When Pro Bowl selections were announced, Zay Flowers became the first Baltimore Ravens receiver selected in the team’s 29-year history. This is a history-making accomplishment for the young receiver, who has already eclipsed 1,000 yards in his second season. Other Ravens receivers have made the Pro Bowl in the past but have done so at other positions like kick or punt returner. But Flowers becomes the first Baltimore receiver in team history to make the Pro Bowl as a wide receiver. This season, Zay Flowers has 1,047 yards and four touchdowns through 16 games.
The Baltimore Ravens Receivers
Zay Flowers’ history-making selection is one that was earned. Ever since he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, he has been one of the biggest sparks in their offense. The Ravens have tried and tried to find success at the receiver position in the past. They have tried to address it in the draft, with multiple first and second-round picks. They selected Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in 2019. Brown was the first receiver taken in the draft and has found success in the NFL as a speedy deep threat but has bounced around the league since his time in Baltimore. Rashod Bateman was drafted by the Ravens in 2021, but has battled injuries, stunting his development.
Other receivers like Breshad Perriman, Miles Boykin, Devin Duvernay, and others have been drafted in the first three rounds over the years but haven’t panned out in Baltimore. It has been that way under Lamar Jackson and Joe Flacco. With Jackson, even though he’s a two-time MVP and in the race for a third, the Ravens have rarely found consistent success at the receiver position before Zay Flowers. Most of the passing had gone through the tight end, Mark Andrews. Before that, with Joe Flacco, the Ravens had receivers like Anquan Bolden and Torrey Smith, but their offense was more focused on running the ball.
Zay Flowers’ Success
Zay Flowers found success with Lamar Jackson right away. In his rookie season, Flowers caught 77 passes for 858 yards and five touchdowns. This season, he has improved on those numbers, passing the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his NFL career. In his rookie season, Lamar Jackson won the MVP, partly because of Flowers’ efforts in pass-catching. Jackson had a connection with Zay Flowers from the start, and while there were some bumps in the road, like fumbling at the goal line in the AFC Championship game, Flowers’ time in Baltimore has been a success.
Despite his success, there were many critics who did not think Flowers should have been chosen. The Pro Bowl is left to fan voting, which leads to obvious omissions and decisions based on popularity. Zay Flowers currently ranks seventh in yards among AFC receivers. Brian Thomas Jr, Garrett Wilson, and Ladd McConkey have more yards and touchdowns than Flowers this season but were not selected. So, some people have taken issue with Flowers’ selection into the Pro Bowl. Still, he is having an excellent season and become a top receiver in the AFC.
The Baltimore Ravens’ Larger Goals
Zay Flowers’ Pro Bowl selection is a milestone for the Baltimore Ravens’ organization, but the team also has larger goals. Flowers and the Ravens hope to be missing the Pro Bowl and heading straight for the Super Bowl. Baltimore holds an 11-5 record, and with a win in Week 18, will clinch the AFC North division. This will put them back in the playoffs, where they have a chance to redeem themselves from last season’s AFC Championship and other playoff losses in the Lamar Jackson era. The Ravens believe they have the team to finally get over the hump, so, while Zay Flowers’ achievement is admirable, he and the Ravens have higher aspirations.
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