I’ve been very critical of Flacco as a fantasy and real life
quarterback in these pieces the past several years I don’t plan
on changing it up! A severe back injury gutted nearly Flacco’s
entire 2017 offseason, and he only got healthy enough to play
just prior to Week 1 of the season. So while he grinded out a
full 16 game schedule, statistically it was one of his worst full
seasons since his rookie year. He was barely able to surpass 3,000
yards passing, and threw for only 18 touchdowns. I guess my biggest
knock on Flacco is he doesn’t elevate the play of the people around
him. Sure, he had the injury bug hit some of his receivers last
year, but I’ve seen quarterbacks do more with less, and the Raven’s
seem to feel the same. The shine from his Super Bowl win is gone,
and Baltimore clearly looked to the (near) future with their selection
of Lamar Jackson in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Whether it’s Flacco, or eventually Jackson, I’m not thrilled by
the motley crew of receivers that Baltimore brought in to replace
Jeremy Maclin and Mike Wallace. Michael Crabtree, John Brown and
Willie Snead don’t exactly keep defensive coordinators up at night.
And while they do have productive seasons in their past, I just
don’t think Flacco has what it takes to help unlock that again.
If you want to chase the “Alex Smith” narrative, where the drafting
of a 1st round quarterback will somehow light a fire under Flacco,
be my guest. But for my fantasy money, Joe is only worth a look
in 2-QB leagues.
I don’t normally address the backup quarterbacks when I
do these player outlooks, but the combination of collegiate production,
draft pedigree, and the state of the Flacco-led offensive, I’d
be remiss if I didn’t at least touch on Jackson’s
fantasy prospects. The former Heisman trophy winner adds a dimension
this offense hasn’t had since the days of Steve McNair.
Jackson can make plays with his legs, both in the running and
passing game. Now, barring injury or catastrophe, Jackson is unlikely
to see play at quarterback early in the season, but if/when he
does, I think he has to be a priority free agent add. Much like
Deshaun Watson last year, I do think Jackson has the skills and
bravado to give this team a spark, and sometimes fantasy success
comes down to finding lightning in a bottle. Most leagues are
unlikely to have the roster limits to be able to waste on a back-up
QB stash, but if you do, Jackson makes for a fine long-term investment.
To say that during this time last year Collins wasn’t on
most people’s radar is a monumental “no-duh”.
Still a member of the Seahawks in July of 2017, Collins was eventually
cut, and signed to the Ravens’ practice squad in early September.
With injuries hitting the backfield, Collins got a call-up to
the active roster about two weeks later. After looking spry in
a Week 2 win against Cleveland, the former 5th-round pick slowly
saw an uptick in playing time as he began to distance himself
from the crowded Baltimore backfield. When the dust settled on
the 2017 season, Collins ended up with nearly 1,000 yards rushing
and 6 touchdowns, while sporting a crisp 4.6 yards per carry average.
Through the season he showed bust and power, and was basically
the only bright spot on a miserable Ravens offense.
Not much has changed in the Raven’s backfield in 2018. Signed
to a 1-year contract after being a restricted free agent, Collins
enters the offseason as the clear lead dog in a still crowded
group. The Ravens fully committed to him during the back half
of the 2017 season, and barring a miracle return from talented,
but troubled Kenneth Dixon, Collins should easily lead the team
in rushing. With all 23 of his receptions coming in the final
nine games, Collins showed enough versatility to be more than
a 2-down back. Keep a close eye on Dixon’s usage and production
in the pre-season, but as it sits right now I’d be very excited
to nab Collins as my RB2, especially if Jackson makes an appearance
at quarterback.
Back to play in 16 games after an injury riddled 2016, Allen
proved productive despite a limited amount of touches. Piling
up over 900 total yards and 6 touchdowns, Allen provided surprising
value at the running back position. After starting the year off
as the lead back, Allen eventually settled in as a compliment
to Alex Collins as the season wore on. His 46 receptions not only
set a career high, but also made him a valuable commodity in PPR
leagues. Until I see otherwise, I think the Ravens continue to
lean on Collins while turning to Allen as a change of pace, passing
back option. He has shown he can carry the mail in a lead role
if called up, and has contract year motivation. Dixon is still
the wildcard in this backfield, and has the potential to make
this a maddening committee, but for now view Allen is a RB3/4
that you can probably nab late in your draft.
A suspension and a knee injury cost Dixon's 2017 season and most
of the goodwill built up from his solid rookie season in 2016.
As a rookie he showed three-down skills and his talent alone should
be enough for him to at least push Allen for the No.2 gig. The
Ravens are by no means committed to Collins as the long term answer,
and I do think Dixon will be given every opportunity to prove
himself. Because he missed his entire sophomore campaign and is
third on the depth chart at the moment he’s a great flyer
option at the back end of drafts. But watch his ADP climb as the
offseason wears on if he shows the chops to challenge the guys
ahead of him.
Crabtree wouldn’t be the first receiver I’d go after
during a full on rebuild at the position, but he does give the
Ravens a reliable veteran possession receiver that’s scored
25 touchdowns over the last three seasons. Injuries and age have
relegated Crabtree to be very touchdown dependent (his 10.7 yards
per catch average was good for 85th in the NFL last year). He’s
going to get open using savvy route running and solid technique,
but offers nothing in the way of big plays after the catch. There
are 164 targets up for grabs after the departure of Maclin and
Wallace, so Crabtree should get his fair share. Being the most
reliable and productive receiver on the team will certainly give
Crabtree a chance to surpass his depressing reception and yardage
numbers from last year. Keep in mind that injuries cost Crabtree
three games last season, and he’ll be an “old”
31 when the season starts. With a slight regression in touchdowns,
but an increase in yards and receptions, he could be a low end
WR2, but I’d feel infinitely more comfortable picking him
as a steady, but unexciting WR3.
Injuries, a suspension, and a subsequent disappearing act were
to blame for Snead’s fall from grace last year. Ultra-productive
his first two seasons in the league (100+ targets, and 70+ receptions
in both), Snead comes to the Ravens on a 2-year, $10-million dollar
contract. Likely to man the slot in Baltimore, Snead encounters
a downgrade in the quarterback department. He was able to make
sweet music (Jazz?) with Drew Brees in New Orleans, but it remains
to be seen if this passing offense can support more than Crabtree
from a fantasy perspective. After being such a big part of the
plan in New Orleans it’s puzzling the Saints didn’t
use him much or tender him much of an offer to retain his services.
It’s my guess receiver needy Baltimore overpaid for a former
undrafted player that was largely productive due to the offensive
scheme and quarterback in New Orleans. There are plenty of looks
available, but I just don’t think Snead gets enough of them
to make a fantasy difference.
Beset by injuries due to a medical condition, John “Smokey”
Brown leaves the desert to join the Baltimore Ravens’ revamped
receiving core. With healthy wheels Brown was a big play waiting
to happen in Arizona, especially in 2015 when he finished with
1,000+ yards and 7 touchdowns, but hamstring injuries sapped his
speed and his vertical game and resulting production disappeared
the last two seasons. Now healthy, Brown hopes to rehab his value
on a one-year deal with Baltimore. He’ll start on the outside
opposite Crabtree, and should give the Ravens a deep threat to
keep defenses honest. His game should actually play well with
Flacco’s strengths, and they’ll combine for a few
big plays once and awhile. I’m just not fully convinced
he’s passed his injury bugs, and his availability and playing
time in the preseason will go a long way to determine his fantasy
value. If he misses days of camp with leg injuries again, he’s
undraftable. If he stays healthy and produces, he MIGHT be worth
a late gamble. Whatever happens, I’m going to stick to my
guns and say that ultimately this passing offense is only going
to be able to support one fantasy receiver long term and Brown
isn’t it.
Another overhauled position on the Ravens’ roster, the
rookie duo look to make up for the loss of Dennis Pitta and Benjamin
Watson. Hurst, the team’s other, and less noteworthy 1st
round pick, joins the Ravens as a do-it-all wonder from South
Carolina. Old (25 when the season beings) for a rookie, Hurst
should stabilize the position as a well-rounded run blocker and
pass receiver. He may lack a little polish as a route runner,
but has a great speed/size combination and catches everything
around him. This offense has utilized the tight end greatly over
the years, and Flacco is at his best when checking down and dumping
off to his tight ends.
Andrews, the 3rd rounder from Oklahoma is a receiver in a tight
end’s body...literally. As a former wideout, Andrews is
an adept route runner with a dynamic physical skill-set. What
he lacks as a blocker he more than makes up for as a receiver,
showing solid hands and collegiate production as he led Oklahoma
in receptions and won the John Mackey award as the nation’s
top tight end. With a crowded tight room and being very raw as
a blocker, it may take most, if not all of the season for Andrews
to make much of an impact.
When it’s all said and done, it’s unlikely any of
these guys is going to return much, if any fantasy value. Hurst
is the most versatile, but Baltimore may keep as many as four
tight ends, and they all seem to fill specific roles, meaning
no one will get enough target share to be a realistic fantasy
option.
