Built in a fantasy lab, Jackson had another monster MVP season
in 2023. He thrived in Todd Monken’s new offense, setting career
highs in attempts (457), completions (307), yards (3,678), and
completion percentage (67.2), while still rushing for 821 yards
and five touchdowns. His low interception rate and rushing upside
give him potentially the best floor among fantasy quarterbacks,
and that comes with the physical ability to win your team a week
all by himself. He has a dynamic set of weapons to throw to in
Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers, and now has one of the best backs
in the last decade in Derrick Henry to keep defenses honest.
If there are any potential pitfalls it lies in the offensive
line. Baltimore will be breaking in three new starters, two of
which are young guys with little NFL experience. This franchise
has never had an issue developing talent on the line, but there
certainly could be some early season struggles as they figure
it out. Even so, Jackson remains a Tier-1 talent that gives you
a rare weekly advantage at the quarterback position.
With 1,400 total yards and 12 touchdowns considered a down year,
the Titans moved on from Henry this offseason, and the Ravens
were more than happy to scoop him up. At age 30 and with tons
of wear on the tires, Henry is much closer to the end of his career
than the beginning, but gets to ride out his twilight years in
one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL. With Jackson, and
a complex passing attack to support him, Henry won’t be
asked to carry the offense on his back like he had to with the
Titans. Gus Edwards, who has a fraction of the physical ability
that Henry has, backed into 13 rushing touchdowns last season.
The efficiency of the offense, and the fact Lamar Jackson doesn’t
pilfer as many red zone scores as you might expect, gives Henry
potentially the highest touchdown floor of any back not on the
49ers roster.
Before last season Hill was a little used backup during his time
in Baltimore, but a multitude of injuries to this backfield allowed
him to set career highs in usage. Henry is sure to dominate touches,
but he’s 30, and there isn’t anything else in this
backfield but a rehabbing Keaton Mitchell, and a 5th-round rookie.
Unless they add someone in camp, Hill is the contingency plan,
and could return FLEX value if Henry goes down. Keep an eye on
him as a waiver add if the need arises.
Although they can’t seem to keep them healthy, the Ravens do
have a knack for finding mid-to-late round talent at the running
back position. With Keaton Mitchell not due back until well into
the season, and Henry on the back side of age 30, Ali is someone
to pay attention to. A one-cut workhorse with three-down chops
at Marshall, he had a productive senior year in the Sun Belt Conference
(1347 total yards 17 scores). He was no slouch as a freshman either
with almost 1,700 total years and 24 touchdowns. His advanced
metrics (especially elusiveness) and measurables don’t pop off
the page, but I trust this front office to find talent late in
the draft and I’m more than happy to snag him late and stash him.
Flowers was eclectic last season, and it was evident from his
10-target, nine reception debut in Week 1, that he would be a
big part of the offense all season. Flowers tied Jordan Addison
among rookies with 108 targets, and just behind Rashee Rice in
receptions (77). He was consistently schemed the ball in the short
areas of the field where he could take advantage of his speed
and quickness to beat zone coverages. As the Ravens enter Year
2 of Monken’s offense it remains to be seen whether Flowers’s
role will expand, or if he will continue to be a zone buster.
Mark Andrews is the alpha in the passing game, and with him on
the field, red zone scoring opportunities will be few and far
between for the 2nd year receiver. The Ravens also seem very interested
in reintegrating Rashod Bateman into the offense so there is that
to factor in as well. Ultimately Flowers is a dynamic talent playing
with one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the league, and
while there isn’t much room for significant statistical growth,
Flowers should settle in as an upside WR2 in Half or PPR leagues.
This offseason the Ravens signed Bateman to a contract extension
so baffling that even he was caught off guard! Invisible due to
injuries the last few seasons, Bateman even failed to report to
camp last season. After all that there was enough tape for Baltimore
to take a shot on him and he’s been talked up all offseason
by the coaches and front office. The Ravens are a savvy organization,
so clearly they have a plan for him in this offense. His separation
metrics and route running are solid, and while he’s been
short on health, he’s never lacked in talent. If he can
remain healthy and build a rapport with Jackson, Bateman should
set career highs this season, and could be a value play as a back
of the roster WR5 that you could FLEX in a pinch.
Call it dominance or a thin fantasy position, but in only 10
games last season Mark Andrews finished as a TE1 with a 45-544-6
line. Even with a change in offensive scheme Andrews was still
the focal point in the passing game, and is one of the biggest
weekly advantages in the NFL. His size helps him dominate in the
red zone (he tied Tyreek Hill for most red zone target share)
and his speed and strength make him almost impossible to cover
down the field. With the highest scoring ceiling among tight ends,
and a guaranteed target volume, Andrews should vie for positional
supremacy.
