What to look for heading into the next phase of the offseason program.
The Baltimore Ravens have been back in the team facility for voluntary workouts for the past few weeks and will be getting into the next phase of the offseason program this week with Organized Team Activities starting on Monday.
After undergoing a heavy amount of turnover on since the end of the 2023 season, this will be the first on-field glimpse of the beginning stages of what the 2024 Ravens are going to be on both sides of the ball. Here are some of the most intriguing storylines to monitor during OTAs.
How does a slimmer Lamar Jackson move on the field?
Much has been made in the media as it pertains to the reigning league MVP’s trimmed-down physique after he revealed that his body weight is down to 205 pounds. Third-year tight end Isaiah Likely poured kerosene on the speculation pyre when he went shared how much faster his star signal caller looks after shedding some pounds.
Some believe Jackson might have dropped the weight for a myriad of reasons including to regain his breakaway speed that they believe has been missing in recent years after he bulked up to 230 pounds two years ago. Others theorize his weight loss can be attributed to the fact that he no longer requires the extra padding in the Ravens’ offensive scheme moving forward with Todd Monken because it is more spread out and emphasizes getting athletes out in space whereas he would run a lot more between the tackles or out of condensed formations under Greg Roman for the first five years of his career.
Either way, it will be fun to see clips and read reports from the team and local media about how much more explosive and or nimble Jackson looks on the field. Heading into a 2024 season with massive expectations coming off his first AFC championship appearance and earning his second career MVP honors, the Ravens will need him to be at his best in order to reach an even higher level as a team.
Chemistry With New and Returning Weapons in Passing Game
The Ravens didn’t remodel their wide receiver depth chart this offseason like they did last year with the signing of veterans Nelson Agholor and Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency along with the selection of Zay Flowers in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The only notable new additions they made were drafting fourth-round rookie Devontez Walker and signing veteran Deonte Harty after letting both Beckham Jr. and Devin Duvernay walk in free agency.
Getting on the same page and building a strong rapport with Jackson is paramount for players such as Walker and Harty who are new to the team as well as those who are returning such as fourth-year pro Rashod Bateman.
Due to a lengthy recovery from the Lisfranc foot injury that ended his 2022 season, the former first-rounder in 2021 missed most of the on-field portion of the offseason program and a chunk of training camp resulting in his on-field connection with his quarterback being off in 2023. There were numerous instances last year in which Bateman was routinely getting wide open and either wasn’t seen by his quarterback, was further down in the progression or simply wasn’t on the same wavelength. Now that he has been extended and is healthy, they have an opportunity to strengthen their bond for the foreseeable future and then some.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta compared Walker to former Ravens receiver Torrey Smith and believes he can bring a similar explosive vertical element to the offense. Improving the down-field passing attack is a point of emphasis for the offense in year two under Monken after they missed on quite a few deep shots last year so getting the rookie up to speed and in sync with Jackson on such passes will be key to making the desired strides.
Offensive Line Competition Early Indicators
Starting jobs in the trenches can’t be won until the pads come on later in the summer. Some rare exceptions include plug and play rookies such as Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum or established veterans such as former right tackle Morgan Moses who were drafted and signed respectfully in 2022 and were inserted as starters from Day 1.
However, OTAs are where players young and experienced can earn the right to receive first-team reps come mandatory minicamp and training with how they perform and are receptive to coaching during this portion of the offseason. It will essentially be treated like football school so those who pass with flying colors will likely be among the first to get a crack at earning one of the three vacant starting spots following the trade of Moses and the losses of guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson in free agency.
Last year, 2023 sixth rounder Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu quickly went from being a viewed as a developmental prospect to competing for the starting left guard spot before being beat out by Simpson in the preseason. Nevertheless, it serves as another testament to the Ravens willingness and tried and true belief in playing the best starting five regardless of draft status, contract or veteran experience. Aumavae-Laulu will be competing with fellow 2023 draftee, Andrew Vorhees, as well veterans Josh Jones and Patrick Mekari for a starting spot this time around. Meanwhile, second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten will officially begin his open competition with third-year pro Daniel Faalele to replace Moses at right tackle.
Evolution of Offense in Year 2
The Ravens made tremendous strides towards being more modern and balanced on the offensive side of the ball in the first year with Monken drawing and dialing up plays in 2023. As impressive as his system was in propelling Jackson to his second career league MVP campaign, it can and is expected to make another leap in 2024 now that the core group of players have a full year of experience it under their respective belts.
Jackson was given the keys to run the show for the first time in his career last year and he is going to have even more ownership of the offense moving forward starting in 2024. There has been a lot made about how much more 12-, 13- and 21-personnel they will run after being so successful running and passing out of it in 2023.
Zach Orr’s Personal Flavor
Perhaps no former position or assistant coach turned player caller has bigger shoes to fill than the Ravens’ first-year defensive coordinator who is taking over for Mike Macdonald. During his brief yet very impactful stint directing the show on defense in Baltimore, Macdonald quickly established himself as one of the most brilliant minds in the game whose success other teams in the league are trying to now replicate.
Orr is no stranger to the Ravens way of both playing and coaching, having been a former player and starting his career as a coach in Baltimore. He appears to be more animated and have a more outgoing personality than the more reserved Macdonald and will get a chance to show more of it on camera, on the field and in front of the microphone.
The Ravens added some exciting rookie talent in the first four rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft including cornerbacks Nate Wiggins and T.J. Tampa and outside linebacker Adisa Isaac. They also have plenty of proven and ascending players returning and ready to continue dominating, bounce back or finally break out.