There are plenty of reasons for the Ravens’ four-game winning streak. Chief among them is the play of wide receiver Zay Flowers. The second-year wideout has already tallied 408 receiving yards, the eleventh-most in football. Last Sunday against the Commanders, he nabbed nine catches for 132 yards, both career-best totals.
Considering Baltimore throws the tenth-fewest passes in the league, Flowers’ numbers are quite impressive. A commanding 27.1% target share is proof that quarterback Lamar Jackson trusts the speedster more than any other Ravens pass catcher, including Mark Andrews. However, is this level of production sustainable going into the second half of the regular season?
It’s no secret that Baltimore’s preferred method of moving the ball is on the ground. With once in a generation talents like Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, the Ravens will lean on the running game until defenses prove they can hold their own. That means production from any of the team’s other weapons can vary greatly. Look no further than Flowers’ combined four catches for 30 yards against the Cowboys and Bills.
So far, Flowers has struggled mightily in games that Baltimore has led comfortably in. That isn’t the most unusual thing for a wide receiver, but it’s almost impossible to envision the Ravens throwing the ball when they feel it isn’t necessary. For a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, that should make fantasy managers a bit nervous. A return to form from the likes of Andrews and Rashod Bateman will only make the passing game more crowded.
Ultimately, this is not your typical fantasy-friendly offense. Although Flowers has numbers that stand out on paper, he’s not an ideal WR1 due to the volatility of his role from week to week. There’s a good chance Monday night’s game against the Buccaneers could be a barn-burner, as the over/under set at 49.5 points. The Ravens are 3.5-point favorites.
The savvy move would be to hold Flowers for one more week, as this week’s game script could favor the pass. Still, it’s difficult to imagine Flowers sustaining elite play for three straight weeks in the fantasy playoffs, especially when facing quality pass defenses in Pittsburgh and Houston for Weeks 16 and 17.
As a WR2, Flowers is worth holding on to due to his big play ability. If he’s your top wideout, consider a trade for a more dependable, high-floor option as your WR1.
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