6 reasons for optimism as the Ravens enter training camp
The rookies have been on campus for three days now, and we're just hours away from veterans returning to the Under Armour Performance Center for the start of a critical training camp.
Baltimore is still in the midst of a Super Bowl window and boasts the NFL's most explosive offense, which is expected to improve with the continued maturation of Isaiah Likely and the addition of DeAndre Hopkins at the wide receiver position. The biggest questions surround the right guard spot and Justin Tucker's replacement at the kicker position.
On defense, Nnamdi Madubike will lead a revamped defensive front that will be anchored by a dynamic pass rush duo of Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy. It could become an athletic trio if rookie pass rusher Mike Green can hit the ground running. Zach Orr's defense improved down the stretch last season, and he'll have the best secondary in the NFL after Malaki Starks (draft) and Jaire Alexander (free agency) were added to the mix.
As the first practice is scheduled for Wednesday, we have six reasons to be optimistic about the 2025 season.
Lamar Jackson
Jackson nearly won his third MVP award last season, and offensive coordinator Todd Monken believes the best is yet to come for his All-Pro quarterback. Last season, the 28-year-old Jackson set career highs in touchdown passes (41), passing yards (4,172), and quarterback rating (119.6) while throwing just four interceptions. Still, he's yet to reach a Super Bowl, and the pressure continues to mount.
Derrick Henry
When all else fails and Baltimore has to face an elite secondary, Todd Monken's offense can always fall back on Henry at running back. In his first season with the Ravens, Henry rushed for 1,921 yards in 17 regular-season games and scored 16 touchdowns. He also added two scores through the air. Baltimore's success percentage last season, according to Next Gen Stats, was even better when eight or more defenders were near the line of scrimmage (50.9%), compared to a neutral defensive approach (43.4%). Of Henry's 16 rushing touchdowns last season, 14 came against a stacked box.
DeAndre Hopkins
Of the 70 wide receivers who've had 500 targets since 2013, Hopkins has the fifth-lowest drop rate at 1.6%. Last season, the Ravens' wide receivers ranked 30th in the NFL with a 5.1% drop rate. Lamar Jackson received a ton of criticism, but the addition of Hopkins gives the Ravens quarterback an elite and efficient red zone target when the urgency is at its highest.
Ravens' tight end duo
Baltimore has the luxury of employing two of the top ten tight ends in the NFL, with Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely providing the perfect yin and the yang for Lamar Jackson. Even with the rough ending in the playoffs, Andrews is still elite. In 2024, he recorded a career-best 11 touchdowns and 55 receptions. Likely recorded 126 receiving yards during the playoffs, and he had a career-best 42 catches for 477 yards and six touchdowns. Likely will play out the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, but Baltimore will have a decision to make.
Ravens secondary
Alexander has missed at least 10 games in three of his last four seasons, but he's still one of the best in the NFL when healthy. A secondary that consists of cornerbacks Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey, and Jaire Alexander, coupled with Starks and Kyle Hamilton, gives Baltimore arguably the NFL's most athletic and versatile group.
Ravens OC Todd Monken
The veteran offensive coordinator and Lamar Jackson have meshed well over their first two years together, but year three could provide an all-time, record-setting offensive performance in Baltimore. Monken is entering his third season coaching Jackson and expects the quarterback's growth to continue and reach another level as he enters the prime of his career. The Ravens' OC will be tasked with maintaining the NFL's most explosive rushing attack, while taking advantage of a passing offense that now includes DeAndre Hopkins to the wide receiver trio and two elite tight ends. Every offense Monken has commanded since 2021 has finished in the top 10 in total offense, with his title-winning team in 2022 and his first-year Lamar Jackson ranking in the top five.
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