Keenan Reynolds has garnered a ton of attention over the last three weeks. Usually a team’s first-round pick, especially one in the top ten, is the selection that grabs most headlines. However, it seems as if Reynolds has been in the spotlight more than Ronnie Stanley. Maybe that’s because the Stanley pick, while a good one, was a little boring. It wasn’t the flashy pick most Ravens fans were hoping for. Maybe it’s because the Ravens openly gushed over their admiration for Reynolds after drafting him, and rightfully so. He’s a leader, a winner and he also set a record for the most touchdowns in FBS history. It’s probably a little bit of both.
The selection of Reynolds was a great value pick considering where he was taken. It followed a theme in this year’s draft that had the Ravens selecting players that are just as intelligent and hardworking as they are athletic, and that was smart. They’ve been burned a few times recently by players like Matt Elam, Terrence Brooks and Arthur Brown, players who excelled in college because they were supreme athletes, but have struggled once they reached the highest level. But as much hype as the Midshipman has surrounding him, fans should be fair and temper their expectations for him as he enters his rookie year.
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Reynolds is attempting to make a position change as he enters the NFL, and that’s no easy task. The players he’ll be competing with for a roster spot have probably been lining up as a receiver since they still believed in Santa Claus. Reynolds will have to learn on the fly.
While Bobby Engram’s unit still has a lot of unanswered questions, there will be fierce competition for the last couple of spots. Steve Smith Sr., Breshad Perriman, Kamar Aiken and Mike Wallace are locks to make the team. Barring a disastrous training camp, Chris Moore will likely make the final roster as well considering where he was drafted. Even if the Ravens keep seven receivers Reynolds will have to battle it out with Michael Campanaro, Kaelin Clay, Chris Matthews and Daniel Brown for one of the final two spots.
Reynolds’ best shot to make the team will largely depend on his ability to be used as a returner. Campanaro will probably be his biggest competition in that regard. Camp has been injury-prone his first two seasons, but the Ravens may be hesitant to move on from him because he’s shown the ability to make plays during limited action. It won’t look good for them if they cut him and then he prospers elsewhere. Campanaro has always drawn comparisons to great slot receivers like Julian Edelman and Wes Welker. If he developed into that for say, Pittsburgh or New England, it would be the Ravens’ worst nightmare.
It also comes down to the simple fact that Reynolds was a sixth-round pick. Other sixth round picks for the Ravens over the years include Keith Wenning, Tommy Streeter, Ramon Harewood and Prescott Burgess. Some, like Tyrod Taylor, Ryan Jensen and Sam Koch have made impacts, but more often than not they don’t.
Reynolds was a great pick by the Ravens. If anyone is able to make a position change as they enter the NFL and beat out stiff competition for a roster spot it’s probably him. He won’t be outworked and he would be a great addition to the locker room. But just because everyone wants to see him make the team doesn’t mean he definitely will. Even if he does, we should temper our expectations early on.
It would be unfair otherwise – to ourselves and to the young man.
