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Updates from Week 4
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson did not play at all in the preseason but seems to have ironed out some of the kinks after a slow start to camp. In new coordinator Todd Monken’s offense, Jackson will not be asked to run as much, but the scheme should be more pass-heavy, which should lead to better passing stats. The Ravens want to spread things out and get the ball into the hands of their playmakers in space. Tyler Huntley remains the No. 2 despite missing much of the past few weeks with a hamstring injury. Josh Johnson played well in the preseason and made it more of a battle than expected, but ultimately he was waived on cut-down day.
Running Backs
J.K. Dobbins ended what was essentially a contract “hold-in” and returned to practice in plenty of time to ramp up for Week 1. “That’s a tough question,” Dobbins said when asked why he wasn’t practicing early in training camp. “I was just being cautious…My teammates understood what was going on. So, it’s all good now. I’m out here.” Despite the lack of an extension as he enters the final year of his rookie deal, he has been in good spirits. “I love it here. I want to finish my career here,” Dobbins said. Dobbins could have a big season if the Ravens give him the touches he believes he deserves. “I’m pretty dang confident, especially coming off the end of the year last year,” Dobbins said. “A lot of people could see that I wasn’t all the way 100 percent healthy, but I still had some pretty good games there. I always say, those games (where) I had good games could have been even better if I was 100 percent. If I get the volume as some of the other guys, it’ll be a really good year.” It is unclear how heavily the Ravens will lean on Dobbins because the team also likes Gus Edwards. Plus, Justice Hill delivered his best offseason yet. In two preseason games, Hill racked up 86 yards on six touches. Rookie Keaton Mitchell made the team as the No. 4, sending veteran Melvin Gordon back to the waiver wire.
Wide Receivers
Three wide receivers have a realistic shot at emerging as the No. 1, and it is difficult to discern how the workload will play out. Odell Beckham Jr has a proven history of production and a big contract ($15 million with incentives that could push it to $18 million). He also turns 31 in November and is coming back from his second torn ACL. Zay Flowers, who the Ravens took with the 22nd pick of the draft, has impressed at every step of the offseason program. He’s earned the nickname “Joystick” from Jackson due to his ability to make guys miss after the catch. Flowers may have the most upside of the trio, but he is also the least experienced. Rashod Bateman has finally joined the competition. He has progressed enough to take part in team portions of practice over the last week and claims he is “99 percent” healthy. Bateman had been temporarily shut down after a procedure to remove the screw from his surgically repaired foot. He seems to have put the offseason drama behind him after making some waves for criticizing general manager Eric DeCosta in the lead-up to the draft. “He said his peace. I said mine,” Bateman said of DeCosta. “We had a conversation, and now we’re best friends. It’s kind of how things work around here.” According to Harbaugh, Bateman “looks really good out there.” Bateman probably has the most well-rounded skill set but needs to prove he can stay healthy after missing most of his first two seasons.
Tight Ends
Mark Andrews is dealing with a minor injury that Harbaugh said “isn’t serious.” He should be ready to go well before Week 1 and is primed for a bounce-back season after a relatively disappointing 2022 campaign. The Ravens took 26% of the snaps in 12 (two tight end) personnel throughout the preseason. While that is higher than the league average, it is likely not enough for Isaiah Likely to have standalone fantasy value if Andrews is healthy. However, should Andrews miss time, Likely would project as a fantasy TE1 in his stead. Charlie Kolar caught four passes for 45 yards in the preseason finale against the Buccaneers and gives the team a strong third option.
Defense
The Ravens have some big names on defense, led by linebacker Roquan Smith, but face more personnel questions than they typically do heading into the season. The first is at edge rusher. In 35 preseason snaps, outside linebacker David Ojabo has one assisted tackle and no quarterback hits or sacks. The team was counting on him to play a big role, but he doesn’t look like the same athlete he was prior to tearing his Achilles tendon 18 months ago. While the defense is stout inside, generating a pass rush could be problematic. There are also major questions at cornerback where starters Rock Ya-Sin and Marlon Humphrey have been banged up, and some of the young talent, including Jalyn Armour-Davis, have not impressed.
Returners
Devin Duvernay is among the most experienced return specialists in the NFL and is virtually assured a spot on Baltimore's final 53-man roster.
Updates from Week 3
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson has shown greater comfort in new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s scheme. In joint practices against the Commanders, the offense generated some easy throws for Jackson while getting the ball in the hands of playmakers in space. There is a sense that things in the passing game are easier in the new scheme. Tyler Huntley remains the favorite to back up Jackson for the fourth straight season, though his missed time due to a hamstring injury has cracked the door slightly ajar for Josh Johnson to push for the top backup job. "We'll be cautious with that for a little while here," Harbaugh said of Huntley’s injury. "If you think about the hamstrings, you just don't want to re-injure it." Johnson has been impressive in preseason play. He was 10-of-12 for 145 yards and two touchdowns against Washington.
Running Backs
J.K. Dobbins was activated from the PUP list and passed his conditioning test last week. "He's 100% healthy," head coach John Harbaugh said. "He looks good. He's been training hard. So, he's ready to go." Dobbins’ extended absence was likely due to displeasure with his contract and not an actual injury. "I think it just worked out for whatever reasons it worked out,” Harbaugh said of Dobbins’ decision to return to the field. “I’m just trying not to look at it too deeply and be grateful." Behind Dobbins, Gus Edwards looks like the top backup. He was held out of the second preseason game along with most of the starters. Edwards is being pushed for the backup role by Justice Hill, who has looked excellent in both preseason games. Rookie Keaton Mitchell looks on his way to beating out veteran Melvin Gordon for the final roster spot.
Wide Receivers
With Odell Beckham and Rashod Bateman not suiting up, Zay Flowers stole the show against the Commanders. He caught a short pass in the flat and darted down the sideline before cutting it back and into the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown. “Zay is different, man,” said Josh Johnson. “He is a very exciting player, and his moves are wild. It’s like that every day. Automatically, it injects life into the whole team to see him go out there and just unleash his special talent.” The play was notable not only for Flowers’ impressive juke to get around a defender but for just how open he was in the flat. If Monken can scheme Flowers open with his route design, Flowers is going to make plays after the catch. Beckham Jr. routinely makes the spectacular look routine, including a multitude of one-handed catches throughout camp. “He’s had like five or six. That's kind of his thing. Did you know that? The one-handed catch,” joked Harbaugh. Bateman was activated from the PUP list nearly two weeks ago and has been ramping up slowly, sitting out multiple practices last week with a minor injury. His durability is a major question. Backups Nelson Agholor and Devin Duvernay are roster locks, too. Tylan Wallace, who has caught touchdowns in both preseason games, may force the team to keep six receivers.
Tight Ends
Mark Andrews grabbed headlines, not for his usual on-field prowess, but for an altercation during joint practices that left Commanders defensive back Danny Johnson nursing an injury. Despite the scuffle, Andrews remains firmly entrenched in the starting role and is poised to continue his status as one of the league's most productive tight ends. However, the Ravens' strength at the position extends beyond Andrews. Second-year tight end Isaiah Likely has established himself as a top-tier backup. Charlie Kolar, who was drafted just ahead of Likely, is also emerging as a valuable target. Kolar led the Ravens with two catches for 61 yards against the Commanders and is locked in as the No. 3. Undrafted rookie Travis Vokolek had three catches for 28 yards and two touchdowns against Washington. It’s going to be hard to stash Vokolek on the practice squad, so they risk losing him if they don’t keep four tight ends on the 53-man roster.
Defense
Edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with incentives that could push it to $6 million. “Jadeveon is a tough, hard-nosed, throws-his-body-around kind of player,” said Coach Harbaugh. “We’ve played against him so many times. We understand how he plays. We’re excited to have him.” This addition to the roster was a deliberate move to bolster their outside pressure, prompted by lackluster performances from the team's young pass rushers like David Ojabo. This strategic signing might also indicate that veteran outside linebacker Tyus Bowser might not be ready to start the season, as he remains on the non-football injury list. Meanwhile, the Ravens are also grappling with depth concerns at cornerback. The team recently signed veteran Ronald Darby to address the issue. Marlon Humphrey had foot surgery that will sideline him for part of the regular season. Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin has missed most of camp with a knee injury, and potential starter Damarion Williams just had ankle surgery that is expected to keep him out until at least October. Kevon Seymour could be the answer; he’s had a surprisingly strong camp and put together another commendable performance against the Commanders.
Offensive Line
The Ravens offensive line's success largely hinges on the performance of left tackle Ronnie Stanley. After overcoming an extended period of ankle rehabilitation, Stanley is now healthy. With Tyler Linderbaum at center, Kevin Zeitler at right guard, and Morgan Moses at right tackle, all considered above-average starters, the main question centered on the left guard position. Veteran John Simpson has taken command of the role from Ben Cleveland and rookie Sala Aumavae-Laulu. Simpson has been excellent throughout the preseason. Assuming Stanley stays in the lineup, the Ravens offensive line ranks 11th, just shy of the elite units.
Updates from Week 2
Quarterbacks
After enduring some early struggles, the offense has recently started to find its groove in practice as the team adapts to new coordinator Todd Monken’s scheme. The Ravens aspire to retain the best elements of former coordinator Greg Roman’s option game while introducing more space and complementing it with a more efficient passing game. More responsibilities will be placed on Lamar Jackson’s shoulders, shifting the offense's reliance from his legs to his arm. He’ll have more freedom at the line of scrimmage to audible into favorable plays, with an increased emphasis on passing. Surprisingly, the Ravens are operating as if there's a genuine competition between Tyler Huntley and journeyman Josh Johnson for the role of backing up Jackson. “All of the three quarterbacks after Lamar have proven that they are capable of being the backup quarterback here and doing a great job,” Coach Harbaugh said. “Now, we just have to see who separates.” While Johnson got the start in the preseason opener against the Eagles, Huntley put up better numbers (8-of-11 for 88 yards and a touchdown) after coming on in relief. Huntley should still be considered the frontrunner to back up Jackson, but the quarterback hierarchy is not as straightforward as expected. Huntley exited the game after two drives due to a hamstring injury that Harbaugh labeled as “nothing major.”
Running Backs
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said the Ravens have had "some discussions" about extending J.K. Dobbins but nothing is imminent. Rapoport doesn’t get the sense that Dobbins’ knee injury is anything serious and that his status on the PUP list was more contract related. Perhaps not coincidentally, Dobbins was activated off the PUP list on Monday – the same day Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott signed with new teams. What little leverage Dobbins had weakened as the other Baltimore tailbacks fared just fine against Philadelphia. Justice Hill got the start and combined with fellow incumbent Gus Edwards for 69 yards on seven carries. Melvin Gordon racked up 25 total yards on seven touches late in the game but is not guaranteed a roster spot.
Wide Receivers
There’s no question that Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr, and Rashod Bateman are the top three receivers. But the pecking order between them is entirely unclear. Flowers continues to generate significant camp buzz and is expected to serve as the primary slot receiver. However, during 10 snaps with the starting offense against the Eagles, Flowers lined up both in the slot and on the boundary. While he didn't officially record a target, Flowers caught a pass just behind the line of scrimmage that was deemed a rushing attempt and was targeted on two other plays that resulted in defensive penalties. On the short pass behind the line of scrimmage, he eluded the first tackler with a skillful cut. While Flowers has garnered more attention, Beckham could potentially emerge as the top option. "He makes my job a lot easier. Put it anywhere in his perimeter and he's going to make something happen. It's like throwing an alley-oop, and Odell is just finishing with the dunk,” Lamar Jackson said. “He’s that guy,” said Jackson of Beckham in a separate interview. Last week, Rashod Bateman was activated off of the PUP list. He showed no signs of favoring his surgically repaired foot in individual drills. He should soon rejoin team drills, as Harbaugh noted Bateman's commendable progress towards full participation. Among the remaining wide receivers, Nelson Agholor appears to be the top backup. Devin Duvernay and Tylan Wallace are also making significant strides toward securing starting roles. The odd one out might be James Proche, who caught one of three targets for a loss of 1 yard against the Eagles and also fumbled on a punt return.
Tight Ends
Mark Andrews and the other starters were held out of the preseason opener. Despite the new additions at wide receiver, he should continue to be Jackson's primary target. “The defense is going to have to respect them, and that opens the field up,” said Andrews. Isaiah Likely serves as the top backup and will see snaps in two tight end sets. It remains to be seen how frequently the Ravens will utilize Likely on the field while removing one of the top three receivers. Likely caught both of his targets against Philadelphia, though only for two yards. He briefly left the game after a hard hit but returned to the sidelines to watch the remainder of the game; the injury doesn't appear to be significant.
Defense
The defense is sturdy up the middle but faces uncertainties at cornerback and edge rush. The cornerback unit is dealing with injuries and searching for solutions beyond Marlon Humphrey and Rock Ya-Sin. This is an area where Baltimore might need to consider signing a free agent. The team hosted cornerback William Jackson III III for a visit this week. Similar challenges exist at the edge rusher position, where the Ravens were hopeful that young players would step into larger roles, but that might not materialize. Second-year defensive end David Ojabo started against Philadelphia and encountered difficulties. He failed to maintain containment on multiple long runs and didn't display the same burst he exhibited in college prior to his injury last spring. Rookie Tavius Robinson demonstrated impressive athleticism but found himself out of position on several plays, suggesting he might be a work in progress. This roster could potentially require external reinforcements on the edge.
Returners
Devin Duvernay, an experienced return specialist, needs to make the roster as a specialist because his role as a receiver is declining.
Updates from Week 1
Quarterbacks
Installing offensive coordinator Todd Monken's offense has not been a smooth and easy process for Lamar Jackson. The frustration for Jackson and his teammates is evident. In a recent practice, Jackson punted the football and threw his helmet after a missed assignment led to a sack. Monken was candid in his evaluation, “It’s not hard to project because we’re not really good right now,” he remarked. “We have a long way to go.” Monken's approach focuses on a balanced offense, likely depending more on Jackson’s arm and less on his running skills than in the previous five seasons. “We’re not nearly where we need to be, and we shouldn’t be because it’s early in camp,” commented Monken about the team's progress. The slow start could be growing pains, but it might become a concern if the offense doesn’t improve in the coming weeks.
Running Backs
J.K. Dobbins appears to be in a pseudo-holdout due to his desire for a contract extension. “I didn’t even know he’s sitting out, but J.K. is sitting out," teammate Melvin Gordon said. "They’re not even making a big headline out of it unless you’re in Indy, I guess. And they got other players sitting out. I didn’t even know J.K. was sitting out until I came here.” “He wants to be out there, and he needs to be out there, just like any player does,” head coach John Harbaugh said of Dobbins. “There’s nothing else I can really add. I don’t know when he’s going to come back, but I know I’m going to be really happy when he does.” Harbaugh seems to be frustrated with Dobbins. With no resolution in sight, drafting Dobbins in fantasy drafts now poses an added risk. Gus Edwards is the primary backup and might assume the main role if Dobbins remains absent. Justice Hill recently secured a two-year extension and appears third on the depth chart. The newly signed veteran, Gordon, likely holds an edge over undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell for the final roster spot. However, Mitchell has been making noise. Harbaugh praised him for “showing he can run and having good hands,” while Monken highlighted Mitchell’s “elite speed.”
Wide Receivers
Rookie Zay Flowers has been dominating one-on-one matchups against cornerbacks throughout camp and has the potential to become the best Ravens wide receiver of the Jackson era. "The most impressive rookie I have seen in six camps is Zay Flowers," NBC’s Peter King said. "He lines up across from a corner and unless they literally interfere with him or hold him, he has tremendous separation on almost every cut. His quickness, his speed out of cuts is going to be a thing to watch in the NFL this year." Flowers is also earning praise from his veteran teammates. Safety Marcus Williams predicted that Flowers “will be a star.” Coach Harbaugh expressed his admiration, saying, “I’m just nothing but impressed with everything he’s done. You get the feel like he’s not a rookie; you get the feel like he’s a veteran. He just seems really mature.” Odell Beckham, who signed an $18M deal with the Ravens in the offseason, has been a consistently strong presence in practice. He has quickly developed a strong rapport with Jackson. While Rashod Bateman remains on the PUP list due to a foot injury, his return is expected soon. After being out for over 10 months, he'll have a lot to prove. Nelson Agholor and Devin Duvernay appear to be the top backups.
Tight Ends
The Ravens' top three tight ends seem to be set with Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Charlie Kolar. As expected, Andrews has been Jackson's favorite target throughout camp and should have another impressive season. However, what's been surprising is Isaiah Likely’s involvement level. Coach Harbaugh expressed high expectations for Likely, saying, "Nothing but the highest. He's a talented guy, works super hard. He had his best day today. He just works to get better every day. It should be a big year for him." Likely has been seeing significant time with the first team, mainly due to the Ravens' frequent use of two tight end formations. "At Georgia, he used a two tight-end offense with (Darnell) Washington and (Brock) Bowers. Georgia had great receivers, too," Likely said of Monken's offense. "Here, we have great receivers, and you still have Mark and me and Charlie (Kolar) in the offense. Having that many people that can hurt a defense can really do wonders."
Defense
The Ravens' defensive line dominated several early camp practices. Defensive tackles Justin Madubuike and Michael Pierce have been formidable forces on the interior, and backup tackle Travis Jones appears ready to take a significant step forward in his second season. Harbaugh praised Pierce's physical presence, saying, "He looks great doing it. I think he's in really good shape and excited to play some football." Outside linebacker Tavius Robinson has stood out among the rookies, consistently putting pressure on the edge. However, fellow rookie linebacker Trenton Simpson is currently sidelined with a soft-tissue injury. The team has transferred cornerback Trayvon Mullen, dealing with a foot injury, to the reserve/non-football injury list, which likely means he will be out for the season.
