Ravens News 7/16: Perfect Fit

What we hope the Ravens did leading up to training camp

Giana Han, The Baltimore Banner

Rookies (and Justin Tucker) hit the weight room

First-round pick cornerback Nate Wiggins was a slim 173 pounds at the NFL combine. He and his trainer explained that was because he was so nervous he didn’t eat, and he’s since gained nine pounds, according to the Ravens’ roster. Wiggins is used to playing around 185, but that’s light for a cornerback who will go up against some large receivers. The balance for him will be gaining strength without losing his speed, which is his calling card.

Draft profiles of second-round offensive lineman Roger Rosengarten mentioned his lack of power to anchor and to burst against defensive linemen and rushers. Under the list of negatives, there are a few technique bullet points, but most circle back to his strength. If Rosengarten is going to push for a starting position, he needs to get stronger.

An unlikely player who needs to join these guys in bulking up: kicker Justin Tucker. Although aspects of the new kickoff rules play to Tucker’s strengths, such as his ability to place his kicks, others highlight a skill he’s rarely needed to use. With everyone but the kicker and returner lining up across from each other, the coverage team is essentially in cover zero. That means, if the returner breaches the first line of defense, the kicker is all that’s left between him and the end zone.

2024 NFL training camps, every AFC team’s biggest question: Davante Adams’ future, Joe Burrow’s health, more

Bryan DeArdo, CBS Sports

Baltimore Ravens

Can re-built O-line get the job done?

The Ravens will be starting two new guards (Ben Cleveland and Andrew Vorhees) and a right tackle in 2024 in second-round pick Roger Rosengarten. Adding to the Ravens’ O-line questions is former Pro Bowl left tackle Ronnie Stanley’s health issues the past several years.

Baltimore has decent depth (backup Patrick Mekari, for example, has made 36 starts over the past five years while playing several different positions on the line), but the fact that there are questions regarding the offensive line of a team with Super Bowl aspirations is concerning. The Ravens will surely focus on shoring up this unit during camp.

Execs, coaches, scouts rank NFL’s top 10 QBs for 2024

Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Highest ranking: 2 | Lowest ranking: 5

Age: 27 | Last year’s ranking: 7

Jackson is undeniable after winning a second MVP. After five seasons as a dual-threat quarterback in Greg Roman’s system, the Ravens reversed course, bringing in playcaller Todd Monken to help maximize Jackson’s game from the pocket.

The results: Jackson posted career highs in attempts (457), completion percentage (67.2) and yards per attempt (8.0).

Not bad for a quarterback who mysteriously fell out of the top 10 two years ago.

The implementation of Monken’s system — trips-empty spread offense, pistol passing concepts — along with last year’s additions of Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. helped support Jackson and also minimized excuses that Ravens fans and media long made for his pedestrian passing numbers.

“How he came in, with everything stuck to that stigma as a runner, that sticks with you as a pro until you prove them wrong,” an NFC executive said. “That’s not fair but that’s the way it’s been with him. There wasn’t any doubt who the best player in the league was last year. So, it’s long been time to put that to rest.”

“He was better than the numbers say as a pocket passer,” an AFC executive said. “Really efficient. May not have had crazy production but always made a lot of plays. Watching it, you feel the impact. Definitely more accurate.”

PFF50: The 50 best players in the NFL ahead of the 2024 season

Sam Monson, PFF

46. TE MARK ANDREWS, BALTIMORE RAVENS

While injuries derailed part of his 2023 campaign, Mark Andrews featured in 10 regular-season games for the Ravens and showed the type of weapon he is in that offense. Passes thrown his way generated a 135.7 passer rating, the highest mark of any player, at any position, with more than 50 targets to his name. Andrews is an elite-level player, and a fully healthy season in 2024 will remind people of it.

NFL Players on the Roster Bubble Entering 2024 Training Camps

Jon Alfano, Sports Illustrated

Baltimore Ravens: Tylan Wallace. Now entering his fourth year, Wallace hasn’t made much of an impact in the Ravens’ offense. He had a highlight-reel play on special teams with an overtime punt return touchdown to beat the Los Angeles Rams last season, but with former All-Pro returner Deonte Harty now in the fold, Wallace could find himself on the wrong side of the bubble.

From a playing and personality standout, Jacoby Jones was the perfect fit in Baltimore

Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic

The 2012 Ravens don’t win Super Bowl XLVII without Jones. In fact, they wouldn’t even have had the opportunity to play for a Lombardi Trophy without Jones on their side.

From the exhilarating return touchdowns to the “Mile-High Miracle” to the quick jokes, colorful quips and omnipresent smile, Jones became one of the most popular players on a team loaded with homegrown stars. He only played three seasons with the Ravens and yet, he’ll be remembered as one of the more impactful veteran additions in franchise history.

He was as quick with a laugh or a joke as he was with the football in his hands in the open field. And just like his speed, his smile was irrepressible. It’s the whole package, the player and personality, that is being mourned in Baltimore and won’t be forgotten.