OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens open mandatory minicamp this week, which should provide a clearer glimpse of the team’s 2024 starting lineup.
Much of the focus will be on the dynamic between quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, which is expected to boost the offense. The increased reps should help the duo get more acquainted with one another as they gear up for training camp.
Jackson is a two-time NFL MVP and Henry is a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL rushing leader who is hungry for his first Super Bowl ring.
“Lamar is so dynamic in how he plays, and his playmaking ability, especially me seeing it going against these guys for a little while now,” Henry said. “So, I’m excited to play with him. He had a great year this year, [and he] did a lot of great things. We have a lot of great guys in the offense, and I just want to be an added piece to this offense to help them do better than they did last year.”
Coach John Harbaugh also will get a better impression of his offensive line, which will have new starters at right guard, left guard and right tackle.
Ronnie Stanley is entrenched at left tackle and Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum will start at center. Ben Cleveland and Andrew Voorhees are the early favorites to start at the guard positions. Josh Jones and Sala Aumavae-Laulu are also battling for jobs at guard.
Rookie second-round pick Roger Rosengarten could earn the starting right tackle position, where he earned All-American honors at the University of Washington.
“The biggest thing right now that I’m focused on is how the O-line plays,” Linderbaum said. “How we play together, how we work together, and like I said earlier, ‘It just starts now.’ It starts with getting guys back, working out together. As the O-line, we don’t need to really worry about much, we just have to block the guy in front of us and work together. That’s kind of what we’re focused on.”
The Ravens have one of the best starting defenses in the NFL with the return of three Pro Bowlers — safety Kyle Hamilton, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and inside linebacker Roquan Smith.
Last season, Baltimore became the first team in league history to finish a season ranked No. 1 in each of the following categories: points allowed (16.5 points per game), sacks (60), and takeaways (31, tied with the New York Giants)
The mandatory camp also will be the offseason debut for outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who agreed to a two-year deal this season after finishing with a career-high nine sacks in 2023.
The biggest question is whether the Ravens can generate an effective pass rush and fill the void left by the loss of Jadeveon Clowney, who had 9 1/2 sacks last season but signed with the Carolina Panthers in March.
In addition to Van Noy, the have Odafe Oweh (three sacks), David Ojabo (one sack), Tavius Robinson (one sack), and Malik Hamm (injured reserve) as pass rushers.
