The Opening Drive, 8/5: Zay Gets Paid, The Lane Train Rolls On, Business Decisions
The Ravens extend one of their own, as camp continues to take shape.
It’s Week 2 of training camp in the NFL, and things are beginning to take shape across the league for all the teams that are truly settling in following Summer break. That’s no different for the Ravens who now have a full week of practices to look back on that will provide color on what’s working vs. what isn’t.
As you’ll see in most years, it’s been a bit of a mixed bag. There’s been ups and downs for the team in all three phases so far, and we’ll be sure to get into that later on in the article. First though, a bit of news to start us off in today’s opening drive:
Zay Gets Paid
After years of speculation that had intensified in recent months, the Ravens made things official by inking a contract extension with fourth year wide receiver Zay Flowers. First reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the team quickly put the news out via their own official channels:
The four year, $140 million extension contains $108 million guaranteed, and keeps Flowers in Baltimore through the 2031 season, as the Ravens had already picked up Flowers’ fifth year option which goes into effect in 2027. General Manager Eric DeCosta released a statement through team channels shortly after the signing became public:
"Zay is the type of player we always seek to retain," he said. "Tough, competitive, durable, a premier talent and a foundational football player. He's earned this extension and we are thrilled for Zay and his family. Also, thanks to Nick, Joel and Geoff for their determination in getting this deal done. This is a great day for Zay, the Ravens, and our fans!”
A great day indeed, as the Ravens have put the exclamation point on what has proven out to be a very good draft pick for them at an all time problem position. Ozzie Newsome’s woes at drafting wideouts is well-documented, but it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for DeCosta either; his first ever draft pick was Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who’s solid, but unspectacular tenure in Baltimore generated more controversy than it was worth.
While Flowers hasn’t been in the conversation for the best in the league at his position by any stretch, he’s certainly been the best wide receiver that Lamar Jackson has worked with in the NFL. Since coming into the league in 2023, he’s commanded roughly 22-23% of the Ravens target share, boasted a 73% catch rate, and had an Average Depth of Target (ADoT) around 10.2 yards, which underscores his deep and intermediate usage.
There’s still room to improve, and now that he’s tied for fourth with Justin Jefferson in wide receiver AAV at $35 million (behind only Drake London, Ja’Marr Chase, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba), the Ravens are betting on that improvement continuing in a big way. Given Flowers’ competitive attitude, it wouldn’t shock me if it does.
