Zay Flowers Says He’s Faster and Stronger in 2025, Expects More Deep Balls and Explosive Plays in Ravens Offense

When Zay Flowers stepped to the podium at Baltimore Ravens training camp this week, he didn’t hesitate to let reporters know how different things feel heading into his sophomore NFL season.

“I feel like I got faster, I got stronger,” Flowers said, beaming with confidence. “A lot of people said I got faster, more explosive.”

That’s exactly what the Ravens want to hear. After an impressive rookie season where he hauled in 77 catches for 858 yards and five touchdowns, Flowers is eyeing a much bigger role in 2025—one that includes more deep balls and more highlights.

Building Off a Promising Rookie Campaign

Drafted in the first round out of Boston College, Flowers immediately became a favorite target for quarterback Lamar Jackson. Despite playing in a revamped Todd Monken offense that emphasized balance and multiple formations, Flowers carved out a reliable role by midseason.

But even then, his deep-threat potential wasn’t fully unleashed.

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Flowers averaged just 10.9 air yards per target—ranking in the lower third of the league among starting wide receivers. Most of his big gains came from yards after the catch, where his quickness and agility turned short throws into chain-movers.

In 2025, that could change dramatically.

“I’m going to catch more deep balls,” Flowers said. “I already see the chemistry coming together with Lamar in the deep game. We’re working on it every day.”

Speed, Strength, and Chemistry

Flowers credits his offseason work with Jackson, strength coach Scott Elliott, and a personal speed trainer back in Florida for his physical improvements. He says his 40-yard dash time dropped by “a tenth and a half,” and his lower-body explosion has never felt better.

“It’s not just about being fast,” Flowers explained. “It’s about being explosive off the line, beating press, separating at the top of routes. That’s where I’ve taken the biggest step.”

Jackson agrees. “He looks like a different dude,” the MVP quarterback told reporters. “Last year he was already fast, but now he’s more polished, more confident. You can see it in how he runs his routes.”

That timing and trust could lead to bigger plays downfield—an area the Ravens lacked consistency in last season.

A More Vertical Offense?

With offensive coordinator Todd Monken in his second year and all eyes on a more vertical passing game, Flowers’ development couldn’t come at a better time. The Ravens also added veteran receiver Deonte Harty and tight end Isaiah Likely is expected to take on a larger role after the trade of Charlie Kolar.

“This year we want to stretch the field,” Monken said during a post-practice presser. “Zay is a big part of that. He’s always had the wiggle, the yards after catch. But now he’s got that extra burst to get behind safeties. That opens up so much.”

That vertical threat also allows Baltimore’s run-first identity to operate more efficiently. Defenses can no longer afford to stack the box or cheat downhill on short throws, knowing Flowers can take the top off.

“Explosiveness changes how defenses call the game,” Monken added. “Zay can be that game-breaker.”

Competition and Mentorship

Flowers isn’t the only one looking to elevate in 2025. Rashod Bateman is healthy and entering a contract year, Odell Beckham Jr. is gone, and rookie Devontez Walker has drawn early camp buzz. Still, Flowers remains the centerpiece of the receiving corps.

“He’s our WR1,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “He works like it, he prepares like it, and he leads in the film room.”

Veterans have taken notice too. Bateman, often the quiet technician of the group, praised Flowers for his attention to detail. “He’s always asking questions, watching film,” Bateman said. “That’s why he’s so hard to guard—he’s constantly evolving.”

Even Hall of Fame receiver Steve Smith Sr., who spent time consulting with the Ravens in OTAs, called Flowers “one of the most dangerous young receivers in the league” and predicted a “1,200-yard season” if he stays healthy.

Flowers’ Mental Game Growing Too

Beyond the physical tools, Flowers said he spent time this offseason breaking down film—not just of himself, but of top receivers like Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, and DeVonta Smith.

“I wanted to see how they get open, how they use body control and timing,” he explained. “Sometimes it’s not about being the fastest—it’s about being smart, knowing leverage, how to sell a move. I added that to my game.”

He also praised new Ravens receivers coach Greg Lewis, who spent time coaching Super Bowl winners in Kansas City and Philadelphia. “Coach Lewis has taught me how to use my speed better,” Flowers said. “It’s not about running full speed all the time—it’s about when to change gears.”

That understanding of pacing and deception could lead to more separation and bigger plays—especially in man-to-man coverage.

The Bigger Picture in Baltimore

The Ravens have championship expectations again after falling short in last year’s AFC Championship Game. With a healthy roster, a defense led by Roquan Smith, and a franchise quarterback in his prime, the pieces are there.

But if they’re going to get over the hump and into the Super Bowl, they need a receiver who can take over games—and Flowers knows it.

“That’s my goal,” he said. “Be that guy who makes a play when the team needs it most. I’ve worked for this moment.”

With his speed, strength, and mindset all trending upward, the Ravens may just have found their X-factor in Zay Flowers.

The 2025 season could mark Zay Flowers’ true breakout moment—not just as a reliable option, but as one of the league’s most feared playmakers. If his claims about improved speed and explosiveness hold up, expect Lamar Jackson to look his way more often, especially on deep balls.

And if that connection blossoms, Baltimore might finally unlock the vertical dimension that could carry them all the way to a Super Bowl.