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Why Baltimore Ravens should consider keeping 7 wide receivers

By Chris Schisler

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Jordan Lasley #2 of the UCLA Bruins reacts to scoring a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl on November 11, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Jordan Lasley #2 of the UCLA Bruins reacts to scoring a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl on November 11, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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When it comes to wide receivers the Baltimore Ravens need all the help they can get, and they should be careful about being too picky when it comes down to making the 53 man roster:

There is a good argument to be made that the Baltimore Ravens should keep 7 wide receivers this season on their active roster. The Ravens need depth especially because John Brown is an injury prone receiver who figures to compete to be the Ravens number two receiver. The Ravens also don’t have a kick returner locked up. Finally, the Ravens never know who is going to turn into a productive part of the offense and they can use all the offense they can get. Let’s break down each part of the argument.

The Ravens need the depth at wide receiver. Brown has been hampered by injuries, and hasn’t been a consistent starter in the NFL. Willie Snead missed most of last season with a hamstring problem,  Michael Crabtree is the Ravens top receiver and he’s 30 years old. The good thing about Crabtree is that in his career he has rarely missed any action, but his age is worth noting. The Ravens should be excited about all three players, but they need to be prepared for any of them to miss time.

Secondly, the Ravens don’t have a clear cut kick returner. The Ravens lost Michael Campanaro in free agency to the Tennessee Titans. Bobby Rainey isn’t coming back and neither is Lardarius Webb. The Ravens need a good answer at kick returner and the wide receiver position is usually where you get kick returners from.

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This could be how a player like Tim White or even an undrafted free agent the Ravens added this year. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Jordan Lasley take over punt return duties as a rookie. He has the shifty skill set for it, and he was a play-maker in the open field at UCLA. This would be a good way for a fifth round pick to make the roster.

Player development takes time:

Finally, the Ravens need to start developing wide receivers. One problem the Ravens have is that they have a hard time grooming players into the offense. Most of their success stories at the wide receiver position have been gotten through free agency or via trade. Baltimore might find the next Antonio Brown, if they don’t give up too early on young talent.

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The Ravens may only want to keep six wide receivers, but keeping seven could end up being a wise decision. Just do the roster math. Crabtree, Snead, Brown and Chris Moore are all locks for the roster. Jaleel Scott and Jordan Lasley both have too much potential to have them waste away on the practice squad. Maybe the Ravens want to keep a guy like Tim White around. They can afford the roster spot, especially if the seventh receiver performs on special teams.

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