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Baltimore Ravens: 3 reasons Taquan Mizzell should make the roster

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 10: Running back Taquan Mizzell #33 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before the start of a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 10: Running back Taquan Mizzell #33 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before the start of a preseason game against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 26: Running back Taquan Mizzell #33 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes in front of free safety Jordan Poyer #21 of the Buffalo Bills in the first half during a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 26: Running back Taquan Mizzell #33 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes in front of free safety Jordan Poyer #21 of the Buffalo Bills in the first half during a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

3. An insurance policy to Michael Campanro as a return man:

Mizzell may not ever end up being like Devin Hester in Chicago, but he certainly will be better than Hester was in Baltimore. Mizzell is an interesting player at the kick returning position. That is where his shiftiness and his ability to hide behind blockers could come in handy. The Ravens could use an extra kick returner and Mizzell totaled 683 kickoff return yards in his collegiate career.

The Ravens options at kick returner (assuming Keenan Reynolds doesn’t make the team) are basically Michael Campanaro and Lardarius Webb. Campanaro is as injury prone as any player in Ravens history and Webb has had his fair share of injuries. It’s not unreasonable to think that John Harbaugh would have to call on another return man at some point this season. If you’re thinking Chris Moore can do it, that is a fair point. The caveat to that train of thought is that Moore needs to keep making his impact with everything else on special teams.

Next: 3 reactions to the Ravens schedule

The Baltimore Ravens need to keep Mizzell. That’s the bottom line. Roster math is tough but it isn’t impossible to find a spot for him. One thing is for sure, the Ravens have to develop him and not take the chance that he shines somewhere else.

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