The Baltimore Ravens might be poised to make another leap on offense in 2024, according to The Athletic's Robert Mays.
The Ravens already had plenty of success on offense in 2023, finishing fourth in total points scored, first in rushing, and fourth in offensive DVOA.
However, with the addition of Derrick Henry and another year in offensive coordinator Todd Monken's system, Mays believes the Ravens could hit a new, "scary" gear.
While speaking on "The Athletic Football Show," Mays said that Monken told him from training camp this year: "Last year, we built a house. This year, we just have to paint one of the rooms."
Mays and his co-host Derrik Klassen both agreed that over the course of the season, Monken "cut the fat" from the offense and figured out the best way to utilize players, including Zay Flowers, who was only a rookie.
Mays outlined how the Ravens went from one of the worst teams in drop-back plays with three wide receiver on the field to one of the best over the course of the season.
"So, over the course of the season, we're essentially going from the quality of the Giants' passing offense in the first half to the Texans' passing offense in the second half if you look at the EPA numbers," Mays said. "That's extremely encouraging."
Furthermore, Mays said the addition of Henry will allow the Ravens to run a pick-your-poison offense.
According to Mays, over the last four years with the Tennessee Titans, Henry ran into a light box at almost half the rate of other offenses.
"Let's just play out this scenario: You walk to the line of scrimmage, you're in 11 personnel with three wide receivers. The defense is in a light box. You can hand the ball off to Derrick Henry," Mays said. "That's the whole point. You get him on the perimeter, you get him moving against lighter personnel, lighter bodies."
Mays continued, saying that in Year 2 of Monken's offense, the Ravens should be more flexible in changing to their best passing plays if the defense is geared to stop Henry.
"And if you walk out in those situations and it's a heavy box with Derrick Henry on the field, you can check into your pass plays," Mays said.
"And so that optionality and that ability to get into your premium plays more often, that's the type of stuff that you hope to be able to do in Year 2 of this offense. And if they can, if they have that level of flexibility ... I think they have the personnel to be really, really scary on that side of the ball."
The scenario Mays described matches up with reports that Lamar Jackson is working more on calling plays at the line of scrimmage, calling audibles, and even using different cadences to fool defenses. The hope is that Jackson, with another year of experience in Monken's offense, will become a more dynamic passer and play-caller.
Mays and Klassen also agreed that although the Ravens offensive line is a question mark, Jackson and Henry are two players who can overcome shaky protection (Jackson, with his elusiveness, and Henry, with his ability to make tough runs).
It's an encouraging view of a team whose offseason losses have been more notable than their additions. The Ravens' only splashy addition was Henry, and they are relying on internal growth from young players across the board.
If those players, including Jackson, all progress in linear fashion, the Ravens' front office will look like geniuses for their offseason patience.
Watch Mays and Klassen's comments below:
