Ravens Offseason
The Baltimore Ravens offseason has been a strange one, and you can look at a Baltimore Ravens preview without knowing where the organization is . Lamar Jackson still does not have an extension. Hollywood Brown was traded to Arizona and the team has not addressed the WR corps. Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale has moved on to the New York Jets. But it’s not all doom and gloom for the Ravens. They were by far the most injured team in the NFL last season. J.K. Dobbins is back after missing 2021 with an Achilles injury. Rashad Bateman came on in the last half of the season as the teams best wide receiver.. The draft went well with Safety Kyle Hamilton from Notre Dame and Center Tyler Linderbaum from Iowa in the 1st round. Hamilton and Linderbaum were considered as some of the most NFL ready players in the draft.
2021 Ended on IR
Before Lamar Jackson went down last season in week 14, the Ravens were 8-3 and the #1 seed in the AFC. I think the Ravens are poised for a big bounce back season now that the team is healthy. As previously mention, they were decimated by injuries in 2021. Typically teams don’t stack injury prone seasons back-to-back. They had 20 guys end their season on IR last year… 20!!! There’s no way that repeats itself.
Lamar’s Extension
The big question mark around the organization is the future of Lamar Jackson. It does not make sense why there isn’t an agreed extension yet. Jackson is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The other QB’s in his draft class, and even the class after, have been signing with their teams. The Ravens have said they would like to get a long term deal finalized, and he has said he wants to stay in Baltimore. He’s not holding out, or in, so he’s not a distraction to the team. However, he should want to get a deal done. It’s your Baltimore Ravens preview for 2022.
Schedule Breakdown
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9/11 @ New York Jets
9/18 vs. Miami Dolphins
9/25 @ New England Patriots
10/2 vs. Buffalo Bills
10/2 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
10/16 @ New York Giants
10/23 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
10/27 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Thursday Night Football)
11/7 @ New Orleans Saints (Monday Night Football)
11/13 BYE
11/20 vs. Carolina Panthers
11/27 @ Jacksonville Jaguars
12/4 vs. Denver Broncos
12/11 @ Pittsburgh Steelers
12/17 @ Cleveland Browns
12/24 vs. Atlanta Falcons
1/1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
1/8 @ Cincinnati BengalsWell this is clean. Starting with the 4 AFC East teams, they go 2-2 with a win vs. the Jets, splitting the Pats and Fins, and losing to Buffalo. Over the next 5 games, they’ll go 4-1 with wins against Cincinnati, the Giants, Browns and Saints with an L coming against the Bucs in a road Thursday night game. Coming out of the bye week is where the Ravens can go on a run. Panthers, jags, Broncos, Steelers, Browns, Falcons, Steelers and ending the season in Cincinnati. I see 6 wins at a minimum!
Record: 12-5
Key Additions
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S Marcus Williams (New Orleans Saints); 5-year/$70 million
RT Morgan Moses (New York Jets); 3-year/$15 million
CB Kyle Fuller (Denver Broncos); 1-year/$2.5 million
Fantasy Outlook
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LAMAR JACKSON! The guy is an absolute stud in fantasy. I have him as my QB5, and you should be targeting him in the 4th or 5th round. If he stays healthy for all 17 games he could be the reason you win your league this season. TE Mark Andrews is considered TE2 this season, and is the premier pass catcher in this offense and a huge red zone target. J.K. Dobbins is one of the running backs that will break out in 2022. Now, don’t go drafting him in the 1st round. That is no good. But, in the middle rounds when you’re looking for a back to fill out your roster with huge upside, Dobbins is your guy. I like Rashad Bateman, but not enough as a starter unless you’re in a deep league with multiple flex spots.
Best Case Scenario
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Beat the Bills in week 4 and establish the team as Super Bowl contenders. From a schedule stand point, there are only 2 games where they shouldn’t be the favorite; vs. Buffalo in week 4 and a road Thursday Night Football game.
Best Case: 14-3 (losses to Buffalo, Tampa Bay, and Cincinnati)
