As Diontae Johnson Joins Ravens, Confidence in Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman Remains 'Very High'
The Ravens strengthened their receiving corps by trading for Diontae Johnson this week, but the move doesn't affect the status of wide receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, according to NFL insider Josina Anderson.
"I'm told Diontae Johnson's trade acquisition does not reflect a change in view of Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman as the team's current WR1 and WR2, per source," Anderson wrote on X. "While I'm told Johnson was brought to Baltimore for his speed, separation and punt returning abilities — especially with Deonte Harty's (knee) listing on IR — it's been reinforced to Flowers and Bateman, even going back to last year when the team added additional weapons at wideout, that the organization not only believes in the aforementioned duo but also has very high confidence in them. So I was told they 'are not messing with that.'"
Flowers and Bateman have rewarded the Ravens' faith in them this season. Flowers (527 yards) is 12th in receiving yards and Bateman (422) is 20th. The Ravens are one of only three teams to have two receivers in the top 20. Moreover, Bateman (13th) and Flowers (20th) are both in the top 20 in ESPN’s Open Score rankings.
The Ravens haven't used three-wide receiver formations as much this season as they did last year with Odell Beckham Jr. on the roster, but the addition of Johnson could lead to an increase.
When Johnson was asked yesterday what he brings to the offense, he said: "Just getting open; moving the sticks. Just trying to be that guy that the young guys can come to – just for route stuff [or] just little stuff that I know I can help them out with – and my playmaking skills out there, getting the ball and just [making] plays; bringing that energy to the offense."
Anderson said the receiver who might see fewer reps is veteran Nelson Agholor, "but a vibe change is not expected to result from any displacement."
Ravens Have Had More Judgment Call Penalties Go Against Them Than Any Other Team
If it seems like a lot of judgment call penalties go against the Ravens, it's not just your imagination. A look at each team's number of such penalties this season confirms it.
A league-high 40 judgment call penalties for 401 yards (second-highest) have gone against the Ravens, according to KC Sports Network's Joseph Hefner.
Only 24 judgment call penalties for 244 yards have gone against the Ravens' opponents. Baltimore's -16 differential in judgment call penalties is the worst in the league, and its -157 differential in judgment call penalty yards is third-worst.
Overall, the Ravens' 63 penalties are tied for the second-most in the league, and their 549 penalty yards also are the second-most, according to The Football Database.
Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Marlon Humphrey Earn PFF Midseason Honors
Pro Football Focus revealed its midseason award winners and All-Pro team, and the Ravens were well-represented.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson was named MVP and running back Derrick Henry got the nod for Offensive Player of the Year.
"Jackson has once again raised his game and could be barreling toward his third MVP award," PFF’s Dalton Wasserman wrote. "He's currently on pace to set career-highs in passing grade, turnover-worthy play rate, and yards per attempt while leading players in carries of 10 or more yards. Jackson's 87.8 passing grade is the second-best in the NFL behind Joe Burrow. His dual-threat abilities are a cheat code for a team that is leading the NFL in total offense and offensive grade.
"Henry has been everything the Ravens could have possibly imagined when they signed him in the offseason. He leads the NFL in rushing by nearly 200 yards. His 91.5 rushing grade paces the league as well, and the only player in the league with more explosive runs is, of course, his quarterback, Lamar Jackson. Henry and Jackson have formed one of the most formidable backfield duos the league has ever seen."
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey joined Jackson and Henry on the All-Pro team.
"Humphrey is one of the stickiest cornerbacks in football through the first half of the year," PFF’s Gordon McGuinness wrote. "His 85.1 PFF coverage grade trails only Zyon McCollum among cornerbacks with 200-plus snaps this season."
Humphrey also has four interceptions, which is tied for third-most in the league and leads the AFC.
Pundit Looks at State of the Ravens at Midseason
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley took stock of the Ravens at the midseason point. Here are some of his takeaways:
What we know: "The Ravens, led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, are one of the best -- and most resilient -- teams in the NFL. Baltimore became the sixth team in the past 40 years to win five straight games after starting 0-2. Four of the previous five teams that did so made the playoffs, and two of them (the 2007 New York Giants and the 1993 Dallas Cowboys) went on to win the Super Bowl."
What we don't know yet: "Whether the Ravens' pass defense will rebound. Baltimore ranks last in the NFL against the pass, giving up 2,331 yards through the air. This is surprising because it's essentially the same secondary that finished No. 6 in pass defense a year ago. The issue is big plays. The Ravens have allowed 21 completions of 25 or more yards, the most in the league."
Stat that defined the first half: "The Ravens will go as far as Jackson, Derrick Henry and their high-scoring offense takes them. When they score more than 24 points, they are 5-0. When the Ravens are held to 24 points or less, they are 0-3. Baltimore is second for the NFL's top scoring team, averaging 29.5 points per game."
Ravens Urged to Trade for Former No. 2-Overall Pick
Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano proposed one trade for each team before Tuesday's deadline. For the Ravens, he suggested they acquire New Orleans Saints edge rusher Chase Young in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
"The Ravens saw their defensive personnel change this offseason with the departures of Jadeveon Clowney, Patrick Queen and Geno Stone among others. While Baltimore is a top-tier contender, the pass defense has suffered," Manzano wrote. "Bringing in Young from the Saints would bolster the pass rush alongside Kyle Van Noy, Nnamdi Madubuike and Odafe Oweh."
The Ravens reportedly were interested in Young at the deadline last year, but the Washington Commanders ended up dealing him to the San Francisco 49ers for a third-round compensatory pick. Young, who was selected second overall by Washington in 2020, signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Saints this offseason.
The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec mentioned Young as a potential trade target for the Ravens but questioned whether he is a difference-maker.
"Health concerns prompted the Ravens to back out of their pursuit of Young last year. Those may still exist," Zrebiec wrote. "Young also only has two sacks, although some of his other pass-rush metrics paint a much brighter picture."
