In the third of a 32-part series, we are featuring all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Here are the Baltimore Ravens.
Key Offseason Acquisition
You can make the argument that the Baltimore Ravens have the best running quarterback in the National Football League in two-time MVP Lamar Jackson of Pompano Beach, Florida. Now the Ravens have one of the best running backs on their roster in Derrick Henry of Yulee, Florida after signing him to a two-year deal worth $16 million. Twice Henry has led the NFL in rushing yards while with the Tennessee Titans (1540 in 2019, and 2027 in 2020). In both of those seasons, Henry also led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (16 in 2019 and 17 in 2020).
Henry was selected to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in his career in 2023 with the Titans. He had 280 carries for 1167 rushing yards, and 12 rushing touchdowns, along with 28 catches for 214 receiving yards. Henry led the NFL with 280 carries this past season. Don’t expect the same number of carries with the Ravens as Jackson is there to run the ball too.
Fantasy Stars
Jackson is the fourth ranked quarterback in the 2024 NFL season. Last season in being named NFL MVP, he completed 307 passes in 457 attempts for 3679 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions, along with 148 rushes for 821 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
Henry meanwhile is projected to be only the ninth top running back. Remember, he was a top-three back the last few seasons in Tennessee.
Mark Andrews of Scottsdale, Arizona is the second ranked tight end, only behind Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs. Andrews had 45 catches for 544 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2023. However, remember, he only played 10 games due to an ankle injury.
At kicker, Justin Tucker of Houston, Texas is ranked number one. Last season, he made 32 of 37 field goals, and 51 of 52 converts.
At defense, the Ravens are ranked second behind the Dallas Cowboys. Those developing the projections obviously did not see Dallas’s awful wildcard loss to the Green Bay Packers, where they were beaten handily, 48-32.
Projected Finish
Due to the fact the Ravens have superstars at every NFL fantasy position except wide receiver, they are the dominant favourite to win the AFC North. In fact, they should be in the conversation with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers for the Super Bowl.
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