Who Will Win The Ravens’ Third Wide Receiver Competition?

Paul Frances

Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) is congratulated by wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. (89) after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens have seriously bolstered their wide receiver corps by adding five wideouts this offseason. Veteran Steve Smith Sr. is a lock as the Ravens’ number one receiver, and you have to assume that Breshad Periman will be the number two guy after the Raven’s selected him in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, something the organization hasn’t done in ten years.

No doubt, general manager Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh have made a concerted effort this offseason to bring in more offensive weapons for Joe Flacco.

There’s also no doubt that the most significant position battle on the team will be for the third wide receiver spot. In my opinion, the top candidates for the job are third year receiver Marlon Brown, fifth year receiver Kamar Aiken, second year receiver Michael Campanaro and rookies DeAndre Carter and Darren Waller.

The Ravens have 11 receivers on the current roster but they will be looking to cut that down to six or seven for the final 53-man roster. The competition stands to be a good one with a lot of excellent young talent vying for a roster spot over the next few months at OTA’s.

Let’s take a look at some of the candidates looking to win the battle.

Next: Marlon Brown

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Dec 29, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marlon Brown (14) is unable to make a catch in the end zone during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Bengals defeated the Ravens 34-17. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Marlon Brown

In 2013, his rookie season, Brown finished third on the team in receptions (49), second in yards (524), and tied the rookie franchise record with a team leading seven touchdowns. He didn’t see as much playing time in 2014 after Steve Smith came on board.

Brown is a big bodied and strong receiver who has great quickness to get off the line and make cuts, and is a vertical threat down the field. He always works hard after the catch and helps out with blocking in the run game.

The Ravens will be looking for Brown to step up in OTA’s and regain the form he showed as a rookie if he wants to earn more snaps going forward.

Next: Kamar Aiken

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Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Kamar Aiken (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Kamar Aiken

Aiken finally saw some action in 2014 after spending the first three years of his NFL career mainly as a practice squad member. He finished the 2014 season with 24 catches for 267 yards and three touchdowns.

Aiken is a quick, well built pass catcher who is an underneath possession receiver in the NFL. He is a receiver that always makes himself an available target and has good eye/hand coordination. He is a tough receiver who’s always willing to battle for the ball.

Aiken showed flashes of what he can do last season and will be trying to prove he has what it takes to be a starting NFL receiver. He may not offer much after the catch, but there is room for a pair of steady hands on this roster.

Next: Michael Campanaro

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Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Michael Campanaro (15) runs past Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Campanaro

Campanaro struggled with injuries in his rookie season last year. He contributed in only four games on offense, ending the season with 102 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Campanaro is a competitive inside receiver who has the quickness to gain separation at the line of scrimmage. He is tough but needs to prove he can stay healthy.

Like Brown, the Ravens will be hoping he can step up next season and become a productive slot receiver. Camp certainly has the speed and quickness to fill that role if he can stay on the field.

Next: DeAndre Carter

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Sep 5, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Sacramento State Hornets wide receiver DeAndre Carter (2) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

DeAndre Carter

Carter is a free agent rookie out of Sacramento State University. He finished his collegiate career with 207 catches for 2,760 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns. Carter’s best season was in 2014, when he amassed 1,321 receiving yards on 99 receptions and scored 17 touchdowns.

He has a thick body frame and a low center of gravity, which allows him to shut down routes and then open quickly. Carter has amazing separation quickness and has the ability to find holes in zone coverage. He is highly competitive and has an outstanding work ethic.

Carter made an emotional promise to his dying 17 year-old brother that he would make it in the NFL. With that as motivation and the talent he has, it would be a shock not to see him on somebody’s final roster.

Next: Darren Waller

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Dec 31, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Darren Waller (88) catches a touchdown pass as Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Jamerson Love (5) defends in the first half of the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Darren Waller

Waller was selected in the sixth round of the 2015 draft by the Ravens. He played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2011-2014). In his freshman year, Waller was predominately a back up wide receiver who also played on special teams.

During his next two seasons Waller played in 26 games, making 14 starts. Over those two seasons, Waller amassed 529 receiving yards and scored three touchdowns. Waller’s senior year was his most productive, when he caught 26 passes for 442 yards and scored six touchdowns.

Waller is a huge receiver who has the speed to be very effective downfield. His size and strength make it difficult to bring him down and he will be a matchup nightmare for defenses when he’s in the slot or down in the red zone. Waller can physically dominate defenders and is great in 50/50 situations, showing determination and toughness.

So who will win the competition?

I think if Marlon Brown can find the form from his rookie season he will probably be the number three receiver.

If it was up to me, I would split snaps between Brown and Waller, who is a very intriguing player. Waller is a monster of a receiver who will be a handful for a lot of defenses. He has a very high ceiling and posseses unreal speed for a player of his size. Darren could even play at tight end, as he has the size for it.

The Ravens also have receivers Jeremy Butler, Aldrick Robinson, Daniel Brown and Cam Worthy on the team who will also be trying to prove their worth this offseason. All 11 receivers have the talent to make the final 53-man roster, so we will just have to keep an eye on OTA’s and see what happens. As we found out last year, the job is truly and legitimately up for grabs.

Next: Ravens OTAs: Five things to watch for

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Paul Frances