MSB Feature: Roquan Smith Earns No. 65 Spot on NFL Top 100 — But How Is He Ranked Ahead of Lamar Jackson?

By Brian Hradsky

The NFL’s annual Top 100 Players countdown continued Wednesday, and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith checked in at No. 65 after another outstanding season. The ranking, voted on by current NFL players, is another testament to Smith’s consistency and leadership as the centerpiece of Baltimore’s defense.

While Smith absolutely deserves recognition as one of the league’s elite linebackers, his placement has already sparked debate among Ravens fans for one reason: he is ranked ahead of Lamar Jackson, who has yet to be revealed but can now finish no higher than No. 64.

For many around Baltimore, that simply doesn’t add up.

Roquan Smith Continues to Be the NFL’s Gold Standard at Linebacker

Since arriving in Baltimore midway through the 2022 season, Smith has transformed the Ravens defense.

His elite instincts, tackling ability, leadership and football IQ have made him one of the NFL’s premier middle linebackers. Every season with the Ravens has ended with Pro Bowl honors, and he has become the unquestioned leader of one of football’s toughest defenses.

Roquan Smith’s 2025 Season

Smith once again filled up the stat sheet during the 2025 season.

2025 Statistics

• Games: 17
• Total Tackles: 130
• Solo Tackles: 76
• Passes Defended: 3
• Fumble Return Touchdown: 1
• AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 2)
• Pro Bowl selection

Although Baltimore’s defense experienced stretches of inconsistency, Smith remained remarkably dependable. He reached at least 130 tackles for the third straight season, an accomplishment matched by very few linebackers in today’s NFL.

Career Statistics

Through eight NFL seasons with the Bears and Ravens, Smith has established himself as one of the most productive linebackers of his generation.

Career Totals

• Games: 130+
• Total Tackles: Over 1,050
• Solo Tackles: More than 650
• Sacks: 21.5
• Interceptions: 10
• Forced Fumbles: 8
• Fumble Recoveries: 10
• Touchdowns: 3
• Pro Bowls: 5
• First-Team All-Pro: 3
• Second-Team All-Pro: 2

Few linebackers of this era can match that résumé.

The Heart of Baltimore’s Defense

Statistics tell only part of Smith’s story.

His communication before the snap, ability to diagnose plays and leadership have elevated everyone around him. Since becoming a Raven, Baltimore has consistently ranked among the league’s best defenses, and teammates frequently credit Smith for getting everyone lined up correctly before the ball is snapped.

He isn’t flashy.

He simply produces every Sunday.

But Should He Be Ranked Ahead of Lamar Jackson?

This is where the debate begins.

Lamar Jackson is:

• A two-time NFL MVP
• One of the most dynamic quarterbacks in league history
• The engine of Baltimore’s offense
• One of the NFL’s most difficult players to defend

Quarterbacks inherently influence winning more than off-ball linebackers, and Jackson’s impact extends beyond statistics. Defensive coordinators build entire game plans around stopping him.

Meanwhile, Smith is arguably the league’s best linebacker.

Both statements can be true.

The question isn’t whether Smith belongs in the Top 100.

He unquestionably does.

The question is whether any off-ball linebacker should rank ahead of a two-time MVP quarterback who remains one of football’s most dominant offensive players.

Final Thoughts

Roquan Smith has earned every accolade that has come his way. His consistency, leadership and production have made him the face of Baltimore’s defense and one of the NFL’s premier defensive players.

A No. 65 ranking is another well-deserved honor.

But for Ravens fans, the bigger story may be what this ranking says about Lamar Jackson’s placement. Jackson remains one of the NFL’s elite superstars, and many in Baltimore will argue he should be much closer to the top of the list than just outside the Top 60.

The NFL Top 100 always generates debate, and this year’s countdown is proving no different.

One thing is certain: **the Ravens remain one of the few teams in football with elite talent on both sides of the ball, led by Roquan Smith on defense and Lamar Jackson on offense.**