Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson put together some big numbers through the air and on the ground but came up just short of a comeback on Thursday night. The reigning MVP threw 26-for-41 with 273 yards and a touchdown while gathering 122 yards on 16 carries and one fumble. His accuracy left a bit to be desired while he was hurried almost all game, but his running numbers boosted his fantasy performance to be even better than his counterpart Patrick Mahomes. One thing to watch moving forward will be the growth of the offensive line as they replaced three starters this year, which could mean less time for Jackson to throw. As long as his ability to run is still there, Jackson will be a comfortable play for fantasy managers each week.

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely posted a huge performance in the 20-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday and almost became the game's savior. The 24-year-old saw 12 targets in the season opener and caught nine of them for 111 yards and a touchdown. His biggest play of the night came during the first snap of the fourth quarter when Likely caught a pass from a scrambling Lamar Jackson, ran down the sideline with some shifty moves, and walked into the end zone for a 49-yard score. Then, with time running out, Likely hauled in a difficult catch in the back of the end zone for what everyone thought was a touchdown. After a video review, it showed that his toe was on the end line and it was unfortunately waved off. As far as the first game goes, Likely seemed to be the TE1 on the team while Mark Andrews only saw two targets.

The Baltimore Ravens on Thursday placed rookie running back Rasheen Ali (neck) on Injured Reserve and signed linebacker Josh Ross to the active 53-man roster in a corresponding move. The Ravens also activated defensive back Ka'dar Hollman and running back John Kelly from the practice squad for Thursday night's season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. Ali, who was looking overmatched in training camp and the preseason, will now be forced to miss at least the first four games of his rookie campaign in the NFL. Kelly will provide depth for the Baltimore backfield in the season opener behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill. the 23-year-old speedy Ali might be in for more of a developmental redshirt year with the Ravens in his first season after getting off to a tough start both performance-wise and due to his injury.

Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker continues to stick at the top of the kicking ranks heading into his 13th season in the NFL. The Texas product finished as the second-best fantasy kicker last year in what turned out to be more of a down year for the league's most accurate kicker. He made the third-most extra points and third-most 40-to-49-yard field goals while seeing a downward trend in 50+ yarders. With the Ravens offense still expected to put points on the board and the seemingly limitless range of Tucker, he's primed for yet another season as one of the top kickers in the league. Fantasy managers can play him in confidence heading into the Week 1 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has endured an injury-riddled career so far and hasn't lived up to the expectations that come with a first-round draft pick. The former 27th-overall pick enters this year with a lot to prove and some added expectations after the team didn't retain Odell Beckham Jr. All of the talk surrounding Bateman in camp has been positive, so it seems Bateman could be in for a better year, but fantasy managers should proceed with caution. While he only missed one game last year, he operated as the third and fourth receiver most times while posting 367 yards and one touchdown on 32 receptions. Bateman isn't on the fantasy radar during Week 1, but could be a stash type of player if he shows improvement.