Baltimore Ravens games were a slog in 2015. The team looked slow on both sides of the ball. Receivers couldn’t get open, and defensive backs did their best matador impression, allowing speed receivers to get open with impunity. At least on offense, that should change with the healthy return of a single player: Breshad Perriman.
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When Breshad Perriman uncorked a 4.2 40-yard dash at his pro day, that was it. A legend was born of a prospect with world class speed and size to get any jump ball. Lest we forget, prior to that 40-yard dash, Perriman was considered a mid-round prospect by most draftniks, a receiver who struggled with drops and didn’t run routes. Running that 4.2 didn’t change his drops or his route, yet Perriman’s stock rose all the way to the first round, where the Baltimore Ravens selected him 26th overall.
I was critical of the move at the time. The Ravens had drafted a player who undoubtedly would not be an every down contributor on day one. Perriman needed to learn to look the ball into his hands. He needed to learn the fundamentals of route running. That is not done in one offseason. Yet, I still saw what Perriman could do for the offense. As long as he was not counted on to produce on an every-down basis, Perriman’s skills on the deep ball would be a big boost in small doses.
Yet, the Ravens did not plan for Perriman to be brought along slowly. Rather, they bet everything on this raw 21-year old. And it backfired, though due to an injury rather than Perriman’s rawness. The Ravens’ training staff and communications team so bungled the poor rookie, he missed the entire season, and fans were left in the dark as to why until mid-November.
I recall all this not to lament a lost season, but rather as a reminder: The Ravens put too much stock in Perriman last offseason. They can’t make the same mistake again. Injury or no, Perriman is just not ready for the rigors of an 1,000 snap season. His lack of explosion out of cuts is a big issue that may never be corrected. Check out how slow Perriman was coming out of this double move.
Another issue, perhaps the biggest issue, was drops. The Ravens tried to brush this off as concentration drops, but concentration drops are not so easily cured. Maddening drops won’t be uncommon for Perriman throughout his career. If the rest of his game develops, the good should outweigh the bad with Perriman, but those drops will probably always be an issue.
Further, there is no guarantee that Perriman will be healthy for the start of the season, nor that his explosiveness will be back immediately. Patience will be the name of the game with Perriman. If healthy, there is no reason Perriman can’t be the third receiver, but relying on him to start again would be a folly.
Fortunately for the Ravens, Perriman won’t have to start this year. Kamar Aiken and Steve Smith should have those roles locked down, assuming a healthy return for Smith.
Aiken, already solid on underneath routes, learned to attack the ball on contested deep balls late in 2015. If that skill carries over into 2016, Aiken should be a competent starter.
Smith, however, is a question mark, even if he returns healthy. He will be 37-years old at the start of the season, and he is coming off a ruptured Achilles and a broken back. It’s hard to imagine Smith putting up 95.7 yards per game again.
So the Ravens have Aiken and two big question marks at receiver. Beyond that is a collection of special teamers, limited upside guys and one oft-injured talent (Michael Campanaro). Accordingly, the Ravens need to get better at receiver this offseason.
To do so, the Ravens need to consider the talent they already have. Especially Perriman, who despite my reservations about him is a big part of the Ravens’ future. Further, with Aiken a restricted free agent this offseason and unlikely to strike a long-term extension anywhere, the breakout star of 2015 will likely be an unrestricted free agent in 2017.
So who will complement Perriman the best among the current crop of receivers? Corey Coleman is intriguing, as his quickness makes him a nice counterpoint to Perriman’s somewhat straight-linish speed. That said, Coleman also drops the ball more than one would want, which would leave the Ravens with two receivers with below average hands.
Laquon Treadwell has strong hands, and his lack of speed is offset somewhat by Perriman’s wheels. The timing just doesn’t seem quite right for Treadwell, though. He’s not worth the sixth pick, and there is no world in which he will be available when the Ravens pick in the second round.
Michael Thomas could fit the bill in the second round. His skillset is similar to that of Kamar Aiken, but with better size and aggressiveness tracking the ball. He can also function as an underneath threat, but he too is a bit straight-linish. Double-moves would not be an option in a Perriman-Thomas receiving corps.
While I like all those guys, and if the value is there in the second round, I think they would all be great fits for the Ravens, the Ravens might be best served double-dipping at the position later in the draft, where guys like Sterling Shepard and Rashard Higgins await. Regardless, the Ravens need an infusion of young talent at this position.
Aside from the draft, the Ravens should try to trend young when looking at free agent wide receivers (specifically cap casualties). The Ravens are not likely contenders next year, so getting a one-year rental would serve no discernible purpose.
Finally, there is one guy who could change this whole discussion: Michael Campanaro. Every time I see him play, I’m impressed. Yet, Campanaro is always injured, and even when he was healthy last year, the Ravens kept him sidelined in favor of Marlon Brown. Campanaro is the Ravens’ quickest slot receiver, but he may never stay healthy long enough to realize that potential. The Ravens can’t count on him, but they also can’t forget him, as his upside is high, and his skills complement nicely with Perriman.
Clearly, the future of the Ravens’ receiving corps hinges on Perriman. The decisions they make this offseason will be made informed with the knowledge they have Perriman waiting in the wings. Ravens fans can only hope the Ravens’ don’t go all-in on Perriman again in 2016.
Shawn began his writing career with Bleacher Report as a Ravens featured columnist and Breaking News Team writer. He moved on to write for Yahoo! and work on the Ravens Central Radio podcast. Most recently, he was an Editor at the Baltimore Wire. Shawn is a 2013 graduate of the Catholic University of America.