OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens will open 2023 training camp with veterans reporting Tuesday, July 25 at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills. Here’s a closer look at a few storylines:
Biggest question: Will Lamar Jackson return to MVP form with a new deal, a new OC and more WR weapons?
The Ravens have given their franchise quarterback pretty much everything he wanted this offseason -- a huge new contract, new wide receivers and a new offensive coordinator. Now, it’s up to Jackson to live up to the expectations of being the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback at $52 million per season.
There have been increasing questions about Jackson, from his durability to his ability to pass the ball. Over the last two seasons, he’s missed a total of 11 games (including playoffs) and he’s thrown 33 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions. Now, Baltimore has put Jackson in the best position possible by providing a more pass-friendly offense under new coordinator Todd Monken and adding more targets on the outside with Odell Beckham Jr. and first-round pick Zay Flowers.
Most compelling position battle: Backup QB.
The most talked about position battle is left guard, and Baltimore will have to decide whether John Simpson, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Daniel Faalele or Patrick Mekari will fill the void left by Ben Powers, who signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos. But the more interesting competition is the primary backup to Jackson. Tyler Huntley has been the top backup the last two seasons, but the Ravens looked to upgrade this offseason when they talked with Baker Mayfield, Jacoby Brissett and Taylor Heinicke.
Baltimore eventually brought in Josh Johnson, who has a legitimate shot to win the job. Johnson has more experience and costs $1.5 million less. This is an important role for Baltimore. In Jackson’s four full seasons as a starter, the Ravens’ backup quarterbacks have totaled 12 starts.
Fiercest fantasy-relevant battle: No. 1 wide receiver.
There’s no question tight end Mark Andrews will remain Jackson’s favorite target. But it’s really up in the air when trying to figure out Jackson’s go-to wide receiver. Top free agent signing Beckham, Flowers and former first-rounder Rashod Bateman all could end up being Baltimore’s No. 1 wide receiver.
Beckham has the best track record. Flowers has the most upside. Bateman has the most experience with Jackson, although it’s just 13 games together. The other question is whether Jackson will utilize his wide receivers. Since 2019, he has completed 458 passes to wide receivers (25th in the NFL) and 48 TD passes to them (16th in the league).
Breakout player to watch: David Ojabo, OLB
He was the steal of the Ravens’ 2022 draft after a torn Achilles on his pro day caused him to slide to the second round. Ojabo was limited to 21 snaps last year because of his recovery and a lack of opportunity due to veterans Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul, but he still managed a strip sack of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
This offseason, Ojabo has bulked up by adding 10 pounds of muscle and said he feels “more explosive” than he did before the injury. He’s been the Ravens’ best defensive player in the spring, constantly disrupting plays in the backfield. Ojabo was unsuccessful in getting Terrell Suggs’ No. 55 jersey number, but he could become the first Ravens player since Suggs in 2017 to record double-digit sacks in a season.