The Baltimore Ravens always seem to have a relatively quiet offseason as far as free agents are concerned. Baltimore rarely makes splashy moves or big name acquisitions. Instead, Ozzie Newsome and Co. do a brilliant job of working the cap and letting over-valued players get overpaid somewhere else.
The free agency period hasn’t even technically started yet and Baltimore has already lost one of its top playmakers from last season.
But there is no reason to panic or fear. The 2015 season will prove the Ravens right.
Losing Torrey Smith hurts. Smith was the consummate professional, both on the field and off. Smith led the team in receiving touchdowns last season. He contributed to several charitable services throughout Baltimore. Smith had connections to the area even before he became a Raven since he played his college ball at the University of Maryland. Seriously, was there a more likable player on the Ravens roster last season?
But as wonderful as Torrey Smith is as a player and a person, the Ravens were right to let him walk. Baltimore will be able to replace him. They already have players who are probably salivating at the opportunity to take over a starting position.
You’ve heard the names before: Kamar Aiken, Marlon Brown, and Michael Campanaro.
[RELATED: Moving On From Torrey Smith]
The biggest issue with all of these in-house candidates is that none of them have the speed that Torrey Smith does. Smith was capable of taking the top off of a defense. He could run by a corner and a safety and leave them both in his wake. Smith is so fast that several times he would actually have to slow down for a Joe Flacco deep ball. That is really saying something, considering that Flacco is constantly praised for having one of the strongest arms in the NFL.
Aiken, Brown, and Campanaro aren’t burners. They cannot take the top off of a defense like Torrey Smith, but all three of them have proven to be capable receivers when given the opportunity. They will need to step up this season.
Finding a Deep Threat
Baltimore could always look to the draft (and they almost certainly will) to replace Torrey Smith. It may not be in the first round, but Baltimore will be sure to bring in a receiver who is capable of effectively running vertical routes. A few names to keep in mind that fit that mold include Phillip Dorsett (Miami), Tyler Lockett (Kansas State), and Devin Smith (Ohio State). Those three guys can all fly and should be available on the second day or later of the NFL Draft.
[RELATED: Could Devin Smith Replace Torrey?]
As a bonus, Dorsett and Lockett both have experience as kick and punt returners so they might be able to compete for the vacancy that Jacoby Jones left.
Even if the Ravens don’t go after any of those guys in the draft, there are several options that will be available at a modest price through free agency. Some names that might interest the Ravens are Denarius (what is this Game of Thrones?) Moore, Robert Meachem, and former Terrapin Darrius Heyward-Bey. Those three receivers won’t excite too many Ravens fans, but they are guys who would give Baltimore the deep threat, straight line speed that the Ravens receiving corps is now clearly lacking. All of these players would be available to sign at a relatively inexpensive price.
When it comes down to it, Ravens fans, don’t sweat Torrey Smith leaving.
With Ozzie Newsome calling the shots, we will be just fine.
