The Ravens' wide receiver room is oozing with young talent. Zay Flowers is coming off a record-setting rookie season, Rashod Bateman recently signed a contract extension as he enters Year 4, and rookie fourth round pick Devontez Walker is showing flashes in OTAs.
It makes sense why that trio has generated so much buzz, but they're not alone. This offseason, wide receiver Nelson Agholor signed a one-year extension with the Ravens for his 10th season in the NFL
"If you told me as a child [that] I played 10 years in the National Football League and feel the way I feel, I would scratch my head, because I feel amazing, [and] I have a lot of fun doing what I do," he said after practice on Tuesday. "I can run all day and have a good time, so that's a blessing.
"But then to do it here – this place makes it even more enjoyable. This is family. This is home, familiarity and just a great group of dudes. ... I couldn't be more happy that I get to play Year 10 in Baltimore and live here and do what I do."
Last season was Agholor's first year in Baltimore. He played in all 17 regular season games, finishing with 35 catches for 381 yards, and he got to work alongside Flowers and Bateman.
Going into this season, with high expectations around Flowers and Bateman, Agholor expects to see them take another step forward.
"[They] are going to compete and get better and make a lot of plays," Agholor said. "I think those two guys are two very electric players, but also two very tough-minded dudes, and that's what you get from veterans – you get tough minded; you get resilient."
Lamar Jackson Returns, Marcus Williams Makes OTAs Debut
Lamar Jackson looked great in his second practice open to the media on Tuesday, but there was another player that made a lot of noise. Literally.
Marcus Williams was at his first open OTAs practice of the offseason, and he made sure everyone knew it with some yelling and friendly trash-talk. The safety was vocal throughout practice and generated some laughter from those in attendance.
Trenton Simpson Praises Experience in Week 18 Game Against Steelers
Last season, inside linebacker Trenton Simpson spent a lot of time watching All-Pros Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen star on Baltimore's defense. But with Queen now in Pittsburgh, Simpson could step into a bigger role in Year 2.
Simpson played sparingly on defense as a rookie, but with the AFC's top seed secured in Week 18, he saw an uptick of snaps against the Steelers. He was stellar in that game, finishing with seven tackles and a sack, and it helped him going into the offseason.
"It was the best thing that could have happened to me, because I had to be patient throughout the season for my moment to come, and when it came, I was prepared," he said. "It was just that boost of confidence that I needed, like you said, headed into the offseason knowing like I belong [and] I'm ready to play.
"It was a blessing; it was God's timing. I feel like when I got my chance to go out there and display what I can do, I feel like I made the most out of it."
Dennis Johnson Trying to 'Add To' Veteran Defensive Line
Led by All-Pro defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, the Ravens have a strong, veteran defensive line group that new Defensive Line Coach Dennis Johnson is taking over. With players like Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Travis Jones and Broderick Washington, Baltimore's line figures to be stellar again in 2024.
"That's a veteran group, right? So, you want to add to it, show them things that they may not know – new techniques, eye progressions, where I want to put my hands in certain alignments [and] just fine tuning them to make them better," Johnson said.
Last year's defensive line was highlighted by the breakout of Madubuike, who finished with 13 sacks. On Tuesday, Johnson was asked if he sees Jones as someone who could have a similar jump.
"From what I've seen, from 'Trav' [Jones], he is a special human first – a special man – and then a special football player," Johnson said. "[He's] talented, and he wants it just as a bad as anybody you'd be around.
"You want to talk about attention to detail, that's how he approaches every day. Whether it's football school or it's been OTAs, in the meetings; I think he should be [able to have success]. He has to continue to work – which I know he will – but he'll be in that type of position to have a successful season."
