NFL Minicamps: Tandon Doss The Early Favorite for Starting WR Job

Jan 12, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tandon Doss (17) against the Denver Broncos during the AFC divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps the best roster battle in the AFC North, and one of the more intriguing ones in the league, is for the Ravens no.2/3 WR role. The Ravens already have Torrey Smith who is ready to emerge as an elite presence and is a true no.1 WR in the making. He already draws the majority of the opposing defenses attention, He has basically since his first start when he broke 150 yards and 3 TDs while scorching the Rams defense. The very next week he was put on Revis Island, an honor that would have been given to Boldin a week earlier.

Across from him the Ravens remain unsettled. Some would blame it on Boldins departure, but the truth is Boldin was never a consistent player on the field for the Ravens. He was silenced by strong technical corners and went through long cold streaks. That is largely why he never had a 1,000 yard receiving season for the Ravens. Boldin did some great things for the Ravens, but it was time to move on to a cheaper option who will probably produce similar numbers. Right now that option looks like Tandon Doss.

Doss has had a very strong offseason. He was, for those of you who have forgotten, the hand chosen draft pick of Joe Flacco. In Short, the Ravens want Doss to succeed. Doss is essentially a slightly taller, slightly faster version of Boldin. He doesnt have Boldins veteran savvy or his uncanny physicality, but Doss can learn all of those things, he has all of the physical tools to be the next Boldin. That said, Doss hasnt panned out on the field in his limited play time, but that doesnt mean he can’t still develop into a great player.

All indications coming out of Ravens camp are that Doss has made major leaps forward and looks ready to take the next step forward and into a starting roll. Jacoby Jones is currently slotted at the no.2 WR spot, but the assumption is that Jones will go back down to a 3rd WR role so he can remain focused primarily on his role as a return man where he was a probowler last year.

Doss is going to be given a lot of room to work, it looks as if he has a major edge over everyone but Jones. This is Doss’ job to lose, lets see how it plays out.