2019 Summary
Record: 14-2 (1st in AFC North)
2019 Offensive Points Per-Game: 31.0 (1st)
2019 Total Defense-adjusted Value Over Average: 41.5% (1st)
The NFL’s regular season champions, the Baltimore Ravens soared with Lamar Jackson making major strides in his second season. The team’s offensive identity was built on rushing the football. The Ravens led the league in rushing attempts per-game (36.8) and yards (204.8), which ultimately aided them in deploying the league’s most proficient offense. Both Jackson and Mark Ingram played a major role in sparking the run game that carried the team. The passing attack was an afterthought in this offense given the overall lack of weapons and Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown’s foot injuries.
Major additions
DE, Calais Campbell
DE, Derek Wolfe
OLB, Pernell McPhee
ILB, Patrick Queen
RB, J.K. Dobbins
DT, Justin Madubuike
T, Tyree Phillips
Major subtractions
SS, Tony Jefferson
G, Marshal Yanda
TE, Hayden Hurst
4 major storylines for 2020
Will Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown be a difference-maker in 2020?
Brown, a first-round pick from the 2019 NFL Draft, never fully looked the part during his rookie season. That had a lot to do with is health. Brown played with screws in his foot last year, sucking some of the explosiveness from his game. 2020 will be different as the screws have been removed and Brown looks much better. Despite his rookie shortcomings, I have Brown ranked amongst the top-25 at WR for this season. He is the clear No. 1 wide receiver in this offense, and his field-stretching ability is a great compliment to Baltimore’s run-first attack.
How will Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins co-exist?
I have major concerns about Mark Ingram in fantasy football or 2020. Last season. Ingram topped 20 touches just once. With second-round pick J.K. Dobbins’ arrival, I could easily see the two forming a running back by committee. Factor in Jackson, who had 176 carries last season, and there are three players demanding carries in this backfield. Owning an ADP of 52.74 in the NFFC, Ingram’s draft position is far too rich. Dobbins’ ADP of 62.53 is a little more palatable.
Can Lamar Jackson exceed his sophomore breakout?
Exceed? Smart money says he doesn’t. Jackson was otherworldly in 2019. He finished just shy of 90 fantasy points more than the next closest QB, Deshaun Watson. He rushed for over 1,200 yards and threw for more than 3,100 yards. That’s hard to do in Madden on rookie mode. Like nature’s ever-evolving patterns, NFL defenses tend to find ways to adapt to new trends. The Tennessee Titans offered somewhat of a roadmap to stop Baltimore’s incredible rushing attack. Although I expect Jackson to be impressive again in 2020, he’s more likely to fall short of last season’s unbelievable performance than top it.
Is Mark Andrews the real deal?
Andrews was the most efficient tight end in the NFL last season. He was the only player at the position to top 800 yards while finishing with less than 85 receptions, needing only 64. Despite having to split snaps with Hayden Hurst and Nick Boyle, Andrews still managed to lead all tight ends with 10 touchdowns. Now that Hurst’s 39 targets have departed for Atlanta, Andrews should see an spike in usage, which is excellent news for fantasy football owners.
Sleeper: Marquise Brown
Bust: Mark Ingram
Ravens Players in Rally Towel’s Top-200 Fantasy Football Rankings
35. QB, Lamar Jackson
51. TE, Mark Andrews
52. WR, Marquise Brown
73. RB, J.K. Dobbins
89. RB, Mark Ingram
159. DEF, Ravens
175. K, Justin Tucker
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