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 Off-Season Acquisitions
The Ravens had two significant offseason acquisitions via free agency in the offseason. One came on offense, and the other on defense.
DeAndre Hopkins of Central, South Carolina signed a one-year deal worth $5 million with the Ravens on March 15. The five-time Pro Bowler is joining his fifth NFL franchise after seven seasons in Houston (2013 to 2019), three seasons in Arizona (2020 to 2022), two seasons in Tennessee (2023 and 2024) and one season in Kansas City (2024).
This past season, Hopkins had 56 catches for 610 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Hopkins was selected to the Pro Bowl four times with the Texans (2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019), and once with the Cardinals (2020). In 2017 with the Texans, Hopkins led the NFL in receiving touchdowns with 13.
Then on June 18, the Ravens signed Jaire Alexander of Charlotte, North Carolina to a one-year deal worth $4 million. He had spent the last seven seasons in Green Bay and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2022. In 2024, Alexander had 16 combined tackles (15 solo tackles and one assisted tackle), two interceptions for 52 yards and one pick six, seven pass deflections and one fumble recovery. The assisted tackle and 35-yard interception return for a touchdown came in a 30-14 Packers win over the Tennessee Titans on September 22, and the fumble recovery came in a 34-13 Packers win over the Arizona Cardinals on October 13.
Top Fantasy Stars
Lamar Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP and 2023 NFL MVP is the top rated quarterback in fantasy. This past season the native of Pompano Beach, Saskatchewan, led the NFL in rushing yards per attempt (6.6), and rushing yards among quarterbacks (915). Jackson also completed 316 passes in 476 attempts for 4172 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also had four rushing touchdowns.
The second ranked running back is Derrick Henry of Yulee, Florida. Henry was only behind Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles. This past season he had 325 rushes for 1921 rushing yards, and 16 rushing touchdowns, as well as 19 catches for 193 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The first touchdown catch was for five yards from Jackson in a 35-10 Ravens win over the Bills on September 29, and the second touchdown catch was for 13 yards in a 41-31 Ravens win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 21.
At tight end, the fifth best fantasy player is Mark Andrews of Scottsdale, Arizona. Andrews had 55 catches for 673 receiving yards, and a career high 11 touchdown catches, despite struggling in the playoffs.
On defense, the Ravens are ranked ninth overall. Last year, they were great stopping the run (gave up a NFL least 1361 rushing yards), but were awful stopping the pass (gave up 4468 yards, the second most in the NFL). That is why the Ravens brought in Alexander, to solidify the secondary.
Projected Finish
The Ravens have two exceptional offensive weapons in Henry and Jackson. If the team stays healthy, they will once again be in a conversation for a Super Bowl Championship, and will battle the Bills, Bengals and Chiefs to get to represent the AFC. I am picking Baltimore to win the AFC North.
