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In recent seasons, the Baltimore Ravens have seen a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type of offense. The consistency and identity have not been there, but they have shown flashes of brilliance occasionally. They also have a couple of questions about their quarterback and receiver situations.
Will they find consistency with their offense?
In 2016, the Ravens were ranked 21st in points scored (343). They would bounce back with 395 points scored in 2017, ranking ninth in the NFL. The issue comes with their total yardage. Baltimore had the 17th-best yardage in 2016 with 5,563 total yards. They would see that number drop to 4,886 yards in 2017, ranking 27th in the NFL.
Although they saw one more win in 2017, finishing 9-7, Baltimore’s offense will have to be better to make the playoffs in 2018. With the changes that the team made during the offseason with cuts, signings and the draft, the team is obviously attempting to change the fate of their offense.
Who will be Baltimore’s starting quarterback in Week 1?
There isn’t a quarterback controversy as of right now. Though Lamar Jackson was drafted as the future starter of the team, Joe Flacco has had one of the strongest minicamps of his career. Flacco, barring injury, will be the starter in Week 1. If Flacco begins to struggle, Baltimore may decide to plug in their first-round selection.
As of right now, Jackson could be used in a number of packages to get the ball in hands. Robert Griffin III is also on the roster and could be Flacco’s backup. Baltimore could carry three quarterbacks for the first time since 2008, when they opened the season with Flacco, Kyle Boller and Troy Smith on the roster.
Which receivers will make the club?
Baltimore signed Michael Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead during the offseason. They also drafted receivers Jaleel Scott and Jordan Lasley in the fourth and fifth rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft. The aforementioned five receivers are almost locks to make the roster if they are all healthy. There is a question about who else will make up the Ravens receiving corps.
Chris Moore and Breshad Perriman are the other veteran receivers on the roster. Although Perriman was drafted in the first round in 2015, it’s safe to say that his career has been a disappointment so far. He missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury and has had 101 catches for 576 receiving yards and just three touchdowns in two seasons.
Moore has increased his value as a receiver after finishing with 18 receptions for 248 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2017. He also provides value as a kick returner, where he had 13 returns for 346 yards (26.6 yards per return).
Baltimore also has Tim White, DeVier Posey, Quincy Adeboyejo, Janarion Grant, Jaleon Acklin and Andre Levrone. Outside of their top five receivers, there is a possibility that Baltimore will carry a sixth. That sixth receiver will have to stand out in special teams, either on punt or kick returns.
All three questions will need to be answered before the season begins. As for running back, it seems as if they are set for the time being with Alex Collins, Javorius Allen and Kenneth Dixon.