Soccer fireworks: 5 NFL groups that might be extra explosive in 2023

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA At this time

Baltimore Ravens

Amid a rash of accidents that at completely different factors claimed former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, left sort out Ronnie Stanley and prime operating again JK Dobbins, amongst others, Baltimore’s offense bottomed out, posting its worst per-game averages for whole offense (338.8 yards) and scoring (20.6 factors) in six years. Past that, nevertheless, have been troubling indicators for Greg Roman’s stodgy assault. Whereas Jackson’s absence within the closing 5 weeks of the season left the unit in survival mode, the Ravens nonetheless completed second solely to the Giants with 33 cross performs of 20-plus yards on the yr.

However with Todd Monken taking up as offensive coordinator after Roman’s resignation, a sea change appears to be forward for this group. The plodding tempo of earlier years is ready to get replaced by a way more up-tempo method. Jackson has stated to anticipate “much less operating and extra throwing” from him, a smart recalibration after the offseason funding made in overhauling the receiving corps. In bringing on Odell Beckham Jr., first-round decide Zay Flowers and Nelson Agholor to hitch three-time Professional Bowl tight finish Mark Andrews and former first-round receiver Rashod Bateman, the Ravens have given Jackson what simply can be his most proficient supporting forged.

The precise form of Monken’s offense stays to be decided, as he has confirmed extremely adaptable to the out there expertise in his earlier NFL stops with the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in addition to the final three years at Georgia. Given what Beckham and Flowers can create after the catch, the unit may not must rely merely on deep passing with the intention to decide up yardage in huge chunks. It doesn’t matter what the ultimate product is, it must be much more electrical than what the franchise has supplied up in the previous few years.

10 Questions: Will Lamar Jackson Thrive in Todd Monken’s Offense?

Clifton Brown, BaltimoreRavens.com

Some issues should nonetheless be confirmed.

Jackson has longed for an offense that might permit him extra freedom to make adjustments on the line of scrimmage and to cross extra aggressively downfield. Now he has it, and the onus is on him to flourish in it.

Jackson should be extra constant capitalizing on deep throws when his targets achieve a bonus.

If Jackson adjustments extra protections and adjusts extra routes on the line of scrimmage, he’ll even have extra duty to get the Ravens into the precise appears. In the meantime, the Ravens haven’t had all of their anticipated starters working towards collectively but, and studying the offense remains to be a piece in progress. Will the Ravens be in sync with the brand new offensive system by Week 1 and catch opponents off guard as they did in 2019? Or will there be rising pains that value them early within the season?

It’s a problem that Jackson is trying ahead to. He discovered his consolation degree shortly when the Ravens modified offensive coordinators in 2019 and plans to do the identical with Monken.

“G-Ro [Greg Roman]’s offense, it didn’t take that lengthy,” Jackson stated. “I imagine 2019, that’s when he received the OC job, and I really feel like we went 14-2. The sky [is] the restrict with this offense. We’re going to see.”

Rating the Ravens’ undrafted rookies: Who’s almost certainly to make the workforce?

Jonas Shaffer, The Baltimore Banner

1. RB Keaton Mitchell

Mitchell was thought of a top-200 prospect popping out of East Carolina, in line with Professional Soccer Community’s consensus huge board. His speeding manufacturing improved over every of his three years with the Pirates, from 443 yards (5.0 per carry) as a real freshman to 1,132 yards (6.5 per carry) as a sophomore to 1,452 yards (7.2 per carry) final yr. He additionally had over 250 yards receiving every of the previous two seasons.

The 5-foot-8, 191-pound Mitchell makes up for his smaller stature with breakaway pace. His 40-yard-dash time (4.37 seconds) and broad soar rank within the ninety fifth and 91st percentiles, respectively, amongst operating again prospects. Based on Professional Soccer Focus, Mitchell had the second-best explosive-run price of his draft class, gaining at the very least 10 yards on 20.5% of carries over his profession. His acceleration stood out throughout organized workforce actions and obligatory minicamp.

In Baltimore, Mitchell will enter coaching camp behind a well-established prime three. However J.Okay. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill all confronted season-ending accidents in 2021, and neither Dobbins nor Edwards was at full energy final yr or earlier this offseason. Given the churn on the place, Mitchell might discover a place within the Ravens’ long-term plans with a standout preseason.

Ravens mailbag, half 1: Roster holes, breakout candidates, D-line depth

Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic

Who’re some darkish horse candidates to make the 53, and who’re some guys from the 53 final yr who stand to lose their spot this yr? — Jay R.

Do they add an outdoor linebacker within the subsequent 5 – 6 weeks? In the event that they don’t, I’d embody Malik Hamm, an undrafted rookie out of Lafayette, as a possible darkish horse. Hamm was a extremely productive participant within the Patriot League with 32 profession sacks and 50 tackles for loss. He was noticeable within the minicamps. Undrafted rookie operating again Keaton Mitchell has gotten quantity of consideration, so I’m undecided he’s a darkish horse. I do suppose there’s a gap for him to make the roster if he has an enormous summer time. Trayvon Mullen, the 2019 second-round decide of the Raiders, additionally has an opportunity to stay, however the odds will get longer if the Ravens add a veteran nook within the coming weeks. As for the opposite a part of the query, until there are accidents in entrance of them, James Proche II and Tylan Wallace could be competing for only one spot. It’s additionally exhausting to think about there’s room for multiple of Kristian Welch, Del’Shawn Phillips and Josh Ross at inside linebacker, particularly with the new particular groups guidelines.