The season is approaching. The DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, Baltimore Ravens 2024. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
AFC finalist in 2023, the Ravens have finally confirmed the hopes placed in them for several seasons, by positioning themselves as the dolphins of the all-powerful Chiefs. Led by a Lamar Jackson MVP for the second time, and an iron defense, this team lacks little to break the glass ceiling.
Already irresistible on the ground, they have also added Derrick Henry to carry the leather. A real hell for the defenses that will have to cross their path in 2024. Enough to cross the last step and lift the Lombardi Trophy for the 3rd time?
Last season: 13 wins – 4 losses, AFC North champion
Off-season moves
Notable Arrivals: Derrick Henry (RB), Eddie Jackson (S), Russell Gage (WR), Josh Jones (OT)
Re-signings: Justin Madubuike (DL), Nelson Agholor (WR)
Draft: Nate Wiggins (CB), Roger Rosengarten (OT), Adisa Isaac (OLB), Devontez Walker (WR), TJ Tampa (CB), Rasheen Ali (RB), Devin Leary (QB), Nick Samac (C), Sanoussi Kane (S)
Notable losses: Patrick Queen (LB), Odell Beckham (WR), Jadeveon Clowney (Edge), Geno Stone (S), Kevin Zeitler (OL), Rock Ya-Sin (CB), JK Dobbins (RB), Gus Edwards ( RB), Devin Duvernay (WR), Morgan Moses (OT)
Among the most notable moves of the offseason, the arrival of Derrick Henry in Maryland is the most significant move for the Ravens. Revelation of last season, Justin Madubuike extended the adventure for 4 years.
Defensively, Baltimore lost some key pieces like Patrick Queen, Jadeveon Clowney and coordinator Mike McDonald. As is often the case, it will be internal development and the draft that will pick up the slack.
Ravens 2024 All-Star Team
Quarterback: Lamar Jackson – Running Back: Derrick Henry – Full Back: Patrick Ricard – Receivers: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman – Tight end: Mark Andrews – Offensive line: Ronnie Stanley, Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, Patrick Mekari, Daniel Faalele
Defensive Line: Justin Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Travis Jones – Edge: Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy – Linebackers Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson – Cornerbacks: Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins – Safety: Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams
The strong point(s)
What kind of running game do you get when you add the best running game in recent memory to the best running game in the NFL? Defensive coordinators in the AFC North, and more broadly across the NFL, must be tearing their hair out since the news broke that Derrick Henry was coming to Baltimore. Pairing the runner with Lamar Jackson gives the Ravens a two-headed eagle that will be terribly difficult to decipher.
There are franchises that have built their legend on flamboyant attacks. For the Ravens, success has been built on aggressive and solid defenses. And the tradition will continue: 1st on points conceded, 1st on turnovers. PMaking the Ravens default is anything but an easy task. Homogeneous on all lines, combining young stars and All Pro players, the roster is one of the most complete in the NFL. The loss of Mike McDonald, who was named coach of the Seahawks, should not cause a decline in performance.
The most reliable kicker in league history and the author of the longest kick, Justin Tucker is one of the few (the only!) kickers who can legitimately establish himself as a strong point on his team. We can no longer count the number of decisive field goals he has made at the end of games. An eight-time All Pro, he is still, at 34, an insurance policy at any distance.
The weak point(s)
While they are no longer the last in the class in the passing game, the Ravens remain in the 2nd half of the league in this area. And a tone below their main rivals in the conference. Despite the qualities affirmed by Jackson with his 2nd MVP title, the work remains vast. The fault lies with a group of receivers that is very limited on paper.
Despite reaching the conference finals for the first time since the 2012 season, Baltimore continues to suffer from a playoff deficit since the start of the Jackson era. With only 2 wins for 5 losses, John Harbaugh, like Jackson (editor's note: absent during the 2022 campaign), have a hard time finding the rhythm in elimination games. When you face ultra-rehearsed machines like Kansas City or, to a lesser extent, Buffalo or Cincinnati, the wall always seems too high.
Player to watch: Derrick Henry (RB)
The best runner of recent years, “King” Henry arrives in Baltimore with one goal: to win. Still author of more than 1,100 yards in 2023 and 12 touchdowns, the years have had little effect on the former Tennessee player for the moment. Even if he may no longer have 2,000 yards in his legs like in 2020, his association with Lamar Jackson will be one of the attractions of the year.
X Factor: The Receivers
Overpowering on the ground and solid in defense, the game in the air does not offer the same guarantees. If Lamar Jackson has proven that he has progressed in his passes and his readings, it is more the quality of his targets that raises questions. Zay Flowers had a promising rookie campaign but he remains quite isolated to make his quarterback shine alone.
His partner Rashod Bateman is still struggling to justify his selection in the first round in 2021. He has never done better than 515 yards and 2 touchdowns in a season. At 24 years old, there is still room for improvement and that is also why the franchise extended him for 3 seasons. He must finally move up a gear and become the possession receiver that the team and Jackson need.
Behind, the options are pretty slim. Between hoped-for progress for Tylan Wallace and an early hatch for Demontez Walker, the Ravens need the planets to align to finally take to the skies.
2024 Ravens Schedule
@Chiefs, Raiders, @Cowboys, Bills, @Bengals, Commanders, @Buccaneers, @Browns, Broncos, Bengals, @Steelers, @Chargers, Eagles, Bye, @Giants, Steelers, @Texans, Browns
The audio preview of the podcast
In summary
Built with the strengths of a team from another era, the Ravens stand out in the modern NFL. Focused mainly on the run and the brilliance of their quarterback, their attack was already stereotypical in previous seasons. The arrival of the best running back of recent years will only strengthen everything a little more for the ground.
Henry's addition is undeniably a first-rate addition. But it doesn't solve the long-identified deficiencies. Particularly in the air. While stopping this running game will certainly be an immense challenge, it also seems to be the only possible scheme for Baltimore. Win or lose by running.
