AFC North projected starters for 2023 NFL season: Lamar flanked by playmakers; Bengals’ time is NOW
Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com
As an unrepentant Lamar Jackson fan, I totally loved perusing the skill-position group at his disposal in 2023. It contains 5 actual weapons for Jackson to throw to, greater than he’s had at any time in his profession.
J.Ok. Dobbins must be higher this season, one other 12 months faraway from the ACL tear he suffered in August 2021. His imaginative and prescient and instincts are what make him an incredible runner, and people expertise have been nonetheless noticeable final season; he simply lacked explosion.
I wasn’t large on Zay Flowers forward of the draft, as a result of he profiled as a supporting piece who was going to be chosen too early. However the No. 22 total decide doesn’t should be the No. 1 receiver — and even the No. 3 go catcher in Baltimore, if you happen to depend Mark Andrews. Flowers simply must make performs after the catch, and he can completely do this.
Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman each want to point out they will keep on the sector. If that’s the case, they’re versatile items that complement one another properly. Bateman was a big-play machine early final season earlier than being misplaced to a foot damage in November.
Devin Duvernay and Nelson Agholor present high quality WR depth if there may be an damage. They might have been starters on most Ravens squads within the Lamar Jackson period.
Isaiah Probably made quite a lot of performs for a rookie tight finish final season and provides one other component to the offense. He’s explosive.
Regardless of all of the adjustments, the most important X-factor on this offense is whether or not left sort out Ronnie Stanley can keep on the sector. He began 11 video games in 2022 after logging simply seven mixed appearances the earlier two seasons. Stanley wasn’t fairly the identical participant as he was earlier than injuring his ankle in November 2020, however he helped lots.
These are the Bizarro Ravens. They’re deep at receiver and skinny on the defensive position.
It’s not only a dearth of difference-makers on the defensive entrance, but additionally a scarcity of backups. We are able to count on basic supervisor Eric DeCosta to maintain in search of veteran choices. Justin Houston once more?
It will in all probability be Patrick Queen’s final season with the Ravens; his tenure since being chosen within the first spherical in 2020 has been a curler coaster, and the crew declined his fifth-year choice.
Baltimore’s protection continues to be constructed again to entrance. Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton comprise what could possibly be some of the dynamic security combos within the league. Rock Ya-Sin is among the finest post-draft signing values.
This can be a below-average defensive roster in comparison with the usual set by current Ravens groups. However defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald obtained right into a groove late final season, and the unit carried out properly.
It’s a brand new day in Baltimore. The offense is extra stacked than the protection and will likely be anticipated to paved the way.
Rating the 4 AFC North Rosters, From Worst to Greatest
Matt Verderame, Sports activities Illustrated
The Ravens will look a bit totally different than the run-heavy, defensive groups of the previous. Out is nook Marcus Peters, in addition to edge rushers Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Houston. In are receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, together with a brand new offensive coordinator in Todd Monken.
Whereas Baltimore is altering totally different components of its roster and training employees, the crew’s fortunes nonetheless come right down to quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson, contemporary off his five-year, $260 million extension, has new toys in Beckham and Flowers to pair with third-year receiver Rashod Bateman on the surface. Add in tight finish Mark Andrews and operating again J.Ok. Dobbins, and Baltimore is flush with weapons.
Defensively, the unit will revolve round nook Marlon Humphrey and All-Professional linebacker Roquan Smith. Baltimore may even hope to see enhancements from kids like linebacker Patrick Queen and edge rusher Odafe Oweh; the previous had his fifth-year choice declined this offseason, whereas the latter is taking part in to safe one subsequent 12 months.
If issues break proper for Baltimore and Jackson stays wholesome for the primary time in three years, there’s purpose to see the Ravens as an actual contender. Nonetheless, no crew has extra volatility of their 2023 consequence than Baltimore, with a mess of unknowns remaining.
One purpose every AFC crew will or received’t make the playoffs in 2023
Trevor Sikkema, PFF
Playoffs: Sure
Motive: Todd Monken
Lamar Jackson is again, paid and wholesome. When that’s the case, his crew will at all times have a shot on the postseason. However the purpose I’m much more in on the Ravens this upcoming season is due to their new offensive coordinator, Todd Monken.
As offensive coordinator of the Oklahoma State Cowboys again in 2011 and 2012, Monken spearheaded offenses that ranked No. 2 and No. 3 within the nation in factors scored. As offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2016 to 2018, he helped the crew place within the high 20, high 10 after which high three in complete yards per sport. And from 2020-2022 as Georgia’s quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, Monken received back-to-back nationwide championships whereas serving to quarterback Stetson Bennett go from being a walk-on to a notable identify in school soccer.
Monken is aware of offense. I’m excited to see what he’ll prepare dinner up with Jackson as his quarterback.
NFL’s high storylines at 2023 OTAs: Aaron Rodgers takes flight with Jets, Lamar Jackson rejoins new-look Ravens
Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports activities
Lamar Jackson begins post-contract tour
After skipping the primary day of OTAs, the Ravens’ star QB reported for obligation on Tuesday. It marks the primary time Jackson has taken the sector on one thing beneath than a rookie contract in Baltimore. Now sporting a report $260 million deal that (at the very least briefly) makes him the league’s highest-paid participant at his place, the previous MVP is dealing with strain not solely to dwell as much as the cash however rebound from back-to-back injury-riddled seasons — all whereas studying a brand new system from coordinator Todd Monken, alongside new weapons like Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie receiver Zay Flowers.
Which NFL gamers are ones to look at at offseason exercises? One decide for all 32 groups
Mike Jones, The Athletic
Baltimore Ravens: WR Odell Beckham Jr.
After spending final season recovering from a torn ACL, OBJ is again within the NFL on a one-year, $15.75 million contract. He’ll spend the offseason knocking off the rust and making an attempt to show to the Ravens that he’s nonetheless a game-changing expertise, regardless of questions across the league a couple of lack of explosiveness.