On a large scale, there's not too much to get upset about regarding the Baltimore Ravens' 2024 season. Superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson was named MVP once again, the team won 14 games, and they made it to an AFC Championship game for the first time in the Jackson era.
However, if you're of a more negative persuasion, it's easy to poke holes in how the season ended. Between the dud in the championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs and the fact over 20 Ravens from last year are not scheduled to become free agents, things might look more glum than they did a month ago.
Baltimore's front office has typically been very prudent and forward-thinking when it comes to admitting mistakes on their roster. Rather than trying to force a square peg into a round hole, they'll cast aside underperformers and try to replace them with a depth signing or draft pick.
Eric DeCosta knows he can't make too many mistakes as he tries to win a championship with Jackson in his prime. He needs to admit these four players were busts last year (for a variety of reasons) and realize that moving on from the entire quartet of them will be in his best interest.
4 Baltimore Ravens who were busts in 2023 season
4. WR Rashod Bateman
Bateman entered his third season in the NFL firmly in make-or-break territory, as a somewhat encouraging rookie season was followed by an injury-plagued sophomore campaign. Based on the numbers, Bateman remains more of a question mark than a viable NFL starter.
Bateman recorded just 32 catches for 367 yards despite playing in all but one game, showing that he never quite took to Todd Monken's offense. With Zay Flowers coming close to approaching Bateman's total output in three seasons during his rookie year, it's becoming clear he never will be a primary target for Jackson.
The Baltimore Ravens must admit Rashod Bateman struggled mightily
It would be very foolish for Baltimore to pick up his fifth-year option, especially when they are paying Jackson big money and will commit resources to more productive young players like Justin Madubuike and Kyle Hamilton. There's a good chance Bateman's time in Baltimore is coming to an end.
Bateman still has all the tools needed to eventually become a first-rate deep threat in the NFL, but the Ravens haven't been able to get the most out of him due to untimely drops, injuries, and plain old ineffectiveness against professional man-cover cornerbacks. Will they give him one more shot in 2024 or relegate him to a minor role?
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3. RB JK Dobbins
This one hurts, as Dobbins ended up on this list through no fault of his own. Two freak injuries in four years, including an Achilles injury right before he was about to get a substantial contract in free agency, make it tougher than ever before to consider him a legitimate offensive chip the Ravens can use.
When Dobbins was healthy, he's been everything the Ravens could have hoped for. The former Ohio State star averaged 5.8 yards per carry while scoring 12 touchdowns in 24 games despite a limited role. The biggest issue for Baltimore is wondering what he could be after missing essentially two entire seasons.
Will the Baltimore Ravens keep JK Dobbins?
Dobbins would not only have to show the Ravens that he is a better option than a more heralded veteran like Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley, but he would need to fend off internal competition from short-yardage sledgehammer Gus Edwards and another young injured back in Keaton Mitchell.
The Ravens are in such a precarious spot atop the AFC that any slip-up in their offensive rhythm could be enough to derail them and allow Kansas City to pass them up. Giving Dobbins an RB1 or RB2 role on the league's most run-heavy offense is the dictionary definition of a gigantic risk.
2. EDGE David Ojabo
Unlike Dobbins, Ojabo was a known injury risk after tearing his Achilles in a pre-draft workout. While the Ravens took him with the expectation they could put him on ice before he was fully healed up, even more recurring bumps and bruises have him positioned as nothing more than a complete Wild Card.
Ojabo has played in just five games in two seasons, recording just seven tackles and two sacks in that time. Another major injury, this time an ACL tear, has ruined Ojabo's health to the point the two worst injuries a player can sustain on the field of play have not hit him in back-to-back seasons.
The Baltimore Ravens can't lean on David Ojabo.
Two of the Ravens' top non-Madubuike sack producers in Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy are free agents, though Baltimore will likely make a push to retain both of them. Ojabo is entering his third season, and any production he provides them will be a bonus rather than an expectation.
It's unfair to see such a premium athlete cut down by serious injuries, but the Ravens can't afford to get caught up in the sentiment of the situation. If he can't handle an expanded role, which he hasn't shown he has the durability to do, they may need to admit defeat on their great reclamation project.
1. WR Odell Beckham Jr.
The Odell Beckham most people remember is not the Odell Beckham who suited up for the Ravens last year. While his Rams stint showed he can be a solid complementary piece, there were times where rookie ups-and-downs from Zay Flowers made him a featured wide receiver.
Beckham caught just 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns last season. The last time Beckham topped 1,000 yards in a season (which he managed by just 35 yards), Mark Ingram was the Ravens' starting running back and Nick Boyle was a big part of their passing game. At the risk of using a pejorative adjective, Beckham is looking washed.
The Baltimore Ravens should look to move off Odell Beckham Jr.
The wide receiver class in free agency is relatively strong, and it is not hyperbolic to suggest any one of 20 wide receivers could be picked in the first two rounds in what is a very deep class. Beckham's veteran status can only engender so much goodwill and guarantee so much production.
The Ravens should peruse the market for a veteran receiver with a much higher ceiling and look to add a player in the draft in the first three rounds. The fact that Beckham recorded just four catches in two playoffs games hurts the argument he can be a solid WR2 for a championship contender.