After three weeks of voluntary OTAs, the intensity will ramp up next week when the Ravens hold three days of mandatory minicamp from Tuesday through Thursday.
Here are my thoughts on the Ravens in early June, all in 50 words or less:
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry taking reps together should be a fun watch at mandatory minicamp. Both have unique talents, and they're still gaining familiarity with each other. These reps should help them hit the ground running when training camp starts in July.
Henry is coming off back-to-back losing seasons in Tennessee. Now he's with a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and that's a great boost at this stage of his career. Henry isn't chasing records. Like Jackson, he's chasing a championship, and they can help each other achieve that goal.
I'm eager to see players next week that we didn't see at OTAs, like outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy. He's a veteran who knows how to approach the offseason. When a top player like Van Noy rejoins his teammates, it raises the intensity for everyone.
Baltimore has a talented and deep defensive line rotation led by All-Pro Justin Madubuike. Next week will provide a good test for Baltimore's guards like Andrew Vorhees, Josh Jones, Ben Cleveland, and Sala Aumavae-Laulu who are vying to start. A strong minicamp would only help their case.
Rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten talked Thursday about how difficult Odafe Oweh has been to block. It's early, but a strong mandatory minicamp by Oweh would be another indication that he's ready to have a monster year.
The Ravens may add a veteran safety or pass rusher this summer. But having their full complement of healthy players at minicamp will be another reminder of how deep they are. Baltimore's roster remains loaded, despite its losses in free agency.
Head Coach John Harbaugh said outside linebacker Adisa Isaac and undrafted safety Beau Brade have a chance to return next week after their injuries in rookie minicamp. Isaac is a third-round pick who could factor into the pass rush mix if healthy.
It was nice to see Pepe Williams and Jalyn Armour-Davis making plays consistently at OTAs. Injuries have made their first two seasons challenging, but in a crucial third year for both young corners, they are heading into mandatory minicamp with momentum.
Mark Andrews looks very ready for mandatory minicamp, showing no signs of last year's ankle injury. Even when the Ravens didn't wear helmets during OTAs, Andrews made a couple diving catches. A healthy Andrews and Isaiah Likely poses a scary tight end threat for opponents.
Charlie Kolar had a touchdown catch on Thursday that he celebrated by punting the football to midfield. Didn't know that Kolar had such a powerful leg. But I do know that with Andrews, Likely and Kolar, the Ravens have the NFL's deepest tight end group.
