Ravens coach John Harbaugh spent a part of the offseason defending his younger group of large receivers.
Harbaugh is assured that Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Tylan Wallace and rookie Devontez Walker will likely 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 large receivers may hinder the Ravens’ Tremendous Bowl aspirations.
“I’m excited in regards to the large receiver place,” Harbaugh stated this offseason. “This can be a very gifted group, and anyone that wishes to problem that, convey it on. You’ve received to line up and play towards 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 velocity of the NFL. Flowers is rather more snug taking part in within the system beneath second-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
“We had a tough coaching camp, so all people on our workforce is prepared,” Flowers stated. “We’re going to be able to go [and] able to play. Our coach [offensive coordinator Todd Monken] put collectively a terrific 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, may be beneath probably the most strain after signing a two-year, $12.87 million contract extension in April. Bateman has been hampered by numerous 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 sphere.
“Baltimore drafted me, and there’s been quite a lot of ‘he say, she say’ about me, however on the finish of the day, I like taking part in right here. I do love Baltimore,” Bateman stated earlier than the regular-season opener towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. “I like my teammates. So, for me, I simply wish to exit and do it proper for town [and] present these guys that they will depend upon me, present town which you could depend 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 probably the most veteran participant within the group and had a stable coaching camp.
“Properly, to begin with, I’m blessed to be in 12 months 10. Like, I imply, should you informed me as a toddler [that] I performed 10 years within the Nationwide Soccer League and really feel the way in which I really feel, I might scratch my head, as a result of I really feel wonderful, [and] I’ve quite a lot of enjoyable doing what I do,” Agholor stated. “I can run all day and have a great time, in order that’s a blessing. However then to do it right here—this place makes it much more gratifying.
“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 apply with on daily basis on the defensive aspect of the ball, they make me higher, however we additionally simply get pleasure from one another. So, I couldn’t be extra joyful that I get to play 12 months 10 in Baltimore and stay right here and do what I do.”
Wallace might need had the perfect coaching camp amongst all the large 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 believe Tylan [Wallace] goes to get alternatives in every single place – offense and particular groups,” Harbaugh stated. “He has regarded good; [he] had a few good performs on the market right this moment, after all, like he does actually on daily basis. 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 damage in coaching camp. He’s extra of a developmental participant and should earn taking part in time this season by performing nicely in apply.
Deonte Harty additionally made the workforce because the sixth large receiver, however he’ll largely play particular groups because the beginning returner.
