Rick Wagner Deserves Some Credit

When you watch the Ravens on TV, you don't often hear right tackle Rick Wagner's name.

That's a good thing.

Prior to the start of the season, the Ravens didn't actively seek players on the open market to fill their vacant right tackle position once Michael Oher left as a free agent for a $20 million contract with the Tennessee Titans. The Ravens still lack depth at tackle behind Wagner, but what he's showing as a starter is quite impressive for someone that could be considered a second-year rookie.

Last season, Wagner primarily played on jumbo packages near the goal line. Now, Wagner is a staple along the offensive line.

Just how good is Wagner? Well, the performance based grading site, ProFootballFocus named Wagner to their Midseason All-Pro Team.

Here's the excerpt from PFF:

Wagner is the surprise and was really the only right tackle we considered. His +13.7 grade has him streaks ahead of Marcus Gilbert (+6.2) in second.

After the release of the latest mid-round pick, Chykie Brown, Wagner looks like an absolute steal for the Ravens in the 5th round last year. Drafting is primarily luck anyways, especially in the 5th round, but Wagner was a safe pick coming from Wisconsin, which is a breeding ground of NFL caliber offensive lineman.

Even though ProFootballFocus' Midseason All-Pro team means absolutely nothing, it's nice to see Wagner receive some recognition for his outstanding play. If he keeps performing at this level, there's a good chance he'll not only join his fellow right side anchor on the offensive line, Marshall Yanda, on this All-Pro team, but possibly he'll be named along with Yanda for the actual Pro Bowl team.

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