Baltimore Ravens: 2 Players That Have Stepped Up

There have been some positive signs for some young starters for the Baltimore Ravens even in their 2 losses so far. The 2 former first-rounders have had better starts to the year compared to previous seasons, making them breakout candidates for 2024.

Zay Flowers has increased his target share from his rookie season and Odafe Oweh could be in the midst of a career season in Baltimore. If this is stable throughout the year, the Ravens have two great ascending stars in the NFL.

Zay Flowers Emerging as the Top Target

Baltimore RavensPhoto byBrendan BealeonUnsplash

While the offense for the Baltimore Ravens of the past has often featured tight ends, Zay Flowers has started the season off even better than his record-breaking rookie year. Last year, the former first-rounder had 858 yards on 77 catches and 5 receiving touchdowns (with 1 rushing). In the first 2 weeks to start the season, Flowers has 13 catches on 21 targets, 128 yards, and 1 receiving touchdown.

Todd Monken's spamming him on wide receiver screens this year, for better or for worse. Somehow there are even more short targets and fewer downfield shots, so hopefully things will even out more to the mean with what we saw last year. Still, it is nice to see a wide receiver thriving for now on the Ravens as the top target getter even with tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.

Odafe Oweh On Pace for Career Season

Somehow, the Baltimore Ravens highly invested "top secondary" has been a liability for the last 2 weeks of the season. But the pass rush most of the time isn't the issue, as Odafe Oweh is leading the team with 2.5, ranking in the top 10 for sacks for all positions and teams. The 25-year-old has taken a step forward and is in line for a career season.

Career-wise, the former first-rounder has not had more than 5 sacks in a single season as mostly a part-time player. But now as a full-time starter, Oweh could eclipse double digits if he can stay healthy. A breakout season with a 5th-year option is a trend for pass rushers on the Ravens in Baltimore historically like Matthew Judon and Z'Darius Smith.

Final Thoughts

Although there are still many negatives to the start of the Baltimore Ravens season so far at 0-2, there are a few bright spots with their young players. Flowers has taken a step forward as a bonafide top wide receiver and has lived up to the hype as a first-round pick.

Another former first-rounder Oweh is now a key cog in their pass-rushing effort as a full-time starter and could have double-digit sacks for the first time. There is plenty of time to turn it around as a team while a few players step forward on the field.

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Article originally written by Andrew Kim