Miles Boykin – Page 6 – Syndication Server

NFLPA medical director suggests players shouldn’t work out together privately

NFLPA medical Director Dr. Thom Mayer has suggested an end to player workouts in the wake of a spate of new cases suffering from COVID-19.

The NFL has canceled in-person minicamps through June, forcing teams and players to continue their workouts virtually. Some players have begun working out together privately in order to prepare for the regular season. Sadly, as some players have tested positive for COVID-19, the NFLPA is cautioning against these joint workouts.

Last week, several NFL players tested positive for the coronavirus, including Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and Denver Broncos cornerback Kareem Jackson. With the number of athletes coming down with the virus increasing, NFLPA medical director Dr. Thom Mayer suggested putting a stop to players practicing together.

In his statement, Dr. Mayer wrote

Please be advised that it is our consensus medical opinion that in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases in certain states that no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts. Our goal is to have all players and your families as healthy as possible in the coming months. We are working on the best mitigation procedures at team facilities for both training camps and the upcoming season, and believe that it is in the best interest of all players that we advise against any voluntary joint practices before training camp commences.

The Ravens have seen several of their players hold joint practice sessions this month. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has worked out with Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin while Robert Griffin III has been training with James Proche and Devin Duvernay. No Baltimore players have knowingly gotten the virus to date, however.

Dr. Mayer’s statement is just a recommendation of course, and the players are all adults that can make their own decisions. But the recent cases are a clear sign that the virus has not yet gone away and could impact football beyond this offseason. The recent high-profile cases could lead to the NFL making changes to the protocols they had already set in place to allow teams to return to normal. Protocols Ravens coach John Harbaugh already had his doubts over.

“I’ve seen all the memos on that, and to be quite honest with you, it’s impossible what they’re asking us to do. Humanly impossible,” Harbaugh said on 105.7 The Fan’s “Inside Access.”

We are still a long way from the planned start of the regular season, but with player and personnel safety atop the list of priorities for the NFL and NFLPA, this is another blow towards the hopes of one of the top sports in the country, if not the world, being around on time.

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4 Ravens we’re most excited to see in 2020

We took a look ahead towards the 2020 NFL season and picked the players we’re most excited to see on the field.

Football continues to creep closer and closer as teams prepare for training camp. With the 2020 NFL regular season on the horizon, it has all of us here at Ravens Wire getting excited for football to return to our lives. With the season on our minds, we sat down and discussed which Baltimore Ravens players we’re most pumped to see when everyone hits the field again.

Though we all chose different players and with different reasons in mind, all of us chose young players that should be stepping up in 2020. Nearly all of us chose offensive players, which is fitting with the continued evolution of Baltimore’s offense and the development of quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Let’s get right into who we picked and why.

Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Matthew Stevens: WR Miles Boykin

I’m most excited to see Boykin this year, especially in training camp where he’ll be given more opportunities to showcase his talents. But from training camp through the preseason and into the regular season, I think Boykin could be an underrated breakout character for the Ravens.

With Seth Roberts leaving in free agency, Boykin is being set up to be Baltimore’s primary outside receiver as a counterpoint to Marquise Brown. While all the attention is rightfully on Brown thanks to his athleticism and speed, Boykin has plenty of speed himself as well as being a big-bodied target that should dominate in contested catches and the red zone as long as he puts it all together. While we might not see as many 80-plus yard receptions where Boykin just leaves everyone in the dust compared to Brown, he has the skillset to get open and punish would-be tacklers en route to big gains.

We saw some flashes of what Boykin can do last season. While comparisons are always tricky, Boykin has the makings of an Anquan Boldin type of player in the Ravens’ offense. It’s an underrated part of the Ravens’ offense right now but just like we saw with Boldin in town, it’s one that will help keep drives alive. For an offense that led the league in points scored last season, Boykin’s transformation into a solid outside receiver could make them practically undefendable.

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Ravens’ offense succeeding without breaking the bank

With much of their starting lineup still on rookie contracts, the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive success isn’t costing them very much.

The Baltimore Ravens’ offense led the NFL in scoring last season, while also breaking a 41-year old record for single-season rushing yards. Add that to the laundry list of personal achievements and records for MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and it displays just how impressive Baltimore’s offense was in 2019. But what’s even more impressive is the value the Ravens are getting from their offensive playmakers.

Despite all their accomplishments, Baltimore’s starting lineup of skill players is set to earn just $19.28 million against the salary cap this season.

Player	2020 cap hit
QB Lamar Jackson	$2.58 million
RB Mark Ingram	$5.33 million
WR Marquise Brown	$2.68 million
WR Miles Boykin	$889,232
TE Mark Andrews	$959,165
TE Nick Boyle	$6.83 million
Total	$19.28 million

Through all their records, the Ravens only spent $12.5 million on the same group last season.

Player	2019 cap hit
QB Lamar Jackson	$2.15 million
RB Mark Ingram	$3.33 million
WR Marquise Brown	$2.14 million
WR Miles Boykin	$709,232
TE Mark Andrews	$833,665
TE Nick Boyle	$3.33 million
Total	$12.5 million

Of course, this tends to happen when teams draft successfully. Of the six skill players on this list, four are still on their rookie contracts, having been drafted over the last three years. But Baltimore has done well to find value players through the free-agent process as well. Ingram’s $3.33 million cap hit last season was an absolute steal. Boyle might not be massively productive on the stat sheet but his blocking is paramount to the Ravens’ successes and he barely cost Baltimore much more than their rookies last season. With an offensive line that is also made up of a bunch of players still on their rookie contracts, the Ravens’ starting offense is finding high-level success without breaking the bank.

That value is important because it’s allowing Baltimore to spend nearly double on their defense. The Ravens are spending just $64.54 million of their 2020 salary cap on offense while dropping $120.48 million on defense.

Though Baltimore will have to pay some big-name players in the coming years, starting with left tackle Ronnie Stanley, the salary cap is expected to explode next year thanks to the new CBA. That should allow the Ravens to retain many of their biggest playmakers while potentially having enough money to add some other talent along the way.

Of course, if Baltimore can continue to draft so well, they might not need free agency to keep their offense humming.

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Lamar Jackson considered among best deep-ball throwers in NFL

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson can do it all apparently. Not only can he make plays with his legs but he’s one of the best deep passers too.

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When most people think of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, they probably don’t think of deep passes. Yet, it’s something more really should.

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar has been taking a deep dive through the NFL to rank the best players at specific tasks. While we already know Jackson is the best mobile quarterback in the league, Farrar put him right in the middle of his list of the best deep-ball passers.

“Including the postseason, he completed 27 of 68 deep passes for 829 yards, 12 touchdowns, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 113.3, fifth-best in the league among quarterbacks who took at least 50% of their snaps.”

Those numbers are somewhat shocking to read. It felt like Jackson didn’t throw downfield very often at all last season, outside of a few games where he kept trying to connect with wide receiver Marquise Brown on deep balls. Yet, 68 passes would be 17% of all of Jackson’s passing attempts last season, while also accounting for 26.5% of his total passing yards and a third of his touchdown passes from 2019.

Farrar also pointed out that Jackson was pretty spot on in Baltimore’s playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans, connecting on 5-of-13 deep passes for 135 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. For a game that saw the Ravens bludgeoned for 60 minutes, that type of success downfield is impressive.

If Jackson is truly one of the best deep-ball quarterbacks in the league, 2020 could be his season to further break out as a passer.

Marquise Brown is finally healthy, looking faster and thicker than he was last year. Miles Boykin has a rare combination of speed and size, which has him primed for a breakout season. Rookie Devin Duvernay is also ridiculously fast and will likely see some targets on deep balls. And we certainly can’t forget Mark Andrews, who was Jackson’s favorite target last year and cemented himself as one of the best tight ends in the NFL in the process.

Regardless of your feelings when the Ravens selected Jackson in the 2018 NFL Draft, he’s proven himself to be deadly to defenses in so many ways. As he continues to develop and mature as a quarterback, it seems like the sky is the limit for Jackson and Baltimore.

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Miles Boykin primed for breakout season in 2020

While all the attention has gone to Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin has the opportunity and physical attributes to break out in 2020.

The Baltimore Ravens’ offense is returning 10 of their 11 starters from last season. Though they took the league by storm and led the NFL in scoring last year, the hope is further development from their young players will see the team actually improve in 2020. And while all the attention and excitement is focused on quarterback Lamar Jackson and wide receiver Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin shouldn’t be forgotten about.

Selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Boykin seemingly has everything a team would want from a top wide receiver. Boykin stands at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, making him a massive target capable of bullying defensive backs for contested passes and withstanding the beating of a full 16-game season. But he also has plenty of speed, running a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. With the same exact measurements in the 2020 combine, Boykin’s former Notre Dame teammate Chase Claypool earned comparisons to NFL legend Calvin Johnson this year.

With the size and speed already checked off, it’s up to Boykin to improve upon the tangibles of the position — route running, hands, and a better understanding of the Ravens’ offensive concepts. Though Boykin showed a few flashes last season, it’s perfecting these things that will make him a more consistent weapon.

Boykin has already been hard at work this offseason, though he hasn’t had an opportunity to practice with Jackson due to social distancing restrictions. But Boykin has plans to meet up with Jackson next week to get some offseason workouts in with the starting quarterback. If Boykin can build his chemistry with Jackson, he could be the recipient of a lot of targets this season. Seth Roberts left in free agency, leaving Boykin as the top outside wide receiver on Baltimore’s roster. With very little competition on the depth chart, Boykin is practically being inked in for the starting job for 2020.

Granted, outside receivers haven’t fared very well in the current version of the Ravens’ offense, with slot receivers and tight ends getting most of the targets. That reared its head again last season with Roberts being primarily used as a downfield blocker, only catching 21 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns.

However, Boykin is the first Baltimore receiver since Anquan Boldin to have the rare combination of size and speed to succeed in that role. With an offense that now has so many threats all over the field (Jackson’s rushing ability, the now four-headed monster at running back, tight end Mark Andrews, and wide receiver Marquise Brown), Boykin shouldn’t be singled out by defenses in the way Boldin often was. Considering Boldin had 186 receptions for 2,645 yards and 14 touchdowns over three seasons with the Ravens, Boykin having the potential to exceed that is awfully exciting.

Enter his second season, Boykin is primed for a breakout performance. He’s got the opportunity to see a lot of targets and the physical traits to make defenses pay. Now it’s just a matter of putting it all together on the field.

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Miles Boykin finally set to workout with Lamar Jackson this offseason

Though Miles Boykin has been stuck in MD, he’s planning on joining Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson for some workouts this offseason

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was already spotted throwing to one of his targets this offseason. In videos posted to Instagram, Jackson was connecting with wide receiver Marquise Brown down in Florida where the two grew up. But the Ravens have more than just one wide receiver and he’s looking to join in on the fun too.

Unfortunately for Baltimore wide receiver Miles Boykin, the coronavirus pandemic has caused restrictions on social gatherings around the country. Stuck in Maryland, Boykin hasn’t been able to practice with his quarterback yet.

“I was planning on going down there before all this stuff happened,” Boykin said in an interview with reporters on Tuesday. “Of course, I didn’t get a chance to get down there but next week I’ll be down there training with those guys.”

It’ll be exciting for us to be together and work on that chemistry. We’ve got to do that as much as we can. I plan on going down there again, it won’t be the only time of the year.”

Now, that’s not to say Boykin hasn’t been working out at all this offseason. Though he hasn’t been the target of a Jackson pass this spring, Boykin has used the resources available to him to work on his game.

“I’ve been working out with Trace [McSorley] a lot more because he’s closer to me in Baltimore. I think the most important thing is just doing what you can, so the fact I have Trace here to work with me and throw me balls is huge.”

With Seth Roberts leaving in free agency this offseason, Boykin is primed for a starting role as the Ravens’ outside receiver. If Boykin can get some practice time in with Jackson and improve, we might see him turn that promise he showed last season into actual production in 2020.

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9 Ravens that need to step up in 2020

The Ravens nearly reached the Super Bowl last season but if they want to get over the hump in 2020, they’ll need these nine to step up.

The Baltimore Ravens were so close to a Super Bowl appearance last season. They entered the playoffs as the AFC’s No. 1 seed after putting together a league-leading 14-2 regular-season record. But sadly, what looked to be an unstoppable force ended up getting manhandled and bullied for 60 minutes in the postseason, ending their Super Bowl aspirations well before they could become reality.

Enter the 2020 NFL season, the Ravens are once again expected to compete for Super Bowl LV. They’ve returned nearly all of their starters from last season, including MVP winning quarterback Lamar Jackson. But regardless of how good they look on paper and what expectations are surrounding the team, they’ll need to see a bunch of players step up in 2020 if they actually want to reach Super Bowl LV.

I put together a list of the nine Ravens that need to improve this season and carry the team the last little bit.

OLB Tyus Bowser

Since the Ravens didn’t address pass rusher at all in the 2020 NFL Draft and only re-signed Pernell McPhee to a one-year deal, Baltimore seems to be putting a lot of hope in their young outside linebacker corps. We already know Matthew Judon can get the job done but behind him is a little more of a mystery, and leading that group is Bowser.

The Ravens have been hoping for Bowser to step up for a few years now and he finally started to become a more consistent player in the second half of last season. But in the final year of his rookie contract, it’s officially put up or shut up time. If Bowser can turn those flashes into consistent play, he should reach near double-digit sacks for Baltimore in 2020. Of course, that could propel him to leaving the Ravens next offseason for a fat contract but it could also be the final piece of the puzzle for Baltimore to win their third Super Bowl since 2000.

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Despite additions, PFF thinks Ravens’ WR corps is among NFL’s worst

Though they led the league in touchdown passes last season, the Baltimore Ravens aren’t seeing much love for their wide receivers in 2020.

The Baltimore Ravens have come a long way over the last three years at wide receiver. After failed draft experiments and short-term success in free agency, Baltimore completely gutted their wide receiver corps and began building one from scratch. Even though things are going well and this is arguably the best unit the Ravens have had over the last five years, it still isn’t great compared to the rest of the league, according to Pro Football Focus, who ranked Baltimore as the eighth-worst in the NFL.

That’s a bit of a shock considering Marquise Brown performed well last season and is finally healthy as he enters his second season. If his offseason workouts are anything to go by, Brown should cement himself as a true No. 1 receiver in 2020. Though, to their credit, PFF agrees with the idea.

However, they critique the group behind Brown, saying the Ravens don’t have a No. 2 receiver figured out yet. While that’s true, Baltimore also hasn’t relied on their wide receivers to fill specific spots like many other teams, instead picking and choosing which player will get highlighted based on their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. Though that inconsistent production isn’t great for fantasy football owners, it worked well enough for the Ravens given their league-leading touchdown passes last season.

Still, it’s a group that might be getting underrated here, even individually. Miles Boykin is primed for a breakout year of his own with the Ravens seemingly having enough confidence in him to man the outside possession role. Willie Snead and Devin Duvernay have proven to be playmakers from the slot, with Duvernay having breakaway speed with the ball in his hands. If PFF were to factor in tight end Mark Andrews, it’s an even more effective and explosive unit, even if there’s no designated second-best receiver.

Baltimore’s wide receiver depth chart is far from perfect and there’s more hope than actual production from the unit. However, it’s a unit that is on the cusp of something special when paired with MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. Though I can understand why they’re ranked so poorly, it’s also the perfect recipe for fans to be pleasantly surprised when they excel in their individual roles this season.

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6 Ravens primed to break out in 2020

The Baltimore Ravens got a lot out of their young talent last year, featuring a few breakout stars. Which players could break out in 2020?

The Baltimore Ravens had nothing short of a fantastic season in 2019, taking the league by storm by breaking record after record, dominating opponents, and finishing with the best record in franchise history. It was a truly unexpected breakout on many levels by a team that was being written off early and often. However, it wasn’t just pure luck the Ravens were able to pull off such an impressive season.

They build an offensive system around their quarterback, attacked on defense with an exotic blitzing scheme, and relied not only on their stars, but also the young players that were looking to make a name for themselves. That lead to players like Chuck Clark, Orlando Brown Jr, Mark Andrews, and more stepping up and breaking out.

Looking ahead to 2020, there are a plethora of Ravens who could break out. Let’s take a look at who they are.

Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

WR Marquise Brown

When the Ravens selected Brown with the 25th pick in the 2019 pick, they expected great things. However, they knew picking him came with risks too.

Brown stands at just 5-foot-9 and weighs 166 pounds. Those are extremely small measurables for a wide receiver, but Baltimore was clearly confident that his ability outweighed his small stature. Brown also wasn’t completely healthy when he was drafted by Baltimore. He suffered a foot injury late in the year playing for the Oklahoma Sooners and had to have lisfranc surgery to correct it. The surgery kept him out for an extended period of time, which included most of training camp and the preseason. No one knew how Brown would perform once the regular season started, but it’s safe to say he didn’t disappoint, hauling in 46 targets for 584 yards and seven touchdowns across 14 games.

Those numbers by themselves are impressive for a rookie wide receiver playing in a run-heavy offense, but what makes Brown primed for a breakout sophomore campaign is the fact that he played all of 2019 hindered by that same lisfranc injury. He was playing with a screw in his foot and said he wasn’t yet at 100%. Now with a full season under his, an offseason of hard work, and a screw removed from his foot, Brown could very well be on his way to his first 1,000-yard season.

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5 winners and 4 losers from the Ravens’ 2020 draft

With all the 2020 NFL Draft picks in, which Baltimore Ravens have to look over their shoulders and who can breathe a sigh of relief?

The 2020 NFL Draft came and went, and Baltimore Ravens once again were able to secure another impressive draft class. The team had 10 total draft picks and were able to capitalize on each of them by either taking the best player available on the board or getting great positional value.

Baltimore filled a lot of holes on their roster, got new weapons on both sides of the ball, and continued to stock up not only for the upcoming season but for the future as well. The long-term view by general manager Eric DeCosta and company is a big reason why the franchise has stayed so successful for years.

Although the Ravens got a great haul in the draft, 10 draft picks is a lot to house on a roster that is already so deep and went 14-2 just a season ago. For all the excitement a new draft class brings, it also means a few players have to look over their shoulders as their role on the team could be reduced or their roster spot will go elsewhere entirely.

Let’s take a look at four winners and three losers for Baltimore based on their 2020 draft.

Winner: QB Lamar Jackson

Jackson already led the Ravens to their best regular-season record in franchise history, won the league MVP and set a ton of franchise and NFL records in the process. While his second year was magical, a third-year ascension could be in play thanks to all the work DeCosta and the front office put into the 2020 NFL Draft.

While the team addressed defense in the first round, they selected running back J.K. Dobbins with the 55th overall selection. Dobbins was considered one of the best, if not the best, running back in the class. His selection proves that the Ravens are committed to building up the system that fits Jackson so well.

In the third round, the Ravens selected Devin Duvernay, the wide receiver out of Texas. In the sixth round, the team traded up and selected SMU wide receiver James Proche. The two wide receivers come to Baltimore known for their great hands and they’ll help Jackson by catching everything he throws while being versatile enough to be moved around to create mismatches. They’re a great fit with what offense the Ravens currently run.

The addition of extra offensive linemen are always welcome, and Tyre Phillips and Ben Bredeson should immediately compete for a starting job with Ben Powers and D.J. Fluker.

Jackson might have been sitting around watching the draft this year but he automatically becomes a winner in this process. The Ravens built around him, giving him weapons and protection for the next few years, clearly believing that he can grow even more as a quarterback in his third year.

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