Every year I get excited about the opportunities the draft class offers at receiver to transform the Ravens offense. I try to study other teams’ rosters for hidden gems, look for values in free agency, and identify low-risk/high-reward fliers the team could take. Last year’s offseason came around and I was I like, this is it! They’ve finally been painted into a corner and have no choice but to prioritize receiver in the draft….
Three receivers go in the first, including my draft crush Corey Davis. Ok, that’s ok, there’s other guys available. Tyus Bowser – ok, good pick, we needed that athleticism. Chris Wormley – good player, I’m not panicking. Tim Williams – what a steal, future of the pass rush looking bright. Nico Siragusa – Ok, I’m not trippin’, they’ll trade back into the fourth and get somebody, they know how much we need a receiver. It’s fine, everything is fine – 4th round ends. Jermaine Eluemunor? We really aren’t gonna draft a receiver, are we?
Fortunately (I guess) for us, the Ravens have been painted even further into that corner. There isn’t a single receiver on the roster who I could say with any conviction should occupy a top 3 spot on the depth chart come September. The time has finally come, and I have all the questions.
Do they finally value separation and YAC?
How much influence will Eric DeCosta have? He’s already hinted at the 2nd/3rd round sweet spot. What’s his type?
They know wide receiver is a need, do they know how bad of a need it truly is?
Are they looking for just one splash in free agency or multiple bites at the apple?
The Ravens picked a good year to bottom out at wide receiver. This free agent class doesn’t have the star power but it’s deep. Same thing can be said for a draft class specifically stocked with slot talent. There will be options to reshape this group, FINALLY.
Let’s take a look at the roster as it currently stands.
Under contract
Tim White
Exclusive Rights Free Agent
Unrestricted Free Agents
Needs-EVERYTHING!!!
Maclin’s first, and likely last season in Baltimore did not go as planned for either party. Many were stunned when the Chiefs released him, especially since they didn’t have many established threats at the position. Maybe that should have been a hint to the Ravens that something wasn’t right. Now it’s quite possible it was 100 percent about his contract but he certainly looked like a player having increasing struggles separating from coverage. With $5 million in savings to come from releasing Maclin, the decision seems pretty clear.
Wallace seems to have developed into a leader during his time with the Ravens. He still has that trademark speed that makes him useful but I feel like the team would be better served looking for a more versatile replacement.
Moore began to show life as an NFL receiver in the last two months of the season. He supplanted Breshad Perriman in the lineup and made a few plays as a receiver as well as on special teams in coverage and as a returner. Moore reminded me of Kenny Stills coming out of Cincinnati. He’s got a good speed and tracks the ball well vertically. As much as it feels like he broke out, he didn’t surpass 50 yards in any game last season. It will be vital that the team properly evaluates him. His ideal role would be as a 4th receiver used as a clear-out guy in addition to his great work on special teams.
Perriman wasn’t the ideal first-round pick by any stretch but I applauded the ambition of the team. He came into the league with Julio Jones-ish dimensions but has had his career to this point ruined by injury. He was set so far behind in his development while playing a position notoriously difficult to adjust to from college to pro. He’s the type of specimen that could contribute even if the little nuances to playing the position still need refinement…if he could catch. He came into the league with a reputation of having shaky hands and they regressed even further last season. I don’t see the point of a pre-camp release, but he’s certainly reached the point where he has to be out of the plans. Bring him to camp and let him compete, if the downward slide continues cut bait.
White’s training camp feels like the summer love that got away. So fast and slippery in the open field, White looked well on his way to being the team’s punt returner and carving out a secondary role as a receiver until he was lost for the season with a thumb injury. I would approach his outlook with the same caution as I do with Moore but the upside is there for White to make plays in 2018.
WHEN healthy Campanaro is a useful player. He’d be fine to bring back to camp to compete for the last spot on the depth chart and punt returner.
The DeVier Posey signing represents the fliers I’ve felt like the team should take more often. It’s much more likely that he doesn’t contribute anything meaningful but the team should buy every lottery ticket they can get their hands on when trying to upgrade the offense.
Free Agent Options
Because of the plethora of options and the dire need at the position I’m going to do this a little differently, breaking this group into categories.
Bridge players-Players looking for an opportunity for playing time to improve their stock, likely not long-term answers.
Brice Butler – Field stretcher with ability at the catch point; underutilized in Dallas.
Taylor Gabriel – Role vanished sans Kyle Shanahan; would be a huge YAC upgrade.
Kendall Wright – Still a talented slot receiver; worth a cheap flier.
Eli Rogers – Restricted free agent; dependable slot receiver…I had him higher pre-injury.
Albert Wilson – Would also be a boon to the team’s YAC problem; may be a category too low.
Immediate foundation players – Starters, core pieces of the hopeful offensive resurgence.
Tyrell Williams – Restricted FA, 25 and talented. Chargers just took a WR in the top 10; what’s his ceiling?
Paul Richardson – Vertical threat; could shine downfield in a higher volume role.
John Brown – Sorely needed separator; productive but has had issues staying healthy.
Marqise Lee – Can separate some and makes plays after the catch; likely odd man out in Jacksonville.
Terrelle Pryor – What the hell happened last year?
Swing for the fences – Big splash!
Allen Robinson – Would imagine he’s re-signed or tagged in Jacksonville, but do your due diligence, Ravens!
Sammy Watkins – Same as Robinson.
Jarvis Landry – Talented player; wouldn’t be my move but makes sense with right pieces around him.
Draft Options
Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama – Polished high floor prospect due to his advanced route running. He’s a very quick player that gains separation routinely while also having the long speed to be a vertical threat. He uses smooth quick cuts to pick up more yards in the open field. You wonder what his age (23) and lack of elite production or size does to his stock. I think he’s got more of a chance to get to 16th overall then people think. Within reason I think the Ravens should make Ridley a priority, even if it costs a pick to move up a few spots. The team has to hit at receiver in this draft and Ridley has by far the lowest floor in the class.
Projection: 1st round
James Washington, WR Oklahoma – Really intriguing prospect for me with layers to his game. He’s an accomplished and nuanced deep threat. His stocky build and burst makes him a terror after the catch. His hands are really strong, and he has a gang of circus catches under his belt. Route running isn’t always as fluid as you’d like to see but he doesn’t look out of place. Would be a great add, one that could play a multitude of roles.
Projection: 2nd round
D.J. Moore, WR Maryland – Talented open field player who has the ability to play bigger than his height in contested situations. The type of guy you scheme touches to because he’s so productive in space. He’s the type of creator the Ravens could use. When you watch him, it also feels like he could be a plus deep threat on the next level with technique work and better QB play than he had at MD.
Projection: 2nd round
[Related: Positional Overview – Running Back]
Dante Pettis, WR Washington – One of the lesser hyped players in this class, Pettis brings a lot to the table. Another terrific open field player – sensing a trend? – who routinely slips tackles. He’s a clean route runner who’s shown the ability to get behind defenses. He competes as a blocker and on top of all that he’s a #goat punt returner. He’s not big and probably won’t wow anybody with his 40 time but he has all the looks of a productive starter and upper echelon return guy.
Projection: 2nd to 3rd round
Anthony Miller, WR Memphis – Tough, quick, compact player that plays with an edge. Picks his way to extra yards after the catch and bounces of would be tacklers. His ability to make contested catches is impressive for someone his size. One of my favorites in this year’s class, and his game is eerily similar to *whisper* Antonio Brown.
Projection: 3rd round
DaeSean Hamilton, WR Penn State – Nimble and sudden player with good size for the slot, although I wouldn’t limit him. Advanced as a route runner with tremendous feet. He wins in the open field more with stiff arms and rugged determination then pure speed or moves. Another favorite of mine, really solid floor, should be a productive player very early on.
Projection: 3rd round
Deontay Burnett, WR USC – Burnett doesn’t offer a great deal of flash but he’s the type of player that will contribute and does have some upside if he’s able to get stronger. He’s quick, runs good routes and catches the ball well. Efficient player after the catch. I could see him carving out a role as a good 3rd or 4th receiver.
Projection: 4th round
Richie James, WR Middle Tennessee State – A shifty, tackle slipping, elusive slot receiver. Albeit a lower level of competition, James effortlessly weaved through traffic after the catch for big gains. Because of his size and the level of competition he’ll continue to fly under the radar unless he obliterates his 40-yard dash. He’s the type of later round guy I’d prioritize taking a flier on.
Projection: 6th round
