OWINGS MILLS, Md. Within months, the Baltimore Ravens had gone from the NFL’s least productive wide receiver group to a potentially historic unit.
The Ravens could become the first team in league history to have five first-round draft picks wide on a pass reception in the regular season. The 2005 Detroit Lions are the only team to have four different first-round receivers do so, according to research by the Elias Sports Bureau.
This situation was clearly Baltimore’s priority off the season after the Ravens finished last season with a league-low 1,517 yards from wide receivers. In addition to the return of Rashod Pittman from a season-ending foot injury, Baltimore signed Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor and Lakun Treadwell to free agency and drafted Z. Flowers with his top pick in this year’s draft.
At the end of last season, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh mentioned that the only area of offense that needs to be rebuilt is at the wide receiver. Did he have this kind of reform in mind?
“I envisioned us doing our best and ignored a lot of media reports that recipients didn’t want to come here and all that nonsense,” Harbaugh said. “Now we have to get better. I mean, ‘Well, how good are we?’ “We are as good as we play, and this is the next step.”
There was a narrative that wide receivers didn’t want to play on the Ravens’ first offense after JuJu Smith-Schuster and TY Hilton opted to play elsewhere in 2021. This offseason, having been the only team without a wide receiver Receiving in excess of 460 yards, Baltimore has put together its most talented group of pass catchers in terms of percentages.
But this is a set of positions that have a lot to prove. Beckham missed all of last season after having yet another operation on his left knee, and Agholor and Treadwell are still trying to shake off the characteristic first-round disappointments. Even Pittman, who has been sidelined for the last nine games, has a chip on his shoulder.
“You don’t really care about expectations,” said Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.[It’s] Only men should get out there and do what they’re doing. The reason they go [in the] first round [is because they] Make those plays and things like that. And I think we have the guys to do that.”
Odell Beckham Jr.
formulated: The 12th pick in 2014 by the New York Giants
expected role: Beckham, the most accomplished receiver on the team, has all the motivation to be the #1 wide receiver on this team. He can earn a total of $3 million if he produces 60+ receptions, 1,000 receiving yards and nine touchdowns – or leads the team in those categories.
The biggest question: What version of Beckham do you get crows? When Beckham dresses up in September, it will be his first match in 19 months. He has not had a 1,000-yard receiving season since 2019, which is also the last time he played under current Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken. But before he injured his left knee in the Super Bowl two seasons ago, Beckham seemed to be regaining playmaker form with the Los Angeles Rams, scoring seven touchdowns in 12 games (including the playoffs).
What do crows say about him: “He will always be cunning. He will always be able to find a way to break away [from defenders]. Monken
The expected imaginary numbers of Mike Clay: 52 receptions for 676 yards and four TDs
costume flowers
formulated: 22 in 2023 by Crows
expected role: Flowers could end up being Jackson’s first target from the outside if Beckham and Bateman are still having injury problems. At the very least, Flowers would be a top three wide receiver in Baltimore as a rookie because of his drive and breakaway ability.
The biggest questionCan flowers overcome a lack of size? At 5-foot-9, he was the smallest player ever selected in the first round (along with running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions). Ravens general manager Eric D’Costa downplayed Flowers, calling him “a competitive and feisty player with a production history spanning more than five years.”
What do crows say about him“When you watch his film, you just see an explosive player on tape who can play inside and out. [He has] Great acceleration. [He’s a] A playmaker with the ball in his hands, he makes big plays, he plays contenders in midfield.” —Ravens Personnel Manager Joe Hortiz
The expected imaginary numbers of Mike Clay: 49 receptions for 625 yards and five TDs
Rashod Pitman
formulated: 27th in 2021 by Ravens
expected role: Jackson declared this away from Batman as “Receiver 1, for sure”. Before suffering a left foot injury in Week 4 last season, Pittman looked like the #1 receiving prospect when he ranked third in the AFC North with 243 receiving yards. But he has more points (four) than touchdowns (three) in his career.
The biggest question: Will Bateman stay healthy? During his two-year career, he missed 16 of 34 games with a groin injury in 2021 and a foot injury last year. Bateman was out of minicamp entirely in June because he received a cortisone shot in his foot after the screws were removed. He must be ready to participate in the training camp.
What do crows say about him: “Rashoed is going to have a great season. I am a big believer in Rashod Bateman.” – Harbu
The expected imaginary numbers of Mike Clay: 46 receptions, 605 yards and three TDs
Nelson Agulor
formulated: 20th in 2015 by the Philadelphia Eagles
expected role: Competition with Devin DuVernay for fourth place. This is subject to change given durability issues with Beckham and Bateman. Agholor is also pushing for more snaps after being one of the Ravens’ most productive players in the offseason.
The biggest question: Can Agulor reverse his decline? A first-round disappointment, Agholor had a career-high year in 2020, when he had a career-high 896 yards with the Las Vegas Raiders. Since then, his catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns have all declined in each of the past two seasons. However, Harbou is a fan. He mentioned Agolor’s name repeatedly when talking about wide receivers, referring to him as an “underrated signing”.
What do crows say about himHe was right. He’s a talented guy. [He’s a] a previous first-round selection; It sounds like a big sized hunting radius.” — Harbaugh
The expected imaginary numbers of Mike Clay: 11 receptions for 152 yards and 1 TD
Lacon Treadwell
formulated23rd: 2016 Minnesota Vikings
expected role: fighting for one of the ultimate wide receiver spots after being signed on June 6. A Minnesota bust, Treadwell has intriguing size (6-2, 215) and speed but very little output. He has never gained more than 450 receiving yards in a season and has a total of five touchdowns in 76 career games.
The biggest questionWill Treadwell make the team? Treadwell is his seventh team in five years. Last season, he caught six passes for 42 yards with the Seattle Seahawks after being cut from the practice squads of the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals. Treadwell will need to beat the likes of Tylan Wallace and James Proche II and will likely make an impact on the special teams to do so.
What do crows say about him:”[He’s] Really determined guy – he wants to be really good. [He’s] physical [in] Practice [and] I worked hard at the exercise. [He] Get out of here [on June 7] And he pretty much knew what he was doing, having been here less than 24 hours [prior]. Didn’t go wrong there. I think that says a lot about who he is. So, it will be in the mix. We’ll let him compete and see how he does.” – Harbou
The expected imaginary numbers of Mike Clay: Unavailable