Ravens Week 17 Rookie Report: Zay Flowers breaks another franchise record with a big game

The first-round wideout had another explosive outing their middle-round defenders made impactful plays as well.

The Baltimore Ravens notched their sixth straight win in Week 17 with overwhelming a 56-19 victory over the Miami Dolphins at home. They received significant contributions from their first-round pick while other members of his draft class made plays on defense and special teams.

The Ravens had just three of their six 2023 draft selections and none of their undrafted first-year pros dressed. Their first overall selection continued to ball out with first career 100-yard receiving game while accomplishing a career milestone. Their two middle-round picks made notable plays as well.

The only healthy rookie not in uniform was sixth-rounder Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, who was inactive after dressing as a backup earlier this season. Seventh-round offensive guard Andrew Vorhees, who is likely to miss his entire rookie year, remains on the Non-Football Injury list. Undrafted rookie outside linebacker Malik Hamm reverted to season-ending injured reserve after not being activated to the 53-man roster this past week.

How did the rookies who took the field fare in their latest taste of NFL action?

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WR Zay Flowers

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

The first-round pick out of Boston College only had one-third of the number of receptions he had last week with just three but made the most of his limited opportunities. He recorded his first career game of 100+ receiving yards and found the end zone for the second week in a row and the sixth time this season.

Flowers reached the century mark in the first half after recording 25 yards and a first down on his first catch, then a career-long 75-yard touchdown on his second to give the Ravens a 21-13 lead. While a blown coverage resulted in him being left wide open down the right sideline, Flowers had to make a pair of defenders miss in space to finish the big play in the end zone. The first defensive back he evaded was former Ravens’ safety DeShon Elliott and the second was none other than former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple.

Flowers caught all three of his targets and finished with a team-leading, game-high 106 receiving yards. He already broke the record for most receptions ever by a Ravens rookie earlier this season and with 858 receiving yards in 16 games. He’s now the franchise’s new record holder for most receiving yards in a single season for a rookie as well with one more game left to add to it.

ILB Trenton Simpson

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The third-round rookie out of Clemson finally saw his first snaps on defense since Week 9 on the Dolphins’ final two drives with the Ravens up big. Simpson didn’t waste any time making his presence felt by coming up with a big play on his very first defensive snap by scooping up a fumbled handoff in the backfield. His lone tackle of the game came on Miami’s final play of the game where he helped defensive tackle Broderick Washington bring down a running back short of the line to gain on fourth down, turning the ball over on downs.

Simpson also continued to play well on special teams and even made one of the key blocks that helped spring veteran running back Justice Hill for a 78-yard kick return to open the second half.

EDGE Tavius Robinson

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The fourth-round rookie out of Ole Miss continues to play rotational defensive snaps on early downs and contribute on special teams. He was one of the few outside linebackers who didn’t struggle to set and seal the edge both in the run and short passing game. Robinson finished with two total tackles including an impressive solo take down of Dolphins’ wide receiver Tyreek Hill late in the third quarter.