Pundit Says Derrick Henry Will Unlock 'God Mode' in Ravens Offense
Even though Derrick Henry has been a Raven for four months, it still seems surreal that he and Lamar Jackson are in the same backfield.
Fox Sports’ Ben Arthur believes the reality is that the Henry-Jackson pairing is every bit the dream team it appears to be.
"Does Derrick Henry unlock 'God Mode' in the Ravens offense? The short answer? Yes," Arthur wrote. "Look, I get it. Henry isn't the same player he was in his prime, when he became the eighth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season. The inevitable decline becomes a growing concern when you're a 30-year-old running back, even one as great as Henry, who takes incredible care of his body. But he still has a ton left in the tank. He ranked second in the NFL last season in rushing playing behind a terrible offensive line for a team that also had a bad passing attack. Opposing defenses were able to lock in on him and he still found success anyway (even if that success came less efficiently).
"Pair that player with two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and a lethal Ravens offense becomes even more potent. Henry has never played with a quarterback with Jackson's dual-threat ability, let alone one of superstar caliber. And despite having elite rushing attacks built around him, Jackson has never had a running back of Henry's stature and dominance. Their dual presence in the backfield will leave defensive coordinators sweating. Having two reliable targets in the passing game to boot (ascending second-year receiver Zay Flowers and star tight end Mark Andrews) gives Baltimore one of the NFL's most balanced offenses. And that could lead to what has eluded Lamar & Co.: postseason success."
Jeff Zrebiec Looks at Ravens' Key Roster Questions Heading Into Training Camp
With the start of training camp just days away, The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec projected the Ravens' 53-man roster. He noted that the team is mostly set at a number of positions, but some questions still need to be answered.
Here's a look at Zrebiec's analysis of three of the Ravens' most compelling position groups:
Offensive line (10)
Who makes the cut?: Ronnie Stanley, Tyler Linderbaum, Patrick Mekari, Josh Jones, Andrew Vorhees, Daniel Faalele, Ben Cleveland, Roger Rosengarten, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Nick Samac
On the bubble: TyKeem Doss, Tashawn Manning
Long shots: Corey Bullock, Darrian Dalcourt, Julian Pearl, Darrell Simpson
Biggest question: "Who will start at left guard, right guard and right tackle? When the Ravens have those answers, the rest of the roster decisions involving the offensive line should fall into place."
Fact to consider: "Josh Jones has played every position but center in his career. He's the wild card. He could start at left or right guard or right tackle if younger options don't seize jobs at those spots, or he could be the top reserve at both guard positions."
Outlook: "There are few certainties here beyond Stanley and Linderbaum starting and Mekari, Jones, Vorhees and Rosengarten joining them as roster locks. Once the season begins, it's tough to add adequate offensive linemen. Ones with upside traditionally don't pass through waivers. It makes sense to roster as many linemen as possible, so keeping 10 is definitely in play. Not bringing in an established veteran starter bodes well for Faalele, Cleveland and Aumavae-Laulu, but it's tough to call any of those three roster locks. The numbers game does work in their favor, at least for now. Faalele is a candidate to start at right guard and right tackle. Cleveland and Aumavae-Laulu are in the mix at right guard. Samac, a rookie seventh-round center, is competing for a backup role. The sense is that Cleveland, Aumavae-Laulu, Samac, Doss and Manning are competing for two or three spots."
Outside linebacker (5)
Who makes the cut?: Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, David Ojabo, Tavius Robinson, Adisa Isaac
On the bubble: Malik Hamm
Long shot: Joe Evans
Biggest question: "Is Ojabo back from last year's knee surgery, and is he ready to be a significant contributor? The 2022 second-round pick has played just five games in two seasons. The Ravens need him to become a piece this year."
Fact to consider: "Veteran Malik Harrison started eight games last year as the strong-side linebacker, playing in obvious run situations. If he's used extensively again in that role this season, that will cut into the available snaps for the team's young pass rushers."
Outlook: "It's been difficult in the past for the Ravens to involve more than four outside linebackers on game days. Oweh and Van Noy will be the lead guys here, and the Ravens will probably use Ojabo situationally. Unless there's an injury or the Ravens have soured on Robinson — and there's been no evidence they have — it's going to be tough to find a spot for Hamm, who showed potential last summer."
Safety (5)
Who makes the cut?: Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton, Ar'Darius Washington, Sanoussi Kane, Beau Brade
On the bubble: Jordan Toles
Biggest question: "Do the Ravens add a veteran safety at some point during training camp? There are several quality options available and Baltimore is young and thin behind Marcus Williams and Hamilton after losing Geno Stone in free agency."
Fact to consider: "Marcus Williams didn't have injury issues with the New Orleans Saints, but he's missed 13 games in two seasons since coming to Baltimore."
Outlook: "If the Ravens continue to use Hamilton in the slot and in matchup situations — and why wouldn't they? — they need a reliable No. 3 safety. It isn't clear whether that player is currently on their roster. They like Washington, but he's just 5-foot-8, 180 pounds and has been used more as a slot corner than safety. Brade, an undrafted rookie out of Maryland, gets the nod for the final roster spot, largely because of his potential on special teams."
Ravens Named a Candidate to Have 'Disastrous Start' to Season
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine identified the Ravens as one of six teams who are "set up for a disastrous start to the 2024 season."
Ballentine said there are "glaring concerns" for the Ravens on both sides of the ball that could make getting off to a good start difficult.
"The first is the offensive line. The Ravens will be breaking in three new starters this season," Ballentine wrote. "The Ravens aren't going with proven vets to take over those spots right now. [Offensive Coordinator Todd] Monken acknowledged that getting the pads on and finding out what the young group can do will be crucial. Figuring out who will take over those three starting spots and then figuring out how to maximize their talents within the scheme could take some time.
"Throw in a defense that will have to navigate the switch from Mike Macdonald to Zach Orr at defensive coordinator and the Ravens could have some growing pains early on in the season."
As has often been noted, the Ravens' early schedule is daunting. Their first five games are at Kansas City, versus Las Vegas, at Dallas, versus Buffalo, and at Cincinnati.
Four Ravens (So Far) Make PFF's Top 50
Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson is counting down the NFL's top 50 players. Thus far, Nos. 21-50 have been revealed, and four Ravens have made it:
26. Hamilton
"Kyle Hamilton's impact now exceeds conventional statistics. He influences how the game is actually played when he is on the field. Deployed by Baltimore as a slot defender primarily, Hamilton consistently shut down the short game to his side of the field for the Ravens all season, earning an 84.7 PFF overall grade in 2023. A versatile playmaker on defense, Hamilton is the matchup answer most teams don't have on their roster."
31. Henry
"Derrick Henry's production has declined over the past two seasons, but he has not declined. Instead, what we witnessed was the effect the worst offensive line in football can have on even an elite running back. Last season, Henry still averaged 3.3 yards per carry after contact and broke 57 tackles, earning a 90.1 PFF grade, but Tennessee's blocking averaged only 0.9 yards before contact, ranking 30th in the league. Prepare for Henry's production to bounce back significantly in Baltimore."
33. ILB Roquan Smith
"Since arriving in Baltimore, Roquan Smith has been as good as any linebacker in football, and he built on that performance in 2023. He tallied seven pass breakups in the regular season, showing the coverage skills that made him such an enticing prospect at draft time back in 2018. Smith has also been one of the more efficient tacklers in the game, but he will have to do it in 2024 with a new defensive coach and partner beside him after Mike Macdonald left for Seattle and Patrick Queen departed in free agency."
46. TE Mark Andrews
"While injuries derailed part of his 2023 campaign, Mark Andrews featured in 10 regular-season games for the Ravens and showed the type of weapon he is in that offense. Passes thrown his way generated a 135.7 passer rating, the highest mark of any player, at any position, with more than 50 targets to his name. Andrews is an elite-level player, and a fully healthy season in 2024 will remind people of it."
Quick Hits
Yesterday's Most Read: Late for Work: Lamar Jackson Finally Cracks Top 5 in ESPN's Quarterback Rankings
- ESPN’s Jamison Hensley looked at where the Ravens defense got better, worse, or stayed the same.
