The sweat may be pooling up in all the wrong places, but, before you know it, changing leaves, cool temperatures and football will be in the air. To help fantasy managers and devoted bettors get through summer’s soaring heat, The Gaming Juice’s resident gridiron gambler, Brad Evans, is here to preview each NFL franchise -- fantasy values, prop picks and team win totals. Channeling Richard Dent, Reggie White and J.J. Watt, the Three-Point Stance has eyes on sacking the sportsbooks and fantasy rivals.
Today’s featured squad: Baltimore Ravens
Fantasy value - Zay Flowers, WR (ADP: 55.78, WR28) - Breathe in Baltimore’s bouquet of roses and the eventual profitability is bound to smell sweet.
Somewhat overlooked going in the middle rounds of 12-team drafts, Flowers hasn’t received much fanfare in Fantasyland.
Yes, Lamar Jackson — off a career-best 41 passing touchdowns last year — is due to regress, but his slick-footed slot weapon is sure to be a primary target.
Last fall, Flowers occasionally bloomed. For the second straight season, he finished just outside the WR top 30 in fantasy points per game. However, his No. 20 standing in unrealized air yards suggests opportunities were often spoiled. Keep in mind he tallied top 15 numbers among all wideouts in total route wins and average yards of separation per target.
If everything clicks for Flowers in Year 3, he’ll crack the WR2 ranks in 12-team formats. His appreciable underlying data, No. 9 easiest WR fantasy strength of schedule and offensive coordinator Todd Monken's desire to "get him more involved" are positive signs. Jackson’s pinpoint needle threads only enhance that chance.
In your draft, pair him with a box of chocolates.
Prop pick - Lamar Jackson OVER 775.5 rush yards (-115, BetMGM) - Action Jackson's start-stop decisiveness in the open field is almost cartoonish. Speedy Gonzalez completely agrees.
Arguably the most difficult to wrangle rusher in the NFL, the consummate dual-threat has dashed repeatedly past the number above. Over his last six seasons, he's averaged 914.2 rush yards per season, eclipsing the tally required four times.
Still in his playing prime at 28 years young, it's unwise to believe Jackson suddenly resembles a sloth-like Kirk Cousins on the ground. Yes, his scrambles have become more deliberate, but he should again average around eight bolts per game.
The Ravens did check in at a rigid No. 7 in pass-blocking efficiency in 2024, but Jackson still endured the second-most hurries (53) among passers. If the duress again mounts, he's sure to read, react and race upfield fairly often. Any total below 130 rush attempts over 15-plus games would qualify as earth-rattling -- especially with Derrick Henry to account for on designed RPOs.
Whether on designed or opportunistic runs, Jackson should comfortably cash the OVER. The dastardly injury imp is his only impediment.
Team lean - Ravens OVER 11.5 regular season wins (-118, BetMGM) - The playoff demons continue to haunt John Harbaugh. Baltimore has steadily blasted the competition in the regular season, but once the calendar flips to the New Year, its inevitable demise awaits.
When it comes to the prop above, it doesn't matter whether the Ravens overcome their past January shortfalls. Yes, the Bengals present stiff competition, but another dazzling regular season is in the offing.
ESPN's Mike Clay projects 12.2 wins for Charm City this season, giving them a ridiculous 60% or greater win probability in a whopping 15 games. With undeniably one of the most balanced rosters in the league, Baltimore should meet high expectations. Poe and his giant beak nod in agreement.