ExtremeRavens Posted 22 hours ago Posted 22 hours ago Zay Flowers doesn’t look or act like a typical No. 1 wide receiver. Ja’Marr Chase, A.J. Brown and CeeDee Lamb fit the mold of elite wide receivers. Physically dominant and fully aware of their skill set, they command the ball accordingly. But Flowers isn’t that type of wideout. He’s 5’9, 183 pounds and lines up in the slot for a majority of games. Then there’s the personality aspect. Flowers has never complained about his amount of targets, nor his role in the offense. The wideout posted a career-high 143 yards in the Ravens’ narrow loss to the Buffalo Bills. He also added seven catches — which tied for the second most he had in 2024. Flowers also scored on a 23-yard touchdown reception and caught a downfield pass for 39 yards. The 2024 Pro Bowl selection leads the NFL in receiving yards after Week 1. But there were times last year when Flowers would explode for a big game, then follow it with minimal production. In 2024, Flowers backed up 100-yard games with performances of 35 receiving yards or fewer three times. When asked Wednesday if he wanted more consistent opportunities this season, he offered a mature response. “Honestly, that’s not really my job, I don’t really draw up [any plays],” Flowers said. “I just go with what the coaches tell me to do. “In one of those games, Derrick Henry had like 160, 170 rushing yards. I can’t really control that either. And if we’re winning, keep giving it to him. Like I said, I’m all about winning.” Mark Andrews has been quarterback Lamar Jackson’s favorite target for much of his career. Whenever there’s a big play, Jackson tends to turn toward his tight end. That has shifted in recent seasons, with Flowers leading the team in targets in 2023 and 2024. Andrews is getting older, Isaiah Likely is still injured and there are strong complementary weapons around Flowers. The third-year wideout is entering a prime opportunity to cement himself as the best receiver Jackson’s played with in Baltimore. “Zay is a matchup problem anywhere on the field. If you can get him the ball, something special is going to happen,” wide receivers coach Greg Lewis said in July. It’s no question Baltimore’s offense runs through Jackson and running back Derrick Henry. When the Ravens are at their best, Henry’s running downhill and Jackson’s orchestrating a lethal quarterback run game and vertical passing attack. Henry leads the NFL in rushing after his 169-yard performance in Week 1. “If you get the ball a lot at receiver, that means your run game isn’t good. We got Derrick Henry, a lot of teams don’t got Derrick Henry and Lamar,” Flowers said. “You get what you get, and you do what you can with it.” Flowers played on 90.2% of offensive snaps in Week 1 to lead all Ravens wide receivers, with Rashod Bateman next at 72.5%. The Boston College product is clearly the team’s primary receiver. If the team can rely on Flowers as a legitimate game-breaker, the offense opens up even more. Several of his biggest plays came on deep crossing routes over the middle of the field, a route that Flowers said he excels at because of his quickness and ability to create separation. He might not posture like one, but Flowers’ season opener was a reminder of why he’s the Ravens’ top wideout. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers runs with the ball during the first half of the Ravens' Week 1 loss to the Bills. Flowers played well in the game, recording a career-best 143 receiving yards. (Adrian Kraus/AP) View the full article Quote
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