Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, last year's NFL MVP, said that he dropped weight this offseason to "be more agile." Jackson said he weighed 205 pounds, which is 25 pounds less than his 2022 weight and 10 pounds less than last year. The 27-year-old is already the most prolific running QB in the NFL, as he's gained 5,258 yards on the ground in his first six seasons in the league, 1,399 more than any other signal-caller. He led the NFL by averaging 5.5 yards per carry in 2023, but that was his lowest in any full season. Jackson had nine runs in his first three seasons in which he reached a maximum speed of 20 mph or faster, but he's managed just one of those runs in his last three seasons. He doesn't think the weight loss will impact how he takes hits, and it shouldn't deter fantasy managers from taking him as a high-end QB1.

Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell (knee) is "on schedule" with his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in Week 15 of last season. However, the speedster won't take part in training camp this summer, and he's likely to miss at least a few games early in the 2024 campaign. This is no surprise given the usual timeline to return from a major knee injury. After going undrafted last year out of East Carolina, Mitchell rushed 47 times for 396 yards and two touchdowns. His sample size was small, but his 8.4 yards per carry led all running backs, and he flashed his splash-play upside. The 22-year-old should be stashed in dynasty formats, but he has a slim chance of being a significant fantasy contributor this year behind Derrick Henry. Justice Hill is slated to begin the season in the RB2 role, though fifth-round rookie Rasheen Ali could make a run at it.

The Baltimore Ravens signed undrafted free-agent wide receiver Qadir Ismail on Monday, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. Ismail tallied 26 receptions for 321 yards in his final three collegiate seasons at Villanova and Samford after switching from quarterback to wide receiver. He's a raw prospect, but his path toward playing time could be on special teams. Although he's likely a longshot to make the roster, it's worth noting that he's the son of former Ravens' 1000-yard receiver Qadry Ismail. He was a part of the 2000 Super Bowl team.

There's little ambiguity as the who the Baltimore Ravens' top three wide receivers are entering the 2024 season -- Zay Flowers at No. 1, Rashod Bateman at No. 2, and Nelson Agholor at No. 3. Devontez Walker, the speedy fourth-round rookie with big-play ability, will be in position to earn notable snaps this summer, and his size and speed combination adds diversity to the team's receiver corps. The fifth spot will likely be decided by whoever wins the return competition on special teams. Deonte Harty is a former Pro Bowl returner, while Tylan Wallace did a nice job returning punts in 2023. The 22-year-old Walker led North Carolina in touchdowns in just eight games last year and is an intriguing addition to this offense, but he'll be off the fantasy radar in single-year leagues in 2024 unless an injury to one of the wideouts in front of him opens up a bigger role.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reiterated after the NFL draft that quarterback Josh Johnson is his No. 2 quarterback right now behind starter Lamar Jackson. Harbaugh said that sixth-round rookie Devin Leary will "probably be the third quarterback this year in some way or fashion and grow into the job as we go." Malik Cunningham, who was signed off the New England Patriots' practice squad in December, has time to change the coaching staff's mind in training camp this summer, but the Ravens have been non-committal about their long-term plans for him. Now that Tyler Huntley is now in Cleveland, the 37-year-old journeyman Johnson will be the primary backup for Jackson entering the 2024 season. Needless to say, but the Ravens will be in trouble if Jackson misses time with an injury.