NFL analyst gives Ravens' offensive nucleus an average ranking

The Baltimore Ravens aren't entering the 2026 season lacking confidence about their offense. Lamar Jackson remains one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks. Derrick Henry continues adding to a resume that will one day earn him a place in Canton. Zay Flowers has developed into Baltimore's unquestioned No. 1 receiver.

>There is optimism that Rashod Bateman can bounce back after a disappointing 2025 season. The Ravens also have reason to believe help could arrive from within. Devontez Walker is expected to take a step forward entering his third season, while rookies Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt bring fresh talent to the wide receiver room.

>Add a new offensive coordinator in Declan Doyle, and it's easy to understand why excitement continues to build around Baltimore's offense. Still, not everyone is convinced the Ravens' collection of skill-position talent belongs among the league's elite, however.

>ESPN's Bill Barnwell recently ranked the NFL's skill groups entering the 2026 season. Baltimore earned a middle-of-the-pack showing. They ranked 16th on the list, reflecting concerns about several key contributors despite the presence of proven stars.

Tight end Mark Andrews had a career-low 422 receiving yards, as his yards per catch dropped by more than 3 yards -- down to catch-and-fall-down territory. With the veteran now on the wrong side of 30, the Ravens have to be worried about a reality where the extension they just handed Andrews doesn't age well. Isaiah Likely left for the Giants in free agency, and interesting depth guys like Keaton Mitchell and DeAndre Hopkins are no longer on the roster.

Henry remains one of football's most physically imposing players, and even though he's shown minimal wear and tear while aging, Barnwell believes there are reasons to wonder how much longer the future Hall of Famer can continue defying Father Time.

>He averaged 5.2 yards per carry last season, but a decline in his success rate was noted, as was 13 fumbles over the past four seasons, a total that ranks among the highest in the NFL at his position.

>The reality, however, is that Henry continues to produce at a level most running backs never reach in their 30s. Even if some statistical decline exists, opposing defenses still spend every week trying to figure out how to stop him.

Questions remain about Mark Andrews and Baltimore's wide receiver corpsNO one should be shocked that Zay Flowers appears to be the safest bet and most trusted asset in Baltimore's receiving corps. The former first-round pick has emerged as Jackson's favorite target and continues to look like one of the NFL's better young receivers. Barnwell's concerns centered more on the players surrounding him.

>As most know, following the 2024 season, in which Rashod Bateman posted 754 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, Bateman struggled to build on that momentum last season. He finished with only 224 receiving yards in 13 games.

>Was Bateman's breakout season more of the exception than the rule? That's the question that Barnwell and others are asking. The Ravens clearly recognized the need for additional competition. Lane and Sarratt were added during the NFL draft while Walker continues to develop. If one or more of those players emerge, Baltimore's receiving room could look much different by the end of the season.

>And, then, there's Mark Andrews, who certainly has something to prove. Perhaps the most surprising portion of Barnwell's evaluation involved one of the most productive tight ends in franchise history.

>Andrews posted a career-low 422 receiving yards last season. His yards-per-catch average also dipped significantly, leading to questions about whether the veteran may be entering the downside of his career. Those concerns are understandable, but Andrews has earned the benefit of the doubt. Veteran players often experience statistical fluctuations, and Baltimore remains confident enough in Andrews to keep him heavily involved in the offense.

>Still, replacing the production lost when Isaiah Likely departed will be one of Doyle's biggest challenges. The Ravens have reasons to believe they're better than this ranking, and at the same time, Barnwell's concerns aren't unreasonable.

>Yes, Henry turns 33 this season. Yes, Bateman is coming off a disappointing campaign. It's also true that Andrews is no longer the young star he once was. Viewed through that lens, a ranking outside the top 10 becomes easier to understand.

>At the same time, rankings are often based as much on projection as production. Baltimore believes Bateman can rebound. The organization expects Walker, Lane, and Sarratt to contribute. Doyle's arrival brings fresh ideas and renewed energy to the offense.

>Most importantly, the Ravens still employ the guys behind center. Lamar Jackson remains capable of elevating everyone around him. That's why this ranking feels less like a prediction and more like a challenge. The Ravens have enough talent to outperform a No. 16 ranking. Now, they'll spend the coming season trying to prove it.

>This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens offensive nucleus ranked middle of the pack by ESPN