Lamar Jackson, Ravens supporting cast set to dominate fantasy football matchups in 2023

"Get ready for Lamar Jackson's resurgence in fantasy football! With new weapons and a new coordinator, he's set to dominate."

As fantasy football season approaches, it's important to discuss one of the greatest fantasy players in NFL history, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Known for his dual-threat abilities, Jackson was not only the league MVP on the field but also brought championships to fantasy owners in 2019. After a couple of challenging seasons, Jackson is expected to make a comeback with the help of a new coordinator, new weapons, and a new contract. He has been working hard in the offseason, building chemistry with wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Zay Flowers.

Before diving into Jackson's potential for the upcoming season, let's take a look back at his performance last year. In 2020, Jackson finished as the 14th-ranked quarterback, earning a total of 243.1 points with an average of 20.3 points per game. However, his performance was not consistent throughout the season. While he had two outstanding games with 40+ points, he also struggled at times, scoring less than 16 points in three games (four if we consider the game where he suffered a first-quarter injury). The Ravens heavily relied on Jackson to be their Superman, which was beneficial for fantasy purposes. However, due to injuries depleting the wide receiver talent on the team, Jackson had limited weapons to work with.

A return to Jackson's MVP form from 2019 is a realistic expectation. Although he may not reach the exact peak of that season, he is expected to perform closer to his dominating self. The Ravens now have an impressive offense on paper, with four former first-round wide receiver picks in Beckham, Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor. This deep squad becomes even stronger if Agholor serves as the team's fourth wide receiver.

With a talented group of receivers, Jackson will face fewer heavy-man fronts and boxes, allowing him to exploit the defense. He will have more opportunities to rush for yards and touchdowns, which directly benefit fantasy owners. Additionally, let's not forget about the star tight end, Mark Andrews, who remains on the Ravens' roster. Andrews, Jackson's favorite target, is healthy and ready to dominate this season. With the attention divided among the receivers, Andrews will likely face fewer double-teams and bracket coverage, resulting in increased production for both him and Jackson.

There is a lot of hype surrounding Jackson and the Ravens' offense. In the best-case scenario, Jackson will shine as a fantasy football dynamo. With a strong supporting cast and an offensive system that complements his abilities, passing touchdowns will be plentiful. However, there are also concerns regarding the new additions to the Ravens' offense. Beckham is coming off an ACL injury, and his performance after a year away from the NFL remains uncertain. Bateman has also struggled with injuries in his short NFL career. If these key players go down, the team's depth will quickly diminish.

In terms of worst-case scenarios, aside from the typical "player suffers an injury," one possibility is Jackson struggling to adapt to the new offensive system implemented by coordinator Todd Monken. It is possible that the previous offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, may have limited Jackson's passing abilities, and the Ravens built their offense around that premise. While this may not be true, it is important to consider all possibilities. In this scenario, the team's depth would deplete, Jackson's passing efficiency would suffer, and Andrews would struggle to find openings in coverage, leading to interceptions.

To summarize, here are some key factors to consider for Jackson's fantasy performance:

1. The Ravens have an impressive tight end unit, with Mark Andrews leading the way.
2. The running back duo of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards is expected to have a significant role in the offense.
3. The new offensive coordinator, Todd Monken, brings a different approach to the Ravens' offense, emphasizing the passing game alongside the rushing attack.
4. There is uncertainty regarding the backup quarterback position in Baltimore, with a competition between Tyler Huntley, Anthony Brown, and veteran Josh Johnson.

As fantasy football enthusiasts gear up for the season, Lamar Jackson remains an enticing option. With the potential for a strong supporting cast, an improved offensive system, and his own dynamic abilities, Jackson has the opportunity to once again be a fantasy football star. However, it is essential to consider the risks and uncertainties that come with any player, especially when it comes to injuries and adapting to new systems.

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