A pessimist’s guide to the 2024 Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are coming off a dominant 2023 campaign in which they boasted the NFL's best regular season record (13-4) and fell just seven points shy of the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game.

Here is why Baltimore should be worried next season.

Derrick Henry could finally fall off

The thought of Henry teaming up with QB Lamar Jackson in the backfield will likely keep opposing defenses up at night, but there's a chance the signing backfires on the Ravens.

The two-time NFL rushing yards and touchdowns leader (2019, 2020) has been one of the most consistent running backs throughout his eight-year career, but he entered the dreaded 30s this year.

Henry has lasted much longer than most running backs, but his physical play style could finally catch up to him in 2024.

Baltimore loves to run the football a lot, and it will likely ask Henry to tow the rock early and often this season, which could result in him finally falling off.

Major questions on the offensive line

The Ravens lost three of their starting offensive linemen this offseason in guards John Simpson (Jets) and Kevin Zeitler (Lions) and right tackle Morgan Moses (Jets).

As a result, Baltimore will have three new starters in the group in 2024 and will need to spend the rest of the summer figuring out the best mix.

The team has several options in offensive tackles: Patrick Mekari, Roger Rosengarten, Daniel Faalele and guards Andrew Vorhees and Ben Cleveland. However, there's a scenario where none live up to expectations, and the unit takes a step back.

Lost too many defensive stars

One of the downfalls of drafting well is simply the inability to pay everybody. The Ravens faced exactly that this offseason, losing key defenders at every level of their defense.

Edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney (Panthers), linebacker Patrick Queen (Steelers) and safety Geno Stone (Bengals) all left via free agency, leaving some big shoes to fill on defense.

Baltimore's defense allowed the fewest points per game (16.5) in the league last season. The team's losses could force the group to have a slow start and maybe even take a step back this year.