For the longest time, the Ravens were a defensive team. These days, though its defense remains an elite unit, the team leader is a quarterback.
Again, the best player on the Ravens—and one of the best in the league—is a quarterback.
As evidenced by the franchise’s personnel overhaul over the last few years, the Ravens are seeking to build a perennial playoff contender through two distinct traits: speed and power. And it’s those two traits that are most valuable when assembling a dominant fantasy football lineup.
Whether you play in a standard, auction, or dynasty league, the Ravens have a few players that can instantly contribute to your team’s success and help you win a league championship in 2021.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
Before we get into who those players are and how they compare to others in the NFL, let’s mention a few fantasy guidelines that will help you succeed.
Draft the best player
Just like the Ravens often do, drafting the best player on the board will help build your team’s talent and depth to sustain almost any roadblock you encounter throughout the season. There will always be players or positions you may want more than others, but the bottom line is that if the player can’t perform consistently, you may want to reconsider that choice (especially considering your league’s waiver and trade requirements).
Don’t worry about bye weeks
This is, perhaps, the most underrated strategy I’ve seen in fantasy football. It goes along with the previous point. Draft the best player, regardless of when their bye week is. Otherwise, you’re providing for a nuanced roster move that may not even come to pass. You never know when injuries will happen, so your best bet is to stock your roster the best you can and manage it from there.
Draft based on your board, not the site’s rankings
Most of the time, the website that hosts your draft does an excellent job at ranking players ahead of the season. But of course, there will always be exceptions based on who you value, as the entire operation is based on a projection of opinion. Therefore, don’t feel bad about taking a player you feel good about if he’s ranked lower than you think he should be.
That said, let’s take a look at which Ravens can help you win your league (point totals courtesy of Yahoo! Fantasy sports).
QB Lamar Jackson
2020 point total: 341.78 (21.36/game)
2021 point total projection: 389.04 (22.88/game)
2021 position rank: 3rd
Analysis: There’s no arguing Lamar Jackson’s talent. His quality as football player will only get better. Given that his supporting cast is well above average, there’s no reason to doubt his high ranking going into this fantasy football season.
One must consider, though, the defenses a player is set to face to be sure of his draft stock.
Of the 14 different teams Jackson has on his schedule this year, they’re coming off a season in which they collectively ranked 16th—across the board—in pass yards allowed, touchdowns allowed and interceptions. The two best pass defenses Baltimore will encounter are at the end of their schedule (at PIT Week 13, vs. LAR Week 17, vs. PIT Week 18). As we’ve seen, Baltimore plays their best football late in the season, so even those tough teams are likely to face the best version of the Jackson.
RB J.K. Dobbins
2020 point total: 159.50 (9.97/game)
2021 point total projection: 279.38 (16.43/game)
2021 position rank: 17th
Analysis: If there’s one player on the Ravens you want to make sure to draft this season, it’s J.K. Dobbins. Now firmly affixed as the starter at running back in a run-first, run-often offense, Dobbins is set for a breakout campaign.
His physical condition, play style, versatility and underrated draft stock are all signs that point to him being a tremendous pick, even in Round 1.
Get him if you can. Period.
WR Hollywood Brown
2020 point total: 154.00 (9.63/game)
2021 point total projection: 162.34 (9.55/game)
2021 position rank: 47th
Analysis: If healthy, Hollywood Brown is the best receiver on the Ravens.
Regrettably, he’s missed six games in his 2-year pro career. That’s not the worst thing in the world, but you’d like to see him play a full season this year, for sure. However, a recent hamstring injury may put his Week 1 status in doubt.
You may not draft him to be your starter, but drafting him to be a flex or primary reserve looks to be a solid move. When he’s on the field, he’s a difference maker. Drafting Brown in the middle rounds could be a move that really helps you come playoff time.
TE Mark Andrews
2020 point total: 141.10 (8.82/game)
2021 point total projection: 209.13 (12.30/game)
2021 position rank: 6th
Analysis: Unfortunately, the Ravens have sustained some injuries to a couple of their key receivers in camp. While they aren’t expected to be long-term, these setbacks only raise the stock of Baltimore’s other pass-catchers—mainly, their tight ends.
According to FootballGuys.com, Mark Andrews was 2nd on the team in targets last year with 89 (behind Hollywood Brown’s 99)—89 of 110 tight end targets. That shows you how heavily the Ravens rely on him. Factoring in that Andrews is a free agent after this season, you better believe he’s going to be all the more motivated to exceed what is already a high bar that he set in 2020.
K Justin Tucker
2020 point total: 145.00 (9.06/game)
2021 point total projection: 171.52 (10.09/game)
2021 position rank: 1st
Analysis: He’s Justin Tucker. Draft him early. Especially in a run-first offense playing in the AFC North? It’s an easy decision. Others in your league will try to clown you for taking a kicker before the last round, but you can smile knowing you have the most accurate kicker of all-time on your squad.
D/ST Baltimore
2020 point total: 141.00 (8.81/game)
2021 point total projection: 115.58 (6.80/game)
2021 position rank: 5th
Analysis: Drafting a defense that led the league last year in blitzing (44% of snaps) is an enticing prospect, but it’s not one without merit. Wink Martindale has proven his ability to produce a defensive juggernaut, no matter who occupies his depth chart. Losing Matt Judon will hurt, at least initially. But the addition of Odafe Oweh looks to be an exciting one that could pay valuable dividends down the stretch.
In addition, another year of experience for and cohesion among that ball-hawking secondary will only improve with the return of Tavon Young. And considering fact that the Ravens are likely to be ahead in many of their games, the selection of the Baltimore D/ST is as good of a pick as you can make at this position.
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.