Ravens News 6/21: Bird Gang

Odafe Oweh Has High Expectations: ‘I’m Chasing Perfection’

Clifton Brown, BaltimoreRavens.com

The outside linebacker has been a noticeable presence on defense during offseason practices, knifing into the backfield consistently and giving offensive linemen fits. Oweh enjoyed his best season in 2023 with five sacks, 23 tackles, 12 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles, despite missing four games with an early-season ankle injury.

“If you don’t put high expectations on yourself, you won’t even get close to the level you want,” Oweh said after the final practice of mandatory minicamp. “I’m not trying to be perfect, but I’m chasing perfection, as close as I can get to it. I put high expectations on myself because I believe I can get to that level. God gave me broad shoulders for a reason.”

“As a pass rusher, you might get up to bat 20 times and only get home two times, but those two times could be huge,” Oweh said. “I understand that if you keep doing the right things, you’re going to get hits and sacks.

“People have been saying I’m going to have a breakout year ever since I was at Penn State,” Oweh said. “This is nothing new. I take it as a compliment. People think I have another level I can get to. Everyone sees it. I have confidence. The onus is on me, and I take that responsibility.”

2024 NFL season: One player to root for from each AFC team

Tom Blair, NFL.com

Baltimore Ravens

Derrick Henry

RB · Year 9

For too much of his time with the Titans, Henry was on teams that struggled to compete in a meaningful way. This year, though, he gets to show what he can do for a true Super Bowl contender as part of an offense that presents the exact right conditions for him to thrive within. Often, when an accomplished veteran heads to a new team to chase a ring after turning 30, the expiration date on his career is obviously looming. But with the 30-year-old Henry, who just led the NFL in carries (280) while rumbling for 1,167 rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs in a fitfully productive Titans offense, I don’t have to try to talk myself into thinking he’s still got it. It’s nice when things just make sense, and watching Henry work with Lamar Jackson should be a joy.

NFL players entering a make-or-break 2024 season: Multiple first-rounders, former All-Pro WR headline list

Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports

Rashod Bateman

On paper, the Ravens desperately needed receiver help when Bateman was drafted in 2021. But that was when Baltimore wasn’t too keen on throwing the football under Greg Roman.

Add a litany of injuries, and you have an exquisite recipe for disappointment, which is precisely what Bateman has been through three seasons with the Ravens. His career-high in catches is 46, which came as a rookie. Same with his 515 yards. He tested as a slightly above-average athlete and was a production machine at a young age at Minnesota.

While new offensive coordinator Todd Monken was believed to be hired to usher in a new, more progressive, pass-happier philosophy in Baltimore, mostly due to plenty of leads held by the Ravens in the second half a season ago, Lamar Jackson only averaged one more attempt per contest compared to 2022. Yet, his completion rate jumped, as did his yards-per-attempt average.

With 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers and perennial stud tight end Mark Andrews now the primary options in Baltimore, the typical first-round pick pressure has been alleviated from Bateman. But Baltimore needs to see more than 350-500 yards for him in Year 4, or his bust status will be cemented.

2024 NFL receiving corps rankings: Bears and Texans crack the top 5

Trevor Sikkema, PFF

23. BALTIMORE RAVENS

Tight end Mark Andrews‘ injury in 2023 significantly lowered the ceiling of the Ravens’ receiving group. Andrews, who comes in at No. 3 in PFF’s tight end rankings ahead of the 2024 season, is joined in the tight end room by a good running mate in Isaiah Likely.

Zay Flowers earned a 75.6 PFF overall grade as a rookie and should continue to be a big player, but Baltimore will need more from Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor to ascend this list.

100 Bold Predictions for the 2024 NFL Season

Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated

Roquan Smith will lead the league in tackles

The Ravens’ linebacker finished about 20 behind Bobby Wagner last season, but also missed a game. Smith, 27, is just coming into his prime as the NFL’s great off-ball linebacker. In addition, he’ll force two fumbles and recover one for a Baltimore defense that’ll finish eighth in terms of EPA per play allowed.

Derrick Henry will score at least 14 rushing touchdowns

Enjoy the ultimate frustration of having Lamar Jackson on your fantasy team: rushing touchdowns being sniped at the goal line by design. Jackson won’t have to put his body at risk in crunch situations anymore, thanks to Baltimore’s inking of the massive running back.

The Ravens’ Week 9 home game against the Broncos on Nov. 3 will be held amid massive preparations for a World Series parade in their city

Let’s. Go. O’s. #BirdGang