixth player to make five Pro Bowls. The only other players to do so are Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Jonathan Ogden, Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata. He is creeping his way into the Ravens all-time greats and has many more years of play before he calls it quits.

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Fullback Kyle Juszczyk and middle linebacker C.J. Mosely are both third alternates, and will make the trip if players are injured or their team makes the Super Bowl. “Juice” has been a joy to watch this season and Mosley is quickly becoming one of the best young inside linebackers.

To be frank, Mosley is not the best player on this Ravens defense. That honor goes to defensive tackle Brandon Williams, and he is not getting the recognition he deserves.

Every year there are players that are deserving of the honors and do not make it. Sometimes the numbers just do not add up because there are only so many spots at the position and so many deserving players. Aaron Donald, Fletcher Cox and Kawaan Short are arguably the game’s best. Geno Atkins and Gerald McCoy are statistically having better seasons if you look at the sack totals. Williams’ impact does not show up in individual statistics.

He is the anchor of the fifth-ranked rushing defense in the NFL. He is consistently taking on double teams. When he is not, he is a couple yards in the opposition’s backfield. He disrupts plays which allows the players around him make the stops. Every game, he is the first player on defense that really stands out.

Williams is having a phenomenal season as the starter. He has made the trade to send Ngata to Detroit look like a smart move. He has to be on the field and that’s why Baltimore was able to part ways with the veteran.

As previously noted, Ngata has been to five Pro Bowls. He was selected to five consecutive from 2009 to 2013. His first was in his fourth season in the NFL so it took some time before Ngata got appreciated for how good he was playing.

Williams is in his third season and has made significant strides over the course of his professional career. He is one of the best in the NFL already and will be getting a Pro Bowl nod next season if he continues his stellar play.

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The future is bright for Williams as he will be the anchor of this defensive unit. If he continues to dominant offensive linemen, he will get his credit in due time.