Over the past two seasons, few players have generated as much debate as Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Off the field, concerns about his contract status and the absence of an extension have made him a perceived risky investment, with the fear that any potential injury could sideline him. On the field, Jackson has struggled to regain the consistent form that propelled him to a staggering 414.68 fantasy points in 2019, making him the undisputed QB1 in the fantasy realm. In fact, his highest finish in fantasy over the last three seasons was a modest QB10 in 2020, and injuries have hampered his availability, leaving fantasy managers disappointed. If you had him as your starting quarterback in the past two seasons, chances are you did not come out on top in your league.

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However, a renewed sense of optimism surrounds Jackson's fantasy prospects heading into 2023. He could reclaim his spot among the top three fantasy quarterbacks this year, and I expect him to be one of the best fantasy quarterbacks in the league. Here's why:

• The Ravens have a new coaching scheme that will highlight his strengths
• The Ravens have the best weapons that Jackson has played with in the NFL
• The Ravens have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL

Coaching Scheme

The most significant change this offseason for the Baltimore Ravens was the decision to part ways with Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman and bring in Todd Monken, who previously served as the Offensive Coordinator for Georgia. Monken's tenure with the Bulldogs saw remarkable success, winning two consecutive national championships while running their offense. While some may attribute Georgia's offensive achievements solely to their ability to recruit top talent, it's important to note the substantial improvement in their performance following Monken's arrival.

Before Monken assumed his role, Georgia's offense ranked 48th in the nation in points scored, averaging a modest 30.8 points per game, and placed 61st in total offense. In 2022, the Bulldogs experienced a remarkable surge, averaging an impressive 41.1 points per game, securing them the 4th spot nationally. Their offensive output surpassed 500 yards per game, demonstrating a significant leap forward. Furthermore, Georgia boasted the highest scoring percentage in the red zone, the fifth-best conversion rate on third downs, and concluded the season with the most first downs converted in the country. When facing teams that ended the season ranked, Georgia averaged over 46 points per game—an outstanding feat.

One notable aspect of Monken's approach is his commitment to a balanced offensive attack. The passing game flourished under his guidance, accounting for 295.8 yards per game, while the rushing attack added an additional 200 yards. Notably, Georgia was the only team in the 2022 season to achieve over 290 passing yards and over 200 rushing yards per game. This versatility and proficiency in both areas of the offense contributed to their overall success.

Monken's most impressive quality lies in his ability to develop quarterbacks. During his three-year tenure at Georgia, he transformed Stetson Bennett from a fringe walk-on into a Heisman finalist. This remarkable progression underscores Monken's talent for nurturing and maximizing the potential of his quarterbacks. Let's take a look at Bennett’s development under Monken:

• 2020: 86/155 55.5% 1,179 YDS 8 TD 6 INT | 24 ATT 54 YDS 2 TD
• 2021: 185/287 64.5% 2,862 YDS 29 TD 7 INT | 56 ATT 259 YDS 1 TD
• 2022: 310/454 68.3% 4,127 YDS 27 TD 7 INT | 57 ATT 205 YDS 10 TD

Monken's success with quarterback Stetson Bennett should bring optimism to fantasy managers with Jackson on their teams. He is poised to benefit from Monken's presence as offensive coordinator, as it marks the first time in his career that he will be working with a coordinator known for quarterback development. This bodes well for Jackson's growth as a passer, potentially unlocking a new ceiling for him as a fantasy asset. With Monken's proven track record, there is anticipation for positive changes across all facets of Jackson's game. The combination of Monken's system and Jackson's unique skill set could significantly improve his passing ability, decision-making, and overall efficiency as a quarterback. Let's dive into Monken's offensive tendencies and concepts to understand how they will impact the Baltimore Ravens offense and in particular, elevate Jackson.

Read Options/Designed Quarterback Runs

While there are reports out there that Baltimore will be limiting Jackson’s rushing, he will still be given opportunities to showcase his running ability within the scheme. There may be fewer designed runs, but we could expect big plays when they lean on him in the rushing attack. In 2022, Georgia lined up in shotgun or pistol 84% of the time. Most plays that run out of that formation involve a read-option on an inside zone read. A staple in Monken’s offense and one that will highlight the strengths of their running backs, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, and Keaton Mitchell, all runners who excel within that scheme. Gettings his playmakers out in space is imperative, and giving Jackson more rushing lanes and options will elevate his efficiency in Baltimore’s rushing attack and lead to bigger plays. Just look at what it did for Georgia’s offense:

Kendall Milton finds the end zone, and Georgia trims Ohio State's lead to 7! 🏈 #CFP #PeachBowl pic.twitter.com/tAYwpvg8bb

— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 1, 2023

Stetson Bennett gives Bulldogs early lead with touchdown run | #GoDawgs #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/AoOfW929oi

— CFB unis (@UnisFb) January 10, 2023

In addition to read options, Monken incorporates designed runs into his offensive scheme, which proved beneficial for Stetson Bennett, who scored ten rushing touchdowns in 2022. These designed runs, particularly in the red zone, will showcase a departure from the traditional power runs often associated with Jackson. The lack of creativity in the Ravens' red zone offense was evident, resulting in a touchdown success rate of just 44%, ranking them 30th in the league. Under Monken's guidance, we can anticipate a shift in the red zone approach for Baltimore. While there may be a reduction in the overall number of designed runs for Jackson, the emphasis will be on introducing more creativity and innovation in their execution.

This adjustment aims to increase the team's effectiveness in scoring touchdowns, a key area where they struggled in the past. As a result, Jackson's rushing yardage may experience a slight decrease. However, the potential for an increase in rushing touchdowns is likely, with the possibility of him reaching close to ten scores on the ground. This adjustment reflects the intent to optimize Jackson's running ability in a more dynamic and strategic manner, enhancing the team's scoring potential.

Overall, Monken's offensive approach and the modifications he brings to the Ravens' red zone strategy have the potential to impact Jackson's fantasy production significantly. Fantasy managers can expect an improved scoring efficiency and a more varied utilization of his rushing skills.

Screens

One aspect of Monken's offensive strategy that should generate excitement is his emphasis on utilizing screens throughout the field. In contrast to Greg Roman's tenure, where the screen game was largely neglected, Monken’s system will highlight the screen game and will be a potent weapon for the Ravens. This approach will capitalize on the talents of offensive weapons such as Zay Flowers, Devin Duvernay, Rashod Bateman, Odell Beckham Jr, Gus Edwards, Keaton Mitchell, and J.K. Dobbins, who were underutilized in this aspect under the previous regime. Monken's affinity for screens is evident in his time at Georgia, where the team consistently incorporated screen passes into their offensive repertoire. In fact, Georgia was among the select few schools that attempted over 100 screen passes during the previous season, underscoring the importance of this concept in Monken's system. This shift in offensive philosophy bodes particularly well for tight end Mark Andrews, who stands to benefit significantly. Last season, Georgia tight end Brock Bowers thrived in Monken's system, leading the nation in screen targets en route to an impressive 942 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. With Monken's emphasis on screens, Andrews has a clear path to potentially claim the coveted TE1 position this season.

Moreover, the increased utilization of screens extends beyond wide receivers and tight ends. Running backs are also expected to play a more prominent role in this aspect of the offense. An example below is demonstrated in a play where Kenny McIntosh, a Georgia running back, was motioned out and subsequently scored a 25-yard touchdown on a screen pass. Monken's offensive philosophy revolves around getting the ball into the hands of playmakers, which alleviates pressure on Jackson Jackson and fosters explosive plays for the offense. Ultimately, these strategic changes will elevate every offensive playmaker on the Ravens.

Screen. Kenny McIntosh. Tie game #Georgia #OhioState #PeachBowl #CFPPlayoffs

pic.twitter.com/h1QzOqO1zw

— CFB Saturday Slate w/ Mick N Bus (@MickNBus_CFB) January 1, 2023

Play-Action/New Passing Concepts

Another aspect of Monken's offensive system that will elevate Jackson's game is the emphasis on play-action passes. These well-designed plays will help create space for the receivers on the Ravens' roster and facilitate passes in the short and intermediate areas of the field. One of the challenges the team faced last season was the limited target separation for their receivers, ranking 78th in the league in this metric, according to Player Profiler. While talent played a role in this struggle, the scheme itself failed to highlight the players' strengths. However, with a heavier reliance on play-action, Jackson's mobility and the team's weapons, particularly at the tight end position, are poised to benefit significantly.

Additionally, Monken's offensive system incorporates high-low concepts and smash concepts into its arsenal. The high-low concept presents the quarterback with two routes that cross above and below a defender's zone, creating separation for the receivers. This concept simplifies the quarterback's reads and enables Jackson to leverage his strengths as a passer. If his primary reads are unavailable, Jackson can rely on his mobility to make the right play, similar to his early career days at Louisville and with the Ravens.

By implementing these elements into the offensive scheme, Monken aims to optimize Jackson's passing abilities while capitalizing on his dynamic playmaking skills. The combination of play-action passes, high-low concepts, and smash concepts will enhance the offense's efficiency and provide Jackson with simplified reads and the option to utilize his legs when necessary. This approach aligns with Jackson's skill set and has the potential to rejuvenate his passing game.

Offensive Weapons

Jackson's supporting cast in the Ravens' offense has significantly improved heading into the new season. The addition of Odell Beckham Jr in free agency brings an experienced and talented wide receiver to the team. Despite his injury history, Beckham showed promise towards the end of the 2021 season with the Rams, scoring five touchdowns and becoming a reliable target in the passing game. He brings a red zone threat and an alpha presence to the Ravens' receiving corps, addressing a need that existed in previous years.

The Ravens also added Zay Flowers from Boston College, further enhancing their receiving options. Flowers' versatility to play both inside and outside provides Jackson with a dynamic weapon who can create separation. He can potentially be a target hog in the new offensive system, serving as a reliable option for Jackson.

In addition to the new acquisitions, the Ravens have a strong group of veterans in Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, Nelson Agholor, Mark Andrews, Charlie Kolar, and Isaiah Likely. Each player fits well within the offensive scheme and provides Jackson with dependable options across the field. The tight end room, led by Mark Andrews, is particularly strong and could be considered one of the most talented in the NFL. Isaiah Likely emerged as a weapon in 2022, while Charlie Kolar, who dealt with injuries last season, has the potential to make an impact. These players serve as safety blankets for Jackson and will contribute to the success of the offense.

The Ravens' backfield remains strong with the return of J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill, as well as the addition of rookie Keaton Mitchell. This group of running backs complements the new offensive scheme well, and Dobbins especially appears poised for a breakout season.

Overall, the combination of talented receivers, a strong tight end group, and a solid backfield make this collection of offensive weapons the best that Jackson has had in his career. The new offensive scheme and improved supporting cast should elevate the performance of all the offensive skill players, with Jackson being the primary beneficiary.

Offensive Line

The Ravens had one of the best offensive lines in 2022, finishing second in Pro Football Focus overall rankings. They were remarkably disciplined, accumulating just 24 penalties throughout the year and standing as the least penalized offensive line in the league. Additionally, their run-block win rate ranked first last season, while their pass-block win rate ranked sixth. This level of performance speaks to their proficiency in both the running and passing games.

Heading into the upcoming season, the Ravens will retain four out of five starters from the 2022 season, providing continuity and experience to the unit. Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses, the starting tackles, are key pillars of the offensive line. Their new starter will be Ben Cleveland, a veteran left guard who has gained starting experience in the past two years by playing five games. With the majority of the starters returning and the addition of Cleveland, the Ravens offensive line is poised to be one of the best in the NFL once again. Their experience, cohesion, and strong performance in both run-blocking and pass-protection make them a formidable group that will greatly benefit the team's offensive output in 2023.

Final Thoughts

Todd Monken's offensive system has proven to be highly successful, as demonstrated by the Georgia Bulldogs' impressive offensive performance in 2022. Under Monken's guidance, Georgia led the nation in plays of 10-plus yards and 20-plus yards, showcasing their ability to generate explosive plays. The offense also averaged an impressive 7.17 yards per play, indicating their efficiency and productivity. With Monken at the helm, the Baltimore Ravens offense is expected to adopt a faster pace, aiming to increase their play frequency. Last season, the Ravens had one of the slower paces in the league, averaging a play every 41.8 seconds of real-time. However, under Monken's direction, we should see an uptick in tempo, leading to more opportunities for the offense to produce. Furthermore, Monken's system emphasizes passing and is designed to generate explosive plays. This shift in offensive strategy could translate into increased fantasy production for Jackson and the Ravens' offensive weapons. Jackson, in particular, will benefit from a system that maximizes his strengths as both a runner and a passer. Given the favorable circumstances and the potential for Baltimore to field a top-tier offense, it is reasonable to anticipate Jackson having a standout season in 2023. He has the potential to finish as a top-three quarterback and could even surpass his MVP-caliber numbers from the 2019 season. With Jackson's health and a tailored offensive system in place, the stage is set for him to be an elite fantasy asset again.

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