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Baltimore Ravens: 5 Post NFL Draft Position Battles

By Jake McDonnell

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive back Chuck Clark (19) during the second half of the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Clemson Tigers defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive back Chuck Clark (19) during the second half of the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Clemson Tigers defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Returner

Devin Hester did not pan out for the Ravens last season, and Baltimore will be looking for a kick & punt returner when training camp gets underway.

Baltimore’s coaching staff probably has no idea who will be the returner(s) when the 2017 season kicks off. There are veterans in-house who have experience, such as Lardarius Webb as a punt returner and Michael Campanero as both a kick and punt returner.

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Even though Webb and Campanero have experience returning, are they really the answer? Last year, the Ravens used a late pick on Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds and converted him to a receiver, at an attempt to make him a returner. That transition did not exactly go well for Reynolds, and he spent almost the entire season on the practice squad. Unless he shows significant improvement in camp, the Ravens should not consider Reynolds as a returner.

There are many more questions than answers for the Ravens at the returner position. Will a young running back like Buck Allen or Kenneth Dixon see reps there? Or will a young receiver like Chris Matthews or Tim Patrick get an opportunity? No one can really say right now.

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An intriguing option is sixth-round pick Chuck Clark, who played safety at Virginia Tech. However, he does not have any experience returning. He will likely play special teams this season, but the question becomes whether or not the Ravens’ coaching staff tries him out at returner?

The Ravens did not know who would return for them in training camp last year, and they went out and signed Devin Hester. The same situation faces them this season, not any less uncertain than it was a year ago.

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