Four unsung heroes through the first quarter of the season

Kansas City’s win over the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football completed the first quarter of the 2018 NFL season. The Ravens sit at 3-1 after some solid performances that culminated in a Sunday night upset over the AFC favorite Pittsburgh Steelers.There’s plenty of credit to go around for Baltimore’s hot start Youth Maurice Canady Jersey , with some of the obvious factors being Joe Flacco’s improved play, John Brown’s breakout performances and a defense that’s made it’s bones in the second half. But who are some of the underrated contributors that have collectively led to all this coming together? Let’s take a look:CB Brandon CarrPhilip G. Pavely-USA TODAY SportsCarr has been one of the more underrated players in the NFL since he entered it, and has been just that since joining Baltimore in 2017. That’s been especially true through four games this season, as Carr has stepped in admirably for the suspended Jimmy Smith.It remains to be seen if Carr will remain in the starting lineup now that Smith will be back in action moving forward, but it would be hard to argue against him still receiving legitimate playing time. He especially came up big on Sunday night, redeeming himself the Steelers who gave him fits in last year’s matchup at Heinz Field.Smith and Marlon Humphrey are the two marquee players at the position for Baltimore, but Carr deserves props for playing up to the status quo. He’s a majorly underrated performer up to this point. TE Maxx WilliamsCharles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsIts hard to argue that Williams has been anything other than a disappointment at tight end for Baltimore since they picked him in the second round of the 2015 draft. Expectations were high for the former Minnesota standout, but his speed didn’t seem to translate, and a rash of injuries kept him off of the field.This was the first offseason in which there was relatively no buzz around Williams thanks to the presence of Hayden Hurst and Mark Andrews, and he’s been surprisingly effective in the limited action he’s seen in Hurst’s absence. What’s funny about that is he’s done so by being a much different player than he was expected to be.Rather than the out-and-out vertical threat he was drafted to be, Williams now looks to be a multi-tool utility player able to bring more to the table than a one dimensional tight end. He’s lined up in the backfield, been involved in trick plays Cheap Joe Flacco Jersey , and proven to be a nice chain mover for Joe Flacco over four weeks.In three of those games he had multiple catches, including a 5 for 51 stat line against the Steelers. He’s certainly made a case to continue to be involved going forward, even with Hurst expected to return soon.RB Buck AllenCharles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsOn an offense that’s been full of surprises up and down the lineup, it’s easy to forget about the quietly productive Allen. You could make a case for him being one of the more underrated Ravens of the last few years, as he’s always hung around and produced well as a pass catcher out of the backfield.He’s run it well, caught the ball effectively, and moved the chains on the critical downs when they’ve needed a sure handed option at the position. Allen and Alex Collins should be quite the dynamic duo over the next three quarters of the year.OC Marty MornhinwegPhoto by Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesMarty has received a lot of heat from Baltimore’s fan base after being thrust into the position following Marc Trestman’s unceremonious mid season firing in 2016. Some of it was deserved, His lack his of creativity seemed to cost the Ravens offense drive in and drive out, but his game plans this season have been much better.With legitimate NFL depth at the skill positions and a fully healthy Joe Flacco for the first time, Mornhinweg has shown some real ingenuity in both the traditional sense and otherwise. He’s made great usage of John Brown, surprised defense with trick play looks and has Flacco looking comfortable. Mornhinweg’s seat appears secure for the first time in several years. If he can keep pushing this offense to even higher levels, it’s fair to wonder just how far this team can travel. The Baltimore Ravens have reportedly worked out five running backs on Friday afternoon Cheap C.J. Mosley Jersey , per ESPN’s Field Yates. Baltimore currently has three running backs on their active roster — Alex Collins, Javorius Allen, and Gus Edwards. They also have running back Mark Thompson on their practice squad. However, the Ravens’ running game has not gotten off to the start they had hoped. It is not entirely the running backs’ fault for the poor results in the running game but adding another tailback could give them a necessary spark. Jamaal Charles is the big name on this list as he was a playmaker in Kansas City for several years. He was one of the top running backs in the league with the Chiefs, but those days are behind him. Since being released from Kansas City, Charles has played for the Broncos and Jaguars. In 16 total games over the last two season, he has amounted 303 rushing yards and one touchdown. Charles was reportedly mulling over retiring after being released by the Jaguars, but that could change if the Ravens decided to kick the tires on him. Another interesting name on this list is former Iowa Hawkeye running back Akrum Wadley. Although he ultimately went undrafted, he was one of the more intriguing running backs in the 2018 NFL Draft class. It was a shock that Wadley did not get drafted, but he quickly landed on the Titans’ roster as an undrafted free agent. After spending the preseason in Tennessee, Wadley was cut and not re-signed to their practice squad. He has been out of football since then.In college, Wadley was a human highlight reel. Wadley’s ability to make defenders miss is his greatest trait. He does not go down easy Womens Justin Tucker Jersey , and he fights for every yard. Wadley can also make an impact in the passing game, as he showed at Iowa. In his final two seasons, Wadley combined for over 2,000 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. He also added 64 receptions for 668 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He could be worthy of a practice squad spot if the Ravens can clear a spot for him. Charcandrick West started his NFL career with the Chiefs and was with them for four seasons before being cut in 2018. He then signed with the Jets but was cut before the regular season began. He is a serviceable running back, who could also make an impact in the passing game. Fitzgerald Toussaint is another veteran running back, and he actually started his NFL career in Baltimore. Toussaint was with the Ravens during the 2014 season. He served primarily as a special teams player. After being released by Baltimore in 2015, Toussaint spent the next few seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was also a special teamer and a third-string running back. He was released by Pittsburgh before the start of the 2018 season.The fifth running back Baltimore worked out was former Wisconsin Badger Dare Ogunbowale. He went undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft but quickly signed with the Houston Texans. He has had stints with three different teams, including two times with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.The Ravens have several options if they choose to add a running back as they could sign any of these players or wait a couple of weeks until Kenneth Dixon can return to the field as one of their two injured reserve-designated to return players. According to the NFL rules, if a player is to be selected as one of two IR-DTR players, they must miss eight games before being activated.