Ravens bubble player watch: Antoine Wesley must shine vs. Packers

Antoine Wesley needs to shine against the Green Bay Packers

The Baltimore Ravens got nothing from Antoine Wesley in the first preseason game of the year. Wesley is a player who can’t afford another lackluster performance. He has to find a way to have some action in the offense. The last two wide receiver spots are not locked up and this audition is very much an open competition.

In the last game Wesley saw exactly what he didn’t want to see happen. Jaleel Scott had a big 25 yard reception. Sean Modster had three receptions for 17 yards and showed that he could be a weapon as a slot receiver. Wesley saw two players on the roster bubble step up and make plays, while he did nothing to help his cause. The players that he is competing with are ahead of him.

The good news here is that this is just the second preseason game and Wesley didn’t really get a chance to show off his skills against the Jaguars. The bad news is that in the NFL, even in the preseason, opportunities are earned. Modster is going to get more work in the slot. The Ravens will want to see if Scott can consistently make that type of play down the field.

Wesley’s best argument for a roster spot is that he is a big target, something the Ravens don’t have many of at the receiver position. That being said Miles Boykin was the star of the show and Jaleel Scott earned a lot of positive attention the other night. Being big isn’t just going to earn you a roster spot at wide receiver. Wesley has to do something in the next three preseason games or he may be destined for nothing greater than the practice squad.

Wesley has scary good potential. He’s a huge target with good hands. He looks the part and he had an impressive 2018 season at Texas Tech. When training camp started he was a player that you had to be glued in on. Wesley must deliver on his great athletic traits. He has to give us a reason to remain focused on his upside instead of us pointing to the amount of work he has to do to get there.

The Ravens receiver competition is exciting for the first time in a long time. The battle for roster spots at this position has always been competitive, yet it hasn’t been this good. This time last year the Ravens Flock was manufacturing reasons to be excited about Tim White and Jordan Lasley. Neither of them are here right now. Wesley has to show the Ravens something because other receivers are.