Fantasy Football Preview: Ravens vs. Dolphins

Tomorrow, the Ravens travel to Miami to take on Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins to open the 2019-20 season. Below is a breakdown all the viable fantasy options in this contest, as well as which players avoid and who can help you go home with a Week 1 victory.

Start of the week: Mark Ingram

Mark Ingram takes the field for his first game as a Raven and the teams unquestioned starter at running back. He should see plenty of work, making him a very solid option against the Dolphins. Miami’s opponents averaged 30.3 rushing attempts per game in 2018 and the Ravens figure to blow by that number, which should leave Ingram with somewhere around 18-20 touches - giving him a chance to finish the week as a RB1.

The Dolphins allowed 145.3 rushing yards per game in 2018 and following the losses of players like Cameron Wake, Robert Quinn, Kiko Alonso and Sylvester Williams, Miami is in complete rebuild mode and the running lanes should be plentiful. Baltimore was an ideal landing spot for Ingram with their power running scheme and expect to see this partnership pay dividends immediately.

SIT: Kenyan Drake & Kalen Ballage

Battling minor injuries, it looks like Kenyan Drake will be a go for Week 1 and should see the lion share of carries for the Dolphins. But, will it matter in a match up with a Baltimore defense that allowed only 3.52 yards per carry translating to 82.9 yards per game, which was fourth-best in the NFL last season? Will the Dolphins defense be able to support a game script which keeps the game close and doesn’t force the offense into throwing on every down? Will a depleted offensive line be able to create holes against a stout Ravens defensive line which features Brandon Williams and Michael Pierce?

I’m going to have to say NO for all these questions and I will also be saying NO to any shares of Dolphins’ running backs this week.

START: Mark Andrews

The Ravens have a stable of quality tight ends, making this position group quite murky in terms of fantasy. However, with new offensive coordinator Greg Roman and his willingness to heavily involve the position in the passing game, Mark Andrews carries some value as a back-end TE1. His chemistry with Lamar Jackson is undeniable and Roman will be looking to utilize that against a very weak linebacking core in Miami. Attacking them in the middle of the field which will also open some vertical looks which Andrews proved is a strength to his game.

Hayden Hurst and Nick Boyle figure to see some targets and with a heavy run script, the number of throws will be limited. Sill, expect Andrews to make the most of his per usual.

SIT: Miles Boykin & Marquise “Hollywood” Brown

The much-anticipated debut of the rookie receiving core will be on display Sunday in Miami, with all eyes on Boykin and Brown as they look to build a rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Before I’m inserting them into fantasy lineups, I will look to see how they respond in their first game action, as they will need to get their feet wet and adjust to the speed of an NFL game.

Speed is one attribute both receivers don’t lack, but with the likes of Xavien Howard, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Eric Rowe, the secondary projects to be the strong point for this Dolphins team and will prove to be a tough matchup for the rookies. The possibility of a big play is always there with these two but be patient with them and observe how they are used in a rotation with veterans Seth Roberts, Willie Snead and Chris Moore. The picture should become clearer following Week 1.

START: Albert Wilson

With fellow receiver DeVante Parker working the outside against the likes of Marlon Humphrey and Jimmy Smith, speedster Albert Wilson should benefit from an easier, albeit tough matchup with Brandon Carr in the slot. Carr is as reliable as they come but has struggled in recent years against fast receivers and will be adjusting to his new role, which should see him working full time out of the slot.

On 20 targets while covering the slot in 2018, he allowed 13 catches - resulting in 180 yards and a 93.8 QB rating. These numbers are cause for concern after Tavon Young suffered a season-ending injury. With the offensive line woes, lack of running potential and DeVante Parker seeing both Humphrey and Smith all night, Albert Wilson could carve out a decent role on Sunday and become the top option for Fitzpatrick.

START: Lamar Jackson

The hype surrounding Jackson is high and the Ravens could not ask for a better matchup to begin implementing their new offense and allow their young QB to build confidence. After a long offseason of criticism and doubt, both the Ravens and Jackson will be looking to silence the naysayers and send a message to the league that their offense is going to be one of the tougher to stop in the NFL.

This should be a run-heavy game script which is clearly an advantage for Jackson after he picked up at least 67 yards on the ground in six of his seven starts in 2018. While the attempts are expected to go down, don’t expect the fireworks to disappear, as Jackson is a threat to hit pay dirt every time he touches the ball - which also happens to be every snap they take on offense.