OTL: Offensive Blueprint Comes Into Focus

Thursday was the final day of Minicamp for the Ravens, and the team will now take a six-week break until training camp begins in late July.

The most important news for the Ravens is the overall health of the roster, and so far, we’ve gotten good news on that front:

Barring setbacks over next month, the Ravens should enter training camp w/a good health situation.
Rb Keaton Mitchell (knee) won’t be ready, but as of now, that’s only known long-term issue. Most other guys not practicing this week were running on side fields, which is good sign

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) June 13, 2024

Of the players not practicing on the main field, just about all were doing light work on other fields, so the only real absence so far has been the recovery of Keaton Mitchell, which is expected.

In terms of what actually happened yesterday, though it was a lighter day, some players flashed.

Ravens final day of minicamp was a much lighter day than previous two. Rashod Bateman was busiest WR on the day; Mark Andrews made a couple of catches. Roquan Smith had an end zone INT.
Ravens now break for about six weeks before start of training camp.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) June 13, 2024

While it may seem early to proclaim this, I will just say it: Rashod Bateman has a fantastic year if he is healthy. He is in a role that fits his style more than last year. The Ravens pigeonholed Bateman into a deep threat because they had both Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. Once again, his best fit isn’t as that traditional deep threat but as a monster of the middle of the field, which is coincidentally where his QB does his best work.

The baseball equivalent would be putting a natural right fielder into center field. Can that player play center? Sure, but that’s not best for him or the team.

So if Bateman isn’t the deep threat, who is? The answer may be in house…

Lamar Jackson hit a few nice passes downfield during 7-on-7 work, rifling a completion to Rashod Bateman in traffic, then arcing a beautiful deep ball to Devontez Walker for a touchdown.

— Nikhil Mehta (@nmehtaUR2022) June 13, 2024

Shoutout to our own Nikhil Mehta who has been doing a great job covering the team.

Ravens Focus on Chemistry, Communication During Minicamp

So far, rookie Tez Walker looks like he could be the home run hitter of the WR corps. He has that deep speed and body control to play that role and could provide a vast burst of energy into the offense. While Nelson Agholor could also play that role, he doesn’t offer Walker’s explosiveness and big play potential.

If Walker is that deep threat, then the entire puzzle of the Ravens’ Offense may be complete.

That’s the path to success in this offense.

Walker hitting some deep ones, Bateman being used in the intermediate area.

but more importantly, let Zay run a full route tree. If I see jet motions where he picks dandelions in the backfield ima snap

— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) June 13, 2024

It all just fits together, doesn’t it? Make Zay your do-it-all all weapon, let Bateman eat over the middle, and have Walker do the deep work. Add in Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, and this could likely be the key to getting more out of this offense. Throw in a two-time MVP at quarterback, and the sky is the limit.

Now, here’s to a drama- and injury-free six weeks until the squad is back at 1 Winning Drive.

The post OTL: Offensive Blueprint Comes Into Focus appeared first on Russell Street Report.