Most of the Ravens coaches have lauded the work effort of wide receiver James Proche.
However, the third-year player from SMU has struggled to get on the field with the rest of the offense.
That could change this season and Proche is poised to make a bigger impact and put the disappointment behind him.
The Ravens traded Marquise Brown to the Arizona Cardinals during this year’s NFL draft and they have not added a veteran wide receiver.
Coach John Harbaugh appears determined to see how the young wideouts can perform. That means Proche could have a bigger role if he keeps progressing.
“I think at some point in time, you’ve got to put guys out there,” coach John Harbaugh said. “We all like to cling to the known, the names, whatever it might be, and the opportunity to throw those guys out there and see how they do … I can tell you this, they’re working really hard. I mean, they understand the situation, and I think they’re making the most of it.
“They’ve been here, really being honest with you, for almost months now. They’ve been here from the beginning working extremely hard every day.”
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Proche was selected by the Ravens in the sixth round (201st overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He played in 14 games as a rookie, contributing mostly on special teams as the primary punt returner for most of the year. Proche returned 23 punts for 198 yards (8.6 avg) while adding 1 reception for 14 yards and earned PFWA All-Rookie special teams honors.
Last year, Proche again appeared in 14 games, finishing with career highs in receptions (16) and receiving yards (202). He also added two kickoff returns for 22 yards. He recorded a career-high 7 catches for 76 yards against the Bengals on Dec. 26.
However, he admitted that he has not been content with his role as a wide receiver. He’s determined to change those expectations this season.
“It would be frustrating for anybody just because you want to play,” Proche said. “That’s why you work hard, to play. But, like the best thing that I’ve ever heard in my life is, ‘Control what you can control.’ It almost makes me feel invincible at a point, just because God has a plan for me – it’s already out there. I just have to keep walking in those steps, keep working, keep my head down and just keep grinding. Control what I can control.”
The Ravens will also be relying heavily on some other young wide receivers, including Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay and Tylan Wallace.
Undrafted second-year player Binjimen Victor always seems to make big plays in the offseason, but he has not yet found a role with the team.
Some undrafted rookies, most notably Slade Bolden and Devon Williams, are pushing hard for roster spots. Both of those players have the pedigree to play in the NFL with Bolden prepping at Alabama and Williams starring at Oregon.
Rookie tight end Isaiah Likely, a fourth-round pick, can also line up as a wide receiver because he has the speed to get behind a secondary.
Proche has confidence that all of these young wideouts are ready to make an impact, despite the criticism from the national media.
“Obviously, there is a lot of noise – a lot bad, some good – around our receiver room,” Proche said. “We just want to quiet the noise with our play, with how we carry ourselves every day. You most definitely pay attention to it whether you want to or not. As a competitor, it does put a chip on your shoulder because you want to prove those doubters wrong.”
