ESPN analyst Matt Bowen expects the Ravens to play at a faster pace this season. That wasn’t the case last year; Baltimore ranked bottom-5 in plays per minute (1.63) and no-huddle rate (4.4%). “They decided last year under [OC Greg] Roman they were going to control tempo by slowing it down,” Bowen said. “[It was] a lot more condensed formations; they had much different personnel than you’ll see this year. [Fullback] Patrick Ricard last year played a critical role in that offense; I don’t know that he has a pivotal role this year with what I expect to see out of Monken." Bowen, a former NFL safety, shared more on his forecast for the 2023 Ravens. “This year, and I have old playbooks of Todd Monken, is a lot more spread, a lot more trips, a lot more empty," he continued. "What they’re trying to do with pace of play is to be more aggressive and control tempo in terms of creating more tempo.” We detailed more of Monken’s impact in a new article on NFL Coaching Changes. Overall, we’re bullish on this offense making considerable improvements.
Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic published a report on Monday that should excite fantasy managers about the Ravens' offense in 2023. Zrebiec wrote that new Ravens OC Todd Monken has "prioritized" the team playing with "a faster pace" and integrating RBs into the passing game more often in OTAs and minicamps. This is particularly good news for RB J.K. Dobbins, a player who has only seen 32 targets in 23 games (1.39 per game) in his career. His fantasy value would take a sizable leap forward in PPR formats if he can add pass-catching to his repertoire. Fortunately, throwing the ball to Dobbins more often than the Ravens did under former OC Greg Roman is a low bar to clear. That said, fantasy managers should pump the brakes a little before getting too happy. It's tough to say how much of an increase Dobbins will see with Monken at the helm. In four NFL seasons as an OC (Buccaneers 2016-18, Browns 2019), only three RBs have received 40 or more targets in a Monken-led offense: Nick Chubb (49 - 2019), Kareem Hunt (44 - 2019), and Jacquizz Rodgers (45 - 2018). We currently have Dobbins projected for 43.4 targets in 2023. Check out where currently he sits in our RB rankings.
The Ravens are hiring Todd Monken as their OC. Monken spent the past 3 seasons as Georgia's OC, helping the Bulldogs to National Championships in both 2021 and 2022. The offense improved each season, climbing from 41st to 26th and then to 5th in yards per game. Monken spent the 4 years before that Georgia stint as an NFL OC. The first 3 came with the Bucs, who climbed from 18th in total yards to 9th and then 3rd with QB Jameis Winston. Monken then headed to Cleveland, where his 2019 Browns struggled to a 22nd-place finish in total yards in QB Baker Mayfield's 2nd season. Each of Monken's final 3 NFL offenses ranked higher in pass attempts than rush attempts. All 4 were at least league-average in terms of Pass Rate Over Expected, with the 2017 Bucs finishing at +2% and the 2018 Bucs finishing at +5%. That makes this a fascinating hire considering the Ravens were a run-leaning offense under former OC Greg Roman. We'll keep an eye on Monken's exact plans for the 2023 Ravens.
Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins rushed 13 times for 62 yards in Sunday’s loss to Cincinnati. He saw only 1 more attempt than Gus Edwards (12-39) and added 4-43-1 as a receiver. Afterwords, Dobbins expressed frustration with the lack of carries. "I'm a guy who feels like I should be on the field all the time," Dobbins said. "It's the playoffs. Why am I not out there?” The 24-year-old was specifically referring to QB Tyler Huntley’s 4th-quarter fumble on a goal line sneak. 2023 turns up a contract year for Dobbins.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins will not play against the Bengals today "and instead will begin focusing on next weekend’s wild-card game." Dobbins was not listed on this week's injury report but had the August 2021 ACL tear and surgery on that same knee this October. Assuming he didn't suffer a setback over the past couple of days, Dobbins should be busy in next weekend's Wild Card game. His absence today figures to leave Gus Edwards as Baltimore's lead ball carrier, with Justice Hill and Kenyan Drake behind him.
Responding to a question about RB Gus Edwards playing 9 snaps on Sunday night, Ravens HC John Harbaugh expressed regret. “I wasn't happy about that, Harbaugh said. “Gus should have played more.” J.K. Dobbins out-carried Edwards 17-3, a week after Dobbins held a narrow edge (12-11). Edwards won’t be a recommended Week 18 fantasy play against Cincinnati.
Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins tallied 93 yards on 17 carries in Sunday night's loss vs. the Steelers. This season has been one of ups and downs for the 3rd-year back recovering from an ACL tear in 2021. After a slow start to the year and some missed time, Dobbins has rushed for 90+ yards in 3 of 4 games since returning in Week 14 vs. the Steelers in their 1st matchup. It's safe to say Dobbins is slowly regaining his pre-ACL form. He'll certainly be a name to watch in 2023 as he becomes even further removed from injury.
Ravens RBs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards split the rushing work evenly in Sunday's win over the Falcons. Dobbins edged his teammate by 1 carry (12-11), but Edwards led the way in yardage this time. He racked up 99, averaging 9.0 per rush with a long run of 37. Dobbins tallied 59 yards (4.9 per carry). Baltimore gets a tougher rushing draw against the Steelers in Week 17, which will make it tough to love either member of this split situation.
Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins (knee) was listed as “non-injured/rest” on the injury report all week and does not carry an injury designation for Week 16 vs. the Falcons. No major update here, but as a matter of good housekeeping, we're just letting you know he's good to go. Dobbins has gone for 120+ rushing yards twice since returning in Week 14. We're not predicting another gigantic performance, but it's worth mentioning that given the third-year back has only played in 6 games this season because of his knee issue. Consider Dobbins a low-end RB2/solid flex option in your lineups.
Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins (knee) was listed as having a rest day on Tuesday's practice report. There are currently no signs pointing to Dobbins missing Saturday’s game vs. the Falcons, but we’ll keep an eye on this in case something changes. It sounds like the team is merely being precautionary with a player who has only appeared in 6 games this season due to these same knee issues.
Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins rushed 13 times for 125 yards in Saturday's loss to the Browns. It marked his 2nd straight game over 100 rushing yards since returning from IR. Dobbins also increased his share of RB carries, claiming 61.9% after barely edging Gus Edwards in his 1st game back. Dobbins also caught his only target for 3 yards. He gets a high-upside matchup with the Falcons in Week 16. Edwards carried 7 times for 55 yards against the Browns. Justice Hill chimed in a carry for 3 yards and 1 catch (on 1 target) for 15 yards.
Ravens RB Kenyan Drake is a healthy scratch for today's game vs. the Browns. Baltimore will roll with RBs J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill.
Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins (knee) admitted that he's not yet back to 100%. “It’s still not me all the way yet, and I’m going to continue to get better,” Dobbins said. “Hopefully those 100-yard games will turn into 200-yard games. I’m going to keep getting healthier.” As a reminder of his upside and talent: Per SI’s Albert Breer, the Ravens believed Dobbins would “contend” for the rushing title prior to his 2021 ACL tear. An excellent schedule makes him a potential difference-maker down the stretch.
Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins racked up 120 yards and a TD on 15 carries in Sunday's win over the Steelers. It was his 1st game back since the team shut Dobbins down for arthroscopic surgery in the knee that required an ACL repair last summer. Dobbins set season highs in attempts and yards in his return, a game that saw Baltimore run 38 times vs. 23 dropbacks. RB Gus Edwards ranked 2nd with 13 rushing attempts for 66 yards. RB Kenyan Drake carried just once (for 1 yard) and added another yard on 2 catches (2 targets). The Ravens figure to go run-heavy again in Week 15, with QB Lamar Jackson expected to be out once more. QB Tyler Huntley appears likely to sit as well after suffering a concussion against Pittsburgh. Dobbins should be picked up where available in most leagues this week.
The Ravens are activating RB J.K. Dobbins (knee) ahead of Sunday's game against the Steelers. OC Greg Roman says the team expects Dobbins to run more effectively than he was before having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. "I really think that time off and what he was able to take care of is going to make a big impact on his effectiveness," Roman said, per ESPN. Doctors reportedly cleared scar tissue out of Dobbins' already repaired knee (ACL tear). We'll see just how big a role he can carve out the rest of this season.
The Ravens are waiving RB Mike Davis. ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the move is “paving the way” for the team to activate RB J.K. Dobbins off IR today. We wouldn’t put Dobbins in Week 14 fantasy football lineups, and we’re betting on Baltimore operating a backfield committee the rest of the way. But a full-strength Dobbins is the group’s biggest talent. So his role and play will be worth watching
Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins (knee) won't play vs. the Broncos this weekend, HC John Harbaugh said Friday. Dobbins returned to practice this week after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in late October and has a chance to make it back for Week 14. He's a fine stash in fantasy but is unlikely to be anything close to a league-winner. Gus Edwards will operate as Baltimore's lead back vs. Denver on Sunday.
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