- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,147,817
- Reaction score
- 59
The Baltimore Ravens kick off their nine-week offseason workout program on Monday, with several key storylines to monitor. After months of waiting and a complete overhaul of the system, the Ravens are undergoing dramatic changes at the Under Armour Performance Center as Jesse Minter's team gathers for the first day of the nine-week off-season workout program. The schedule includes the rookie minicamp in early May, OTAs starting May 18, and mandatory minicamp in June, with multiple media access opportunities throughout the program.
The training programs are divided into three phases: one mandatory minicamp for the entire roster and one rookie minicamp for each group. Baltimore has a new head coach and staff, allowing for the Ravens to begin off-season activities ahead of the league-defined date.
Phase One consists of the first two weeks of the program, with activities limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only.
Phase Two consists of the next three weeks of the program and features on-field workouts that may include individual or group instruction.
Phase Three consists of the next four weeks of the program, during which teams may conduct 10 days of organized team practice, or "OTAs." No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are allowed.
From roster battles to positional uncertainty and player development, here are the eight biggest questions shaping Baltimore's path toward OTAs and training camp.
Jesse Minter said he's unsure how much Lamar Jackson will participate in the Baltimore Ravens voluntary offseason program, though the quarterback is excited about the upcoming workouts. The first-year head coach made the startling revelation during his media session at the NFL owners' meetings in Phoenix, Arizona. Baltimore has a new head coach in Minter, a new offensive coordinator, and a new system with first-year playcaller Declan Doyle, making Jackson's potential absence even more concerning. Jackson has been known to skip most voluntary workouts during his eight-year NFL career, with the MVP quarterback missing eight of the nine on-field practices before mandatory minicamp last spring. It's an important year for Jackson, who missed four games last season and finished with 2,549 yards, 21 TDs, 7 INTs, and a 103.8 passer rating (No. 4 in NFL). His 8.1 net yards per pass attempt tied for the NFL's third-highest rate. Now, it'll be on Doyle (OC) to truly unlock Jackson's potential.
Ravens' new OC Declan Doyle, 29, takes the reins of a high-powered offense. Before joining Denver, Doyle worked as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints from 2019 to 2022. During his four seasons with the Saints, the team compiled a 41-25 (.621) record, earning NFC South Division titles in his first two years. Doyle was part of an offense that saw eight players selected for 12 Pro Bowls over those four seasons. Doyle will now be handed the keys to the Ravens offense, which has a two-time MVP at quarterback, an NFL rushing champ at running back, a two-time Pro Bowl pass catcher in Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Devontez Walker, and tight end Mark Andrews, among others. Doyle has already taken the first steps toward developing a relationship with the star quarterback and two-time MVP.
Henry is a future Hall of Famer who is also 32 and set to begin his first year under a new, revamped coaching staff and offensive system. In his first season with Baltimore, Henry led all running backs in rushing TDs (16) and nearly had another 2,000-yard season, finishing with 1,921 yards. Last season, Henry logged 1,595 and 16 more touchdowns. Overall, Henry has 3,516 yards and 32 rushing touchdowns in his first two seasons in Baltimore. How long will the former Alabama star be the focal point of a revamped offense?
Flowers set career highs in receiving yards (1,211 - 7th in NFL, 2nd in franchise history) and catches (86 - 11th in NFL). He became the third player in franchise history with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
Because Flowers is a two-time Pro Bowler, his fifth-year option is $27,298,000
Flowers is the biggest star of the group, logging back-to-back Pro Bowls.
The Baltimore Ravens could be trending toward selecting offensive line help early, with multiple reports pointing to interior protection at the offensive guard position as a top priority. The Ravens have needs at wide receiver, edge rush, and potentially cornerback.
With three-time Pro Bowl Tyler Linderbaum in Las Vegas as the highest-paid center in NFL history, the Ravens could choose to draft a center. Former Maryland star and undrafted free agent Corey Bullock could be a player to watch, while Jovaughn Gwyn offers positional versatility, and Danny Pinter is a reserve who could compete for a starting spot.
Does Baltimore have enough at wide receiver, or are there moves to be made? Star running back Derrick Henry has spent the past two days recruiting Eagles' wide receiver A.J. Brown to Baltimore, but that ship has sailed. Flowers is the most impactful player logging back-to-back Pro Bowls after accounting for 85 catches, 1,211 yards, and five touchdowns. Still, the lack of development and opportunities for Devontez Walker and LaJohntay Wester will be something the new coach will need to watch.
Rashod Bateman is the wild card after having a down year and even missing the AFC North title game due to illness. After a career year in 2024, Bateman finished with 13 games played, 12 starts, 38 targets, 19 receptions, 224 yards receiving, and two touchdowns. Could Baltimore use its first-round pick on a top pass catcher?
Baltimore was 0-4 last season in games decided by 5 points or fewer, and overall, under Harbaugh, the Ravens were 45-61 in such games since 2008. Last season, Baltimore finished 24th in total defense, 30th in passing defense, 18th in scoring defense, 30th in total sacks, 18th in total turnovers, and 22nd in turnover differential. The 30 sacks were only three more than the franchise record for fewest in a single season (27 in 16 games in 2010). That'll change in 2026 and going forward. Baltimore now has a closer, and even more impressive, Hendricks has 61 sacks in 72 games since 2021, while owning a 17.1% pressure rate compared to Crosby's 14.1. Now, Baltimore will look to find Hendrickson a comparable running mate between now and the draft, or roll with Mike Green.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Eight key questions for Ravens as off-season workouts begin
Continue reading...
The training programs are divided into three phases: one mandatory minicamp for the entire roster and one rookie minicamp for each group. Baltimore has a new head coach and staff, allowing for the Ravens to begin off-season activities ahead of the league-defined date.
Phase One consists of the first two weeks of the program, with activities limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only.
Phase Two consists of the next three weeks of the program and features on-field workouts that may include individual or group instruction.
Phase Three consists of the next four weeks of the program, during which teams may conduct 10 days of organized team practice, or "OTAs." No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are allowed.
From roster battles to positional uncertainty and player development, here are the eight biggest questions shaping Baltimore's path toward OTAs and training camp.
Will Lamar Jackson show up
Jesse Minter said he's unsure how much Lamar Jackson will participate in the Baltimore Ravens voluntary offseason program, though the quarterback is excited about the upcoming workouts. The first-year head coach made the startling revelation during his media session at the NFL owners' meetings in Phoenix, Arizona. Baltimore has a new head coach in Minter, a new offensive coordinator, and a new system with first-year playcaller Declan Doyle, making Jackson's potential absence even more concerning. Jackson has been known to skip most voluntary workouts during his eight-year NFL career, with the MVP quarterback missing eight of the nine on-field practices before mandatory minicamp last spring. It's an important year for Jackson, who missed four games last season and finished with 2,549 yards, 21 TDs, 7 INTs, and a 103.8 passer rating (No. 4 in NFL). His 8.1 net yards per pass attempt tied for the NFL's third-highest rate. Now, it'll be on Doyle (OC) to truly unlock Jackson's potential.
What does year 1 with Declan Doyle at OC look like for the Ravens
Ravens' new OC Declan Doyle, 29, takes the reins of a high-powered offense. Before joining Denver, Doyle worked as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints from 2019 to 2022. During his four seasons with the Saints, the team compiled a 41-25 (.621) record, earning NFC South Division titles in his first two years. Doyle was part of an offense that saw eight players selected for 12 Pro Bowls over those four seasons. Doyle will now be handed the keys to the Ravens offense, which has a two-time MVP at quarterback, an NFL rushing champ at running back, a two-time Pro Bowl pass catcher in Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Devontez Walker, and tight end Mark Andrews, among others. Doyle has already taken the first steps toward developing a relationship with the star quarterback and two-time MVP.
Is Derrick Henry still the main focus
Henry is a future Hall of Famer who is also 32 and set to begin his first year under a new, revamped coaching staff and offensive system. In his first season with Baltimore, Henry led all running backs in rushing TDs (16) and nearly had another 2,000-yard season, finishing with 1,921 yards. Last season, Henry logged 1,595 and 16 more touchdowns. Overall, Henry has 3,516 yards and 32 rushing touchdowns in his first two seasons in Baltimore. How long will the former Alabama star be the focal point of a revamped offense?
Will Ravens pick up Zay Flowers' fifth-year option
Flowers set career highs in receiving yards (1,211 - 7th in NFL, 2nd in franchise history) and catches (86 - 11th in NFL). He became the third player in franchise history with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
Because Flowers is a two-time Pro Bowler, his fifth-year option is $27,298,000
Flowers is the biggest star of the group, logging back-to-back Pro Bowls.
NFL Draft
The Baltimore Ravens could be trending toward selecting offensive line help early, with multiple reports pointing to interior protection at the offensive guard position as a top priority. The Ravens have needs at wide receiver, edge rush, and potentially cornerback.
Who replaces Tyler Linderbaum?
With three-time Pro Bowl Tyler Linderbaum in Las Vegas as the highest-paid center in NFL history, the Ravens could choose to draft a center. Former Maryland star and undrafted free agent Corey Bullock could be a player to watch, while Jovaughn Gwyn offers positional versatility, and Danny Pinter is a reserve who could compete for a starting spot.
Will Baltimore upgrade at the wide receiver position?
Does Baltimore have enough at wide receiver, or are there moves to be made? Star running back Derrick Henry has spent the past two days recruiting Eagles' wide receiver A.J. Brown to Baltimore, but that ship has sailed. Flowers is the most impactful player logging back-to-back Pro Bowls after accounting for 85 catches, 1,211 yards, and five touchdowns. Still, the lack of development and opportunities for Devontez Walker and LaJohntay Wester will be something the new coach will need to watch.
Rashod Bateman is the wild card after having a down year and even missing the AFC North title game due to illness. After a career year in 2024, Bateman finished with 13 games played, 12 starts, 38 targets, 19 receptions, 224 yards receiving, and two touchdowns. Could Baltimore use its first-round pick on a top pass catcher?
Trey Hendrickson is the big man on campus
Baltimore was 0-4 last season in games decided by 5 points or fewer, and overall, under Harbaugh, the Ravens were 45-61 in such games since 2008. Last season, Baltimore finished 24th in total defense, 30th in passing defense, 18th in scoring defense, 30th in total sacks, 18th in total turnovers, and 22nd in turnover differential. The 30 sacks were only three more than the franchise record for fewest in a single season (27 in 16 games in 2010). That'll change in 2026 and going forward. Baltimore now has a closer, and even more impressive, Hendricks has 61 sacks in 72 games since 2021, while owning a 17.1% pressure rate compared to Crosby's 14.1. Now, Baltimore will look to find Hendrickson a comparable running mate between now and the draft, or roll with Mike Green.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Eight key questions for Ravens as off-season workouts begin
Continue reading...
