Ravens head coach John Harbaugh spent a part of the offseason guarding his younger receiver corps.
Harbaugh believes Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Tyran Wallace and rookie Devontes Walker will probably be environment friendly at catching the two-time NFL MVP Mal Jackson’s passes, it doesn’t matter what critics say about their potential.
Nevertheless, none of those gamers has but had a season with greater than 1,000 receiving yards. Uncertainty surrounding manufacturing at huge receiver might hinder the Ravens’ aspirations of reaching the Tremendous Bowl.
“I am excited in regards to the huge receiver place,” Harbaugh mentioned this offseason. “It is a very proficient group and anybody who needs to problem this could be part of. You must line up and play in opposition to us and we’ll see if we do not have a playmaker operating the ground. [and] performing.
Flowers, the No. 22 general decide within the 2023 draft, led the group with 77 receptions for 858 yards and 5 touchdowns in his rookie season. Count on him to make much more progress this season as he turns into extra snug with the pace of the NFL. Flowers is way more snug enjoying within the system beneath second-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
“We had a troublesome coaching camp so everybody on our group was prepared,” Flowers mentioned. “We’re able to go [and] Able to play. our coaches [offensive coordinator Todd Monken] Have an incredible recreation plan for us so we will be able to play our recreation [style of] soccer.
Bateman, the twenty seventh general decide within the 2021 draft, could face probably the most stress after signing a two-year, $12.87 million contract extension in April. Bettman has been stricken by numerous accidents all through his profession.
As a rookie, he underwent hernia surgical procedure, inflicting him to overlook the primary six video games. The subsequent 12 months, he underwent foot surgical procedure and was positioned on injured reserve after six video games.
In 2023, Bateman appeared in 16 common season video games and ranked fifth on the group with 32 catches for 367 yards and a landing. The important thing for Bateman will probably be creating a greater relationship with Jackson and serving to the offense unfold the ground.
“Baltimore drafted me and there was a variety of ‘he mentioned, she mentioned’ about me, however on the finish of the day, I like enjoying right here. I actually love Baltimore,” Bettman mentioned earlier than the regular-season opener in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs mentioned. “I like my teammates. So, for me, I simply wish to exit and do one thing good for this metropolis. [and] Present these folks they’ll depend on me, present this metropolis you may depend on me [and] Present this stuff to the teaching workers as effectively. So, I am excited to exit and hopefully deliver the Tremendous Bowl again to Baltimore.
The Ravens signed Agholor to a one-year contract extension this offseason. In 2023, he caught 35 passes for 381 yards and 4 touchdowns.
“Nicely, to begin with, I used to be fortunate sufficient to be in tenth grade. Like, I imply, in case you informed me as a child [that] I used to be within the NFL for 10 years and I felt what I felt and I’d scratch my head as a result of I felt nice, [and] I’ve enjoyable doing what I do,” Agholor mentioned. “I can run all day and have a variety of enjoyable, in order that’s a blessing. However doing it right here – this place makes it much more pleasing.
“That is household. It is residence, it is a acquainted place, and it is an incredible group of fellows. From my quarterback to the blokes I play receiver with to the blokes I work with on protection daily, they make me Getting higher, however we additionally take pleasure in one another so, I am tremendous excited to play in Baltimore as a tenth grader and reside right here and do what I do.
Wallace had maybe the very best coaching camp of any huge receiver and had a stellar preseason. Whereas Wallace’s function will primarily be on particular groups, Harbaugh expects him to play a bigger function within the offense.
“I feel Tailan [Wallace] There’s going to be alternatives in every single place – on offense and on particular groups,” Harbaugh mentioned. “He seems to be good; [he] After all, there have been some nice performs right this moment, as he does daily. I am wanting ahead to seeing what he does this 12 months.
Walker, a fourth-round decide by an NFL group this 12 months, suffered a rib damage in coaching camp. He’s extra of a creating participant who must earn enjoying time by performing effectively in apply this season.
Deonte Harty was additionally named to the group because the sixth huge receiver, however he’ll primarily play on particular groups because the beginning returner.
