Welcome to 32 teams in 32 days. To get us through the offseason, we’ll be taking a closer look at every team in the league, in order of projected 2023 win totals. Up next: the Ravens.
The Ravens can claim that, ever since 2018, when Lamar Jackson joined the league, they have had one of the best rushing attacks in NFL history. But that hasn’t gotten them far in the postseason, partly because of a sluggish passing game.
Former offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who built a unique offense around Jackson with a record-setting rushing attack, took the fall for the team’s inability to score points and push the ball downfield last year. That led Ravens coach John Harbaugh to hire Todd Monken, who spent the past three seasons in the college game as the offensive coordinator for Georgia.
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Joshua L. Jones/USA TODAY Network (left); Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA TODAY Sports (center); Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports (right)
With Jackson’s contract out of the way a few weeks later, all eyes are now on Monken for how he plans to improve the passing game. He has a talented offensive roster to work with, one that now includes wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers (the team’s first-round pick this year), standout tight end Mark Andrews, running back J.K. Dobbins and a stout offensive line.
Monken has the pressure, but Jackson will, too, after signing his massive extension.
Biggest gamble this offseason: Signing Jackson to a long-term extension
The Ravens’ contract dilemma with Jackson was one of the biggest story lines of the offseason, and it peaked after the 2019 MVP quarterback announced that he had requested a trade. But the Eagles provided the blueprint for getting a deal done after re-signing Jalen Hurts to a five-year, $255 million contract; soon after, Jackson signed a five-year, $260 million contract to become the newest highest-paid player in the league. It would have been disastrous for the Ravens to trade a franchise quarterback in the midst of his prime, but there’s still risk in signing Jackson, who has missed a combined 10 games in the past two seasons due to injury (including last season’s playoff loss to the Bengals). For the Ravens to repair their relationship with Jackson, they added Beckham, overpaying for the veteran wideout with a one-year, $15 million contract. Jackson remains one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but he hasn’t played at an MVP level since 2019.
Toughest stretch of the season: Weeks 15 to 18
If Jackson plays in the final four games of the season—which he hasn’t done the past two years—the quarterback might have a tough road getting the Ravens into the postseason unless many things go right and they clinch before facing the Jaguars on the road in Week 15. For their final road game of the regular season, the Ravens will travel to face the mighty 49ers. Baltimore will then finish with back-to-back home games vs. the Dolphins, who might be Super Bowl contenders, and the Steelers, who might be a surprise team in the stacked AFC North.
Breakout player to watch: DB Kyle Hamilton
Hamilton flourished as a versatile defensive back, but he struggled at times as a free safety in his rookie season. He now may get an opportunity to improve at the position after the team traded Chuck Clark to the Jets in the offseason. Hamilton, a 2022 first-round pick, was at his best playing in the box and covering from the slot position. He also earned an impressive defense grade of 87.6 from Pro Football Focus while recording 62 total tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble. Hamilton has earned comparisons to Derwin James for his versatility, but he’ll need to improve his coverage as a center fielder.
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Position of strength: Offensive line
The offensive line has been one of Baltimore’s strengths the past few seasons, despite the injuries to left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who hasn’t played more than 11 games in a season since his All-Pro year in 2019. But if Stanley stays healthy, this could be one of the best units in the league, especially with how well center Tyler Linderbaum played as a rookie. The right side played at a high level last season as well, with tackle Morgan Moses and guard Kevin Zeitler. But there is a vacancy at left guard after Ben Powers joined the Broncos in free agency.
Position of weakness: Edge rusher
With Calais Campbell now playing with the Falcons, the Ravens have plenty of inexperienced edge rushers. Odafe Oweh, a 2021 first-round pick, has been inconsistent to start his career, and he might have regressed in his second season, struggling to set the edge against the run. Perhaps David Ojabo, a ’22 second-round pick, will show promise after missing most of his rookie year due to injury, but he’ll need to compete with Tyus Bowser for the starting job first.
X-factor: WR Zay Flowers
The Ravens took another swing at drafting a wide receiver in this year’s first round. They’re counting on Flowers to end the team’s streak of whiffing on wideouts, hoping he can make an immediate impact under Monken, who’s looking to push the ball downfield. At this stage in his career, Beckham may no longer be a downfield threat, and, while Rashod Bateman has shown flashes of making plays in the vertical game, the 2021 first-round pick has struggled with staying on the field. Flowers has plenty of pressure to help this passing game improve this season.
Sleeper fantasy pick: WR Rashod Bateman
The Ravens added veterans Beckham and Nelson Agholor, plus a rookie in Flowers at wide receiver. Still, some believe Bateman will be their top fantasy option. A first-round pick two years ago, he has plenty of potential in an offense that should throw the ball more. —Michael Fabiano, SI Fantasy
Best bet: Take the under on Lamar Jackson’s 3500.5 passing yards
Don’t be fooled by the flashy signing of Beckham. Baltimore is a run-first team, and it is best when Jackson uses his mobility. Jackson has exceeded 3,000 passing yards only once in his career (2019). This total is too lofty. —Jennifer Piacenti, SI Betting
