One catch, one target, 13 yards. Might not look like a lot on the box score, but I was extremely impressed with the debut target from Devin Duvernay and what I think he might be able to provide to the Ravens this year.
Duvernay has an acceleration style that feels almost effortless. He kind of glides across the field in a way where you don’t expect someone of his length to be able to reach the space he does. This wasn’t truly necessary against the Browns, in a game where the Ravens didn’t trail. But I think against better teams that will continue to try to stack the box to limit the Baltimore running attack, Duvernay can potentially be a counter-balancer outside. Not only on screens, but also I think he has some deep speed that can win when opponents are baited on the screen.
The one thing that stood out to me in Lamar Jackson’s press conference this week was what he said about Duvernay (via Ravens.com transcripts):
I think this is a situation that bears watching as Baltimore’s opponents key in more on what they did last year and, with nine months lead time, have more of an idea of how to deal with the run attack. There are very few head coaches in the NFL that don’t fret about the idea of getting run out of the building as Greg Roman did last year.
So what’s the way to combat that? Have wide receivers that the run game defenders also have to key on. Duvernay can be a run-pass option slant catcher. Duvernay can take handoffs in the backfield or on endarounds. Duvernay can win deep if he needs to on a one-on-one ball. While the Ravens had some of this last year with Chris Moore at times, and Hollywood Brown had the speed to do a lot of this, I think Duvernay gives them a way to make teams still have to pay for shading safeties towards Brown.
So listen, you don’t need me to tell you that the Ravens passing game looked tremendous in the opener. You don’t need me to tell you that the young receivers are growing and able to make Lamar Jackson look better every week. But I think the seeds of what this offense is going to need to do come playoff time were just barely planted last week. Duvernay gives a dimension that this team simply didn’t have last year. It’s a flash, and not a consistent win, so let’s not count this as a win just yet. But I do think it’s very important that the Ravens start setting up to win games where they aren’t just bullying an opponent.
Duvernay provides the offense with a way to punish an opponent quickly on a loaded look or blitz. I’m looking forward to seeing how his role grows as we get deeper into the season.
Ravens Analyst
Rivers McCown is a writer and editor who has written for ESPN.com, Bleacher Report, USA Today, and Deadspin, among other places. He’s edited for Football Outsiders, Rookie Scouting Portfolio, and Pre-Snap Reads Quarterback Catalogue.