Ravens roster battles: Antoine Wesley vs. Quincy Adeboyejo

The Baltimore Ravens have a tough roster battle at wide receiver. Let’s hone in on just two of the players trying to make the team in Antoine Wesley and Quincy Adeboyejo. If it came down to the two of them, who has the edge?

Antoine Wesley may be the Ravens most intriguing undrafted free agent. The reason Wesley went undrafted probably has a lot to do with the fact that the 2018 season was his only productive season in his Texas Tech career. Wesley is a big bodied target who put up 88 receptions for 1,410 yards and nine touchdowns last year. It was hard not to leave the draft wondering how the NFL missed the 6’4″ receiver through seven entire rounds.

This will be Quincy Adeboyejo’s third training camp with the Ravens. Adeboyejo is a 6’3″ target who went undrafted in 2017. At Mississippi he was good for 30-40 receptions a season and through four years he averaged over 13 yards per reception. Last year he entered training camp with high hopes but injury derailed him. One thing Adeboyejo has going for him is his familiarity with being a player on the bubble. It’s become a yearly thing for him.

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The problem with writing about position battles in June is it is incredibly early. Adeboyejo and Wesley have the same strengths. They are big receivers with sure hands that are quick. They aren’t speed guys, and they’re not tight ends. They have a lot more in common with players like Anquan Boldin than they do with players like Marquise Brown.

They are very similar players and to make things harder for them, Jaleel Scott is cut from the same mold. If one of these players makes the 53 man roster, the coaching staff is saying that it needs another option with size and toughness. The offense has very notably been built on speed but they need more than just burners.

Adeboyejo has an advantage because he gets to show year to year growth. Not only do the Ravens have a relationship with Adeboyejo, but they have also gotten to coach him. Adeboyejo knows exactly what the purple and black are looking for. He undoubtedly knows the areas his game needs to see improvement.

Wesley gets to make a fresh first impression. He has the physical tools and he put on some impressive performances at Texas Tech. Wesley is a player who could end up being a preseason fan favorite. If he catches the ball when he is called upon and he is a quick learner in NFL route running, he could earn a spot on this roster. The upside he showed in 2018 got him this chance. He needs to show that he is a diamond in the rough. That kind of promise could give Wesley the edge over Adeboyejo.