Ravens coach John Harbaugh spent a part of the offseason defending his younger group of extensive receivers.
Harbaugh is assured that Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Tylan Wallace and rookie Devontez Walker shall 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 extensive receivers might hinder the Ravens’ Tremendous Bowl aspirations.
“I’m excited concerning the extensive receiver place,” Harbaugh mentioned this offseason. “This can be a very proficient group, and anyone that wishes to problem that, deliver it on. You’ve acquired 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 group 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 way more snug enjoying within the system below second-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
“We had a tough coaching camp, so everyone on our group is prepared,” Flowers mentioned. “We’re going to be able to go [and] able to play. Our coach [offensive coordinator Todd Monken] put collectively a terrific sport 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, is likely to be below essentially the most stress 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 group 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 variety of ‘he say, she say’ about me, however on the finish of the day, I really like enjoying 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 will depend upon me, present town you can depend upon me [and] present the teaching employees these issues as properly. So, I’m undoubtedly excited to exit, and hopefully, deliver 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, to begin with, I’m blessed to be in Yr 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 superb, [and] I’ve a variety 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 pleasing.
“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 follow with each day 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 pleased that I get to play Yr 10 in Baltimore and stay right here and do what I do.”
Wallace might need had one of the best coaching camp amongst the entire extensive receivers and performed properly within the preseason video games. Whereas Wallace’s function has been totally on particular groups, Harbaugh envisions him having a much bigger function within the offense.
“I feel Tylan [Wallace] goes to get alternatives in every single place – offense and particular groups,” Harbaugh mentioned. “He has seemed good; [he] had a few good performs on the market at this time, after all, like he does actually each day. I’m trying ahead to seeing how he does this 12 months.”
Walker, the group’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 enjoying time this season by performing properly in follow.
Deonte Harty additionally made the group because the sixth extensive receiver, however he’ll principally play particular groups because the beginning returner.