Baltimore Ravens State of the Corps: Wide Receivers

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Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) catches a long pass to set up a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Wide receiver is largely considered one of the biggest needs for the Baltimore Ravens going into free agency and the draft. We have key players hitting the market, with unproven rookies and inexperienced players left to fill the holes. Luckily though, this year happens to be one of the deepest wide receiver classes in both free agency and the draft.

Torrey Smith’s contract is up and he is set to hit the market. I think we should re-sign him, even though Torrey hasn’t blossomed as a true number one receiver. He has been invaluable to our offense, however, catching 30 touchdowns in 4 years and drawing 12 PI calls for 261 yards this season alone. Most of the noise surrounding Torrey right now is that he will likely get paid elsewhere.

As a franchise, the Ravens are weary of overpaying a “one trick pony,” as pointed out very explicitly by Steve Bisciotti when he said “the difference between what we can pay Torrey and what he gets on the open market…Mike Wallace got $10 million. I don’t think anybody thinks that was a good deal” at the Season Review Press Conference.

“Mike Wallace got $10 million. I don’t think anybody thinks that was a good deal.” – Ravens’ Owner Steve Bisciotti

If Smith does leave, we’ll be left with a huge hole in our receiving corps. Jacoby Jones is gone, not that he was really a threat as a receiver, and we’re left with guys who have lots to prove and an aging veteran in Steve Smith Sr. Unproven but promising guys like Michael Campanaro, Kamar Aiken, and Jeremy Butler.

The free agency group is relatively deep this year, and possibly, though highly unlikely, contains stars such as Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas. Though I would absolutely love the sight of either one of those in Baltimore, it’s not gonna happen after both were franchised tagged and are out of the Ravens’ price range. I think Jeremy Maclin, Randall Cobb and Cecil Shorts are our best bets in free agency.

Jeremy Maclin

Dec 7, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (18) scores a touchdown past Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Maclin is coming off a career year with the Eagles in which he caught 85 balls for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 15.5 yards per catch. He was a good number one receiver for the Eagles, with great big play ability. He looked how Torrey should’ve looked the last couple of seasons. However, Maclin will likely be asking for more money, and getting offered more money, than the Ravens can offer. Though he is still worth a look.

Randall Cobb

Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Randall Cobb was huge last year for the Packers. As the second option to Jordy Nelson, Cobb caught 91 passes for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns this year and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl. Cobb seems to fit our need of a consistent number 2 receiver and eventual number 1 receiver, when Smith Sr. retires/leaves. However, like Maclin, his price tag will likely be too high for the Ravens to match.

Cecil Shorts

Nov 2, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Cecil Shorts III (84) runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati defeated Jacksonville 33-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Cecil Shorts will be the most affordable of these receivers, but that does entail question marks. He’s been the least productive of these three, which is partially due to the fact that he has never played an entire 16 game season. If we can afford him, he could be a good enough number 2 or 3 receiver as our younger guys; Campanaro, Brown, and Aiken improve.

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