“The Competition” is a series that breaks down every position battle leading up to training camp. Below are the wide receivers:
Returning Players
Veteran Newcomer
Rookies
Projected Starters
Smith will presumably lock down one of the starting spots. Despite the possibility of a lightened snap count for the veteran, Smith Sr. will play a huge role in the passing game. He’s the unquestioned leader of the group. The man lining up opposite him could rotate. With Torrey Smith now in San Francisco, it seems the Ravens would want another speedster outside opposite Smith, and Perriman fits the mold. But will the rookie be ready to be a full-time immediate starter? Brown has starting experience from his rookie year and Aiken got a lot of looks during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and minicamp.
Key Role Players
With so much uncertainty about what the pecking order will be, it’s difficult to tell who will be a role player and who could be a starter. Many different receivers should play a role on offense this year, keeping them all fresh and offering many looks to the defense. The rookie Waller could be a prime red-zone threat given his size. If he can stay healthy, Campanaro could be the shifty slot receiver the Ravens have been looking for over the middle.
Most Anticipated Battle
The competition for the starting No. 2 and No. 3 wide receiver spots will be two of the best in camp. There’s no shortage of possibilities. Considering Perriman is a first-round pick and showed his obvious talent and improvement throughout the early summer, it seems difficult to deny him a starting role for long. If he continues to catch the ball consistently and make big plays, he’ll be the frontrunner. Yet Aiken, Brown and Butler all had very strong showings in OTAs and minicamp, as well. Whoever separates from the pack by stacking plays in practice and preseason games because they are all strong chain movers.
