Category: Ravens OTAs

Why rookie WR Devontez Walker could be the biggest sleeper for the Ravens

Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker has the ideal frame to compete at the NFL level. 

At six-foot-two-inches and 200 pounds, Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker has the ideal frame to compete at the NFL level. 

In a recent sit down with team media, Walker revealed that he had been running reps with the first-string at OTA’s. Is offensive coordinator Todd Monken sold on Walker’s upside?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8ruqryO2IS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Walker’s physicality can mesh well with teammate wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers, who are more of the speed guys.

Walker’s highlight reels from the University of North Carolina are filled with high-point catches and touchdown receptions from rookie Drake Maye.

Perhaps Walker can be a red zone threat in Monken’s scheme, a serviceable run blocker, or a decoy deep threat for Flowers on underneath routes. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8fAjDHOInc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Although the Ravens seemed to take a step back by losing key players on their roster, they’ve done diligence to add youthful talent to a franchise full of locker-room camaraderie.

Ravens RB Justice Hill is still a vital component for offensive coordinator Todd Monken

The Baltimore Ravens have Derrick Henry but hat doesn’t mean Justice Hill won’t be a vital component to the offense this season.

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill produced four touchdowns under offensive coordinator Todd Monken last season. How will Monken deploy Hill with all-pro Derrick Henry now on the roster this season?

Monken will likely defer to quarterback Lamar Jackson when Henry isn’t getting his expected high-volume carries. However, that doesn’t mean Hill won’t be a vital component to the Ravens on offense.

Hill can be used deceptively in 21 personnel, operating as a pass catcher on short routes and screenplays. Moreover, Hill may be the best option for the Ravens on third down, especially in obvious passing situations.

Too fast for most opposing defensive linebackers, Hill will only improve by getting reps in training camp behind Henry. He’ll also be sharpened by lining up versus all-pro linebacker Roquan Smith.

Having played under numerous offensive coordinators, Hill will get a 2nd straight season with Monken, a coach well aware of his attributes. At age 26, Hill understands his role and is enthusiastic about a chance to get back to it this fall.

WATCH: Ravens reveal new alternate ‘Purple Rising’ helmet for 2024

The Baltimore Ravens will wear an alternate ‘Purple Rising’ helmet for one game next season, and the new design was revealed on Tuesday.

The Ravens have joined the alternate jersey craze and added a sparkling new helmet to their colorways for the 2024 season.

Baltimore will wear an alternate ‘Purple Rising’ helmet for one game next season, and the new design was revealed on Tuesday morning to praise and excitement from fans and players alike.

Ravens’ Justin Tucker hitting the weight room hard to prepare for new kickoff rule

Justin Tucker went to say that he isn’t exactly what most people think of when it comes to the concepts of being “shredded” or “swole.”

Justin Tucker is more than just the most accurate placekicker in history. And while he’s also an accomplished opera singer, who can can belt out a tune in seven different languages, he’s also a very engaging interview subject.

And this season, you might be able to add tackling machine to his CV.

The NFL has approved a new kickoff rule, one appropriated from the XFL, which will require placekickers to potentially be the last line of defense against kickoff return touchdowns.

While PKs will continue kicking off from their own 35, the other 10 players on the kicking team will line up at the receiving team’s 40, just 5 yards away from the first wave of the return team.

In other words, we’re going to see more tackles from kickers this upcoming season.

Tucker was asked, during the media session at today’s OTAs, whether he plans to bulk up for this.

“I have put on, like, 3.8 pounds,” he hilariously responded.

“Can you guys tell? Probably not. But yeah, I’ll leave it at that.”

Tucker went to say that he isn’t exactly what most people think of when it comes to the concepts of being “shredded” or “swole.”

“This might be really surprising to a lot of you guys and a lot of my teammates because I don’t hang out in the weight room too frequently,” he continued.

“Now I got to get some more shrugs, get the traps going a little bit, just to make sure I’m prepared for a little bit more contact.”

While Tucker isn’t exactly the embodiment of “beast mode” or “jacked,” he has made eight tackles over the course of his career; the last of which came towards the end of the 2022 season.

Perhaps you’ll be seeing footage of him in the weight room this season, and in that footage he’ll stacking plate like IHOP as he builds his own personal fortress of swolitude.

“I don’t think (tackling opposing ballcarriers is) necessarily something that is encouraged (for kickers), but it’s not discouraged either,” he said.

“It kind of just comes with a territory. It’s a football play.

“We’re all football players out there, and ultimately if a returner is beelining toward the end zone and I’m the last guy there to stop him, it is part of my job description.”

Given that more tackling could be required of Tucker this season, he might be doing some tackling drills (for the first time since high school) at training camp next month.

“It’ll probably be really bad TV, but we’ll have fun doing it,” he added.

Indeed, you know what they say: “sun’s out, guns out.”

Lamar Jackson returns to Under Armour Performance Center for Ravens 8th OTA practice

Lamar Jackson participated in Baltimore Ravens 8th OTA practice

After a week of questions about his commitment to the Ravens and Derrick Henry, MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson returned to the Under Armour Performance Center to participate in the Ravens’ eighth OTA practice of the summer.

Jackson is coming off the best season of his career, with highs in passing yards and completion percentage. He led the Ravens to the NFL’s best record during the regular season and within a game of the Super Bowl while being named league MVP for the second time in six years.

He also enjoyed his spring and early summer. Jackson played in a solid league when he traveled to Germany for an autograph session in Munich. While in town, he took the pitch at FC Bayern’s facilities and scored a goal. He attended NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600. According to a post on his Instagram, he also spent time in Los Angeles last week after attending the Preakness.

Report: Ravens’ MVP QB Lamar Jackson will forfeit $750K in workout bonuses

Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson will miss out on $750,000 in workout bonuses after missing OTAs and off-season workouts

Lamar Jackson held his ground and earned a massive new $260 million contract extension last off-season that included multiple bonuses and incentives.

According to a report from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Ravens star quarterback has been absent for most of Organized Team Activities, and it has cost him $750,000 in workout bonuses.

Florio reports that Jackson had to participate in 80% of offseason workouts to earn the $750,000 bonus.

According to Over The Cap, Jackson has identical setups in 2025, 2026, and 2027.

The two-time MVP has slimmed down this offseason, and if he can duplicate his 2023 campaign, then the lost wages will be for naught.

Watch: Ravens RB Derrick Henry running drills goes viral

Here you can see Derrick Henry showcasing his speed by running a straight vertical passing route, but here’s the kicker, it’s all uphill!

How big is the appetite for pro football right now? Well, videos of players simply doing drills and running basic routes in training sessions are currently drawing thousands of views.

Combine this factor with the excitement and anticipation of the Derrick Henry signing, and you have the perfect formula for viral videos.

This clip, with 340,000 views and counting, was originally posted as an Instagram story by strength and speed coach Anthony Jamal Billings. It was picked up by B/R Football and then took off on X (formerly Twitter).

Here, you can see Henry showcasing his speed by running a straight vertical passing route, but here’s the kicker: It’s all uphill!

Henry ran the route just behind the end zone of Gerald J. Ford Stadium, in Ft. Worth Texas, home of the SMU Mustangs.

Watching Henry do basic footwork drills and running back exercises at Organized Team Activities is enough to draw a big audience these days.

From the start of OTAs, this clip below is garnering thousands of views as well.

You also have Ravens fan accounts flashing back to some of The King’s biggest and best highlights, with it dreaming of the days when he’ll be doing this in purple and black.

So if you’re ultra-thirsty for football, just remember this- it will be here before you know it.

As of Wednesday, it is just 99 days to the season opener.

Rashod Bateman preparing for breakout season after surprise contract extension

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman preparing for breakout season after surprise contract extension

After rumors about his fifth-year option or a potential trade, Rashod Bateman received a vote of confidence from head coach John Harbaugh and a new multi-year contract extension that proves the Ravens’ dedication to the former All-American wide receiver.

Following a recent OTA practice, Bateman discussed the organization’s faith in the pass catcher.

“I didn’t know if I was going to be here, [get] traded or anything. That extension definitely came out of nowhere,” Bateman said after Tuesday’s OTAs practice.

“I’m blessed, for sure. I did not see them doing that, but it shows that they believe in my work, my ethic, [and] the team believes in me. I love playing here. I love this organization. I love the fans. I feel like I still have a lot to do, so it was a no-brainer for me, for sure.”

Bateman’s first three NFL seasons have been marred by injury, as the talented wideout suffered a hernia and foot injuries that cost him 16 games his first two seasons.

Bateman has averaged 389 receiving yards per season and scored four touchdowns, but could be headed for a breakout campaign with Derrick Henry on the roster to ensure tons of eight-man fronts.

Ravens move former QB Malik Cunningham to wide receiver

Malik Cunningham has now officially undergone a position switch.

This past December, the Baltimore Ravens signed quarterback Malik Cunningham off the New England Patriots practice squad, reuniting him with his college teammate Lamar Jackson.

It was assumed that Cunningham was acquired to compete with rookie Devin Leary for the third-string quarterback position behind Jackson and Josh Johnson. That will not be the case, as Cunningham has now officially undergone a position switch.

As Ryan Mink wrote on the official website’s OTA notes: “Cunningham is now listed as a wide receiver on Baltimore’s roster.”

So that means Jackson will now throw passes to the man who succeeded him as Louisville’s starting quarterback. And where could Cunningham fit in on the depth chart at WR?

In Baltimore’s base 3-WR, 1-TE set, Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor are your likely starters.

Devontez Walker, Deonte Harty, and Tylan Wallace probably rounded out the two deep. After that, everything is kind of up for grabs. Cunningham could impress enough to earn a position on the third string line, although a recent signee from rookie mini-camp Qadir Ismail (son of “the missile” Qadry Ismail) is probably thinking the same.

Both will also compete with Tayvion Robinson, Sean Ryan Dayton Wade, and Isaiah Washington.

Ravens Sign WR Qadir Ismail, son of Qadry Ismail after he impressed at rookie minicamp

Baltimore Ravens Sign WR Qadir Ismail, Son of Super Bowl XXXV Champion Qadry Ismail ahead of OTAs

The Ravens are looking for wide receiver depth, and a familiar name has been signed to the roster after impressing at the rookie minicamp.

Qadry Ismail’s son Qadir was recently invited to tryout at the Ravens rookie minicamp, and he’s been signed to a deal on the first day of OTAs.

Ismail spent his first four seasons at Villanova where he played quarterback and receiver. as a freshman in 2018, Ismail played in three games, starting one contest at quarterback, where he completed 11-of-29 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown. In 2021 he moved to wide receiver and played in nine games, catching 11 passes for 181 yards on the season.

During the 2022 season at Samford, Ismail appeared in three games for the Southern Conference Champions… Heaught three passes for 21 yards. During his final season at Samford, Ismail had 11 catches for 114 yards.

His father Quadry, started at Syracuse, where he played football and ran track. Ismail was an All-American selection as a kick returner in 1991, and a first team All-Big East selection as a wide receiver and kickoff returner, and a second team all-Big East selection as wide receiver.

With the Ravens, Ismail’s best season came in 1999 when he led the team with 68 catches, 1,105 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, including career-high 258 yards in one game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ismail was a key member of the Ravens 2000 Super Bowl team.