There is no greater position of question or need for the Ravens right now than wide receiver. The real problem has been the injury status of the group. None of the current questions surrounding the position would be asked if only Steve Smith Sr., Michael Campanaro and Breshad Perriman were locks to get on the field and stay on the field for 16 games.
Garrett Downing of BaltimoreRavens.com breaks down the roster candidates and adds some nice commentary in his piece written on July 21. Here is the official list of WR candidates as Ravens TC begins:
Returning Players
Kamar Aiken
(6-foot-2, 215 pounds, fourth season)
Daniel Brown (6-5, 225, second season)
Jeremy Butler (6-2, 213, third season)
Michael Campanaro (5-9, 185, third season)
Kaelin Clay (5-10, 195, second season)
Chris Matthews (6-5, 218, third season)
Breshad Perriman (6-2, 218, second season)
Steve Smith Sr. (5-9, 195, 16th season)
Rookies
Chris Moore (6-1, 205, fourth-round pick)
Keenan Reynolds (5-10, 190, sixth-round pick)
Free-Agent Additions
Mike Wallace (6-0, 205, eighth season)
The most interesting anticipated battles for a roster spot? This is how Downing sees it:
“The competition for a starting job will be something to watch throughout the summer. Aiken goes into camp with the advantage after last year’s breakout season, but Perriman could push him for reps if he’s healthy. Wallace will also be in the mix for a starting job based on how quickly he adjusts to his new home. On the other end of the depth chart, the Ravens will have several players vying for the final receiver spot on the roster. The Ravens may not be able to keep both Campanaro and Reynolds, so the microscope will be on both during camp. Baltimore also has several other young players capable of playing their way onto the team. Matthews made a name for himself with the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX and Butler was a one of the impressive players during last year’s training camp. Clay also showed his big-play potential last season with a punt return touchdown in last season’s victory over the Browns on Monday Night Football. The group has depth from top to bottom, and seemingly just like every year, the position has plenty of intriguing storylines going into camp.”
The main thing in my mind is how big an opportunity the ultimate roster players at WR will have to turn around the fortunes of the Ravens’ passing offense in 2016. That, and some unforeseen circumstances present a huge opportunity for one or more of the younger guys to step up and establish themselves in an NFL career.
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