With training camp beginning next week, we’ll take a look at a position group for the 2017 Ravens every day as they aim to return to the postseason for the first time since 2014.
Quarterbacks
Defensive line
Running backs
Cornerbacks
WIDE RECEIVERS
Projected depth chart:
WR – Jeremy Maclin, Chris Moore, Michael Campanaro, Griff Whalen, Kenny Bell, Quincy Adeboyejo
WR – Mike Wallace, Breshad Perriman, Keenan Reynolds, Chris Matthews, Tim White, Tim Patrick, C.J. Board
INJURED RESERVE – Aaron Bailey
Why to be impressed: The Ravens having two former 1,000-yard receivers on their roster isn’t all that out of the ordinary, but both — Maclin and Wallace — being under the age of 31 is a rarity in these parts. There is no shortage of speed with Wallace, Perriman, and Moore in the mix, so stretching the field shouldn’t be a problem for quarterback Joe Flacco and the passing game.
Why to be concerned: Baltimore is counting on Maclin to be a major factor trying to replace half of their overall receiving production from 2016, but he’s coming off a down season and injuries have often nagged him over his career, something that doesn’t figure to get better as he gets older. The Ravens are lacking a red-zone threat with great size at this position, a void magnified by the uncertainty at tight end.
2017 outlook: Ozzie Newsome had no choice but to sign Maclin when he became available in June as the Ravens would have been crazy to try to put all hope in Perriman’s development after the departures of Steve Smith and Kamar Aiken. They likely still need Perriman to pop if this offense wants to be anything better than middle of the road, but Maclin should fill the void in the intermediate portion of the field.
Prediction: The Ravens won’t have a single 1,000-yard receiver, but Maclin, Wallace, and Perriman will each catch five or more touchdowns in 2017.
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
8
Paid Advertisement
Podcast Audio Vault
88Paid Advertisement
Share the Post:
8Paid Advertisement
Right Now in Baltimore
From 'The Flu' to flying the Ravens into a Festivus?
Lamar Jackson hasn't practiced on a Wednesday in almost three months. Luke Jones and Nestor continue to spend midweeks discussing the health of the Baltimore Ravens two-time MVP quarterback and how it can't be helping the offensive operation. But, a win against the New England Patriots at home will keep hope alive in a wild and zany finish to the NFL regular season.
Leibovich: On the swamp and racket of The Big Game and bad government
"It's the best book ever written about the modern National Football League," so says Nestor about Big Game. And that's why we love having its author Mark Leibovich back on when his New England Patriots proudly return to Baltimore for some playoff knockout style football. Now with The Atlantic, the longtime political insider for The New York Times is also heavily immersed in Trumplandia and weighs in on the ongoing Epstein saga and the usual D.C. shenanigans.
Gordy pushes the beat to another Grammy nomination
Two-time Grammy Award winning percussionist and Marylander M.B. Gordy returns from Los Angeles to tell Nestor about the beat of his latest – and fourth – Grammy nomination with "Seven Seasons" in the Classical Compendium category.
888Paid Advertisement
