Baltimore Ravens: The clock is ticking on Breshad Perriman

Breshad Perriman’s struggles have been evident early on this season for the Baltimore Ravens and many are starting to wonder what the future holds.

The Baltimore Ravens are on the clock, but this time it isn’t with a draft pick. The Ravens are on the clock with third-year receiver Breshad Perriman and time seems to be running out.

The 2015 26th overall pick has been virtually non-existent this season and hasn’t played up the ability of a first-round draft pick. Many have thrown out the bust label and I can’t say I disagree with them right now.

Perriman’s struggles have been apparent since he was drafted three years ago. A sprained PCL kept him sidelined the entire 2015 season. He was able to overcome another potential knee injury and was a decent contributor in the passing attack last season, finishing with 499 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Not the most impressive stats you’ll see for a receiver, but there were flashes of potential that got us excited.

The talk of the offseason revolved around Perriman. Ravens coaches and staff praised his improvements. This was set to be the year for Perriman to step up and show that he can be the No. 1 receiver for the Ravens.

Now he we are in Perriman’s second true NFL season and we haven’t even seen a shade of that. Through five games Perriman has been targeted 16 times and has four catches for 26 yards. This puts him on pace for 82 total receiving yards on the season.

That’s not terrible, that’s inexcusable.

Speed doesn’t necessarily translate

Perriman’s most notable trait coming into the NFL draft was his speed. He wow’d scouts with a 4.24 and 4.27 40-yard dash time at his UCF pro day. Why haven’t we seen this speed transfer over to the NFL?

Well, it’s not that easy.

Just because you’re fast doesn’t make you a good wide receiver. If that were the case, every track sprinter would be getting calls from NFL teams. There’s so much more that goes into it. In college, receivers like Perriman can rely on their speed. In a spread offense, it’s a foot race on a nine-route down the field. That’s not the same in the NFL.

The cornerbacks in the NFL are the best of the best at what they do. Receivers have to be able to get separation, run precise routes and most importantly have confidence in catching the football. Right now, Perriman is having trouble doing that.

The confidence factor is huge. Perriman is among the league leaders in the AFC with two dropped passes this season. It may seem like a small number, but it’s a big reason why he hasn’t seen the ball thrown his way. In crucial moments where Joe Flacco needs to rely on his receivers, Perriman is one of the last options.

It has to be frustrating, but the Ravens just aren’t getting what they expected from Perriman so far.

The bottom line

In the third year of his rookie contract, the Ravens will have the option to sign Perriman to a fifth-year next offseason. I’m not confident we’ll see them do that and that spells trouble for the Ravens receiving core going forward.

With Jeremy Maclin and Mike Wallace both hovering around the age of 30, you start to wonder where the future of the Ravens receiving core lies. Along with Perriman, the Ravens can’t rely on Michael Campanaro, Chris Moore or Chris Matthews. The most exciting young talent is on injured reserve and the practice squad.

The sand in the hourglass is running out for Perriman. I’ll give him credit  for the clutch catch in the fourth quarter, but the Ravens have to see more going forward this season.