Zay Flowers is developing more as a leader heading into year 2

The 2023 first rounder is taking the reins of the Ravens young group of wideouts.

Coming into the NFL, almost every player’s primary goal is to make a name for themselves by letting their play on the field do the talking. As a rookie last year, Baltimore Ravens first-round wide receiver Zay Flowers did just that and then some, breaking numerous franchise records.

It didn’t take him long to establish himself as the Ravens clear-cut No. 1 receiver and by the end of his inaugural season, he finished as the team’s leader in targets (108), receptions (77) and receiving yards (858).

Heading into his second season, an area of his game on the field that he aims to improve is being more of a vertical threat in the offense. While all signs and several training camp highlights suggest he is well on track to achieving that goal, another aspect where his coaches have seen the most growth from him is as a leader both on and off the field.

“As a rookie, obviously, you come in and you listen and you learn, and when you’re expected to make plays you try to do that – and Zay did a great job of that, but now it’s about taking the next step and taking the group by the reigns and trying to lead them in the right direction, because he’s been through it,” Ravens wide receivers coach Greg Lewis said Saturday. “He’s been there and done that, and then we [are] trying to take it to another level. He’s done a great job with that. We got a lot of leaders in the group, but Zay has stepped up and did a good job with bringing younger guys along.”

Back in early summer during Organized Team Activities, Flowers shared how becoming more of a leader is also one of his goals heading into his second season. At 23 years old, he is actually in a four-way tie as the youngest receiver on the roster but that hasn’t stopped him from stepping up and leading a room that added a pair of promising rookies in fourth-rounder Devontez Walker and undrafted free agent Dayton Wade.

Last year as a rookie, he was fortunate enough to have three-time Pro Bowler Odell Beckham Jr. as one of his primary mentors. Even though the Ravens were able to bring back stalwart 10th-year veteran Nelson Agholor, the room still lacks a wealth of NFL experience.

“We have a young receiver room, so I’m trying to help lead them, too,” Flowers said on May, 22.

As far as the strides he has made to his game on the field heading into his second year, Lewis has seen him improve in multiple aspects.

“[Flowers has] pretty much gotten better at everything,” Lewis said. “I think just trying to get him the ball … If he touches the ball, something special is going to happen. So, [we’re] just putting him in [a] position to be successful each and every way possible.”

The Ravens made a concerted effort to get the ball in Flowers’ hands during his rookie season in the first year of offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s scheme. They dialed up screens, slants, intermediate routes and deep shots. Much like his two-time MVP-winning quarterback, Lamar Jackson, the second-year pro is electrifyingly elusive and explosive with the ball in his hands and the coaches intend to continue expanding his role as well as his fellow wideouts who he will be leading this year.

“I think we’re doing a good job with Zay thus far, and I think we’re doing a good job with all the guys, because everybody is unique, everybody has a different skillset, and we want to tap into all those skills so we utilize everybody as we go,” Lewis said.