OWINGS MILLS, Md. — It’s been all in regards to the offense for the Baltimore Ravens this offseason, from a brand new contract for quarterback Lamar Jackson to a brand new coordinator in Todd Monken to new broad receivers in Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers.
“I believe it’s going to be a harmful offense,” tight finish Mark Andrews mentioned.
With Jackson lacking the ultimate 5 video games with a knee damage, Baltimore struggled to get into the tip zone towards the tip of final season. The Ravens completed with their fewest yards (338.8) since 2017 and their fewest factors (20.6) since Marc Trestman was the workforce’s playcaller in 2015.
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Underneath Monken, Baltimore is anticipated to throw the ball extra and unfold out groups. The most important change, nonetheless, needs to be the tempo.
“It should be fairly quick,” guard Kevin Zeitler mentioned. “We’ll assault and assault and assault.”
With coaching camp beginning in late July, are the Ravens higher, worse or the identical on offense?
Here’s a position-by-position evaluation for 2023:
Quarterback
Returnees: Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley, Anthony Brown
Losses: None
Additions: Josh Johnson (49ers)
Higher, worse or the identical: Identical
Jackson’s well being will finally determine whether or not the Ravens are higher or worse at quarterback. He’s missed a complete of 11 video games (together with playoffs) the final two seasons. Baltimore seemed to improve its backup spot in free company by speaking with Baker Mayfield and Taylor Heinicke earlier than signing Johnson. The competitors for the No. 2 quarterback job between Huntley and Johnson is among the few notable place battles this 12 months.
Working again
Returnees: J.Ok. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Patrick Ricard (FB), Ben Mason (FB)
Loss: Kenyan Drake
Additions: Keaton Mitchell, Owen Wright
Higher, worse or the identical: Higher
Even and not using a main addition, this group needs to be higher — and extra explosive — as a result of Dobbins and Edwards at the moment are two years faraway from devastating knee accidents. There can be further motivation for Dobbins and Edwards, each of whom are in contract years.
It’s a bit stunning that Baltimore hasn’t added a veteran working again for insurance coverage if Dobbins or Edwards will get harm once more. Ricard, a four-time Professional Bowl fullback, will begin coaching camp on the bodily unable to carry out record after present process hip surgical procedure this offseason.
Huge receiver
Returnees: Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, Tylan Wallace, James Proche II, Tarik Black, Andy Isabella, Shemar Bridges, Mike Thomas
Losses: Demarcus Robinson (Rams), Sammy Watkins
Additions: Odell Beckham Jr. (Rams), Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor (Patriots), Laquon Treadwell (Seahawks), Dontay Demus, Sean Ryan,
Higher, worse or the identical: A lot better
It’s arduous to recollect the final time the Ravens upgraded a place group as considerably as this one. Baltimore spent greater than it ever has by signing Beckham to a one-year, $15 million deal after which drafted Flowers within the first spherical.
There actually is not any comparability between the highest 4 projected broad receivers this 12 months (Beckham, Flowers, Bateman and Agholor) to the tip of final season (Robinson, Watkins, Duvernay and Proche).
Tight finish
Returnees: Mark Andrews, Isaiah Doubtless, Charlie Kolar
Losses: Nick Boyle, Josh Oliver (Vikings)
Additions: Travis Vokolek
Higher, worse or the identical: Identical
With all the new additions at broad receiver, let’s not overlook that Andrews returns as Jackson’s prime goal. Baltimore will miss Boyle’s management and Oliver’s blocking, however all of that needs to be negated by the expansion of second-year gamers Doubtless and Kolar.
Offensive line
Returnees: OT Ronnie Stanley, C Tyler Linderbaum, G Kevin Zeitler, OT Morgan Moses, OL Patrick Mekari, G John Simpson, OL Daniel Faalele, OL Ben Cleveland, OT David Sharpe
Losses: G Ben Powers (Broncos), C Trystan Colon (Jets), OT Ja’Wuan James
Additions: OL Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, G Andrew Vorhees, C Sam Mustipher (Bears), G Tashawn Manning, G TyKeem Doss, G Jake Guidone, OT Brandon Kipper, OL Jaylon Thomas
Higher, worse or the identical: Little worse
This might find yourself being a top-five offensive line within the league. Stanley began trying like a Professional Bowl left deal with once more final 12 months, and Linderbaum is beginning his second full season. The priority is the outlet at left guard after not re-signing Powers and the rising age on the correct aspect with Zeitler (33 years previous) and Moses (32). It seems to be just like the competitors at left guard will come right down to Aumavae-Laulu, Simpson or Mekari.
