Expectations and excitement abounds for the 2023 Ravens.
They have a new offensive coordinator, a few new wide receivers, healthy running backs, and a very good offensive line. Not to mention, an All-Pro caliber tight end.
The defense, as always, is fast, physical, and versatile. The special teams unit is led by the best kicker of all-time and a 2nd-year punter who holds the franchise records in net and gross punt average (minimum 50 attempts).
Not surprisingly, though, most fans want to focus on the offense, and the wide receiver position, in particular.
Where to begin? Odell Beckham, Jr. is a pretty good place to start. Baltimore signed the 3-time Pro Bowler to a 1-year, $15 million, fully guaranteed contract earlier this offseason. However, he last played football 17 months ago when he helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI. Since 2020, he’s played in 21 of a possible 50 regular season games. However, when healthy, he’s as electric as any skill player in football. Needless to say, Ravens fans are cautiously optimistic when it comes to Beckham. At the very least, his presence on the field gives defenses cause for concern.
The next player who draws significant interest is 1st-round draft choice Zay Flowers. The Boston College product was taken with the 22nd overall pick in this year’s draft—Baltimore’s 2nd-highest selection in the last six drafts. Flowers seems up to the task. His dynamic play is mirrored by his desire to succeed. Baltimore is in an advantageous position for him, as he’s somewhat of an unknown to opposing defenses, especially when factoring how many ways offensive coordinator Todd Monken could deploy him. Monken emphasizes quick concepts and timing—perfect conditions for Flowers.
Rashod Bateman returns this year, healthy, and Nelson Agholor joined the Ravens in free agency. Both of those players are good players—let’s start there. For some reason, perhaps because they aren’t standout fantasy football players, they have a reputation as not being very good. I understand Bateman has been hurt so soon in his young career and Agholor has been on four teams in the last five years. As far as Bateman goes, injuries can’t be controlled. Coaches can seek injury prevention, but at the end of the day, if you play professional football, you will get injured.
In the case of Agholor, yes, the transience isn’t ideal. That said, look at how much the Ravens have gotten from veteran free agent wide receivers in the past. I’m sure Monken and John Harbaugh aren’t asking Agholor to light the league on fire, but to be consistent. That sounds boring and like a cliché, but how do you think the Patriots won all their rings? Consistency.
Baltimore’s shortcomings at wide receiver are well-chronicled. Yet the team, despite those performance gaps, seem to always be in the playoff hunt. Think about what they could do and where they could go if their wideouts outperformed all expectations.
First, we need to look at who will be on the roster. Beckham, Flowers, Bateman, and probably Agholor are all locks. Those four players have fully guaranteed contracts, so strictly from a financial perspective, there are significant reasons for them to be activated each week. Collectively, they have a career catch percentage of 64.2 to go with an 8.2 yards per target rate.
Devin Duvernay is another lock, in my opinion, because of his All-Pro return skills and versatility in Monken’s style of offense. Duvernay is also in a contract year, so the Ravens should theoretically get the best version of him in 2023.
The more I think about it, the more I think six wide receivers will be the final number Coach Harbaugh settles on. The problem is that there are currently 14 wide receivers on Baltimore’s roster. If there are only to be six players kept from these 14, who’s the last one of the group? We can’t really answer that now, because determining factors will only be figured out in the preseason.
Of the remaining nine receivers, James Proche and Tylan Wallace have been with the team the longest. Andy Isabella has shown flashes. Could rookie Dontay Demus be the final piece?
It’s too early to tell. What we do know is that the 2023 Ravens wide receivers will be fast. In Monken’s scheme, that’s exactly what you need to be.
When they drafted Lamar Jackson, the Ravens began a complete overhaul of their roster. Their goal: get faster. Now, with Jackson leading the offense and Roquan Smith leading the defense, their vision is almost complete.
While the receiving core won’t make or break this season, they will influence Baltimore’s chances quite a bit. Let’s put it this way: if the Ravens hope to make it to Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII, there’s virtually no way they’ll be able to do so with average receivers. These players need to perform. Fans and front office personnel alike have waited too long.
Now is the time. This is the year.
Something tells me it’ll be a good one.
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.