The slowest juncture of the NFL calendar is the period between the conclusion of all offseason programs for every team in the league, including the Baltimore Ravens, and the start of training camp in late July.

It’s also the perfect time for almost every media outlet that covers the sport to churn out lists, rankings, and projections to fill space, occupy, time, and stir up some engagement and debate among fanbases.

Pro Football Focus’ Jim Wyman recently wrote an article listing the best duo for every qualifying position group in the league. Positions such as quarterback, center, and others where only one player can be on the field at a given time were excluded.

One could make a compelling argument that the Ravens tight end duo of three-time Pro Bowler Mark Andrews and ascending second-year pro Isaiah Likely could warrant more consideration over the likes of David Njoku and Jordan Akins for the Cleveland Browns. There’s also the inside linebacker tandem of First-Team All-Pro Roquan Smith and fourth-year pro Patrick Queen that warrant consideration given how strong they finished the 2022 season once they joined forces.

However, the lone representative on the list from the Charm City franchise was second-year breakout candidate Kyle Hamilton and underrated veteran ballhawk Marcus Williams who was named the best safety duo in the league.

“With all the attention going to Sauce Gardner, Hamilton quietly put together a dominant rookie year of his own, as he led all safeties in PFF grade at 87.6,” Wyman wrote. “In fact, Hamilton had at least an 83.0 PFF grade in all four major grading categories.”

The Ravens selected the former Notre Dame star at No. 14 overall in the first round and after a rough start to his rookie campaign, he finished with an 87.7 run defense grade, 85.7 as a pass-rusher, and 83.0 in coverage per PFF which gave him “about as well-rounded a rookie season as we’ve ever seen”.

“Williams, on the other hand, is coming off his lowest-ranked PFF grade season since 2018, and he still graded amongst the top 20 safeties in the league with a 73.9 PFF grade,” Wyman wrote.

The 2023 season will be their first working as a tandem in the backend following the offseason trade of stalwart veteran Chuck Clark to the New York Jets. Given this fact, most of Wyman’s reason for having them listed as the league’s best is more based on projection than production.

Hamilton Could Become Household Name in Year 2

The 2022 first-rounder will not only have more responsibilities as a full-time starter in his second season but even high expectations following such an outstanding second half of his rookie year.

He was on the field early and often as a nickel defender serving in a hybrid safety role where he was tasked with blitzing, aiding in run defense, and covering whoever lineup in the slot at times whether it was a receiver or tight end, or running back. Hamilton executed and played the role that capitalized on his versatility and rare blend of size, strength, and length at an elite level.

Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald found creative ways to deploy him and use his skillset to cause chaos for opposing offenses, especially in the box and near the line of scrimmage.

According to Pro Football Reference, Hamilton recorded 62 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, five quarterback hits, five pass deflections, and one forced fumble in 16 games that included four starts.

He played 53 percent of the team’s total defensive snaps as a rookie as a regular rotational piece but now that he is slated to take over for Clark, not only will his snap count increase significantly but so will the ground he’ll need to cover in the backend. While he didn’t run a blazing 40-yard dash during the pre-draft process, Hamilton’s range and closing speed are both exceptional.

The Heavy’s own Senior NFL Insider Matt Lombardo recently had Hamilton featured in an article titled ‘Predicting the NFL’s Next First-Time All-Pro at Each Position’ because he believes that he is “as versatile as they come at safety” and that he can “build on a prolific rookie season”.

“Not only does Hamilton thrive in coverage, where he played both deep safety and in the slot while holding opposing receivers to only 9.9 Yards per reception, but he’s a real weapon up near the line of scrimmage,” he wrote. “Hamilton’s 2.0 sacks and 20 run-stops underscore his value at all levels of the Ravens’ defense.

Williams Poised For Big Season As Well

The most likely and perhaps the only reason that the six-year veteran defensive back had his lowest-graded season since his second year in the league was the fact that his gradable sample size was limited to 10 games as a result of an injury.

He missed seven games from Week 6 to 13 after suffering a dislocated wrist in Week 5 in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. However, prior to that setback, Williams was off to a sensational start to his career as a Raven and looking worth every penny of the sizable five-year deal worth $70 million that the team signed him to in free agency with three interceptions in the first four games.

While 2020 seventh-rounder Geno Stone filled in more than admirably for him, he just didn’t present the same playmaking threat from a ball skills standpoint. In his first game back from injury, Williams seemingly picked up where he left off by recording an interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14.

He finished the year with 61 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, eight pass breakups, and team-leading four interceptions according to PFR. Williams is the Ravens’ first true free safety since six-time Pro Bowler Eric Weddle patrolled the backend in Baltimore from 2016-2018 and he could prove to be perhaps the best since Hall of Famer Ed Reed now that he has a full year in Macdonald’s system, is healthy, and is still ascending at just 26 years old.

Hamilton believes Williams is “one of the best in our league” and was well on his way to proving it prior to his untimely injury. He is excited about the opportunity to play alongside him on a full-time basis and learn as much as he can.

“He tells me every day, not even football-wise, just, mentally, how to attack every day – how to watch film, how to adapt to certain coverages that we’re playing and stuff like that – [and] not to overthink it,” he said in a press conference on June 6, 2023. “He gives me a lot of confidence in my game, so he’s helped me a lot the past two years. And hopefully, it’s going to be a bright future.”

Injuries can sometimes be unavoidable and can happen at any time in professional sports, especially in the NFL since football is the most violent of the major leagues.

No position or player is immune from sustaining them and it’s the job of every general manager and head front office executive to fortify their roster with viable contingency plans at every spot but particularly at quarterback which is the most important in all of sport.

The Baltimore Ravens have one of the better reserve signal callers in the league in fourth-year pro Tyler Huntley who has played in several meaningful games and even started for stretches the past two seasons in place of former unanimous league MVP Lamar Jackson.

In a recent article by the Heavy’s own NFL Insider, Matt Lombardo, the former undrafted free agent out of Utah was ranked second on a list of the ‘Most Critically Important Backups for 2023 NFL Season’ and was only behind former No. 2 overall pick Marcus Mariota who was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency to back up Jalen Hurts.

He noted that the Ravens made “significant” commitments to Jackson this offseason in the form of signing him to a record-setting contract and “adding dynamic receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers to his supporting cast via free agency and the NFL Draft.”

“There’s little doubt this will be the most explosive supporting cast Jackson has had at receiver at any juncture of his NFL career, and Baltimore is betting big that the 26-year-old makes major strides as a passer, coinciding with their arrivals,” Lombardo wrote.

With so much invested, so much on the line, and considering they have numerous key players set to be free agents next offseason, the Ravens can’t afford to not have a quality insurance plan under center just in case their star quarterback misses any amount of time for the third year in a row.

“Given Jackson’s lengthy injury history, his propensity for taking off as a runner, and everything the Ravens have invested on offense to catch the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North, Tyler Huntley emerges as one of the league’s most vital backups,” Lombardo wrote. “Huntley showed flashes over the past two seasons, including passing for 1,081 yards in 2021. A proven backup who is comfortable in the Ravens’ scheme, Huntley would certainly be tasked with leading a roster capable of pushing for the division crown if Jackson goes down.”

Over the past two seasons, Jackson has missed a total of 11 games including the postseason and at least the last four of the regular season according to Pro Football Reference as a result of either injury or illness. During that time, Huntley compiled a record of 3-5 as a starter and threw for a combined 1,739 passing yards per PFR and even made last year’s Pro Bowl as an alternate.

Huntley’s Roster Spot Might Not Be Secure

As admirable and even impressive as he has performed at times in Jackson’s stead, there is no guarantee that Huntley will be a lock to serve as Ravens’ primary backup at that spot for the third year in a row.

According to a stock report from The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec following the team’s mandatory minicamp, while he remains the favorite to hold onto his job, the 25-year-old “left the door open” for 37-year-old journeyman veteran Josh Johnson to potentially supplant him in training camp and the preseason.

“In OTAs and last week’s minicamp, Huntley struggled with consistency and put the ball in harm’s way a little too often,” he wrote. “It’s no secret that Baltimore wanted to upgrade at backup quarterback this offseason.”

The Ravens brought Johnson back for his third stint with them last month in the wake of a new league rule that went into effect that he played a part in inspiring. He’s played for nearly half the league at 14 teams and counting which included previous stops in Baltimore for the 2016 preseason and 2021 regular season.

Earlier in the offseason, the Ravens were reportedly interested in bringing in former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield and among others as a backup option and potential contingency plan had they not signed Jackson to a long-term deal and he refused to play on the franchise tag.

Ravens Could Free Up Cap Space to Address Pressing Needs

Zrebiec also pointed out that Huntley “is on the books for $2.6 million” this season after signing his restricted free agent tender earlier this offseason. Given that both Johnson and second-year pro Anthony Brown account for just $1.962 million against the cap combined according to overthecap.com, they might be tempted to go with a cheaper option if the margin in performance between isn’t very wide.

“If the Ravens aren’t sold on Huntley as a clear upgrade over Johnson, the cap savings they’d get from moving on from Jackson’s backup the past two years could be attractive,” he wrote. “Either way, Huntley, who has started nine games for the Ravens over the past two seasons, will have plenty on the line later this summer.”

Huntley is an ideal backup for what has become the new NFL prototype at the position given his rushing ability and especially in Baltimore behind Jackson. However, in the Ravens’ new offense under Todd Monken where he wants to focus more on getting the other offensive players the ball and less on the quarterback run game, Johnson might just be the better option of the two if he balls out in training camp and the preseason.

Since none of Huntley’s 2023 salary is guaranteed under his tender, the Ravens could use the immediate savings to help bring in a veteran or two at their top remaining positions of need which are cornerback and outside linebacker where they could use more experience and depth.

There are several quality options still available on the open market including recent Ravens in three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters and four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Justin Houston.

In the past, it sometimes took offensive players outside of running backs and offensive linemen a while to start and make significant impacts for the respective teams in their first few years in the league and especially as rookies.

Over the last decade, that trend has drastically shifted in the other direction. Young quarterbacks, especially those drafted high, rarely sit for a year or two and are often inserted as the starter before the end of their rookie seasons.

With the proliferation of the passing game and emphasis put on skills training at the youth level, rookie receivers are entering the league more refined and ready to hit the ground running at a much higher rate.

The last two Offensive Rookie of the Year award recipients have been wideouts and Minnesota Vikings‘ three-time Pro Bowler Justin Jefferson finished second to Los Angeles Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert in AP voting for the honor in 2020 according to Pro Football Reference.

According to the Heavy’s own resident NFL insider, Matt Lombardo, Baltimore Ravens first-round rookie receiver Zay Flowers has a strong chance of making it three years in a row for his position group winning the prestigious honor.

He listed the former Boston College star at No.5 in his recent article ‘5 NFL Offensive Rookies Who Could Be Immediate Stars’ and believes that “there might not be a rookie receiver who fell into a better position” to have instant success than Flowers in Baltimore.

“Flowers is a prototypical field-stretcher with 4.2 40-yard dash speed, and he lands in an offense where he’ll be on the receiving end of passes from Lamar Jackson and surrounded by playmakers Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman who will command plenty of attention from opposing defenses,” Lombardo wrote.

The only other receiver on the list was former Ohio State star Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks who was ranked No. 2 behind Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson.

Smith-Njigba was the first player at the position taken in this year’s draft and also landed in a very favorable situation where he’ll have Pro Bowl veterans D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett commanding a lot of attention which will open up a lot of space for him to make plays, especially out of the slot.

Flowers Could be ‘Biggest Beneficiary’ of Offensive Shift

While the Ravens’ offense was one that featured the wide receiver position the least amount of any in the league the past four years since Jackson became the full-time starter and their unit was the least productive in the entire league last season although injuries played a significant factor.

However, with former offensive coordinator Greg Roman out and Todd Monken in to replace who has already vowed to strive for more balance and lean less on Jackson’s electric rushing ability, Lombardo believes that the first-round rookie wideout could benefit greatly from this highly-anticipated change in philosophy.

“If Baltimore becomes an offense that pushes the ball vertically downfield, and Jackson continues to make the strides as a passer he showed prior to getting injured last season, Zay stands to be the biggest beneficiary,” he wrote.

The evolution of the Ravens’ offense and both the health and continued maturation of their former unanimous league MVP-winning quarterback will be key to not only Flowers’ individual success but the entire team’s chances at making a deep playoff run and hopefully a Super Bowl.

Ravens Offense Projected to be Among Top-10 Most Explosive in 2023

Lombardo also recently wrote an article listing the offenses that he believes will be the most explosive in the league this upcoming season and had the Ravens rounding out the top 10.

“The Ravens took care of Lamar Jackson this offseason, and not just by making him the highest-paid quarterback in league history,” he wrote. “Baltimore made a big splash by signing veteran field-stretcher Odell Beckham Jr. and also drafted speedster Zay Flowers, who averaged 15.3 Yards per Reception over the course of his collegiate career at Boston College.

“While Mark Andrews remains, as a prolific red-zone weapon and security blanket over the middle for Jackson, added speed on the perimeter should allow Jackson to take advantage of the deep ball more often in 2023.”

The Ravens also have a pair of second-year tight ends behind Andrews on the depth chart in Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar who are also dangerous targets over the middle of the field that are capable of stretching the seam of opposing defenses and making explosive plays with the ball in their hands.

Even though they’re striving for more balance between the run and the pass than there has been in years past, the Ravens still expect to field a dominant rushing attack and have the running backs to make it happen.

Both J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards will be two years removed from suffering their respective major knee injuries when the season gets underway. Veteran Justice Hill was re-signed in free agency and looked good working with the first-team offense during Organized Team Activities and mandatory minicamps according to reports.

They could also have a potential ace in the hole in waiting with explosive undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell. The Ravens’ legacy product could carve out a role for himself early on in his rookie year if Dobbins threatens a holdout as he seeks a new contract or if Mitchell simply shows enough consistent flashes in both training camp and the preseason.

The Baltimore Ravens committed a lot of resources and their highest pick in the NFL Draft toward improving the wide receiver position this offseason with the additions of veteran Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor and rookie Zay Flowers.

While the aerial arsenal at franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson’s disposal got a major upgrade since the 2022 season ended, one of their most perceived glaring weakness is in the pass rush department and specifically on the edge at outside linebacker.

The young position group came in at No. 6 on the top 10 list of biggest remaining roster holes in the league for 2023 as it currently stands according to NFL.com’s Kevin Patra.

“Baltimore spent the offseason stocking up on offensive weapons for Lamar Jackson, but the defensive front has serious questions,” he wrote.

He noted that 2021 first-round pick Odafe Oweh “took a step back” in his second season last year and “will look to rebound this fall” while 2022 second-rounder David Ojabo had most of his rookie year “wiped out” by a pre-draft injury.

Patra believes that the team is planning to rely “heavily” on the former Michigan product with just three games of experience under his belt including the postseason to produce after losing two of their top three sack leaders from last season.

They released six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell who had 5.5 sacks as a salary cap casualty and he is now with the Atlanta Falcons. Four-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Justin Houston remains unsigned by choice after leading the team with 9.5 sacks in a resurgent 2023 season.

“Could a Houston reunion be in the cards? It wouldn’t be a surprise if general manager Eric DeCosta added multiple veterans at some point to round out a group lacking in depth and playmakers,” Patra wrote.

Edge Cupboard is Light But Not Bare

While Patra is correct in his assertion that the Ravens are lacking in depth at outside linebacker and could greatly benefit from adding another experienced player or two at the position, where he’s off the mark is stating that the group as currently constructed lacks playmakers.

Even though they’re relatively unproven commodities in terms of years in the league and career sack totals, Oweh and Ojabo are two of the most freakishly athletically gifted edge defenders to enter the NFL in recent memory.

The only reason they both weren’t first-round picks was due to Ojabo tearing his Achilles at his pro day, otherwise, he would’ve been a virtual lock to come off the board in the top 15 picks instead of falling all the way to No. 45 overall in the second round.

They have the potential to develop into the next great pass-rush duo for the Ravens that they haven’t had since Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil joined forces from 2013-2015 and combined for 57.5 sacks over that span. Suggs played just one game in their last year together after suffering a torn Achilles in the season opener.

Oweh showed a tremendous amount of promise as a rookie where he recorded five sacks and came up with several impressive splash plays. Even though his numbers in year two dipped a bit, he was still impactful and come on strong down the stretch once he started rushing more from inside as well as out on the edge.

Although Ojabo appeared in just a handful of games at the end of the year and played a limited amount of snaps, he displayed explosive flashes and difference-making potential as well. He recorded his first career sack and forced fumble on the same play against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18.

There is also six-year veteran Tyus Bowser who is the most experienced of the bunch with 89 career games and 19.5 sacks under his belt according to Pro Football Reference. He is capable of impacting the game in a multitude of ways and especially excels in coverage, making him one of the best 3-4 SAM outside linebackers in the league when healthy.

He missed the first eight games of last season while he recovered from his own torn Achilles suffered in the team’s 2021 regular-season finale and showed will be more than a year and a half removed from the injury by the time the season starts.

The Ravens selected a rookie edge defender Tavius Robinson out of Ole Miss in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and he possesses the positional flexibility to line up and rush the passer from inside and out.

All four of them provide the Ravens with a more than solid foundation at the position which is two times more than they had after final roster cuts ahead of last season when they had just two in Oweh and Houston.

The hiring of renowned pass-rush guru Chuck Smith as the new outside linebackers coach this offseason will also be tremendously helpful in raising the game of the team’s edge and interior pass rushers.

Best Available Veteran Egde Options That Fit Ravens

While the market for established edge rushers has begun to heat up in recent weeks with the signings of Leonard Floyd to the Buffalo Bills and Frank Clark to the Denver Broncos, there are still several experienced players at the position that have yet to be signed and would be good fits in Baltimore at the right price. They currently have just over $10.5 million in available cap space according to spotrac.com.

Justin Houston

Even at 34 years old, he proved that in the right rotational role, he can still be a dominant disruptive force. Training camp has been around the time he signed with the Ravens in each of the last two years so bringing the future Hall of Famer back just might be the ace up DeCosta’s sleeve when it’s all said and done by the team Week 1 rolls around.

Melvin Ingram

The former first-round pick and 11-year veteran possesses a similarly impressive versatile skillset to Bowesr and would be great as the primary backup to him at the SAM spot since that specific role is difficult to find. He recorded six sacks, 10 quarterback hits, and seven tackles for loss with Miami Dolphins last year per PFR.

Jadeveon Clowney

The three-time Pro Bowler and nine-year veteran has been linked to the Ravens for years and even though he has yet to deliver on the immense pass rush potential that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, he still has a baseline of being a great run defender. His upside as a pass rusher could get unlocked by being coached full-time by Smith aka Dr. Rush. Clowney recorded just two sacks, four quarterback hits, and four tackles for loss with the Cleveland Browns last year per PFR.

Yannick Ngakoue

Not all reunions are meant to be or make sense but this one does given the seven-year veteran’s ability to consistently apply pressure and bring down opposing quarterbacks. He played nine games for the Ravens in 2020 after being acquired in a midseason trade but wasn’t re-signed the following offseason. Ngakoue has recorded eight or more sacks every year he’s been in the league per PFR since being drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Maryland and led the Indianapolis Colts with 9.5 last year.

Carlos Dunlap

The two-time Pro Bowler fresh off his first career Super Bowl run with exactly 100 career sacks might be in the same boat or mode as Houston and is likely going to wait until the start or middle of training camp to sign somewhere. He recorded four sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and eight batted passes in 17 games with the Kansas City Chiefs last year per PFR.

Jason Pierre-Paul

This reunion would make sense given that the three-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion played 14 games for the Ravens last year and would provide both quality depth and veteran leadership. He recorded just three sacks in 13 starts last year but was extremely stout against the run and logged five tackles for loss as well per PFR.

It’s hard to fathom a player having a better season than at the inside linebacker position that the one Baltimore Ravens defensive field general Roquan Smith had last season despite not joining the team until midway through the year via a trade from the Chicago Bears.

He was already leading the league in tackles prior to getting traded and was on a torrid pace with an average of 10.3 tackles per game according to Pro Football Reference.

Not only did he make what looked like a seamless transition into the Ravens’ starting lineup but he raised the entire level of the defensive unit as a whole with his present and finished the year with 169 tackles including 11 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, three interceptions, and six passes defended.

In a recent appearance on ‘The Lounge’ podcast via the team’s digital media department, Smith admitted that he was guessing at times when he was leading the charge for the Ravens’ defense during the second half last year but feels confident that he can take his game to an even high level in 2023.

“I think now, having the offseason under my belt, the tail-end of the last season, and then with (training) camp and the preseason and stuff, I think it’s going to be pretty sweet,” Smith said. “I’m just excited to get out there and fly around with the guys because I think we’re in for something special and I think (for) myself personally, I think it’s probably going to be my best year yet.”

He outlined some specific goals that he’d like to accomplish including lowering his missed tackle percentage which was just 4.5 percent in 2022 between his time with both teams, making more plays on the ball through a better understanding of “route concepts” from offseason study, improving his block protection in the run game, and “making more splash plays.”

“That’s something that I want to do and I think I’ll be able to do it,” Smith said.

He has the “utmost respect” for Ravens legend and Hall of Fame inside linebacker Ray Lewis who he looked up to growing up, modeled his game after, and has a relationship with.

The two of them got to spend some time together, first at the Pro Bowl and then again at the team facility during the offseason as part of a project with NFL Films and Smith tried to soak up as much knowledge as he could.

“I dream of playing that style that he played and how physical he was,” Smith said. “I’m just trying to get any little ticks and tacks that I can pick up from him…Around (training) camp time (and) later in the season, going to get some more film work in to actually try to see the game from his eyes.”

Smith Doubles Down on Bold Prediction

Shortly after his arrival to the team and insertion into the starting lineup, he quickly formed what was arguably the best inside linebacker tandem in the league during the second half of the 2022 season with 2020 first-rounder Patrick Queen.

Earlier this month, Queen went on the record saying that he believes that the two of them could prove to be the NFL’s best from start to finish, and Smith doubled down in support of that belief.

“I think we’re the best duo in the league and with us working this offseason and having all of camp together [and] preseason, get ready,” Smith said. “I think PQ is a heck of a player and I know the fire he has underneath him right now.”

Despite the fact that he was coming off the best season of his career, the team declined Queen’s fifth-year option which means that 2023 will be the final year of his rookie deal and he is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. After spending a lot of time with him this offseason strengthening their bond on and off the field, Smith thinks Queen’s 2023 season is “going to be special.”

“The mindset he has right now, it’s like ‘Hey, fifth-year option not picked up but then I’ll become a free agent’ or franchise tagged after he has a career year this year,” Smith said. “Whatever the case may be or an extension.

“He has the mindset in knowing that if he puts up the numbers that I know he’s capable of and he knows he’s capable of and we play to our style that we plan to play to week in and week out, I think PQ is going to be a happy man at the end of the season.”

He isn’t the only person that recently went on record expressing faith that the two of them can become the top tandem in the league. CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr believes that Smith and Queen are not only the best duo of any position on the Ravens roster but also to thinks they are “arguably the best linebacker duo in the league.”

“Smith made an instant impact in the Ravens defense since Baltimore acquired him prior to the trade deadline,” he wrote. “Smith and Patrick Willis are the only players to have 150-plus tackles, four-plus sacks, and three-plus interceptions in a season.

“Queen is coming off a season in which he notched a career-high in tackles (117), sacks (five), interceptions (two), and passes defensed (six). He is one of three defenders (Roquan Smith and Bobby Wagner) with at least 300 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 sacks since entering the league in 2020. If Baltimore makes a deep playoff run in 2023, Smith and Queen will be a massive reason why.”

Excited About Potential of New Offense to be Nightmare For Opposing Defenses

One of the most impactful moves that the Ravens made this offseason outside of roster construction was the hiring of Todd Monken to replace Greg Roman as their next offensive coordinator.

The well-respected and innovative veteran coach spent the past two years helping lead Smith’s alma mater, the University of Georgia, to back-to-back national championships for the first time in program history.

“It was bittersweet,” Smith said about the hiring of Monken. “He helped the dawgs with the two back-to-backs so that’s pretty sweet…Thankful for his time there.”

When he tuned in to watch the Bulldogs play on Saturdays the past three years, he was in awe of how impressive their prolific offense was under Monken and the problems they caused for opposing teams’ defenses.

“Seeing some of his playcalling, I used to be like’ Man, if this guy was in the league and doing some of the things he was doing, it would be pretty sweet and create a lot of chaos for defenses’,” Smith said. “There’s going to be a lot of good stuff that he’s going to do with Lamar (Jackson) as well and just the offense in general.”

He is both excited and grateful that he’ll be on the sidelines watching the Ravens’ offense perform and not be on the opposing defense tasked with trying to stop them on Sundays in live games.

“Route concepts, scheme-wise, just everything,” Smith said. “I can see a big difference in the offense with no disrespect to anyone.”

Who will follow in the footsteps of Christian Watson, Kenneth Walker Jr., Garrett Wilson, and Brock Purdy as the offensive players who made their presence felt out of the chute and had a significant impact on their team’s season?

Here’s a look at the five offensive rookies who have a legitimate chance to make a significant impact on their teams during the 2023 season.

5. Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens

There might not be a rookie receiver who fell into a better position than Zay Flowers with the Baltimore Ravens.

Flowers is a prototypical field-stretcher with 4.2 40-yard dash speed, and he lands in an offense where he’ll be on the receiving end of passes from Lamar Jackson and surrounded by playmakers Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman who will command plenty of attention from opposing defenses.

If Baltimore becomes an offense that pushes the ball vertically downfield, and Jackson continues to make the strides as a passer he showed prior to getting injured last season, Zay stands to be the biggest beneficiary.

4. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

The Lions are so all-in on Jahmyr Gibbs, that Detroit flipped D’Andre Swift to the Philadelphia Eagles in a draft weekend trade.

It’s Gibbs’ show in the Motor City, after averaging 6.1 Yards per Carry last season at Alabama and finishing sixth among running backs with a 1.83 Yards per Route run in the receiving game.

“He’s fast, elusive, instinctive, and can break off a big run at any time,” an NFC scouting director told Heavy. “He’s not overly powerful, but should complement David Montgomery very well in that backfield.”

Gibbs’ burst gives him the chance to be a slasher both on zone runs and getting to the outside, while his versatility as a receiver out of the backfield could create new layers to the Detroit Lions‘ offense.

3. Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young hasn’t wasted any time making an impact.

Before training camp even gets underway this summer, Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich has already named Bryce Young the team’s starting quarterback, after choosing him with the No. 1 overall pick in April’s 2023 draft.

Young represents Reich’s first chance to develop a young quarterback since playing a hand in turning Carson Wentz into an MVP candidate in his second NFL season, and the Panthers have done their part to set the Alabama product up for immediate success after adding Adam Thielen, Miles Sanders, and reliable tight end Hayden Hurst to his arsenal. Young has the opportunity to provide much-needed stability in Carolina, which would be a big upgrade at quarterback.

2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks

It might be easy for Jaxon Smith-Njigba to get lost in a Seattle Seahawks receiving corps that includes D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but that would certainly be a mistake for opposing defensive backs.

Smith-Njigba is one of the more athletically gifted receiver prospects to enter the draft in recent years.

“He’s an exciting young player,” an NFC wide receivers coach told Heavy. “He’ll be an instant chain-mover on third down. Watching him, he’s extremely quick, plus he has all the natural instincts and ball skills that will allow him to be great early on.”

He was also ridiculously productive last season at Ohio State. During the 2021 campaign, Smith-Njigba averaged 16.8 Yards per Catch, while pulling down 95 of 112 targets for 1,595 yards and 9 touchdowns.

“Jaxon’s going to be a great fit with Lockett and Metcalf,” the coach explained. “They’re going to help him get up to speed quickly. I think he’s going to have a great rookie year.”

Seattle just might have the most complete receiving corps in the league, and Smith-Njigba has the chance to be an immediate playmaker in it.

1. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Bijan Robinson is a silky smooth but ridiculously explosive runner, who now becomes potentially the focal point of the Atlanta Falcons‘ offense.

Not only did Robinson lead the nation in forced missed tackles, with 104, but 1,071 of his 1,575 rushing yards in 2022 came after contact, demonstrating just how equally elusive, explosive, and difficult he is to bring down. But, that’s not all, Robinson also logged 21 explosive runs of 10 yards or more.

“All the people criticizing the Falcons taking Bijan Robinson will be eating crow,” an AFC scout told Heavy during the NFL draft. “Bijan’s the closest thing I’ve seen to Marshall Faulk.”

Atlanta has quietly built an exciting young supporting cast around quarterback Desmond Ridder, but Robinson not only has the most upside but might play the biggest role in 2023 of any of the young weapons in the Falcons’ offense.

Since coming into the league as a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft at No. 16 overall, Baltimore Ravens’ star six-year veteran cornerback Marlon Humphrey has been on some really talented rosters that looked scary “on paper” for opposing teams.

However, none of them, not even the loaded 2019 team that produced the best record in franchise history and secured them the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff standings that year was able to win it all.

General manager Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh went to work this offseason and put together one of the most talented rosters and coaching staffs perhaps in the entire league and certainly since Humphrey has been on the team.

“I think the product we put out, that’s really all that really matters, but on paper, man, we look very scary,” he said in a press conference on June 15, 2023.

The Ravens currently have five first-round picks at wide receiver after delivering on the promise to remodel their depth chart at the premium position this offseason. The most notable additions were veterans Nelson Agholor and Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency and rookie Zay Flowers via the 2023 NFL Draft out of Boston College.

They have a nice blend of experienced veterans and hungry recently drafted players on both sides of the ball chomping at the bit to prove themselves such as wide receiver Rashod Bateman and outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo.

There are also ascending talents looking to capitalize in the final year of their respective rookie deals such as inside linebacker Patrick Queen, running back J.K. Dobbins, and defensive tackles Justin Madubuike and Broderick Washington.

DeCosta also added some promising talent in mid-to-late rounds of this year’s draft that could make immediate impacts such as versatile linebacker Trenton Simpson, pass rusher Tavius Robinson, and offensive lineman Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu who is “in the mix” for the starting left guard spot.

“They felt, more than ever, we’ve put a roster together that should be able to compete for a Super Bowl,” he said. “You pay the best quarterback in the league, you get Odell, you put all these pieces together. The talent is there; it’s just putting it all together. So, I’ve been very pleased with the front office – what they’ve done this offseason. So, that’s the biggest thing.”

Humphrey Delivered Powerful Message to Teammates

At the end of the Ravens’ three-day mandatory minicamp, the three-time Pro Bowler who is usually loud and outgoing in a playful way had some serious words for his fellow players before they parted ways for their last break before training camp.

He was inspired to speak up by a conversation that he and franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson recently had while receiving treatment in the training room about what it’s going to take to win the Super Bowl.

While they want their brothers on the gridiron to enjoy themselves during their time away, both of them agree that it is going to take a higher level of all-in commitment that they know this group is capable of reaching.

“When we come back, we want everybody to be putting in as much time into football as you can,” Humphrey said. “The offseasons are long – plenty of time – but… These days, these practices … Being in the NFL, it’s a very short span compared to the rest of your life.”

He vowed that one of the things plans on doing differently this season is putting in more time than he has ever done before to prepare himself for a long season and what he hopes will be a deep playoff run.

“I think, if we can all echo that, be on the same one accord, I think special things can happen with this team,” Humphrey said.

When he first joined the team, there were several stalwart leaders such as cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Brandon Carr and future Hall of Famer Eric Weddle and Terrell Suggs. Now that he is one of the established veterans that young players look up to despite just being 26 years old, Humphrey accepts the responsibility and understands the importance of being a leader.

“I honestly didn’t see it then, because there were just so many guys that were those leaders for me that I still look up to – guys that just put so much in my ear,” he said. “But the last year or two. You start realizing, you’re telling stories that nobody else was here [for] other than you.”

Humphrey admitted that he is still caught off guard when he is constantly reminded by the team’s younger defensive backs that come in and say that they’ve been admiring his game since they were in high school.

“You kind of just realize it’s kind of your time to do that now, and I think being here for so long and getting a second deal, I think that was something that kind of was the unwritten thing that they expected me to do,” he said. “It’s a challenge with these young guys sometimes, but it’s kind of my duty to do that, so I just try to do the best I can.”

Newcomer to Secondary Wants to Keep Ascending

Humphrey is slated to have a new starting cornerback opposite of him for the 2023 season with fellow three-time Pro Bowler Marcus Peters still sitting on the unrestricted free-agent market. After not picking a prospect at the position in this year’s NFL Draft until the fifth-round selection of Kyu Blu Kelly out of Stanford, the first post-draft move that the Ravens made was signing young veteran Rock Ya-Sin to a one-year deal worth $6 million.

The former second-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2019 played the last year of his rookie contract with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. While he’s proud of what he has accomplished thus far, he still feels like there is another level to his game that he can reach.

“I feel like I put together a decent two years. I just want to keep getting better though,” Ya-Sin said. “I don’t want to get complacent at all. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to come here, [to] play and learn from guys like Marlon, his coaches, guys that got him to the place where he is. So, I’m trying to learn and continue to ascend.”

According to Pro Football Reference, he has appeared in 52 games in his career and logged 38 starts in which he recorded 183 total tackles, 27 pass deflections, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two tackles for loss.

Humphrey spoke highly of Ya-Sin and is especially impressed with his strength, toughness, and physicality because he sees a lot of similarities in their respective games.

“He is a strong guy, so I’m a fan of how strong he is. He plays really tough, as we’ve talked [about]. We’re both kind of built from the same cloth, as far as the physicalness, [and we] don’t really care if you get beat,” he said. “You want to have corners and DBs that don’t have any egos. You get beat, you get to the line, you play the same way, [and] you’re not worried about this, you’re not worried about that, [and] you don’t care who makes the play; you’re just wanting somebody to make the play.”

Even though Ya-Sin has predominantly played and prefers to line up on the outside as a boundary corner, he is open to moving side to the slot and helping out there if and when needed. The Ravens have a need for a new nickel defensive back with 2022 first-rounder Kyle Hamilton transitioning to safety full-time heading into his second season.

“I’m just going to do whatever they ask me,” Ya-Sin said.  “I’m working mostly outside now, but things [can] change.

In the modern NFL, it seems the key to success rests on having an explosive offense.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs were two of the more prolific offenses in the league in 2022, and they met in the Super Bowl.

So, too, were the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams the prior year, along with the Chiefs and Buffalo Bills who squared off for the Lamar Hunt Trophy in January 2022.

There’s little reason to doubt that having an explosive offense won’t be integral to playing for the Lombardi come February 2024.

Here’s a look at which offenses have the chance to be the top-10 most explosive in the NFL during the 2023 season:

1) Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles return the MVP runner-up, Jalen Hurts, and prolific weapons such as wide receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, along with dynamic pass-catching tight end Dallas Goedert. Not only does Philadelphia return loads of star power on offense, but the Eagles also added a pair of versatile running backs in D’Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny to an already explosive offense over the offseason.

Last season, the Eagles finished second in points per game, while producing 107 explosive passing plays with 44 explosive runs, and that’s with Hurts missing two games due to a shoulder injury.

Given the combination of Hurts’, and his continued improvement as his career has progressed, an electrifying supporting cast, and arguably the game’s most dominant offensive line, the Eagles’ offense has all the ingredients to launch a historic 2023 season.

2) Miami Dolphins

Few things are more dangerous in the NFL than speed, and the Dolphins have it all over the place on offense.

Last season, only the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills had a higher Yards per Play average than the Dolphins’ 6.0.

Meanwhile, with Tyreek Hill entering his second season in head coach Mike McDaniel’s scheme, and Jaylen Waddle his third NFL season, there might not be a more dynamic receiving duo in the league this fall.

Perhaps the only thing that held the Dolphins’ offense in check last season was quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s battle with multiple concussions that cost him four games in 2022. If Tagovailoa can stay healthy, the Dolphins have all the pieces to be one of the more difficult offenses to defend in the entire league.

3) Kansas City Chiefs

The 2022 season, and the departure of Tyreek Hill, were proof positive that so long as Patrick Mahomes is the Chiefs’ quarterback, Kansas City’s offense is going to be among the most explosive in the sport.

For Mahomes and Co. this season, the question will become whether the offense can build on a campaign that saw the Chiefs lead the league in scoring and Yards per Play, or if the rest of the league can find some way to neutralize the likes of receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling?

It would be a fool’s errand to bet against the Chiefs, especially as running back Isiah Pacheco enters his second season, and general manager Brett Veach sunk significant resources into beefing up the offensive line in front of Mahomes.

4) Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow remains one of the most clutch quarterbacks in the NFL today, boasting a balanced and deeply explosive supporting cast, and the Bengals went out and added elite offensive tackle Orlando Brown and consistent pass-catching tight end Irv Smith. Cincinnati isn’t going anywhere.

While the Bengals were only middle of the pack in total explosive plays in 2022, only seven teams averaged more than Cincinnati’s 26.1 points per game, and Ja’Marr Chase’s ability to both take the top off a defense as well as turn a routine screen play into a double-digit gain are the hallmark of this offense.

Burrow is still ascending. Each year that Burrow and Chase get to play together it seems this duo becomes more prolific. That’s bad news for the rest of the league.

5) Buffalo Bills

A crucial key to making the upper echelon of this list is boasting a prolific quarterback-receiver duo, and the combination of Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs remains one of the game’s most explosive.

Buffalo finished the 2022 campaign second in Yards Per Play Average, second in scoring, and Allen led the seventh-most prolific passing offense in the NFL, averaging 258.1 yards per game. Diggs was a critical factor in the Bills’ offensive success, averaging 13.2 Yards per Catch, and 3.9 Yards After the Catch per reception, with Allen posting a nearly perfect 124.3 passer rating on his 149 targets.

The problem for the Bills, at least down the stretch, has been this offense tends to devolve into boom-or-bust territory, and in order to take the next step toward winning a championship, more depth of explosiveness and consistency will be key.

6) Seattle Seahawks

Few teams have done a better job of collecting dynamic talent at the wide receiver position in recent years than the Seahawks, and if Geno Smith is able to build on a stellar 2022 campaign, this is going to be a team to watch in 2023.

Seattle has clearly prioritized explosiveness at receiver, selecting dynamic former Ohio State Buckeye Jaxon Smith-Jjigba in the first round of April’s draft, after already boasting Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. The pair of Seattle veterans combined for 2,081 yards with 15 touchdowns last season. Throw in Kenneth Walker dashing to a 1,050-yard and 9-touchdown campaign, and this offense is nightmare fuel for opposing defensive coordinators.

7) Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys‘ season ended with a whimper in San Francisco, one of the more bizarre play designs you’ll ever see, on the final play of the NFC Divisional Playoff Game. But, thanks to some marquee additions, Dallas aims to light up the scoreboard and dictate to opposing defenses in 2023.

Dallas stole Brandin Cooks for a song (a fifth-round pick, in a trade with the Houston Texans), and the savvy speedster could be an ideal complement to CeeDee Lamb the Cowboys lacked last season. Meanwhile, Tony Pollard taking on an expanded role in the backfield alongside reliable veteran Ronald Jones should create opportunities for more explosive runs.

Last season, Pollard had 31 explosive runs. If he can return to form following a fractured fibula, it will give the Cowboys’ offense a major boost.

8) New York Jets

On paper, the Jets have all the trappings of an offense that could emerge as one of the league’s most explosive; Aaron Rodgers’ arrival at quarterback, Garrett Wilson blossoming in his second NFL season, Breece Hall returning from a torn ACL … But, some inside the league are skeptical that this team is ready to take flight.

“Are we wholly sure the Jets will be that explosive,” an AFC South Scout told Heavy. “Aaron isn’t known for taking risks downfield, which is where the explosive plays come from, and Hall is coming off an ACL. Aaron may be the most risk-averse great quarterback out there.”

To the scout’s point, Rodgers finished 2022 ranked 18th in the NFL in Air Yards per Attempt, averaging just 3.9, and it remains to be seen if Hall can return to his dynamic form immediately post-injury. The Jets will undoubtedly be better, might compete for a playoff berth — or more, but it remains to be seen if the hype around this offense being more explosive is merited.

9) Los Angeles Chargers

Will this be the season, with Kellen Moore arriving as offensive coordinator, that Justin Herbert leads the Chargers on a charge to the upper echelon of the AFC?

Los Angeles certainly has the weapons; first-round pick Quentin Johnston rounds out an embarrassment of riches at receiver, alongside Mike Williams (14.2 Yards per Reception) and Keenan Allen (11.8 Yards per reception), with touchdown-maker Austin Ekeler in the backfield.

Giving Herbert, and his mammoth arm, more weapons is a sound strategy. Versatility in target share should help this offense light up the scoreboard in 2023.

10) Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens took care of Lamar Jackson this offseason, and not just by making him the highest-paid quarterback in league history.

Baltimore made a big splash by signing veteran field-stretcher Odell Beckham Jr. and also drafted speedster Zay Flowers, who averaged 15.3 Yards per Reception over the course of his collegiate career at Boston College. While Mark Andrews remains, as a prolific red-zone weapon and security blanket over the middle for Jackson, added speed on the perimeter should allow Jackson to take advantage of the deep ball more often in 2023.

Playing a decade-plus in the NFL at a high to borderline elite level on the offensive line can take a significant toll on a player’s body over time. It is especially true for linemen on either side of the ball because they play some of the most physically taxing positions in the league.

There have been plenty of notable examples of offensive linemen in Baltimore and abroad walking away from the game and calling it a career while they’re still at the top of their respective game or are showing little to no signs of dropoff.

The two most recent Ravens examples that come to mind are Hall of Fame left tackle Jonathan Ogden who retired after the 2007 season due to a nagging turf toe injury and future first-ballot enshrine Marshal Yanda who hung up his cleats after one of his and the franchise’s best seasons in 2019.

However, the mere idea of retirement is the furthest thought from the forefront of the mind of Ravens starting right guard Kevin Zeitler. The 11-year veteran is heading into the final season of the three-year deal worth $22.5 million that he signed during the 2021 offseason but isn’t letting the business side of the game impact his focus and dedication to his teammates and the organization’s ultimate goal of winning a championship.

“When you’re in a place this good, you’d love to finish out your career here,” he said in a press conference on June 15, 2023. “I have no intention of stopping anytime soon. Not coming to OTAs for the first time kind of made it really clear [that] I still need this game, I love this game and I want to play this game… When I’m here with my teammates, I owe it to them to work hard every day and do whatever we can to try to get this team a Super Bowl.”

When Yanda permanently stepped away from the game, the Ravens struggled to effectively fill the void he left at the starting right guard spot during the 2020 season. They had a two-man rotation between then-third-round Tyree Phillips and veteran D.J. Fluker going for most of the season including the playoffs. While they each had some admirable moments, neither was able to win and keep the job on a full-time basis and neither is still on the team.

Zeitler not only stabilized that position but he quickly became a lynchpin and proved to be more than capable of being a comparable replacement for Yanda. According to Pro Football Reference, he has started all 33 games that he has appeared in since joining the Ravens including the postseason.

He has been extremely durable throughout his career and has missed just two games the past two years, both of which came last season. Only one was a result of injury while the other was when the team sat most of their starters in the regular season finally in Week 18.

Excited For Potential of New Offense

One of the most notable moves that the Ravens made this offseason that could prove to be the most impactful on their Super Bowl aspirations for the 2023 season outside of locking up Lamar Jackson to a long-term deal was the hiring of Todd Monken as their new offensive coordinator.

The two-time national championship-winning play caller and designer replaced former AP Assistant Coach Greg Roman and Zeitler is among the growing contingent of players that has liked what he’s seen thus far and are excited to see what it can become.

Monken was nearly his offensive coordinator during his tenure with the Cleveland Browns but he a part of the massive trade package that the team sent the New York Giants in exchange for three-time Pro Bowl wideout Odell Beckham Jr. in the 2019 offseason. Fast forward four years later and now all three of them are on the same team with the same mission in mind.

“Everything comes full circle, and we get a chance to work together now,” Zeitler said. “[He brings] great energy, a bunch of new concepts, a lot of potential. Obviously, [we] had a good start today, [but] a long way together. A nice, hard training camp coming up, and I’m excited to see what we can do.”

One of the most unique facets of the new offense that he is a big fan of already is the fast pace they practice and intend to play at which is a significant philosophical shift from the heavy ball control offense mindset they had under Roman.

“We’re going to attack, and attack and attack,” Zeitler said. “[We’ll] just keep tempo and all that good stuff. We’ll see if it works out.”

Last season the Ravens struggled to get the play off in time on numerous occasions and were in the top 10 of the league’s leaders in delay of game penalties per nflpenalties.com. Running more up-tempo doesn’t necessarily mean that they will become a no-huddle team all of a sudden but the days of them draining nearly every second off the clock are likely over aside of end-of-game situations when sitting on the ball is required to secure victory.

Importance of Continuity & Being a Leader

While the Ravens remodeled their entire depth chart at wide receiver this offseason, the position group where they the some of the most continuity is the offensive line which Zeitler says “matters”.

“Playing on so many different teams over the years and having a lot of places that didn’t have continuity, it really does make a difference,” he said. “The fact that I just came back the last couple of days and it’s just like last year just ended. We were talking, [it was the] same communication. We knew what each other meant. It’s going to be a great thing coming into training camp.”

The only notable departure was that of starting left guard Ben Powers via free agency and the team has several promising, talented, and capable candidates vying to replace him. Zeitler spoke highly of sixth round rookie Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu who is “in the mix” to win the job at the end of his press conference.

“[He has a] great attitude,” he said. “He’s really open-minded. Nothing is going to bug him. He’s very athletic. So, he has … The whole world is right in front of him – all the potential in the world – and I can’t wait to see what he does with it.”

As the elder statesman of the group at 33 years old with a wealth of knowledge to pass down and experience to lean on, being a leader for the unit on and off the field for the young player is a responsibility that Zeitler values and takes seriously.

“I try to stick with the O-line – all these young guys – because there’s so many different ways to play O-line nowadays,” he said. “[There are] a lot of different ways to describe things; I’ve done it a bunch of different ways. Anytime a young guy comes up [to me], it’s great to help him out and try to make him figure out what’s right for them.”

Whether this winds up being Zeitler’s last year with the Ravens or not, it sounds like he intends to make the most of it all feelings and business aside. The team will inevitably be forced to let go of some valuable veteran starters at certain positions as a result of making Jackson the highest-paid player in league history.

That was exactly the case with the release of six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell but at least they don’t have to make the decision on whether to bring Zeitler back or let him walk anytime soon.

The Baltimore Ravens will have a first-time, first-team All-Pro in 2023, but it won’t be rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers, nor second-year edge-rusher David Ojabo. Instead, “unicorn” safety Kyle Hamilton is tipped to earn full All-Pro honors by building on his solid debut season.

Hamilton is the choice of Heavy’s Senior NFL Insider Matt Lombardo, who believes the 22-year-old “is as versatile as they come.” Lombardo also detailed how Hamilton has already proved himself effective in all three phases of defense, having “played both deep safety and in the slot while holding opposing receivers to only 9.9 Yards per Reception, but he’s a real weapon up near the line of scrimmage. Hamilton’s 2.0 sacks and 20 run-stops underscore his value.”

Those stats offered a tantalizing glimpse of the roving playmaker the Ravens hoped they were getting when they selected Hamilton 14th overall in the 2022 NFL draft. He’s now primed to live up to his draft status after the Ravens traded veteran Chuck Clark to the New York Jets, clearing the path for Hamilton to become more of a force in Baltimore’s blitz packages.

‘Unicorn’ Primed for Bigger Role

Clark’s presence last season saw Hamilton share snaps after Marcus Williams had also arrived in free agency. It was Clark who started all 17 games during the regular season, playing 1,093 snaps in the process, per Pro Football Reference.

By contrast, Hamilton played just 548 snaps, although as Lomardo noted, he made the most of his limited playing time. Limiting Hamilton’s exposure to the field wasn’t the plan when the Ravens used a top-20 pick to draft a multi-faceted defensive back described by many, including USA Today’s Doug Farrar, as a “true unicorn.”

Farrar’s term echoed what was used by Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, while Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski also dubbed Hamilton a “unicorn.”

That’s just a label for Hamilton’s impressive range of skills, but what’s more exciting for the Ravens are the comparisons the player earned. Farrar chose all-action Los Angeles Chargers’ safety Derwin James as his template for Hamilton, but it was Dunleavy who mentioned Eric Turner’s name in connection with the former Notre Dame standout: “Since Eric Turner was the No. 2 pick in 1991, Sean Taylor in 2004 and Eric Berry in 2010 are the highest-drafted safeties (both No. 5).”

The late Turner was named first-team All-Pro as a key member of Bill Belichick and Nick Saban’s fearsome Cleveland Browns’ defense in 1994. Turner went on to earn his second Pro-Bowl nod at the end of the Ravens’s first season in Baltimore two years later.

While Turner was the first great Ravens safety, the franchise has a proud history at the position, a past head coach John Harbaugh needs Hamilton to uphold.

Ravens Ready to Add to Long Line of Great Safeties

Harbaugh inherited eventual Hall of Famer Ed Reed in 2008, and No. 20 continued his stellar performances in a Ravens uniform for another five seasons, winning a Super Bowl in 2012. Reed was an all-time NFL great who proved tough to replace, but Harbaugh got it right in 2016, when he signed Eric Weddle, who made three Pro Bowls in a row.

The Ravens have been looking for another game-changer at safety since they dumped Weddle in 2019. Clark answered the call to a point after going from 2017 sixth-round pick to key starter, but the decision to draft Hamilton left the veteran feeling “disrespected.”

Clark’s main value was in pressure packages, evidenced by him blitzing 218 times during his career, per Pro Football Reference. It’s up to Hamilton to assume Clark’s role as the Ravens’ chief blitz threat from the secondary.

Fortunately, the early signs indicate Hamilton will make the grade in this role. He showed the power to win rushing inside vs. a guard for this sack, highlighted by ESPN’s Matt Bowen, against the Browns in Week 7.

Hamilton was just as effective blitzing from the outside, showcasing impressive takeoff speed from the slot to sack Deshaun Watson against the Browns in Week 15.

Hamilton’s recognition and athleticism were obvious on both of these plays. Those are the core skills that can elevate his game to an All-Pro level.

So can the ability to deny receivers space in coverage. That’s something Hamilton had become a specialist in by the time his first pro season entered December, per NFL Rookie Watch.

Great safeties are complete players at the position. They can run, hit, cover and blitz with equal effectiveness.

Hamilton ticked all of those boxes as a rookie, but he should be even better with a fully healthy Williams behind him. Williams missed seven games with a wrist problem that landed him on injured reserve, but he’s a true centerfielder whose presence will allow Hamilton to move around more often and roam closer to the line of scrimmage.

That’s where the Ravens’ “unicorn” can make the kind of splash plays that get players noticed by All-Pro voters.

The Baltimore Ravens’ projected starting running back reported and was both in and around the building for the mandatory portion of the offseason program after skipping all of the voluntary organized team activities but didn’t take the field once.

On Thursday, June 15, 2023, head coach John Harbaugh told reporters that he expected Dobbins to be out at practice and participating and was alluded that he was a bit surprised that it didn’t happen.

“It just wasn’t in the cards apparently,” he said. “[He will] just get ready for training camp.”

On Wednesday, Monken told the media that “he’s obviously not ready to go” after he missed a second straight day of practice but didn’t reveal whether Dobbins was dealing with an injury-related setback.

He was limited to just eight regular season games in 2022 in his first year back after missing the entire 2021 season with a severe multi-ligament knee injury but was playing and looking his best down the stretch once he underwent a midseason knee scope to clean up some scar tissue.

Dobbins still managed to finish with 520 rushing yards and averaged 5.7 yards per carry which would’ve tied him for the fifth-best in the entire league had he played enough to qualify according to Pro Football Reference. He was ripping off 6.5 yards a carry in his last five games post-procedure and the team is excited about his potential in Monken’s offense.

“It’s going to be interesting [to see] how he fits in, because J.K. has got a lot of dynamic ability – backfield, motion, wide plays, inside plays, even the A-gap plays that we’ve always run,” Harbaugh said. “As a receiver out of the backfield, I think he’s got a lot of potential. So, I’m very excited about J.K. and how he’s going to fit in here.”

J.K. Dobbins Hints Absence Was Contract Related

In a sit-down interview with local news station WJZ-CBS Baltimore that aired Thursday, June 15, 2023, the former second-rounder heading into the final year of his rookie deal indicated that his absence from the practice field but not team facility was potentially related to his desire for a new contract.

“The thing I can say is, I would love to be a Baltimore Raven for the rest of my career,” Dobbins said after being asked where he stood with the organization. “Because I love the city, I love the people. It feels like family here. Like, it feels like home here, my second home. And I hope that happens. I hope that happens.”

It seems like he was executing the act of holding in is a fairly new but common business practice that many players around the league use who are under contract but seeking new deals from their current teams. In that same interview, Dobbins acknowledged that the “business side” of the game when it comes to negotiations between players and front offices is “very hard”.

“It’s very different but it’s part of it,” he said. “It’s part of the dream and it’s something that I’m blessed with, to deal with the business side of that. You saw with Lamar (Jackson), it’s never just roses and daisies. It can be hard at times. It’s business, though.”

J.K. Dobbins Is Facing a Steep & Risky Uphill Battle

The Ravens went through quite a long and drawn-out negotiating process with their franchise quarterback before making him the highest-paid player in league history on April 27, 2023. However, Jackson plays the most valuable position in all of sport and is a two-time Pro Bowler, First-Team All-Pro selection, and a former unanimous league MVP.

As talented as Dobbins is and despite the incredible flashes he showed as a rookie and at times last year, his injury history coupled with the increased devaluation of his position league-wide leaves him with essentially no leverage outside of withholding his services.

While holding in is tolerated during the offseason program and during training camp by many teams, missing games and checks at a position whose shelflife is the shortest out of them all will hurt the player much more than the team.

Former Raven and long-time Pittsburgh Steelers‘ running back Le’Veon Bell is the ultimate cautionary tale when it comes to a gifted player at the position that tried to take a stand only to have it backfire miserably.

The three-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro selection didn’t want to play for the Steelers on the franchise tag for a second straight year and opted to sit out the entire 2018 season. Not only did he waste a year of his prime but he never recaptured his previous elite form or production and was released less than a year and a half into a sizeable contract he signed with the New York Jets in the 2019 offseason.

Ravens Are Still Well-Stocked at Running Back Position

While Monken admitted the offense is “certainly better” with Dobbins in the lineup, they still have other quality contingencies at running back that they are familiar with and have confidence in.

Sixth-year veteran Gus ‘The Bus’ Edwards has 17 career starts under his belt and averages 5.2 yards per carry in his career per PFR. He has been the physical tone-setter for the Ravens when healthy throughout his career and like Dobbins, missed the entire 2021 season with a knee injury and struggled to stay healthy in 2022. While he was a limited participant in minicamp, Edwards is expected to be “fully ready for training camp per Harbaugh.

Fifth-year veteran Justice Hill spent most of the offseason program running with the first-team offense and is coming off a career year where he averaged a career-high 5.3 yards per carry per PFR. He also missed the entire 2021 season with an injury but bounced back better than ever and could be in line to be more than just a special teams ace moving forward as the only player proven at the position under contract past the 2023 season.

Undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell was one of the most explosive playmakers in all of college football in 2022. He led the Eastern Carolina University Pirates with over 1400 rushing yards and tied for fourth in the nation with an average of 7.2 yards per carry per Sports Reference.

There is also still a wealth of proven, experienced, and more durable veteran running backs currently sitting on the open market unsigned. The impressive list includes former first-rounder and Super Bowl champion Leonard Fournette, Pro Bowler and 2017 league rushing champion Kareem Hunt, three-time Pro Bowler and two-time league rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott, and most recently four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook.

When the Baltimore Ravens reconvene for their 2023 training camp later this summer, one prominent player that won’t be on the field to start off will be starting fullback Patrick Ricard.

“He’ll be on PUP [physically unable to perform list] to start, but he should be ready shortly thereafter,” head coach John Harbaugh said on June 15, 2023. “He said he had hip surgery, so there’s a certain timeline to that one.”

The former undrafted gem is coming off his fourth straight Pro Bowl season in which he set career highs in receptions (11), receiving yards (74), rushing attempts (seven), rushing yards (16), and rushing first downs (five) according to Pro Football Reference all while continuing to be a dominant force in the run game as a blocker.

He was present for most of the team’s voluntary Organized Team Activities as well as their mandatory minicamp but was watching from the sidelines. In his absence, third-year pro Ben Mason has been and will likely continue to run with the first-team offense in practice. The former Michigan Wolverine was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft after Ricard had offseason surgery that offseason.

Another player that sat out minicamp due to injury was veteran outside linebacker Tyus Bowser who Harbaugh said was due to a knee issue he’s been dealing with.

“[He was] rehabbing full speed and then when he came back, his knee kind of flared up for some reason,” he said.

Unlike Ricard, he is expected to be ready for the start of training camp along with second-year cornerback Jayln Armour-Davis who was a limited participant in minicamp per Harbaugh.

Assesses Ricard’s Role & Future in New Offense

While the converted defensive lineman turned tight end/fullback hybrid was a key cog and staple in most formations in the Ravens’ offense under former offensive coordinator Greg Roman, that likely won’t be the case moving forward under first-year play caller/designer Todd Monken.

Given all the upgrades that the team made at the wide receiver position this offseason, their talented trio of pass-catching tight ends, and the emphasis they intend on putting on passing the ball more, Ricard could in store for a significantly reduced role. He played a career-high 64 percent of the team’s total offensive snaps last season and hasn’t played less than 41 percent since 2019 when he made his first career Pro Bowl.

Monken addressed the topic of Ricard’s role in his scheme when addressing the media on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, and expressed a desire to keep deploying him as the devastating run blocker he has proven to be throughout his career.

“He adds a different dynamic than the other guys, again, as we just talked about – specific skillsets,” he said. “Pat has not been out here, but [from] what I’ve seen in the past, he brings a certain element to our team – a toughness element – the ability to run the football, and he’s embraced that role.”

Barring injury and outside of some short-yardage and goal-line situations, Ricard will likely spend the vast majority of his time in a more traditional fullback role as a lead blocker. Most of the pass-catching duties after starting the play inline will likely go to Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely since the two second-year tight ends are more dynamic after the catch.

‘Im excited to work with them,” Monken said. “We still haven’t put the pads on yet, but from what I’ve seen, with adding the wide receivers that we have and the tight ends that have been here, it’s an exciting time.”

Ravens’ Stock Watch Coming Out of Minicamp

While the team had some notable players miss the last portion of the offseason program for various reasons, there were a handful that was on the field for all three days and helped themselves by taking advantage of the extra reps they were given.

Here is a short list of Ravens’ players whose stock is on the rise based on reports from minicamp and ahead of training camp later this summer:

DB Ar’Darius Washington

Since 2022 first-rounder Kyle Hamilton is transitioning into more of a traditional safety role this season, there’s a nickel defender spot up for grabs. With second-year pro Pepe Williams sidelined with an injury, the third-year pro and former undrafted free agent took advantage of the extra reps he received and made several impressive plays in multiple practices including a leaping interception.

OL Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu

The sixth-round rookie out of Oregon has gone from being viewed as a developmental project prospect to being “in the mix” to replace Ben Powers in the competition to win the starting left guard spot according to Harbaugh. He took several reps with the first-team offense at that position this week and acquitted himself nicely.

“[He has a] great attitude,” veteran right guard Kevin Zeitler said. “He’s really open-minded. Nothing is going to bug him. He’s very athletic. So, he has … The whole world is right in front of him – all the potential in the world – and I can’t wait to see what he does with it.”

WR Nelson Agholor

With 2021 first-rounder Rashod Bateman sidelined after receiving a cortisone shot in his surgically repaired foot and with three-time Pro Bowler Odell Beckham Jr. being eased back into action as part of a ramp-up, the eight-year veteran continued to have strong showings in practice. He got behind projected starting cornerback Rock Ya-Sin for a long touchdown and was active early and often in full-team drills.

OLB David Ojabo

Even though it can be hard to truly gauge trench warfare until the pads come on,  the rising sophomore continued to generate plenty of positive buzz with his performance in practice. He was a consistently disruptive presence that made a habit of getting around the edge and knifing into the backfield for what would’ve been sacks, pressures, and tackles for loss.

TE Charlie Kolar

The second-year pro who missed most of his rookie season due to injury and lack of available snaps regularly displayed the flashes of promising talent he showed in the 2022 regular-season finale. He made several nice grabs including “a one-handed end zone catch that drew loud cheers from his teammates, led by All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews,” BaltimoreRavens.com’s Clifton Brown wrote Thursday.

RB Justice Hill

With projected starter J.K. Dobbins present but not practicing and Gus ‘The Bus’ Edwards as a limited participant, the fifth-year veteran and special teams staple got plenty of run with the first team. He definitely helped his cause to carve out more of an offensive role by simply being available and performing well per reports.

He is elated to finally have been able to go through an off-season and mandatory minicamp alongside his teammates as a participant and not just watching them from the training room or sidelines.

“Being able to build and really build off what I did last season and get better,” Stanley said. “I really feel a big difference from the last couple years.”

He shared that about 80 percent his time the past two years was spent on rehabbing from surgeries and setbacks and just 20 percent on actual football training.

“I’ve been really able to spend most of my time on training, building, and getting stronger,” Stanley said. “I’m just becoming an overall better athlete, it’s a big difference for me.”

The seven-year veteran took expressing his confidence in his ability to return to form a step further by saying “this is as good as I’ve felt since 2019,” which was a breakout season where he earned First-Team All-Pro honors.

He relishes and is grateful that he will open his first training camp with a clean bill of health for the first time since 2020.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be able to come into this season healthy,” Stanley said. “I definitely don’t take it for granted knowing the past couple of years how hard it is just to get back in the game. So, to be able to start a whole new season feeling good is [something] I’m very thankful for.”

First Impressions of Todd Monken & New Offense

Count Stanley among the growing contingent of players that has likes what he us seeing from the first-year offensive coordinator and his new scheme and doesn’t expect a significant difference “from [an] offensive line perspective”.

“The concepts and the schemes, everyone working together and just the mentality behind the offense,” he said. “[We] really focus on the execution. I think Todd Monken has really done a great job of just getting us all together [and] focused on the same thing.”

One of his biggest focuses each offseason in honing his technique when it comes to blocking from footwork to hand placement so that it can be “on point” when the season roles around. Even though he trained on his own and wasn’t in attendance for most of the offseason program prior to minicamp including voluntary football school, he already loves Monken’s aggressive coaching style.

“He’s just a real guy, and I really believe that we have the same beliefs and mentality when it comes to what makes a successful offense,” Stanley said. “He’s all about the details. He’s detail orientated. [He’s] focused on the execution. I really think he’s focused on the right things and getting everyone to think about the things that – how he thinks about it. I think he’s doing everything the right way.”

Late-Round Rookie ‘In the Mix’ to Win Starting Role

Stanley will have a new starting guard next to him on the left side of the Ravens starting offensive line following the departure of Ben Powers to the Denver Broncos in free agency. Determining his replacement will be one of the fiercest battles in training camp and while he doesn’t have a preference on who win the job, Stanley will help whoever it ends up being as much as he can.

“There’s a lot of good guys out there,” he said. “We’ve had guys around that I know that can play, that I’ve played with. So, there’s a lot of names out there that can fit the bill.”

One of the players in the running that is emerging as a potential dark horse candidate is rookie Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu who the Ravens selected in the sixth round at No. 199 overall out of Oregon. He spent some time during minicamp running with the first team offense at left guard next to Stanley and looked impressive according to head coach John Harbaugh.

“He has done a great job, and he’s in the mix right now,” he said. “We wanted to get a look with him in the first-team and see how it looked with him in there. One thing we always try to do – and I think this is a little bit rare – but we want to see what guys look like with the first group. What does it look like? You can speculate all you want. If they start doing a good job with the second group or the third group, and you feel like they are up to it, I want to see how that fits. It looked like it fit well.”

Aumavae-Laulu was viewed as a versatile prospect with tremendous physical tools in terms of prototypical size and athleticism for someone his size at 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds but needed some time to develop. His learning curve apparently isn’t as steep as many were projecting if he’s already is serious consideration for starting job as a rookie.

“[He has a] great attitude,” veteran right guard Kevin Zeitler said. “He’s really open-minded. Nothing is going to bug him. He’s very athletic. So, he has … The whole world is right in front of him – all the potential in the world – and I can’t wait to see what he does with it.”

Rolling into the 2023 NFL season with inexperienced duo David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh as their primary edge-rushers is a risk the Baltimore Ravens don’t need to take. Not when Danielle Hunter is potentially on the trade block.

The Minnesota Vikings’ defensive end fits how the Ravens have recruited at pass-rusher in recent years, according to Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson: “In recent seasons, the Ravens have received ample snaps from aging edge defenders like Houston, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Pernell McPhee. Compared to that group, the 28-year-old Hunter would be a spring chicken.”

Hunter’s a three-time Pro Bowler, but he’s sitting out of mandatory minicamp because of a contract dispute with the Vikes, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who also noted how his colleague Ian Rapoport reported there have already been calls about a potential trade.

The Ravens should take advantage with the kind of deal they’ve been fond of making in recent seasons, with Robinson noting how “Baltimore has been willing to trade draft picks for veteran assets in the past. Just last year, the Ravens shipped their second-round selection to the Bears for linebacker Roquan Smith, whom they subsequently made the highest-paid player at his position.”

A trade for Hunter would add the missing link to an otherwise potentially dominant defense. It would also give the Ravens a marquee, longer-term replacement for aging edge defenders Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul, both of whom remain free agents.

Ravens Know the Value of Experience on the Edge

Pierre-Paul and Houston are both 34, but they still combined for 12.5 of the team’s 48 sacks last season. The Ravens knew what they were getting from Houston and JPP, proven commodities with a natural flair for hunting quarterbacks and pressuring the pocket.

It’s a talent shared by Hunter, who recorded the fourth campaign with double-digit sacks of his career. Hunter logged 10.5 QB takedowns despite transitioning to outside linebacker in the Vikings’ 3-4 defense.

The switch means Hunter would be a fit in Baltimore, where the Ravens still run a hybrid version of a 3-4. Mixing three- and four-man lines means there are still ample opportunities for Ravens’ edge-rushers to put their hands on the ground and rush, the same alignment from which Hunter does his best work.

No. 99 showed how effective he is rushing from a four-point stance with this strip-sack of Daniel Jones against the New York Giants last season.

Hunter fits with what the Ravens like to do defensively, and he’d help them generate more consistent pressure. Coordinator Mike Macdonald’s unit mustered a pressure percentage of just 19.2, one of the lowest in the NFL, per Pro Football Reference. The same source detailed how Hunter created 34 pressures by himself in 2022.

Acquiring Hunter could be done for a reasonable price, with Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport outlining a scenario involving the Ravens parting with second and fourth-round picks. That’s a relative bargain for a prolific sack artist who would elevate the young edge-rushers the Ravens are betting on in a big way ahead of the new season.

Ravens Need Experience Among Pass Rush

The Ravens remained so reliant on players in the winters of their career like Pierre-Paul and Houston because their obvious successors struggled. Injuries were a big reason why, but Oweh and Ojabo still combined for just four sacks.

Expectations are understandably higher for ’23, and the early signs are positive Ojabo and Oweh can match the hype. The duo has been “very noticeable” at minicamp, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic: “David Ojabo came off the edge to end another play, which was whistled dead to signify a sack. Ojabo continued to flash as he did throughout OTAs.”

While these are positive glimpses, the Ravens still lack experience and a proven track record on the edges. Ojabo is a second-year pro whose rookie season was limited to just two games after he tore his Achilles at Michigan’s pro day, while Oweh has recorded a mere eight sacks in two years.

The experience should come from Tyus Bowser, but the six-year pro is still dealing with the Achilles injury that limited him to four starts last season. Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh isn’t expecting Bowser to be fully up to speed before training camp, per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.

There’s room for an established pass-rusher, and Hunter is better than most. Snapping him up for less than first-round draft value would be classic Ravens.

The NFL All-Pro list is the definitive measure of a player’s stature as the elite of the elite at his position, and the honor that garners the most respect when it comes to defining legacies.

Early summer is a time when hope springs eternal for NFL teams, and players, alike, as minicamps wind down and the grind of training camp and the upcoming season await with much optimism and promise. It’s also the perfect time to project out which players will shine the brightest in the fall.

Projecting which players will wind up as a First-Team All-Pro can be a daunting task, but easy all at once, by simply placing the name of the best player at his position the prior season into your projected list for the next one.

But, in order to make things a bit more interesting, to shine the spotlight a little brighter on some of the stars of the game that are knocking on the doorstep of reaching “elite’ status, we opted instead to make the list of players most likely to become a First-Team All-Pro selection for the first time.

Here are our selections:

QB: Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Hurts very nearly stole the MVP and a first-team All-Pro slot from Patrick Mahomes last season, but the stage seems set for the 24-year-old to make another significant stride in his development. Given that this will be Hurts’ second season throwing to dynamic receiver A.J. Brown, as well as DeVonta Smith’s third NFL season (when receivers typically begin to peak), all of the pieces are in place for Hurts to take his game and the Eagles’ outlook to new heights.

RB: Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

Chubb was a Second-Team All-Pro in 2022, and he’s one of the most feared backs in the game. The combination of the Browns‘ run-based scheme, an offensive line that can make a strong claim as one of the two best in the league, and Chubb’s ferocious running style give the 27-year-old a great chance to make the varsity squad in 2023.

RB: Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

Running back might be the easiest position to make the leap to first-team All-Pro as a rookie. Especially when a rookie running back can expect the kind of workload Robinson can in Atlanta, combined with his explosiveness as a runner and versatility as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. If Robinson’s 104 forced missed tackles and 1,o71 yards after contact from last season at the University of Texas translate to the NFL, look out.

WR: A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

Not only was A.J. Brown a touchdown-maker, catching a career-high 11 in his first season in Philadelphia, he was a monster averaging 6.4 Yards After the Catch per Reception. If that was Brown’s introduction to the Eagles‘ offense, imagine how much more prolific he’ll be in a second season as Hurts’ favorite target.

WR: Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Chase was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2021, but each year the dynamic receiver’s chemistry seems to strengthen with quarterback Joe Burrow. Injuries limited Chase to just 12 games last season, yet he still produced 1,046 receiving yards with nine touchdowns. Given that Chase averaged 4.8 Yards after The Catch per Reception, just imagine how productive he’ll be if he can stay on the field for the entire 2023 campaign.

WR: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

One might think that the addition of a speedster like Tyreek Hill on the other side might limit the production of a player like Waddle, but that’s not exactly how 2022 played out. Sure, Waddle only caught 75 passes (down from 104 in 2022), but his yards per catch average nearly doubled to an eye-popping 18.1. Waddle’s speed gives him the ability to take the top off a defense. Playing opposite Hill creates space. Don’t be surprised if Waddle finds a way to build on last season’s 1,356-yard and 8-touchdown outburst.

TE: T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

Hockenson was an absolute revelation to the Vikings‘ offense, after arriving in a midseason trade. The 25-year-old caught 60 passes for 519 yards with 3 touchdowns during the final 10 games of the season. With Justin Jefferson flying down the perimeter, expect there to be plenty of room for Hockenson to operate underneath, and plenty of check down targets from Kirk Cousins for him to rack up yards and touchdowns this season.

LT: Andrew Thomas, New York Giants

Andrew Thomas is one of the ascending stars along the offensive line, and the trajectory of his career has been ticking upward the past two seasons, in a big way. A Second-Team All-Pro selection in 2022, Thomas only allowed three sacks and continued to emerge as a stalwart along the Giants’ offensive line.

RT: Kaleb McGary, Atlanta Falcons

McGary is a dominant presence along the line of scrimmage, and one of the Falcons’ building blocks on offense. Last season, McGary was Pro Football Focus’ No. 3 highest-rated offensive tackle, with an 86.6 overall grade. The addition of Robinson in the backfield will give McGary even more opportunities to showcase his ability as a lead-blocker in the running game, where he posted the highest run-blocking grade of anyone not named Trent Williams, at 91.6.

LG: Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs

Joe Thuney has been a stalwart of consistency throughout his career, and he has elevated his game to new heights since arriving in Kansas City in 2021. Last season, Thuney was instrumental in keeping Mahomes upright, allowing only one sack and 15 total pressures. That kind of consistency up front makes it easy for a freelancer like Mahomes to create big-play opportunities.

RG: Teven Jenkins, Chicago Bears

Teven Jenkins is a road grader up front in the running game, a tactician in pass protection, and one of the anchors of the Chicago Bears‘ offensive line. Last season, Jenkins only allowed 2.0 sacks and 12 quarterback pressures. He’s already on the cusp of breaking through as an All-Pro, and if the Bears’ offense makes major strides, this could be his season to crack the list.

C: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs

Creed Humphrey is the most consistently dominant young center in this league. Full stop. Humphrey is a complete mauler as a run-blocker, producing an elite 91.1 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, and a stonewall in pass protection, where he didn’t allow a single sack last season, with just one surrendered through the first two seasons of his career. Maybe more impressive than the fact that Humphrey allowed just 21, quarterback hits is that he was flagged for only 4 penalties in 1,138 snaps in 2022. Humphrey is an ascending talent and perhaps next in line to be a permanent All-Pro fixture.

EDGE: Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders

There are few pass-rushers who strike as much fear in opposing offensive tackles as Maxx Crosby does when he’s flying off the edge. It is almost unfair that a player has that much burst and that much speed, flying off the corner. Beyond freakish athleticism, Crosby’s productivity speaks for itself; 15.0 sacks, 81 total pressures, 4 forced fumbles, and 70 tackles in 2022 as the centerpiece of the Raiders‘ defense. Given the exotic blitz packages defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is accustomed to drawing up, don’t be surprised if even those numbers from Crosby take a big jump in 2023.

EDGE: Montez Sweat, Washington Commanders

Montez Swat is borderline unblockable off the edge, where he produced 8.0 sacks and 63 total pressures as the centerpiece of the Commanders’ front-seven in 2022. What makes Sweat special is that he’s one of the more dominant run-stopping edge players in the game, on top of being a game-wrecker when rushing the passer. Sweat is one of the more complete players at his position, and if he continues his upward trajectory, could find himself on All-Pro lists this season.

DL: D.J. Reader, Cincinnati Bengals

Injuries limited D.J. Reader’s production last season, he missed six games due to a knee injury while finishing with 27 tackles and 1.0 sack, but don’t let those numbers fool you into thinking this isn’t one of the top players at his position. Reader is a matchup nightmare, a dominant interior pass-rusher, and as steady as they come against the run. If Reader can stay on the field all season, 2023 could be the year he solidifies his place among the elite of the position.

DL: Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants

Few humans walking the earth can move with the speed and burst that Dexter Lawrence shows on each snap, at a mammoth 6-foot-4 and 342 pounds. Not only does Lawrence take up boatloads of space against the run, but his 9.0 sacks and 63 total pressures are absolute game-wreckers up the middle for opposing quarterbacks. Lawrence was a Second-Team All-Pro selection in 2022, and playing another season in coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale’s scheme should create even more opportunities for Lawrence to destroy things up the middle. If he does, well, etch his name on the First-Team list this season.

LB: Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago Bears

Edmunds arrives in Chicago coming off the most dominant season of his prolific career. Once again surpassing 100 total tackles, Edmunds produced a team-high 101, while holding opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 87.1. All that, only to leave Buffalo without a contract extension. Given Edmunds’ productivity, his talent, and the added motivation that comes with being spurned by your former team, expect big things from the centerpiece of the Bears’ revamped defense in 2023.

LB: Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars

Lloyd didn’t waste any time throwing his weight around, as a rookie in the Jaguars’ linebacker corps last season. The Utah alum’s three interceptions led all linebackers, and he was consistently around the football, carding 110 total tackles. If Lloyd builds on his stellar rookie season, don’t be surprised to find him on this list by year’s end.

LB: Dre Greenlaw, San Francisco 49ers

A strong case can be made that each member of the 49ers’ front-seven could wind up an All-Pro, but Greenlaw should benefit more than most from Javon Hargrave’s arrival. Last season Greenlaw had 127 tackles and was just a brick wall against the run. Expect that to continue in 2023.

CB: Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers boast one of the most talented defenses in the league, and the best defensive back on the roster might be Charvarius Ward, who is criminally underrated outside the Bay Area. Opposing quarterbacks managed only an 88.2 passer rating when targeting Ward last season, and receivers had little room to operate, averaging just 11 yards per catch. Given the combination of the 49ers’ ferocious front-seven and Ward’s prowess in man coverage, the stage could be set for the 27-year-old to have a career year in 2023.

CB: Asante Samuel Jr., Los Angeles Chargers

Entering his third season, Samuel Jr. hasn’t just already proven himself to be a legitimate ballhawk, but he continues to get better. Quarterbacks rarely targeted Samuel Jr. last season, and when they did, they managed a meager 97.6 passer rating on those throws. Samuel Jr. already etched his name in the record books, becoming the first player to pull down three interceptions in his playoff debut. If Samuel builds on a stellar finish to 2022, there’s a good chance he finishes 2023 as an All-Pro.

S: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens

Hamilton is as versatile as they come at safety, and aims to build on a prolific rookie season, that was capped by him leading the Ravens’ defense with 9.0 tackles in a Wild Card loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Not only does Hamilton thrive in coverage, where he played both deep safety and in the slot while holding opposing receivers to only 9.9 Yards per Reception, but he’s a real weapon up near the line of scrimmage. Hamilton’s 2.0 sacks and 20 run-stops underscore his value at all levels of the Ravens’ defense.

S: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Winfield Jr. is an ascending talent at the safety position, who could see more opportunities to create turnovers as head coach Todd Bowles dials up the pressure via the blitz this season. Moving to free safety this season could create more opportunities for Winfield to flash in coverage, where he held opposing receivers to just 10.5 Yards per Reception in 2022. If the Buccaneers’ defense bounces back, and Winfield plays a starring role, don’t be surprised when he winds up being an impact player this season.

Nearly a month and a half after hearing his name called at No. 22 overall on the first night of the NFL draft, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers agreed to terms on his rookie contract and signed on the dotted line June 14, the team announced.

With his signing, the team now has its entire six-man 2023 draft class under contract, with linebacker Trenton Simpson, edge defender Tavius Robinson, cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly, offensive lineman Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and offensive guard Andrew Vorhees being the five others.

Flowers’ deal is four years and $14 million fully guaranteed with a bonus of $7.2 million, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, citing Flowers’ agents, Eric Dounn and Matt Leist of Loyalty Above All Sports and Entertainment Agency.

Flowers is the third wide receiver general manager Eric DeCosta has selected in the first round in the last five years and the third notable receiver addition this offseason alone. He has the potential to be an immediate difference-maker in a revamped unit that also features Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor and Odell Beckham Jr.

Both Flowers and first-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken believe that his dynamic playmaking skillset makes him an ideal fit in the Ravens’ new-look offense. He can also contribute on special teams as a returner.

During his college career, Flowers rewrote the Boston College record books by setting a new career record for receiving yards (3,056), receptions (200), and touchdown catches (29). His best year was his last, when he recorded career highs across the board: 78 catches for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Standouts From First 2 Days of Minicamp, Per Reports

According to reports from mandatory minicamp, some of the notable standouts have been Agholor, veteran cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, former undrafted defensive back Ar’Darius Washington, second-year outside linebacker David Ojabo and rising sophomore tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar.

Agholor, the Ravens’ first free agent signing, continued to turn heads with impressive plays, including getting behind Ya-Sin for a touchdown deep down the field.

Ya-Sin had one of his best days in coverage, per multiple reports. He was tested early and often but gave up only a few completions after dropping an interception a day earlier, the reports say.

Washington has had a strong couple of days to open minicamp, including picking off a pass from quarterback Josh Johnson and breaking up multiple passes. He is fighting for the starting role that Kyle Hamilton vacated upon transitioning to safety full time.

Kolar and Likely have generated buzz and excitement with leaping downfield grabs.

“I’m excited to work with them,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said on June 14, 2023. “We still haven’t put the pads on yet, but from what I’ve seen, with adding the wide receivers that we have and the tight ends that have been here, it’s an exciting time.”

Another second year player who has consistently flashed is outside linebacker David Ojabo. He has been a consistent menance for the Ravens offensive tackles coming off the edge, per several reports, including The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec.

Last year’s second-round pick was limited to just three games as rookie due to a torn Achilles. Now that he is fully healthy, Ojabo is primed for a breakout season.

Lamar Jackson Clarifies Realistic Goals For 2023

The Ravens’ franchise quarterback made headlines early in the offseason when he said he wanted to throw for 6,000 yards. When asked on June 14 whether he had a more realistic statistical goal in mind, he said the national media blew his original statement “out of proportion” by taking it to seriously.

“My goal is to win the Super Bowl,” he said. “My goal is never about yards or anything like that. I know our guys, they want the ball in their hands to make plays. And I feel like we have the guys to do it, so that’s all I was saying. I feel like we could throw for 6,000 yards, but that’s probably unrealistic. But, we’ll see.”

Jackson praised Monken’s offensive system.

“The sky [is] the limit with this offense,” he said. “We’re going to see.”

Jackson also discussed playing with his cousin, Ravens cornerback Trayvon Mullen.

“We always played against each other [in] youth football, high school, college and stuff like that,” Jackson said. “Now we’re finally on the same team and we’re like, ‘That will be dope if we make it to the Super Bowl and win it’. So, that’s our goal.”

Mullen was a second pick out of Clemson in the 2019 draft by the Las Vegas Raiders and has bounced between the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys a little bit the last year before landing in Baltimore.

He is currently battling with a the rest of the Ravens young and relatively unproven depth at the position for a spot on the roster and potentially a key backup role. Making the team will be the fifth-year veteran’s first priority before he can start having Champagne dreams.

One of the most popular colloquialisms and highest compliments that a male athlete can receive is being called “Him” which means that he is a bonafide star in their respective sport or profession.

In his media session on the second day of the Baltimore Ravens‘ mandatory minicamp, MVP-winning quarterback offered that level of respect to veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in addition to calling him a “legend”.

“Odell is a legend to a lot of us,” Jackson said. “What he did early in his career and the past year when he was with the Rams and stuff like that. Odell is him, one of those guys so it means a lot.”

The Ravens signed the three-time Pro Bowler to a sizable one-year contract worth up to $18 million this offseason as part of the overhaul of their wide receiver depth. They also signed fellow former first-rounder and established veteran, Nelson Agholor to a one-year contract and selected former Boston College standout Zay Flowers in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at No. 22 overall.

Jackson was impressed with what he saw from Beckham Jr. on the first day of the team’s mandatory minicamp and praised his hands and route running prowess.

“I think he looked pretty smooth,” he said. “Crisp routes, great hands as everybody know, he can catch the ball. He looked pretty good out there.”

In addition to joining forces with Jackson, the 30-year-old wideout will also be rejoining first-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken who was his play-caller during his first year with the Cleveland Browns in 2019 which was also the last time he played a full season and reached 1,000 plus receiving yards per Pro Football Reference.

Monken is excited to have him back out on the field after so much time off and even though Beckham Jr. wasn’t present for football school or the other voluntary portions of the team’s offseason program, he doesn’t appear to be behind in the learning process of the offense.

“You can tell he’s been studying in his time away,” he said. “It was fun having him out there and I think he’s ready to go.”

Beckham Jr. Plans to Work With Jackson More Ahead of Training Camp

Building chemistry is an essential part of forming strong connections between quarterbacks and their pass catchers. Earlier this week, NFL.com’s Kevin Patra ranked Jackson and Beckham Jr. as the second-best new duo heading into the 2023 season and in order to make his prediction come to fruition, the two of them will need to need to strengthen their bond both on and off the field.

According to Beckham Jr., that is exactly what the two superstars intend to do ahead of training camp in the next month and a half.

“Chemistry is going to develop over time I think,” he said on June 13, 2023. “I’ll be down in Florida training with him, so we’ll have plenty of time. It’s not something that I’m worried about. The most important thing is getting ready for a season coming up in September, and that’s when we play.”

Building chemistry with his fellow receivers as the veteran leader of the bunch is important to Beckham Jr. as well. Many of the Ravens’ young wide receivers grew up idolizing him and while he admits that knowing and being reminded of that makes him feel a little old, it’s a responsibility he takes seriously.

“I know what my role will be, as far as coming out and being able to show it every day and being able to lead,” he said. “I feel like a good leader has to be a good follower, so just being able to be there for these guys… We’re all here to learn, and I’m excited about that room. There’s definitely a lot of talent in that room. There’s going to be a lot of competition for spots, so we’ve got to all work and work together. It’s definitely got a good feel in there.”

One young wideout that he had already taken under his wing before either of them even joined the Ravens was 2021 first-rounder Rashod Bateman. The third-year pro is heading into a pivotal season after having his first two plagued by injuries which Beckham Jr. can relate two given his recent injury history.

“When you come back from being injured, there’s always that little bit of fear that you have to get over; it’s like, ‘You don’t want it to happen again’ or whatever,” he said. “We haven’t talked about it as much in the room, but he was training with me at EXOS, and we chopped it up about it. I think he’s headed in the right direction. We’re all gearing up [and] getting ready for the season.”

Ravens Revamped WR Unit Could ‘Rival’ Group that Featured Future Hall of Famer

Beckham Jr. isn’t the only legendary veteran wideout that the team has added in free agency in franchise history but he’s the first in a long while. Head Coach John Harbaugh has a picture above a pool table in his basement of him with former Ravens wide receivers Jacoby Jones, Torrey Smith, and Steve Smith Sr. at practice during the 2014 season.

That year was the last for both Jones and Smith in Baltimore and the first for Smith Sr. who is a future Hall of Famer. The unit helped former franchise quarterback Joe Flacco have the best statistical season of his career per Pro Football Reference and form one of the best offenses in franchise history.

Smith Sr. hit the ground running that year by averaging 95.5 receiving yards per game through the first six games at 35 years old and finished with his eighth and final season of 1,000-plus receiving yards per PFR and Torrey Smith hauled in a team-leading and career-high 11 receiving touchdowns.

When asked if he believes that this year’s remodeled wide receiver corps could wind up being one of the more competitive groups that he has had in camp since he’s been at the helm of the team, Harbaugh answered “yes”.

“I thought, ‘That was a good group,'” he said. “This group rivals that group, and it might be the best – we’ll see. That’s up to them to determine that, but I’m very excited about those guys.”

Harbaugh appreciates the pedigree and firey competitive drive that Beckham Jr. is bringing to the relatively young group outside of himself and Agholor.

“He’s a highly decorated player – without question – [and] has been in all the big battles over the years,” he said. “He’s worked really hard to get himself back to this point where he’s excited to go, and I’m sure he’s a little anxious and anticipating getting back on the field for the first time. We’re not going to go crazy out here, but I think it’s a good first step for him, and, of course, we’re excited that he’s here.”

Even though the Baltimore Ravens have several starters and key rotational role players heading into the final year of their respective contracts seeking new deals, thankful, they still had the entire roster report for their mandatory minicamp this week on Monday, June 12, 2023.

While every player is present, there is a handful that won’t or have yet to take the practice field because they are either dealing with lingering injuries or being held out for precautionary reasons.

One of the most notable players that head coach John Harbaugh said would not be participating in minicamp altogether is third-year wide receiver Rashod Bateman who has struggled with injuries to start his career and is heading into a pivotal make-of-break season in 2023.

“I’m not expecting ‘Bate’ to be a part of it right now,” he said. “He had a shot for healing purposes – cortisone-type deal – so that will keep him out for a couple days. So, we just decided to just let him keep rehabbing and make sure he’s ready to go for training camp.”

In his first two seasons in the league since being selected No. 27 overall in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Minnesota, he has missed 16 of a possible 35 games including the postseason.

Even though Bateman has shown exciting and explosive flashes, he has recorded just 61 receptions on 96 targets for 800 receiving yards and caught three touchdowns in 18 games that included nine starts according to Pro Football Reference.

While veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. reported and was on the field for the first two days of minicamp, the Ravens are still easing the three-time Pro Bowler back into action with a “ramp-up” period.

He didn’t attend the voluntary portion of the team’s offseason program and sat out the entire 2022 season while he recovered from a torn ACL he suffered in February of that year playing in Super Bowl 56 with the Los Angeles Rams.

“He is going to be full-go in terms of health and all that, but I also expect us to ramp up a lot of our guys,” Harbaugh said. “We’re going to see where guys are at. We’re not going to be in a hurry to throw guys out there too much [with] too many reps. We want to get a feel for everything. He is learning the offense for the first time, just like a lot of guys have been. So, I think it will be kind of a see-as-we-go. [He’ll] go through individual, take a few reps in group and team and see how he and the other guys feel, and we’ll go from there.”

From the video practice highlights of him going through individual drills and a handful of team reps, Beckham Jr. was running smooth routes and showing no lingering issues with his surgically repaired knee.

Young Cornerbacks Still Banged Up

Harbaugh told reporters that one of the team’s top competitions during minicamp ahead of training camp will be figuring out roles for players in their secondary and particularly at cornerback when it comes to figuring out who will play and focus on a particular spot.

“We’ll be looking to kind of firm up our different roles back there – corner, inside, and outside,” he said. “That will be something that will be important.”

Two players that will have to wait until training camp to begin proving themselves and earn a spot as a potential starter or primary backup due to lingering injuries are second-year cornerbacks Jalyn Armour-Davis and Damarion ‘Pepe’ Williams.

“Pepe is out, Jalyn is going to do ACT and some individual,” Harbaugh said. “Pepe is going to be out, probably, maybe even. He tells me he’s going to be back to start training camp – we’ll see. That’s where he’s at with his process.”

Both players were among the six picks that the Ravens made in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft last year with Armour-Davis being the second at No. 119 overall out of Alabama and Williams being the sixth and final at No. 141 overall out of Houston.

Neither player established themselves as key cogs on defense and they each made their fair share of mistakes early on in the year when the Ravens pass defense was struggling to consistently get off the field and prevent big plays through the air.

Injuries have plagued Armour-Davis in particular and limited him to just four games as a rookie while Williams appeared in 14 games in his first year but was mostly relegated to special teams after the first eight games of the season.

The Ravens would like to give their young recently drafted cornerbacks a shot at proving they can provide quality and reliable depth behind projected starters Rock Ya-Sin and three-time Pro Bowler Marlon Humphrey.

However, if they do not rise to the occasion and seize the opportunity that lies before them as a result of health or poor performance, the front office likely won’t hesitate to bring in veteran reinforcements with familiar players still available such as three-time Pro Bowler Marcus Peters and five-year veteran Anthony Averett.

Key Exciting Offensive Weapon is ‘Not Ready to Go’

Starting running back J.K. Dobbins is one of the many players heading into the final year of his current contract as his rookie deal is set to expire after the 2023 season. Unfortunately, injuries have prevented him from consistently staying on the field past two years as he missed the entire 2021 season with a severe knee injury and suffered some setbacks in his first season back in 2022.

The former second-round pick is a player that many pundits believe is in store for a huge breakout season if he can stay healthy and that the coaching staff is “excited about” his prospects in the Ravens’ new offense under Todd Monken as well.

“It’s going to be interesting [to see] how he fits in, because J.K. has got a lot of dynamic ability – backfield, motion, wide plays, inside plays, even the A-gap plays that we’ve always run,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “As a receiver out of the backfield, I think he’s got a lot of potential. So, I’m very excited about J.K. and how he’s going to fit in here.”

Harbaugh took the podium before practice on Tuesday and it was later revealed that Dobbins, who reported and participated in the team’s media day on Monday, wasn’t on the field for team activities.

According to Monken from ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, the 24-year-old who didn’t attend the voluntary portion of the Ravens offseason program is “not ready to go”.

“I know he’s ready to go when he’s out there,” Monken said. “We are certainly better with him out there.”

Dobbins has been the Ravens’ best and most productive runner not named Lamar Jackson since his standout rookie year in 2020 when he led all running backs in the league with six yards per carry per Pro Football Reference and set a franchise record for rushing touchdowns by a rookie with nine.

When healthy, Dobbins is one of the most explosive playmakers in the league with the way he can rip off big runs and bounce off would-be tacklers with a beautiful blend of power and superb contact balance.

Dobbins made some headlines after he posted some cryptic tweets about his long-term future with the team as he looks to get an extension prior to the season. Sadly, with this latest update, it appears he has even less leverage than before.

Until he can prove he can stay on the field, any negotiations would be on the terms and timeline of the Ravens’ front office because they hold all the bargaining chips as it currently stands.

The final year of any player’s contract regardless of veteran status can come with a lot of pressure to perform and make sure they set themselves up to get paid by the team their on or elsewhere if they make it to unrestricted free agency.

However, in the mind of Baltimore Ravens starting defensive tackle Justin Madubuike who is heading into the fourth and final year of his rookie deal, every season is just as important as the last or the next.

“You can make it a bigger deal than it is, or you can just put your head down and work hard,” he told the media on June 13, 2023, on the first day of mandatory minicamp. “I chose to pick that route. Every year is a big year I feel like, so it doesn’t change anything. You just keep working hard, you keep sharpening [your tools], getting closer to the details, be the best player you can be on and off the field, and for your teammates.”

Madubuike was selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M and has seen his role, production, and overall impact increase each year he has been in the league. Even though he is coming off the best season of his career to date, he isn’t resting on his laurels and is still looking to improve his craft and take his game and team to the next level.

“Just to keep working hard, just keep sharpening all my tools, just keep learning, just keep being a better teammate, a better player, stepping up on defense, and just taking it one day at a time,” Madubuike said. “We have the ultimate goal as a team, and we all know what that is. It starts now.”

Last season he finished tied his former mentor, Calais Campbell for the second most sacks on the team in 2022 with a career-high 5.5 per Pro Football Reference. Now that the six-time Pro Bowler is no longer on the roster, many are expecting him to continue ascending, including his head coach.

“I expect [Justin] to take off – I say take off, but kind of continue on the same track – take the next step as a player,” John Harbaugh said. “I think he’s going to have a great year.”

Madubuike Focused More on Leadership than Contract Talks

Filling in Campbell’s massive shoes doesn’t just mean stepping up his production on the field but also being a mentor to the younger players not just at his position but on the team overall. Becoming a better leader is at the forefront of his mind more than negotiating a potential early extension with the team ahead of the season.

“Right now, I’m not even focused on that, honestly,” Madubuike said. “I’m just trying to just put my head down and work, focus on the guys, focus on these new rookies and showing them the way – the way like Calais was showing me the way – pass that down. [I’m] just trying to take it one day at a time and keep working hard, showing them how to work.”

He admitted that not having Campbell in the room for the first time in his career after having grown under his massive wings during his first three years in the league is definitely a little different. However, the 25-year-old still wants to help guide youngsters like 2022 third-rounder Travis Jones as well as some of the team’s undrafted developmental talent from the past two years.

“He was the old vet, but he showed us a lot of great things, and I definitely want to pass that forward and just definitely be a leader by example,” Madubuike said. “When I feel like I need to say something, I’ll say something.”

Another Big Fan of the Dr. Rush Hiring 

Count Madubuike among the growing contingent of Ravens defenders that are excited about the addition of new outside linebackers Chuck Smith to the coaching staff. Even though he primarily works with the edge rushers he also spends time helping the interior defensive linemen refine their pass rush skills as well.

“He played in the league, he’s been in our shoes, and he knows what it takes to get to the quarterback,” Madubuike said. “He knows what it takes for the whole D-line to be on the same accord, so we can have a great rush plan. I feel like he’s a great addition to our team. I’m glad to have him here, for real.”

The two of them already had a preexisting relationship prior to Smith being hired as a full-time coach when he was a pass rush specialist consultant and coach.

“I even worked with Chuck before he got here, in Atlanta,” Madubuike said. “When he came here to the team, I was like, ‘Oh, this is great. We’re going to learn so much from you.’ So, I’m excited.”

While he doesn’t have a signature pass rush move figured out yet, one technique that Smith has been “preaching” about a lot is the club rip because it is one of the most effective ways to disengage with and get around blockers on the way to the quarterback.

“If you do a great pass-rushing move, he will show it on film and it will look good, but if you don’t have a rip, he’s going to call you out on it,” Madubuike said. “He just focuses on the little details, and that’s what I love about him.”

Underrated Veteran ‘Very Determined’ to Bounce Back

Madubuike isn’t the only player on the defensive line that Harbaugh and the Ravens believe is trending upward and chomping at the bit to prove himself. After having back-to-back seasons cut short due to injury, seven-year veteran nose tackle Michael Pierce is another projected starter that they’re expecting a lot from in 2023.

“Michael was on a trajectory, and then, all of a sudden, he had a couple of injuries that sidetracked him the last few years,” Harbaugh said. “I think he’s very determined to kind of get back on track that way, and I have high expectations for him.”

Pierce sat out all of the 2020 season after opting out due to COVID-19 concerns, appeared in just eight games with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021, and elected to have surgery on his torn biceps after three games in his return to the Ravens last season according to Pro Football Reference.

Prior to and in the midst of his rash of health-related setbacks, he showed tremendous growth in his all-around game by showing that he was more than just the elite run stuffer that he developed into during his first four years in the league.

The former undrafted gem that originally signed with the Ravens in 2016 recorded a career-high three sacks in the only year he saw the field for the Vikings and even though he didn’t record a sack in the first three weeks of last season, he was very disruptive and the fifth-highest graded interior defensive lineman in the league over that span according to Pro Football Focus.

On May 17 during the football school portion of the Ravens’ offseason program, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald spoke glowingly about Pierce and even called him an “underrated interior pass rusher”. If the 30-year-old can stay healthy and not only pick up where he left off during his hot start to 2022 but build on it, the absence of Campbell will be even less noticeable.

There are numerous new faces in new places around the NFL as many of the league’s most notable names and brightest stars at several premium positions were on the move this offseason — especially on the offensive side of the ball.

NFL.com’s Kevin Patra ranked the nine best new quarterback and wide receiver pairings for the 2023 season. Coming in at No. 2 on the list right behind four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers and 2022 Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson of the New York Jets was the Baltimore Ravens‘ MVP-winning franchise signal caller and their “shiniest” offseason addition.

“While Rashod Bateman is on track to return healthy, the Ravens’ offseason saw them draft Zay Flowers in the first round and add Nelson Agholor in free agency,” Patra wrote. “However, the shiniest addition is three-time Pro Bowler Odell Beckham Jr.”

The 30-year-old veteran is the highest-profiled weapon that Jackson has ever had at his disposal and that the Ravens have ever had at the position. He is dynamic with the ball in his hands and recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in five of his first six years in the league.

Beckham sat out the entire 2022 season while he recovered from a torn ACL but in his last game on the field, the former first-rounder was putting together a Super Bowl MVP-worthy performance for the eventual champion Los Angeles Rams in the 2021 title game.

Some of the pairings they rank ahead of on the list include 2021 first-overall pick Trevor Lawrence and Calvin Ridley of the Jacksonville Jaguars as well as four-time Pro Bowler Derek Carr and 2022 first-rounder Chris Olave who had a standout rookie year of the New Orleans Saints.

Beckham Will Need to Stay on the Field

When healthy, the eight-year veteran wideout is one of the most electric and awe-inspiring playmakers in the entire league who is capable of making acrobatic catches, running any route, and lineup inside and out wide.

However, his availability has been inconsistent the past few years. In addition to missing all of the 2022 season, he missed three games in 2021 and played in just seven games in 2020. Patra believes that Beckham’s health is the “big caveat” in his prediction given his recent injury history.

“By all accounts, he should be ready to ride at the start of this coming season, giving Jackson a potential field-tilting target the 2022 Ravens sorely lacked,” he wrote. “We haven’t seen the explosive OBJ from early in his career, back when he was a 1,000-yard maven. But during his run with the Rams in 2021, he proved he still has juice.”

Patra pointed out that in Beckham’s last 12 games after joining Los Angeles in Week 10 of the 2021 season including the playoffs, he hauled in seven receiving touchdowns.

In his introductory press conference, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta made of note of how impressive Beckham looked not only in his last time on the field in a game but the team liked what they saw at the private workout he held in Arizona prior to his signing.

“What we say was extremely encouraging and I can’t wait to see the progression,” he said. “We’re getting somebody that is ready to explode again. He’s in the right environment with the right quarterback with the right team and the right city. It’s the perfect player at the perfect time.”

Patra also pointed out that no Ravens wide receiver topped 50 receptions, 500 receiving yards, or catch more than three touchdowns as the position group was ravaged by season-ending foot injuries to Bateman and two-time Pro Bowl returner Devin Duvernay. Having Beckham headline their revamped depth chart givens than an established veteran presence capable of producing at a high level.

“Even if he can’t recapture his early-career magic, Beckham still provides Baltimore with a proven threat,” he wrote.

Change in Playcaller Will Be Just as Vital to Success

While the Ravens made a significant financial investment to get Beckham on a one-year deal worth up to $18 million, their most impactful addition of the entire offseason may prove to be the change they made offensive coordinator going from Greg Roman to Todd Monken.

“The additions at receiver should immediately boost Jackson’s passing ability,” Patra wrote. “Still, nothing will help the Ravens’ air game more than the change brought by Todd Monken’s new offense, which promises to be more pass-heavy than anything Jackson has previously run in Baltimore.”

He pointed out that the Ravens have ranked in the bottom two in pass attempts per game, passing yards per game, and completions per game since 2019 in Roman first year as the playcaller and Jackson’s first season as the full-time starter.

“The expectation is that a new scheme and fresh weaponry will ignite Jackson’s passing attack,” Patra wrote. “The key will be both the QB and OBJ staying healthy in 2023.”

The Baltimore Ravens put an emphasis on not just upgrading their roster this offseason but the coaching staff as well by bringing in new innovative hires as well as promoting from within.

One of the new faces on staff this year that is familiar to many in the organization is outside linebackers coach, Chuck Smith. While this is his first in a full-time coaching position on a professional staff and not just as a consultant, he is a renowned pass rush guru who has worked with many of the league’s best interior and edge rushers over the past two decades.

He spoke with media for the first time since being hired on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, and gave some great insight into what makes a successful pass rusher at the NFL level after having been one himself during a nine-year career from 1992 to 2000 where he compiled 58.5 sacks, according to Pro Football Reference.

Smith also shared his high level of excitement for the growth of Ravens’ young outside linebackers Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo and the potential impact that he knows they’re capable of having in 2023 and beyond.

Oweh was a first-round pick in 2021 that wasn’t able to build off a strong rookie campaign and finished with just three sacks in 2022 per PFR. Objabo would’ve been a first-round pick last year had he not suffered a torn Achilles that cost him all but three games of his rookie season but he still managed to record a strip-sack in his limited action per PFR.

“He’s everything I thought he was when he was at Michigan,” Smith said about Ojabo. “He’s quick. He’s confident. He’s twitchy. He has a high pass-rush IQ, and he has mastered a lot of different moves, and they’re learning how to do it. We’re constantly talking every second, every minute, on text, on threads. He’s got that dawg mindset. Dude is ready and he’s going to have an impact.”

One of his main focuses for Oweh this year is finding his signature or go-to pass rush move that will be his forte throughout his career. He mentioned how Hall of Famer pass rushers like Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor used power moves and more modern legends like Von Miller, Dwight Freeney, and Maxx Crosby frequently used or still use the spin move.

“When you see Odafe, you’re going to know his signature pass-rush move,” Smith said. “We’re teaching them to do high-performance moves, but most importantly, how to fix them when flaws come about. That’s where I come in.”

In 2022, Oweh put some nice bull rushes on tape, especially toward the end of the year when he began rushing more from the inside. Smith says that size and weight don’t always dictate or allow pass rushers to execute bull rushes at a consistently high level but rather speed off the ball and given Oweh’s elite and explosive 4.3 speed and athleticism, it could ultimately become his signature move.

“It has to do with speed off the ball and how you generate power in the angles you take towards the offensive lineman,” Smith said. “Last year, he had some good bull rushes, but there are times when you’re going against big guys, it’s about movement.”

He believes that Oweh and Ojabo feed off each other and the best quality they share is their willingness and eagerness to help and push each other which dates back to their time as high school teammates at Blair Academy in New Jersey.

“When they’re lined up out there, they’re communicating,” Smith said. “Ojabo might need this, or he might ask ‘Dafe’ this. They come off because they talk the same language – from the standpoint of football language – so they’re talking the same language and they’re helping each other.

The dynamic duo is helping set an example for young players like fourth-round rookie Tavius Robinson and 2022 undrafted free agent Jeremiah Moon who Smith named specifically to follow as they strive to ultimately be the “best team [and] defense” they can be as a group.

“The big prize is try to win a Super Bowl and pass rush, for us to get there, that’s going to have to be a part of it,” Smith said.

Smith’s Professional Coaching Journey Comes Full Circle

It seems like fate that his first full-time job as a positional coach is coming in the same with the same team where it all began. Smith spent time with the Ravens as a training camp consultant through the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship which is where he first met head coach John Harbaugh in 2008 which also happened to be his first year at the helm of the team.

That preexisting relationship between not only him and Harbaugh but the front office as well as ownership has made the transition of going from a private contractor to being part of a large staff seemingly seamless.

“The transition has been easy because I know a lot of people here,” Smith said. “I did the Bill Walsh minority coaching program, got my start here coach Harbaugh’s first year. I was a lot younger. He was a lot younger. Everybody here, even guys on the staff – there are guys here who I trained. [General Manager] Eric [DeCosta], [Owner] Mr. [Steve] Bisciotti, I’ve known a lot of these people for a long, long, long time. If there was a perfect place for me to come and really kick off my first year again, it was the Baltimore Ravens.”

Ever since the early days of his playing career in the 90s, Smith always knew that he wanted to train pass rushers professionally one day because, at the time, there weren’t any private contractors that specialized in it.

“There was a void there, and I just had a love of pass rush from back in 1978 I think when Jack Youngblood – or 1979 – when he broke his leg, watching him and then watching LT [Lawrence Taylor],” he said. “There was no skill trainers, so right then, 2001, I went on injured reserve. I went back to Atlanta and I started training pass rushers.”

Ravens Leading WR in 2022 Signs With NFC Team

The player that led the Ravens in receiving yards from the wide receiver position has found a new home after NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported that veteran Demarcus Robinson agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Rams on June 8, 2023.

When the Ravens added the veteran wideout toward the end of last year’s training camp, it was viewed as a signing that would provide quality depth and experience to a young position group featuring no players older than 25 at the time he was signed.

However, he not only established himself as a reliable possession receiver and chain mover by midseason but he was the last one left standing after the top of the depth chart was ravaged by season-ending foot injuries to 2021 first-rounder Rashod Bateman and two-time Pro Bowler Devin Duvernay.

Robinson finished the year second on the team behind three-time Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews in targets (75), receptions (48), and receiving yards (458) per Pro Football Reference.

His best game came against the Carolina Panthers in Week 11 when he recorded a season-high nine receptions and 128 receiving yards and his best moment as a Raven was when he ran past widely despised cornerback Eli Apple for a 41-yard touchdown in the team’s playoff bout with the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wildcard round.

Even though Robinson was a fan favorite for many, the writing was on the wall that he likely wouldn’t get brought back after the Ravens revamped their wide receiver depth chart this offseason. They signed former first-rounders Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor in free agency and followed it up by drafting Zay Flowers in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Rams mark the fourth team that Robinson will have signed with and the third in the last two years.  He originally entered the league as a fourth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2016 NFL Draft out of the University of Florida.

Through his first seven seasons in the league, Robinson has complied 193 receptions on 302 targets for 2,137 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in 114 games with 47 starts per PFR.

One of the biggest fears for most professional athletes is to be posterized by being on wrong side of an iconic moment in sports history or highlight from a given game in a season.

While video games are technically virtually reality, the slight towards Baltimore Ravens starting inside linebacker Patrick Queen at the end of the first trailer Madden 24, the newest version of the popular sports game by EA Sports, was almost as disrespectful as if it actually happened.

In the last seven seconds of the one-minute and 16-second video, cover athlete and franchise quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, Josh Allen, stiff-arms safety Geno Stone and then proceeds to plow through and step over Queen on his way into the end zone for a touchdown.

The Ravens’ former first-round pick didn’t take too kindly the slight nor did he understand why he had to be the one on the receiving end of a posterized moment even if it was in a video game

While Allen is one of the hardest skill players to bring down in the open field regardless of position in the entire league, Queen is one of the fastest and most physical defenders in the league capable of bringing the wood and stopping the vast majority of ball carriers in their tracks, including Allen.

Film Doesn’t Lie & Proves Otherwise

Queen replied to a comment on his initial post that claimed that Allen juked him in the open field, making him miss a tackle when the Ravens and Bills played in Baltimore in Week 4 last season by also stating that he upended the two-time Pro Bowler on a different play from that game.

Ravens team reporter Ryan Mink was kind enough to post the same video evidence as Queen to support his claim and he retweeted the 14-second clip showing him taking down Allen who tried to juke him out in the open field but failed and was tackled for a modest gain.

In a reply to Mink’s tweet, analyst Greg Tompsett who closely cover the Bills posted as sarcastic imagined excuse for a mistake that Queen made later in the game when he lost outside contain on Allen who scrambled for a 11-yard touchdown that would ultimately prove to be the game-winner and an accompanying clip of the play.

While he was guilty of losing contain on that pivotal play in the third quarter of the game, Queen was never ran over by Allen, just ran past and the only player that got juked was three-time Pro Bowl Marlon Humphrey who whiffed on the tackle after the quarterback cut inside at the last second.

Queen finished that game with five total tackles including four solos and one for a loss and logged three hits on Allen as well as blitzer according to Pro Football Reference.

Keep Adding More Fuel to Queen’s Fire

As if the 23-year-old didn’t have enough motivation already heading into the final year of his rookie contract after the team opted to decline his fifth-year option. Now he might just be looking to prove to every quarterback he crosses paths with this year in the open field that he means business and will make them want to think twice before leaving the pocket against the Ravens.

Fortunately for Allen, the two teams aren’t slated to play each other this year in the exhibition or regular season but that could make a potential playoff matchup in mid-to-late January all the more exciting.

The last time the Ravens and Bills faced off in the postseason was the 2020 season and while it resulted in a 17-3 win for Buffalo, Allen was held to just three rushing yards on seven attempts and only threw for 206 yards into swirling winds despite throwing the ball nearly 40 times.

Queen is already coming off his best season to date in 2022 when he set career highs across the board according to PFR. However, with another year offseason of getting familiar with not only defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald’s system but also his running back in the middle of the Ravens’ defense, First-Team All-Pro Roquan Smith, the sky is the limit for his potential impact in 2023.

The Baltimore Ravens had one of the biggest steals from both a physical and value standpoint fall to them early in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft when they selected the former University of Minnesota offensive tackle Daniel Faalele at No. 110 overall.

He was projected to go as high as the late first round and viewed as a lock by many evaluators to come off the board in the second or third at the latest due to his impressive athleticism for a prospect at a premium position of his size at 6-foot-8 and 380 pounds.

Since they had already addressed the right tackle position in free agency earlier that year with the addition of veteran Morgan Moses who started every game and proved to be a tremendous value, Faalele spent most of his rookie year developing while providing depth at both tackle spots.

With Moses still entrenched as the starter on the right side, the Ravens are giving the 23-year-old a chance to compete to replace free-agent departure Ben Powers at left guard which is the only open spot on the starting offensive line.

Even though he’s a natural tackle, Faalele has a chance to show if he possesses the positional flexibility that the team covets in their offensive lineman and potentially see the field sooner rather than later or in the event of injury.

While Faalele played right tackle exclusively in college, he got his first taste of action and career start in the NFL on the left side at tackle in Week 4 of his rookie season and fared better than expected for a young player at a new position. His lone start was against the Buffalo Bills and he had some impressive reps facing off with eight-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Fame pass rusher Von Miller.

He could very well be the Ravens’ right tackle of the future but with Moses under a very affordable contract through the 2024 season and showing no signs of regression, seeing if the massive mauler can help form one of the five best offensive line combinations is worth the try.

Other Candidates Are Looking Good and Showing Off Versatility Too

Faalele’s fellow competitors in the running to replace Powers are also impressing Harbaugh and the rest of the staff with their performance in practices and are also getting looks at different positions that aren’t their natural spots.

“I would also say that John Simpson has done a great job in there,” Harbaugh said. “Ben Cleveland has been working both sides, but we got him working right tackle now – you saw that. Then [Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu] is doing a nice job in there. It’s going to be quite a fight for that spot.”

Simpson signed with the team late last season in December and was one of the “surprise” candidates that Harbaugh told reporters would be in the mix at the annual league meetings back in late March. He is heading into his fourth season and has 21 starts in 35 career games under his belt according to Pro Football Reference.

Cleveland is a natural guard and is viewed as the early favorite to win the job to replace Powers given his pedigree as a former third-rounder in 2021 and the flashes he has shown. The former Georgia Bulldog has made just five career starts and sporadic live action as a primary backup during his first two years in the league when healthy.

At 6’6″ and 370 pounds, he possesses the physical dimensions and strength to play tackle having more linemen capable of playing multiple positions opens up roster spots for other positions where the decisions of who makes the final cut might be harder.

Aumavae-Laulu was selected in the sixth round of this year’s NFL Draft at No. 199 overall out of Oregon where he played both guard and tackle for the Ducks on the right side. He is viewed as a developmental prospect that could be the future starter at either spot that has experience playing or one that he doesn’t yet.

Harbaugh Provides Updates on Top Returning RBs

The Ravens are bringing back both of their starting caliber running backs in 2023 after they were hampered by setbacks last season related to lingering issues stemming from missing the entire 2021 season with severe knee injuries that involved multiple torn ligaments.

Former undrafted gem Gus ‘The Bus’ Edwards has been present for the voluntary portion of the offseason program but has yet to take part in full team activities and has instead been working off to the side during the sessions open to the media.

“He just wasn’t quite ready to get back out and practice yet – no setback,’ Harbaugh said. “Maybe they’re being a little cautious, but that’s what they’re doing.”

He has been told by the Ravens’ training staff that Edwards could be a partial participant in next week’s mandatory minicamp but that “he’s supposed to be fully ready” by the time training camp rolls around.

Edwards appeared in nine games last season, made four starts and recorded 87 carries for 433 rushing yards with an average of five yards per carry, and scored three touchdowns per PFR. He averages 5.2 yards per carry in his career and posted 700-plus rushing yard seasons in each of his first three seasons.

While Edwards has been in attendance during football school, voluntary workouts, and organized team activities albeit on a limited basis, projected starter J.K. Dobbins has been staying away and working on his own.

“I know J.K. – when he gets back here – will be determined [and] excited,” Harbaugh said. “He will work hard, his energy will be high. I know he’ll be in great shape because I know who he is as a person, and I expect great things out of him this year.”

The former second-round pick to social media to post some cryptic tweets about his long-term future as he is heading into the final year of his rookie contract. Harbaugh was asked about those tweets and expressed that the team wants to keep Dobbins in Baltimore but there’s no telling what the future holds.

“We want him back (next season), but who knows the future?” Harbaugh said. “Nobody knows the future.

Last season Dobbins appeared in eight games, made eight starts and recorded 92 carries for 520 rushing yards with an average of 5.7 yards per carry, and scored two touchdowns per PFR. He also caught seven of his eight targets for 42 receiving yards and a touchdown and recorded 105 yards from scrimmage on 17 touches and a rushing score in the Wildcard round of the playoffs.

He was disgruntled about his lack of usage following the team’s early playoff exit this past year but is poised to finally have the breakout season that many were anticipating after he led all NFL running backs with six yards a carry and eclipsed 800 yards as a rookie in 2020.

The Baltimore Ravens continued to load up on former first-round talent at wide receiver on Monday, June 5, 2023, with the reported signing of seven-year veteran Laquon Treadwell to a one-year deal.

NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo first reported the signing and the team officially confirmed the move on Tuesday morning.

Treadwell marks the fourth first-rounder that the Ravens have added to help build up and revamp their depth chart at a position that was the league’s least productive last season. He joins fellow veterans Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor, rookie Zay Flowers, and third-year pro Rashod Bateman to bring the team’s high draft status total to five.

The 27-year-old was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings at No. 23 overall in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss. The Ravens are the fifth team that Treadwell has been on since entering the league and the fourth in as many years.

He appeared in six games with the Seattle Seahawks last season and recorded six receptions for 42 yards on 10 targets according to Pro Football Reference. In his career to date, Treadwell has played in 76 games including 23 starts, and has logged 110 catches on 175 targets for 1,226 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

While he has yet to live up to his lofty draft pedigree and is likely a long shot to make the final 53-man roster barring injury coupled with an extraordinary display of special teams value during the preseason, at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Treadwell brings a size element that Ravens current locks to make the team don’t possess.

Former Ravens 1st-Rounder Signs With AFC Foe

On the same day that they reportedly added another team’s former top pick at wide receiver, one of their own found a new home. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport first reported that former Ravens first-round wideout Breshad Perriman signed with the Indianapolis Colts.

He was originally taken No. 26 overall in the first round by the Ravens in the 2015 NFL Draft out of UCF. Injuries plagued and ultimately derailed his career in Baltimore where he appeared in just 27 games from 2016-2017 after missing all of his rookie year. He was released prior to his fourth season and has played for three different teams since then.

The Colts mark the eighth team that Perriman has signed with in his career and according to Pro Football Reference, he has logged 145 catches on 292 targets for 2,343 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. The 29-year-old possesses blazing speed and is still a legitimate deep threat with a career average of 16.2 yards per catch.

His signing comes in the wake of Indianapolis standout receiver Michael Pittman Jr. being suspended for the entire 2022-2023 regular season as a result of violating the league’s policy.

New Ravens WR Coach Praises Zay Flowers 

The team used their first-round pick in this year’s draft to select the former Boston College standout and his position coach, Greg Lewis, joined the growing list of coaches, players, and media members that are excited about the potential impact he can have after watching him work in practices since joining the team.

“Zay [Flowers] has been fantastic,” he said. “He’s an eager player, eager learner. [He] wants to be great – wants to be great at everything he does – and it’s been fantastic to see him out here getting the opportunity to make some plays. His quickness and explosion show up daily, and how he catches the ball – the [focus] he takes with the ball … It’s been fantastic to get him out here and get him going.”

Lewis was a part of the new influx of coaches hired this offseason and comes with a wealth of knowledge as both a former player and a seasoned coach. He was with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2017-2022 and was instrumental in the development of another dynamic undersized wideout in seven-time Pro Bowler Tryeek Hill.

Three-time Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews has also been impressed by what he has seen from Flowers and believes that the Ravens offense as a whole is “going to be a dangerous” offense under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken with all the new pass catcher they have around him now.

“From being out here the last two days, and, obviously, seeing Zay run some routes – he was running some incredible routes today and getting open,” Andrews said. “I’ve really loved what coach Monken has had to teach and the way he’s teaching and his energy that he brings – very enthusiastic. So, I think the sky is the limit. I think for us, it’s just about taking charge, taking control of this offense, making it ours and just keep on going, keep on working.”

John Harbaugh knows the Baltimore Ravens got a potential steal when they unexpectedly found Trenton Simpson available in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, but the long-tenured head coach has admitted the Clemson inside linebacker is even better than he thought after watching tape.

Harbaugh explained to former Ravens’ defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano, during an exclusive interview for The 33rd Team, how Simpson is “bigger than you think, and also, a little more nuanced athletically than I thought after I watched the tape.”

The Ravens took Simpson with the 86th pick, but Harbaugh admitted he wasn’t a “guy we expected to draft. I mean really wasn’t, you know, a need for us.”

Those comments are a reference to the Ravens already being strong at the position thanks to Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen. The latter had his fifth-year option declined, and Queen might struggle to convince the Ravens he merits a place beyond this season, with Harbaugh revealing Simpson is a “little more fluid than I thought he was going to be. A little more knack. A little more instinct in there.”

Draft Steal Spells Trouble for Incumbent

Queen has tried to downplay the significance of the Ravens not picking up his option. Instead, the starter is content to stay “focused on right now,” per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.

He may be bullish about his prospects, but Queen’s status is in jeopardy if Simpson lives up to the billing. There’s every chance he will after the 21-year-old logged a career-high 72 tackles during his final year with the Tigers.

More than numbers, Simpson has impressed Harbaugh with his work ethic. Harbaugh told Pagano, “Chuck, all he wants to do is go home and study football.”

That application will be needed if Simpson is going to take meaningful snaps away from Queen, who formed a terrific tandem with Smith last season. Ideally, the Ravens will have three destructive, second-level playmakers for defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to unleash from anywhere along the front seven.

Surprise Pick Makes Linebacker Ravens’ Strength

Trading with the Chicago Bears to acquire Smith midway through last season was the first step toward making inside linebacker a Ravens’ strength again. It worked because Smith helped 2020 first-rounder Queen raise the level of his game.

Queen logged career-highs for tackles with 117, along with five sacks. His pressure numbers jumped because of the way Macdonald used Queen and Smith in blitz packages.

One of the Ravens’ favorite ploys was to put both in the A-gaps either side of a center. A great example of how effective this blitz design was came against AFC North rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers, per Ravens.com Editorial Director Ryan Mink.

Adding Simpson to this mix is more bad news for opposing quarterbacks. Especially since putting pressure on the pocket was a feature of Simpson’s game at the collegiate level.

He proved his credentials getting after quarterbacks by recording 13 sacks in three years, including this one against Pickett, during the latter’s days at Pitt, highlighted by Luca Sartirana of Mike Farrell Sports.

Simpson rushing from the outside while Queen and Smith blitz the middle, will cause havoc for opposing blocking schemes. It can also help Macdonald cover up the Ravens’ lack of depth at edge-rusher, where David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh figure to start, but veterans Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul remain free agents.

Putting all three of his gifted middle linebackers on the field together in certain packages would also keep offenses guessing about pressure and coverage. Like Smith and Queen, Simpson has the range to be a factor in both phases.

He’s been given the big build-up by Harbaugh, while Queen’s uncertain contract status only adds to the expectations for Simpson’s rookie year. If he meets those expectations, the Ravens will boast the best set of linebackers in football in 2023.

Former first-round inside linebacker Patrick Queen wasn’t the only starter for the Baltimore Ravens heading into a contract that addressed his contractual status in a direct or indirect fashion through a form of media on Thursday, June 1, 2023.

J.K. Dobbins is his 2020 draft classmate and the team’s starting running back but isn’t currently attending Organized Team Activities. However, that didn’t stop him from taking to Twitter with a trio of cryptic posts that went somewhat viral.

In the first, he expressed his love for the city and fanbase and his desire to want to remain with the Ravens for the entirety of his career.

In the second he reinforced the notion of the first stating his unwavering fealty to the city and community that welcomed and embraced him when he got drafted in the second round out of Ohio State at No. 55 overall four years ago.

He deleted the third tweet that read “(I don’t know) tho sadly” which led many on social media to believe that negotiations on a possible contract extension to keep on the team beyond the 2023 season aren’t going well.

Dobbins also doesn’t have any mention of the Ravens in his bio on Twitter. This is popular common practice among young players in the league that are seeking new deals, a pay raise, or aren’t happy with their role with their current teams.

Health has been Biggest Obstacle Preventing Dobbins’ Breakout

The 24-year-old has been hampered by injuries the past two years which calls to question just how much leverage he has if any during the negotiation process outside of withholding his services which is an ill-advised route for a running back entering their prime.

After a severe multi-ligament injury caused him to miss the entire 2021 season, he was limited to nine games including the playoffs last season, and had to undergo a knee scope to clean up some scar tissue on his surgically repaired knee.

Even though he wasn’t 100 percent recovered, Dobbins still flashed glimpses of the dynamic and explosive playmaker that he led all running backs in yards with six yards per carry as a rookie in 2020 per Pro Football Reference.

He began looking more like his old self towards the end of the year and was one of the most efficient runners in the league over the final few weeks of the season and into the playoffs.

Dobbins has been unhappy with his role and lack of utilization in the Ravens’ offense dating back to his rookie year when he clearly established himself as the best player at his position on the team but was still limited on a snap count.

He eclipsed 15 carries in a single game for the first time in his career in Week 17 of last year and sounded off in frustration after he wasn’t featured more in the team’s 24-17 loss to their division rival Cincinnati Bengals in the Wildcard round of the 2022 playoffs.

Trying to Get Paid Sooner Rather Than Later Makes Sense

He is poised to have the best season of his career to date this upcoming season which couldn’t have come at a better time since that he’ll be playing in a contract year. However, it is understandable why he might want to get a deal done prior to the season given his injury history and the devalued position he plays.

It would provide him with long-term financial security at a position where teams are becoming less inclined to give out second and third contracts to players that aren’t elite pass catchers like Christian McCaffery of the San Fransico 49ers or Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints.

Even a fantasy football dynamo like the Los Angeles Chargers’ Austin Ekler was unable to find a team willing to trade for him and meet his increased salary demands so he just settled more a small incentive-based pay bump for the 2023 season.

There are currently more accomplished former Pro Bowl running backs such as Kareem Hunt, Ezekiel Elliott, and Leonard Fournette sitting on the free agent market. While all three of those players are older than Dobbins, the fact that they have yet to be signed and the younger players at the position who did find new teams this offseason didn’t break the bank are likely cautionary tales that are factoring into his desire to wanting to get extended sooner rather than later.

Since entering the league as a 20-year-old first-round pick out of LSU in 2020 who didn’t turn 21 until just before his rookie season got underway, Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen has grown as a player and person both on and off the field.

Despite having his future with the team called into question following the trade for Roquan Smith midway through last season, the selection of his potential replacement in the 2023 NFL draft, and the decline of his fifth-year option, he has been present for the voluntary portion of the team’s offseason program including football school and Organized Team Activities.

“[I’m] just trying to get better,” Queen said Thursday, May 1, 2023. Obviously, Roquan is here now, getting an offseason with us. So, [I’m] just trying to build that chemistry, trying to learn [defensive coordinator] Mike [Macdonald] more, trying to learn the defense more, trying to – you know, all of us getting on the same page. That’s my main focus right now.”

Many young players in his situation that have started every game for their respective team since entering the league and played at a high level for the majority of that time might stay away from the team, threaten a holdout, or even request a trade. However, Queen views the opportunity that lies before him as a “blessing in disguise”.

“You see guys go both sides of it and get paid either way,” he said. “At the end of the day, I’m just focused on being the best teammate I can be, being the best player that I can be and just going out there and proving myself. Going out there and playing the game that I love to play at a high level.”

Early on in his career, he didn’t really hold back his emotions, especially when it came to responding to criticism on social media but he has matured a lot in that area as well. Instead of being disgruntled, he is happy with where he is after having conversations with the team about their feelings and long-term plans for him.

“You go through emotions and at the end of the day, it may take some of us longer to get over,” Queen said. “I had many talks with many people and different outlooks on it. I just came to the realization that everything is not a bad thing.

“The front office, [I] talked to them a little bit. They keep me grounded and let me know what it really was and how they feel. At the end of the day, they know that this is the place I want to play. This is the place I want to be. So, however the chips fall, I’m happy with it.”

He isn’t dwelling on the past or looking too far down the road. Locking in on the present and becoming the best player he can be in 2023 will set him up for success and a handsome payday whether it’s in Baltimore or elsewhere.”

“I am not focusing on the future, I’m just focused on right now,” Queen said. “I think if I take care of my business and do what I’m supposed to do, all of that will fall into place.”

Queen Believes Ravens Have ‘Best Linebacker Duo’ in NFL Without a Doubt

Last season he was already ascending and beginning to play his best prior to the team’s midseason trade for Smith and after he paired up with the First-Team All-Pro, his game elevated to an even higher level.

Queen set career highs across the board that included a team-leading 117 total tackles, the third most sacks on the team with five, 14 quarterback hits, a pair of interceptions, six pass breakups, and pair of fumble recoveries according to Pro Football Reference.

He and Smith formed arguably the best insider linebacker tandem in the league during the second half of the 2022 season. Now that they’ve had an entire offseason to further strengthen their chemistry on and off the field, Queen believes that they’re unquestionably the top duo in the league.

“I actually put us as the best linebacker duo, no discussion about it,” Queen said. “If you turn on the tape, you will see it. At the end of the day, we get a full offseason to go with each other now, full training camp, full whole season, so now we just have to build that chemistry.”

He has made tremendous strides as a tackler and pass rusher as well as in pass coverage but believes the key to taking the next big leap in his maturation as an every-down is consistency and minimizing mistakes.

“The biggest thing for me was being consistent over the years,” Queen said. “I think now it’s just the point of me just playing my game, playing it at a high level and playing it consistently.”

Smith spoke glowingly about him last week and is also very optimistic about the impact the two of them can have this year.

“I truly enjoy working with that guy,” he said on May 24, 2023. “I think he’s a pro at the end of the day. He’s out here to get better with the guys. He’s just trying to make this year his best year. I’m excited to just be next to him, playing with him, and making each other better.”

Queen Doesn’t Subscribe to ‘Super Bowl or Bust’ Philosophy

The Ravens were recently named among the most complete and improved rosters in the league by NFL.com after having a busy offseason in which they overhauled their wide receiver room, made quarterback Lamar Jackson the highest-paid player in league history, and replaced offensive coordinator Greg Roman with Todd Monken.

With higher expectations for this year’s team, Queen was asked if this year is “Super Bowl or Bust?” for the Ravens, and while he agreed with the notion that they’re aiming to win it all this year, he shot down the “bust” part of that narrative.

“Everybody around the locker room is saying Super Bowl,” he said. “I don’t think it’s Super Bowl or bust. I think it’s just Super Bowl, because you don’t want a bust mindset.”

Queen went on to express that going the distance and winning a championship is the goal every year and that he is confident that this year’s team has what it takes to be a true title contender.

“With the pieces we have, with the defense we have, the offense we have, the new coordinator, everything, [with the] special teams we have, head coach, the whole organization, everything, we have what we need right here,” he said. “We don’t need anything else.”

While Queen doesn’t believe that the team needs to add any more notable pieces on either side of the ball, they could still benefit from adding an established veteran or two on defense in particular at edge defender, cornerback, or both.

Two of the top available free agent options at each position just so happen to be familiar faces that played with the Ravens the past two seasons. Four-time Pro Bowler Justin Houston led the team in sacks last season with 9.5 and three-time Pro Bowler Marcus Peters is an elite ballhawk when healthy and was an emotional leader for the team last year.

The Ravens currently have a lot of youth in both positions that want to give the opportunity to prove themselves. However, bringing in some more established players would provide injury insurance and experienced depth which is crucial for a team with championship aspirations to have in case of emergency or preservation through rotation.

While no team’s final roster is set or finished in late May or early June and there is still some quality talent to be had on the free-agent market, teams are still being praised for the work they’ve done to improve their rosters thus far this offseason.

After remodeling their entire wide receiver room with three former first-rounders, making sure their MVP-winning quarterback didn’t go anywhere, and having another impressive draft class, the Baltimore Ravens were listed among the top 10 most improved rosters by NFL.com’s Marc Sessler.

“Long known for their rough-and-tumble defense, this year’s Ravens squad arrives as an amped-up offering on offense thanks to the addition of Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Zay Flowers,” he wrote. “With his contractual drama in the rearview mirror, Lamar Jackson — armed with a new play-caller in Todd Monken — has plenty of weapons in a post-Greg Roman universe. Throwing for 6,000 yards is lunacy, but there’s no excuse for Lamar not to shine.”

The AFC North was the most represented division Sessler’s list as all four teams made the cut. He views the Pittsburgh Steelers as an “under-the-radar heavy in the AFC” after they fortified their offensive line and secondary via the draft and free agency.

He praised the Cincinnati Bengals for their addition of former Ravens Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and the Cleveland Browns for their work revamping and strengthening their defensive line and wide receiver depth charts via trade, free agency, and the draft.

Ravens Named Among Most Complete Rosters

Last week, Sessler’s NFL.com colleague Eric Edholm ranked the Ravens seventh among the most complete rosters in the league for their efforts and additions this offseason. He also cited the upgrades that general manager Eric DeCosta and Co. made to improve their pass-catching corps as the biggest reason for optimism ahead of the 2023 season.

“Jackson and a reimagined receiver room, along with a new offensive coordinator, could help return the Ravens to prominence on that side of the ball,” Edholm wrote. “If the three biggest new additions at wideout (OBJ, Zay Flowers and Nelson Agholor) or the healthy return of Rashod Bateman don’t help things, then we’re fresh out of solutions there.”

He believes that the Ravens “could use more insurance at running back” given the recent injury woes of returners J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill who all missed the 2021 season with injuries and sat out games for stretches last season as well due to low extremity injuries and setbacks.

On the defensive side of the ball, Edholm believes that the Ravens “still might have a few boxes to check”. Even though they signed veteran corner Rock Ya-Sin following the draft, that position could still be their biggest remaining need in his eyes.

“There’s Marlon Humphrey and a lot of question marks,” he wrote. “Who is the other outside starter? Who is the slot? Signing Rock Ya-Sin helps, and the Ravens could always bring back Marcus Peters or Kyle Fuller, but more is needed, I believe.”

Edholm also thinks “they could be set” on the interior of their defensive line with Justin Madubuike, Broderick Washington, Michael Pierce, and Travis Jones but could benefit from adding one more veteran to the mix. That’s exactly what they did a few days later with the signing of eight-year veteran defensive tackle Angelo Blackson who previously played with defensive captain Roquan Smith and was coached by defensive line coach Anthony Weaver at previous stops in his career.

“Off the edge, there’s still hope of either Odafe Oweh or David Ojabo (or both) emerging alongside Tyus Bowser, but perhaps they will be open to a Justin Houston type of addition before camp,” Edholm wrote.

Just before or at the onset of training camp is around the time that the Ravens have signed or brought back Houston in each of the last two seasons and this could very well be the case again this year. However, unlike the last two instances, the four-time Pro Bowler is coming off a resurgent season where he led the team in sacks and just missed out on reaching double-digits with 9.5 in 14 games in 2022 according to Pro Football Reference.

Ravens Listed Among Top ‘Landing Spots’ for 5-Time Pro Bowler

Even though they’ve already revamped their depth chart at wide receiver, after the news broke that the Arizona Cardinals were releasing veteran wideout, DeAndre Hopkins, NFL.com’s Nick Shook still put them on his list of top landing spots for the three-time First-Team All-Pro.

“Oddly enough, for the first time in recent memory, Baltimore appears to be pretty well stocked at the position,” he wrote. “Bringing Hopkins into that room might make it feel a little cramped, especially with pass-catching weapons Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely at tight end. But again, it’s not just any old veteran looking for another contract — it’s a three-time first-team All-Pro.

The soon-to-be 31-year-old that can still be a difference maker has been linked to the Ravens for a long time dating back to when he was first being shopped around by the Houston Texans in 2020. Even though he missed six games due to a suspension last season, Hopkins still finished 64 receptions on 96 targets for 717 receiving yards and three touchdowns in nine games per Pro Football Reference.

Shook believes that “it’s worth considering” because Hopkins himself said that it would “be an honor” to play with Jackson earlier in the week he got released on the I AM ATHLETE podcast and given the new direction and philosophy that the team is adopting on the offensive side of the ball.

“Whether Hopkins can be that type of player again remains to be seen,” he wrote. “But he likes the idea of playing with Jackson, and Baltimore is supposedly opening up its offense under new coordinator Todd Monken.”

While they didn’t draft the eventual offensive and defensive rookies of the year as the New York Jets did with the selections of All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson, the Baltimore Ravens can still confidently say they hit a pair of home runs with their two first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Sticking with their best player available philosophy at No. 14 overall and taking Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton after he fell into their laps ended up paying major dividends down the stretch last season. After a rough start to the year, he emerged as one of the most disruptive and dynamic defensive backs in the league who shined bright in a hybrid nickel/safety role.

He finished the year as the highest-graded safety according to Pro Football Focus since 2014 and recorded 62 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, five quarterback hits, five pass deflections, and one forced fumble in 17 games and five starts including the postseason per Pro Football Reference.

After trading 2019 first-round wide receiver, Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown, and a 2022 third-rounder to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a first-round pick, the Ravens traded back and found the next anchor in the middle of their offensive line.

They selected Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum who was the top prospect at the position during the pre-draft process and established himself as one of the best players at the position overall as a rookie.

He started every game of the season including all 17 in the regular season and the Wildcard round of the playoffs, missed just two snaps of a possible 1096 of the team’s total offensive snaps, and finished seventh in AP voting for OROY according to Pro Football Reference.

Both Hamilton and Linderbaum recently spoke about the lessons they learned and the valuable experience gained from their standout rookie seasons as well as their expectations and excitement heading into their second years.

Hamilton is Ready to ‘Produce’ in an Expanded Role

The Ravens’ top pick was still able to see the field on a regular basis and play 53 percent of the team’s 1093 total defensive snaps on the year despite not being a full-time starter. However, after the team traded stalwart starting strong safety Chuck Clark to the Jets earlier in the offseason, Hamilton is slated to become a full-time starter and is embracing what the future holds.

“I feel like I can slide into that role for sure and perform at a high level,” he said on ‘The Lounge’ podcast on May 24, 2023. “I feel like that’s what the Ravens drafted me for and that’s what I’m here for, and I feel like I can definitely produce.”

While he agrees that he playing his best ball down the stretch, Hamilton does agree with PFF’s assessment that he was the best safety in the league as a rookie.

“I played pretty well towards the end of the season, but being bluntly honest, I don’t think I was the best safety in the league last year,” Hamilton said. “It’s just how the numbers go and I have a lot to improve on. At the same time, I know what I can do in this league and I’m teeing it up for the future.”

By the end of his rookie season, his playing time was up and his confidence was soaring with the more impactful splash plays he was making seemingly every week.

“You play against guys every week who you’ve looked up to, who you’ve seen play on TV for tens of years,” Hamilton said. “After about 10 plays, you’re like, ‘I’m as good as these guys. I can play on this level.’ You just stack confidence like that every single week and towards the end of the season, I felt like I definitely belonged out there.”

The last huge play he made came in his playoff debut where he hit former Ravens’ first-round tight end Hayden Hurst so hard that he dislodged the ball for a forced fumble and recovered it as well.

“Obviously we didn’t win the game but for me personally, having a decent game and going into next season pretty confident,” said Hamilton who finished the game with nine total tackles including five solos.

In his new expanded role as a full-time starter, he will still be spending some time in the box near the line of scrimmage but not nearly as much. However, he will get to show off more the elite range and closing speed that made him such a highly-rated prospect coming out of college.

He believes that the Ravens have a “very deep secondary” and “defense as a whole” despite losing key pieces like Clark, six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell, and potentially three-time Pro Bowler Marcus Peters who is still a free agent. He is also still willing to play whatever role defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald needs him to fill on any given down.

“You’ve just got to get in where you fit in and I feel like I can fit in at a lot of spots,” Hamilton said. “If they need me at nickel, for sure. If they need me at dime, no doubt. Safety. If they need me at three-technique, I’ll try to make it happen.”

Linderbaum Values Starting Experience & Doesn’t Anticipate Blocking Philosophy Change

The former Hawkeye was one of just two members of the Ravens’ massive 2022 draft class that was a entrenched as starter from day one and appeared in every game. He got to go against and more than hold his own against some of the best front-seven players in the league and looks forward to building off that invaluable experience.

“Whenever you have 18 games under your belt in the NFL it’s definitely going to help you,” Linderbaum said during OTA’s on May 24, 2023. “There’s still a lot for me personally to get better and to improve on, but we have a great coaching staff here and a great group of guys here that are willing to help each other out.”

The ascending second-year pro admitted that he didn’t “realize how hard of a game (football) is” at the NFL level where players go against the top competition in the world as opposed to college week in and week out.

“Every rep that you have in a game [or] in practice, it’s not going to be easy, so just being more consistent is what everyone strives to be and something that everyone is trying to get better at,” Linderbaum said. “That’s definitely something that is going to help set you up for success in this league – is just being consistent and doing your job.”

Even though he’s learning a new offense for the second year in a row, Linderbaum says the transition from former offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s scheme to that of his replacement Todd Monken has been “good” during the early learning phases before pads come on.

“He’s doing a really good job at helping the guys, verbiage-wise keeping some similar stuff,” Linderbaum said. “There are little tweaks here and there, but at the end of the day, this is what we do for a living, so we have to be professional, work together with each other, and just learn the offense.”

Although the team has changed play-callers on the offensive side of the ball, he still expects the philosophy of physicality to remain the same for his unit.

“[The] Ravens offensive line is going to be [the] Ravens offensive line, so come off the ball, push people back,” Linderbaum said. “As time goes on, we’ll form an identity in terms of if we want to run the ball [or] pass the ball. But [it’s] still the same philosophy and technique.”

As far as specific areas of his game where he feels like he needs to improve, he highlighted overall technique and pass blocking in particular which was one of his perceived weaknesses coming out of college given his lack of prototypical size and the offense he was in for the Hawkeyes.

“It’s always something [that’s good] just to get back those reps that I didn’t get,” Linderbaum said. “Going to college at Iowa, having the coaches that I had teaching me, and then coming here and being around such a great group of guys … You can get better at everything, and certainly, pass blocking is one of them, but everyone around the league is saying that. Everyone can improve on that.”

Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers will transform the Baltimore Ravens from a run-first offense to a pass-heavy attack, but it’s one of Lamar Jackson’s less-heralded targets who can be a breakout player in 2023.

That’s the prediction from NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks, who tips reserve tight end Isaiah Likely for a banner season. Brooks believes the second-year playmaker can take advantage of the attention paid to the bigger names among Jackson’s supporting cast: “With opponents focusing on passing-game weapons like Odell Beckham Jr., Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman and first-round pick Zay Flowers, Likely could produce big play after big play as the designated seam runner against two-deep coverage.”

Likely can thrive in what Brooks calls “an aerial circus under new coordinator Todd Monken.” While the Ravens are unlikely to go from buttoned up to completely wide open on offense, Monken will let Jackson air it out more often, good news for a pass-catcher as versatile and dynamic as Likely.

Second-Year Pro Showed Exciting Glimpses as a Rookie

It’s easy to imagine Likely taking on a bigger role in a more expansive offense after the exciting glimpses he showed as a rookie. The 23-year-old ended his debut campaign by making eight catches for 103 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18.

Likely played a season-high 69 offensive snaps in Cincinnati, per Pro Football Reference, and he usually rewarded the Ravens for giving him a decent-sized workload. Like when No. 80 played 51 snaps against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8, and made six grabs for 77 yards and his first pro touchdown.

Another touchdown reception followed a week late against the New Orleans Saints, when Likely played 52 snaps. While he showed a propensity for getting open inside the red zone, the Ravens should expand how they use Likely in another area.

Play Action the Key to Freeing Young Star

Monken may move the Ravens away from the run-first mentality of his predecessor Greg Roman, but the new play-caller knows the value of using the threat of the run to open up the pass. That usually means heavy doses of play-action passing, with Beckham’s arrival expected to help the Ravens become a league leader in the category.

OBJ isn’t the only receiver set to benefit from an emphasis on the play-action game. It’s also an area where Likely has thrived dating back to his collegiate days at Coastal Carolina, per PFF College.

The Ravens are changing their philosophy on offense, but defenses still need to respect the run. Especially since Jackson’s mobility will remain a threat, while J.K. Dobbins can also make big plays on the ground.

Dissecting teams with play action is one way for Monken to get Likely more involved. Another is to move him around formations. At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Likely is essentially a big-bodied wide receiver and should line up outside more often.

Although Brooks predicts Likely to dominate in the seams, the Ravens have other options to work the inside. Credible options like All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews, who has been Jackson’s go-to target for most of his career.

Andrews will continue to be a force between the numbers, while Flowers can also be a game-breaker from the slot, with “several NFL scouts” anticipating that’s where the 22nd-overall pick will find success, according to NFL Rookie Watch.

Having Flowers and Andrews line up inside would naturally force defenses to focus most of their resources between the hashmarks, leaving Likely to be a size mismatch in one-on-one situations on the outside.

If Monke does expand the playbook as anticipated, he’ll need to make sure there are enough catches to go around. That hasn’t been a problem in recent seasons, but the Ravens are now more than well-stocked with Beckham, Flowers, Andrews and Likely being supported by Nelson Agholor, Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay.

The long queue for targets is one reason why Heavy’s Josh Reed doesn’t believe the Ravens need to enter the sweepstakes to sign five-time Pro-Bowl wideout DeAndre Hopkins. His arrival would surely cut into Likely’s ability to make good on Brooks’ prediction.