OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens opened their 2024 training camp with veterans reporting Saturday to the Under Armour Performance Center. Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
Biggest question: Will running back Derrick Henry be the final piece to get Lamar Jackson to a Super Bowl?
There's no question that Henry will take some attention -- and pressure -- off Jackson to carry the offense. Over the past five seasons, Henry leads the NFL in average yards from scrimmage (115.2) and total touchdowns (70). Over those same five seasons, Jackson has had just one 1,000-yard running back (Mark Ingram in 2019). It's difficult to believe that the Ravens would only hand the ball off to running backs six times -- which is what happened in the 17-10 AFC Championship Game loss -- if Henry was in the backfield.
But the final piece for Jackson is becoming a more consistent deep passer. Teams will continue to stack the box and blitz if they don't fear the reigning Most Valuable Player can beat them downfield. In his four playoff losses, Jackson was 5-of-15 on throws that traveled at least 25 yards in the air. His off-target percentage was 60%. Jackson has never had a running back like Henry, but he still has to raise his game in stretching the field.
Training camp is a success if ... the Ravens can definitively figure out their starting offensive line.
Baltimore has to replace three starters up front, and coach John Harbaugh indicated he would like to have two of the spots solidified by the second week of training camp. It looks like Andrew Vorhees is the favorite to start at left guard and Daniel Faalele appears to be the front-runner at right guard. The biggest decision will be at right tackle, where Baltimore can go with rookie second-round pick Roger Rosengarten or the more veteran Josh Jones.
The Ravens know how important it is to build a strong offensive line. Baltimore went 8-0 when Jackson was sacked two or fewer times last season (including the playoffs). But when he was sacked three or more times, the Ravens were 6-4 -- including the playoff loss.
Fiercest fantasy question: With Mark Andrews healthy, how much will the Ravens incorporate Isaiah Likely into the passing game?
Last year, Likely was a nonfactor when Andrews was in the lineup and then became a major playmaker when Andrews was sidelined with an ankle injury. In the nine games before Andrews' injury, Likely was limited to 43 routes run, catching eight passes for 85 yards and no touchdowns. In the seven games without Andrews, Likely ran 179 routes, totaling 21 catches for 322 yards and five touchdowns.
The Ravens know Andrews and Zay Flowers will be Jackson's favorite targets. But Likely seems primed to be the No. 3 option if Baltimore uses more two tight end formations. Likely was one of the stars in offseason practices, making a couple of one-handed grabs and looking like a player who expects the ball.
The player with the most to prove: Left tackle Ronnie Stanley.
The 2019 All-Pro struggled so much last season -- five sacks allowed and 11 penalties committed -- that he took a $7.5 million pay cut this offseason to remain in Baltimore. He can make up an additional $10 million in incentives, including nearly $29,411 per game that he's active.
With Stanley reworking his contract, this essentially becomes a contract year, which heightens the pressure to stay healthy and produce even more. Since signing a five-year, $98.75 million contract in October 2022, Stanley has missed 35 of Baltimore's 65 games, including the playoffs, because of ankle, shoulder and knee injuries.
Breakout player to watch: DT Travis Jones
Last year's breakout player was defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who recorded a career-high 13 sacks. No one will suggest that Jones will put up double-digit sacks, but he could overtake Michael Pierce as the team's starting nose tackle.
In the spring, Jones reported in exceptional shape and lined up with the starters while Pierce sat out team drills. A third-round pick in 2022, Jones seems ready to step up and help out a run defense that allowed 4.5 yards per carry last season, which was the second worst in the franchise's 28-year history.