Ravens coach John Harbaugh spent a part of the offseason defending his younger group of broad receivers.
Harbaugh is assured that Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Tylan Wallace and rookie Devontez Walker will probably be productive catching passes from two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, no matter what the critics say about their potential manufacturing.
Nevertheless, none of these gamers have but to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving in a season. The uncertainty surrounding the manufacturing of the broad receivers may hinder the Ravens’ Tremendous Bowl aspirations.
“I’m excited concerning the broad receiver place,” Harbaugh mentioned this offseason. “It is a very gifted group, and anyone that desires to problem that, convey it on. You’ve received to line up and play in opposition to us, and we’ll see if we don’t have playmakers on the market working round [and] making performs.”
Flowers, the twenty second general choose within the 2023 draft, led the workforce with 77 receptions for 858 yards and 5 touchdowns as a rookie. He’s anticipated to make extra strides this season as he turns into extra snug with the pace of the NFL. Flowers is far more snug taking part in within the system underneath second-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
“We had a tough coaching camp, so all people on our workforce is prepared,” Flowers mentioned. “We’re going to be able to go [and] able to play. Our coach [offensive coordinator Todd Monken] put collectively an ideal recreation plan for us, so we’re going to get able to play our [style of] soccer.”
Bateman, the twenty seventh general choose within the 2021 draft, could be underneath essentially the most strain after signing a two-year, $12.87 million contract extension in April. Bateman has been hampered by varied accidents all through his profession.
As a rookie, he had hernia surgical procedure that sidelined him for the primary six video games. The next 12 months, he had foot surgical procedure and was positioned on injured reserve after six video games.
In 2023, Bateman appeared in 16 regular-season video games and completed fifth on the workforce with 32 receptions for 367 yards and a landing. The important thing for Bateman is to develop a greater rapport with Jackson and assist the offense stretch the sector.
“Baltimore drafted me, and there’s been a number of ‘he say, she say’ about me, however on the finish of the day, I really like taking part in right here. I do love Baltimore,” Bateman mentioned earlier than the regular-season opener in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. “I really like my teammates. So, for me, I simply wish to exit and do it proper for town [and] present these guys that they’ll rely upon me, present town which you can rely upon me [and] present the teaching workers these issues as nicely. So, I’m undoubtedly excited to exit, and hopefully, convey a Tremendous Bowl again to Baltimore.”
The Ravens re-signed Agholor to a one-year extension this offseason. He caught 35 passes for 381 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2023. He’s essentially the most veteran participant within the group and had a strong coaching camp.
“Effectively, initially, I’m blessed to be in Yr 10. Like, I imply, in case you instructed me as a baby [that] I performed 10 years within the Nationwide Soccer League and really feel the best way I really feel, I’d scratch my head, as a result of I really feel superb, [and] I’ve a number of enjoyable doing what I do,” Agholor mentioned. “I can run all day and have an excellent time, in order that’s a blessing. However then to do it right here—this place makes it much more satisfying.
“That is household. That is residence, familiarity and only a nice group of dudes. From my quarterback to the fellows I play receiver with, to the fellows I observe with day-after-day on the defensive facet of the ball, they make me higher, however we additionally simply get pleasure from one another. So, I couldn’t be extra glad that I get to play Yr 10 in Baltimore and stay right here and do what I do.”
Wallace may need had one of the best coaching camp amongst all the broad receivers and performed nicely within the preseason video games. Whereas Wallace’s position has been totally on particular groups, Harbaugh envisions him having a much bigger position within the offense.
“I feel Tylan [Wallace] goes to get alternatives in every single place – offense and particular groups,” Harbaugh mentioned. “He has regarded good; [he] had a few good performs on the market immediately, in fact, like he does actually day-after-day. I’m wanting ahead to seeing how he does this 12 months.”
Walker, the workforce’s fourth-round choose on this 12 months’s NFL, handled a rib harm in coaching camp. He’s extra of a developmental participant and must earn taking part in time this season by performing nicely in observe.
Deonte Harty additionally made the workforce because the sixth broad receiver, however he’ll largely play particular groups because the beginning returner.