The Baltimore Ravens went all out to fix their offense this offseason. Not only is quarterback Lamar Jackson back in the fold, but he’s joined by new offensive coordinator Todd Monken and a revamped receiving corps. While all eyes will be on Odell Beckham Jr., it’s 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers who is a major key to their success.
We break down why it’s Flowers who will be the most important AFC rookie, and not one of the three quarterbacks, Quentin Johnston, or Dalton Kincaid.
Zay Flowers Will Be the Most Important AFC Rookie
Ravens fans have been yearning for this moment for years. Baltimore hasn’t produced a top-10 passing game since their 2015 season, which was their worst season since 2007. Though it’s been Jackson who has caught the wrath of skeptics more than anyone, the Ravens simply haven’t cared to build a more efficient offense with either a more modern scheme or better playmakers.
That changed this offseason. One reason why Jackson held out for a long-term extension was to force Baltimore to change their offensive approach. Not only did Jackson cash in for $260 million, but his surrounding cast saw a massive facelift.
Signing Beckham and Nelson Agholor gave the team two veterans who bring potentially valuable skill sets. If Beckham is healthy, he’s a quality WR1 in an offense that will finally bring volume to their passing attack. Agholor is streaky but has a history of making big plays when he’s given a regular role.
Hiring Monken brings a proven, highly competent coordinator who has been successful everywhere except for his 2019 season with a dysfunctional Cleveland team.
Monken and Beckham struggled to work together that year underneath head coach Freddie Kitchens, but Beckham was still productive. The two maintained a healthy respect for each other despite the team’s issues, with Beckham saying, “I have nothing but love for him,” and Monken praising the playmaker, adding, “I really like Odell.”
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Previously an offensive coordinator with Oklahoma State, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Georgia Bulldogs, Monken’s offenses are aggressive and force defenses to react to the spacing he creates with route combinations. Baltimore is hoping he’ll have a similar impact on their offense as he did with Georgia’s.
Monken transformed a benign, run-dominant approach to one that ranked fifth in points per game over the last two years and was first in total yards and points despite working with a subpar quarterback.
Despite the reasons for optimism, we’ve seen Baltimore strike out on some of these signings before. Their history with injuries has been awful in recent years, and veteran receivers have completely disappeared after joining their roster. It wouldn’t be shocking for Beckham and Agholor to join the recent graveyard of castoffs that end their career in Baltimore, which is why Flowers’ addition is the real X-factor.
Flowers, lauded for his “ludicrous change-of-direction ability” by PFN NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings, fits perfectly into today’s NFL and Monken’s offense. A shade under 5’10”, Flowers creates easy separation with rare foot speed. He complements his physical gifts with a plan for what he’ll do when the ball is in his hands.
His three-level ability isn’t just something that comes from speed. He’s a crisp route runner and can win from both the slot and as an outside receiver. There’s a reason why he’s routinely compared to great talents like Antonio Brown and Tyler Lockett.
His willingness to do it all is the mindset needed to unlock the offense. Flowers said he doesn’t “have a preference” for his alignment because of his confidence in his game and polish. The film and stats agree that he’s a highly-capable threat from any spot on the field.
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Monken showed a willingness to force touches for players while at Georgia, giving carries and screen targets to a variety of playmakers. Flowers fits that role perfectly with his ability to make defenders miss. It’s easy to see why Flowers said, “I love it,” when he was asked about Monken’s offense.
There’s a certain flexibility that Monken can maximize with Beckham, Flowers, and tight end Mark Andrews. Beckham played 14% of his snaps in the slot with Monken in Cleveland and was No. 1 in unrealized air yards, second in deep targets, but only 46th in target quality rating because his quarterback was ineffective.
Monken doesn’t have to use Beckham in such a vertical role now because he has Flowers and Agholor also available, freeing Beckham or Flowers to be moved around more often.
On top of the benefits of playing in a spread offense with higher-caliber talent, the ability to be less predictable is massive. Baltimore was plagued by mediocre pass catchers and an offensive coordinator in Greg Roman who specialized in making an effective ground game but little more.
With the Ravens’ defense suffering multiple major injuries that zapped its effectiveness and Jackson dealing with a PCL injury that finally healed just last month, Roman’s offense was exposed. The change was already desired amongst the fans and analysts, but it was a jarring moment to see Tyler Huntley struggling so dearly to find anyone open beyond six yards, despite his sham of a Pro Bowl nod.
Brighter days may be here for the Ravens. Their offensive upside is massive, but the risk is as well, as they’re banking on two veterans who have been non-factors recently. That leaves Flowers to carry the torch of a unit that is equipped to make a deep playoff run as they make a full transformation in one offseason.