Rookie wide receivers can burst onto the scene if everything breaks the right way. In Zay Flowers’ case, he flourished with the Baltimore Ravens and helped his MVP quarterback, Lamar Jackson, throughout the season.
Flowers make up for his lack of size (5’9″, 182 pounds) with his ability to separate. His game shines and is reminiscent of a former Pro Bowl wide receiver, T.Y. Hilton.
The question is whether Flowers’ fantasy football outlook will bloom further in his second year with the return of a healthy Mark Andrews and the signing of Derrick Henry.
Zay Flowers’ Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
Flowers is a unique talent at the wide receiver position. While his elusive ability is off the charts, as he is hard to get your hands on during his routes, he isn’t just that; he is also fast. Flowers brings a top-end speed that defenders must account for, or he will burn them over the top.
Last season, Flowers was as sure-handed as they get. He received 108 targets and turned them into 77 receptions. He had a 71.3% receptions percentage, the 13th-best in the NFL per TruMedia.
Jackson showed he trusted Flowers to help move the offense as well, as the speedy wideout caught 41 balls that became first downs — the 32nd-best figure in the entire league.
The biggest concern with Flowers’ second season is the Ravens upgrading their offensive talent as a whole in more ways than one.
Firstly, Baltimore’s players are returning from injuries. Last season, Rashod Bateman suffered lower body injuries, but all reports are saying he will be cleared to start the season. We have also spoken about Andrews’ clean bill of health; he is the alpha of the Ravens’ offense for Jackson.
Internal comebacks are just one concern. We must also worry about the new faces, as the Ravens signed a superstar back to run their backfield. King Henry will demand several opportunities, especially within the red zone, which could limit Flowers’ upside in fantasy football.
Is Flowers a Good Fantasy Pick?
Flowers is coming off fantasy draft boards at No. 61st overall.
Although the average draft price (ADP) seems fair, I’m fading Flowers. The changes in Baltimore’s offense are too immense to believe that his second-year breakout is imminent.
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If you decide to aim for a smaller wide receiver around that spot, look at the No. 65 overall player, Tank Dell, and shoot for the higher upside. Flowers is a talented wide receiver, but he has a small catch radius, which is concerning.
In addition, be wary of Flowers’ bye week, which lands in Week 14, a crucial week in fantasy football.
Drafting small wide receivers differs from the typical draft strategy PFN recommends, as their game-changing abilities are limited.