NFL Draft

Zay Flowers Already Loving His Versatile Role in Ravens' New Offense

Baltimore's first-round pick will be lining up all over the field in Todd Monken's scheme.

Luke Easterling

Kirby Lee - USA TODAY Sports
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If you watched Zay Flowers at Boston College, you're already well aware of how much havoc he can wreak on opposing defenses, regardless of where he lines up.

The Baltimore Ravens appear ready to maximize that versatility and big-play ability after making Flowers their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

With a superstar at quarterback in Lamar Jackson, the Ravens are breaking in a new offensive coordinator in Todd Monken, who is expected to open up the passing game after taking over for Greg Roman's run-heavy approach.

The early returns have Flowers excited about his role in the new scheme, as he's been getting reps at all three receiver positions.

"That's what I want. That's exactly what I want," Flowers recently told Ravens team writer Ryan Mink. "As long as I'm touching the ball, I feel like I can make a play from anywhere, no matter where it is. [Monken's] offense allows everyone to be able to get the ball. Just spread everybody out, move pieces around, and get everybody open." 

Flowers doesn't care how the ball gets into his hands; he'll be ready to turn every touch into a score regardless.

"I just want to touch the ball. I don't care how – screens, deeps balls, intermediate routes, shallow crosses – it doesn't matter," Flowers told Mink. "As long as I'm touching the ball, I feel confident that I can help the team."

Along with Jackson, Flowers will have another superstar helping him with the transition to the next level in veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who signed a one-year deal with Baltimore this offseason.

"It was good learning from the vets, trying to get a connection with Lamar, learning stuff from Odell like what to and not to do, learning defenses from him and how to run routes and how to be patient on certain routes," Flowers told Mink. "Working out with them added a little bit to my game, I'd say, during this break."

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Luke Easterling
LUKE EASTERLING

Luke Easterling (he/him) has been covering college football and the NFL for more than two decades, with a particular focus on the nexus of both, the NFL Draft. Writing for some of the largest and most recognizable brands in sports media, Luke's experience and expertise in evaluating potential NFL prospects and evaluating team needs/fits has earned the appreciation of his readers, and the respect of his peers. Luke cut his sports journalism teeth at The Tampa Tribune before spending two years at Bleacher Report as a featured columnist covering the NFL Draft and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Luke then spent nearly seven years at USA TODAY Sports Media Group as editor of Draft Wire and Bucs Wire, building both into authoritative destination sites for their respective audiences. Now at The Arena Group, Luke covers the NFL and college football for Athlon Sports, and runs Sports Illustrated's FanNation site for the NFL Draft. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Luke has been a featured guest on ESPN Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Fox Sports Radio, SiriusXM and more.  Based in Tampa, Florida (the true home of the Cuban sandwich), Luke plays the drums, loves 2000s pop-punk, watches way too many British murder mystery shows, and channels the energy of his deep-south Grammy and his full-Italian Nana in the kitchen. Twitter: @lukeeasterling Email: luke.easterling@si.com

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