AFC North 2024 preview, plus Rhamondre Stevenson’s deal
Jacob Robinson, The Athletic
Ravens in 2024
Biggest question: Can Lamar Jackson finally take the next step in the postseason?
In playoff games, among QBs with four-plus appearances over the past 10 years, Jackson ranks third-worst in passer rating (75.7) and second-worst in completion percentage (57.4), and only Marcus Mariota had a higher sack percentage than Jackson’s 11.8. All are significantly worse than his regular-season averages.
Position to watch: Offensive line.
In their most recent playoff loss, Jackson was sacked four times, and their run game was non-existent. Then, three OL starters left this offseason and may be replaced by three players (Andrew Vorhees, Ben Cleveland and rookie Roger Rosengarten) with just seven career starts between them. Without any big-name signings, it appears the Ravens are comfortable with their in-house options.
Fantasy sleeper: RB Derrick Henry.
Yes, he’s a star name, but he remains underrated in fantasy drafts. In 2023, the Ravens’ top two running backs, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, combined for 282 carries, 1,592 total yards and 17 touchdowns. Let’s say Henry replicates that by himself (he had almost exactly that many carries last season); in most fantasy leagues, that production would’ve ranked second-best among RBs in 2023. Oh, and Henry’s a touch better than Edwards and Hill.
Better than in 2023?
Baltimore was pillaged this offseason, losing those lineman, their defensive coordinator and many other coaches, as well as key defensive players. Winning 13 games is a stretch, but I won’t be surprised if they are in the AFC Championship again.
Isaiah Likely Is Focused on Becoming a ‘Chess Piece’ in Ravens Offense
Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com
“It’s being a chess piece, being anywhere ‘Monk’ needs me to be in this offense – whether it’s in the slot, in-line, in the backfield, split out wide by myself,” Likely said. “The more you know, the more you can stay on the field.”
In the eight games after he stepped in for the injured Andrews, Likely caught 25 passes for 372 yards and six touchdowns. What the Ravens would love to figure out is how to get that kind of production even when Andrews is on the field.
Likely’s usage over the full course of the season was fairly evenly split between in-line (270 snaps) and in the slot (252 snaps). He had 35 snaps out wide and nine in the backfield. Andrews was used far more in the slot (341 snaps) last season, and saw more snaps out wide (65) than in-line (62).
The Ravens used “12” personnel (two wide receivers, two tight ends, one running back), 11.1% of the time last year, which ranked 27th in the NFL, per SumerSports. The league-wide average was 19.2%. Asked if he’s campaigning Monken for more “12” personnel, Likely laughed.
“They watch film. They see it,” he said. “It’s an emphasis for them to try to see what we can do on the field together and harp on the little things so we can get on the field together and make the most of it.”
NFL’s best duos at every position: Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence combine for top EDGE pair
Gordon McGuinness, PFF
TIGHT END: MARK ANDREWS AND ISAIAH LIKELY, BALTIMORE RAVENS
Losing a player of Mark Andrews‘ caliber due to injury in 2023 was a big blow to the Ravens, but it at least allowed them to see Isaiah Likely‘s capabilities, potentially pushing the offense to use two-tight end sets more frequently in 2024.
Andrews’ 1.93 yards per route run average ranked fourth among tight ends last season, while Likely proved himself tough to bring down after the catch with 12 missed tackles forced on 34 receptions.
SAFETY: KYLE HAMILTON AND MARCUS WILLIAMS, BALTIMORE RAVENS
Marcus Williams battled through injuries last season but still impressed while healthy. He has earned PFF coverage grades above 70.0 in both of his seasons with the Ravens and led all safeties with eight pass breakups in the regular season despite missing some time.
Kyle Hamilton is a Swiss Army knife who can be deployed all over the field. His 90.1 PFF coverage grade in 2023 ranked third among safeties, but he also impressed as a blitzer, racking up 16 quarterback pressures from 45 pass-rushing snaps. His 40 tackles that resulted in a defensive stop ranked second at the position.
2024 NFL OTAs: Players who surprised us most at minicamp
Jamison Hensley, ESPN
A four-year starting quarterback at Louisville who went undrafted last year, Cunningham switched to wide receiver during spring workouts and has impressed the Ravens with his speed. He has put himself in position to compete for the No. 5 wide receiver spot and the returner job. “[He’s] kind of a natural at the position,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “I’ve seen that he understands the game from the perspective of the quarterback, so [his] routes and coverage and timing and things like that have been excellent.”
From Lamar Jackson to Randen Plattner, here’s where all 91 Ravens stand after the spring
Jonas Shaffer, The Baltimore Banner
RB Rasheen Ali: The fifth-round pick showed good hands out of the backfield and burst between the tackles. The preseason will be the best test of Ali’s ball security, a weakness in college.
WR Devontez Walker: The fourth-round pick was probably the Ravens’ most explosive and most targeted downfield threat in offseason practices. Walker has the speed to beat one-on-one coverage on vertical routes.
OL Josh Jones: Has starting experience at guard and tackle, and lined up at both spots in minicamp. Harbaugh compared Jones to Josh Simpson, who arrived in Baltimore in 2022 with his career at a crossroads. “He was determined to get better, and he did. I feel like Josh is kind of in that same place. He’s a talented guy.”
CB Nate Wiggins: The first-round pick wasn’t targeted often at OTAs or minicamp. Wiggins’ speed stands out to everyone who plays with him. So does his mentality. “He’s doing a great job in the meeting rooms, asking the right questions, always trying to learn,” Stephens said. “You can tell he’s kind of hard on himself, but you like to see that with the young guys.”
CB T.J. Tampa: The fourth-round pick had regular battles with Walker, who often tested Tampa’s long speed on vertical routes, the most glaring hole in his predraft profile. Each rookie won his share of targets.