With the 2021 NFL Draft over and the schedule officially being released, it’s time for my third annual 32 part series where the top three questions will be posed for each NFL team. Here are those three questions for the Baltimore Ravens.
Be sure to check out all of Heller’s Three Burning Questions.
How will Lamar Jackson Fare with his New Pass Catchers?
Last season, Ravens quarterback and the 2019 NFL MVP, Jackson finally got his elusive first playoff victory under his belt, after losing his first two, only to lose to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills the following week. Opposing defenses looked to finally figure out how to slow him down, just a bit. It helped that his pass catchers, outside of tight end Mark Andrews, weren’t much of a factor consistently enough to cause defenses to worry much about doubling anyone up.
The team addressed that with the signing of former Kansas City Chief, Sammy Watkins in free agency. They also drafted one of the top five receivers in the draft with their first-round pick, in Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman. These two, along with Marquise Brown and Andrews will keep defenses honest. Jackson will have another MVP caliber season. With added weapons at his disposal, his passing yards and touchdowns through the air will be impressive.
Will the Running Game be Successful Again?
The three-headed monster the Ravens had in the backfield last season, is now one short. Veteran and locker room leader Mark Ingram was one of the Ravens’ salary cap casualties this offseason. He is now in Houston. Ingram only started nine games last season and accumulated just 299 yards on the ground, but he served as a mentor to his fellow teammates, especially the running backs. Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, in his rookie season, both made the most of their opportunities. They combined for over 1,500 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, Edwards added 200 yards receiving as well. The duo should add to their output this season.
Who were the Biggest Additions?
Watkins and Bateman were solid moves for the Ravens. The signings of guard Kevin Zeitler and offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva are the biggest additions, given the way Jackson plays and the way the offense is set up. With a top-five defense returning fully intact from last season, the Ravens are as close to must-watch as there is in the NFL. So the offense has the luxury of taking chances offensively through the air behind a solid offensive line.
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