Baltimore Ravens: 3 dark horse free agents at wide receiver

Dec 27, 2020; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Josh Reynolds (11) breaks a tackle attempt by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin (26) during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2020; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Josh Reynolds (11) breaks a tackle attempt by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin (26) during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baltimore Ravens
Jan 3, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick (81) runs after a reception in the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Here are three viable free agents who you may not have pegged for the Baltimore Ravens in free agency:

3. Tim Patrick

It’s worth noting that Tim Patrick is a restricted free agent. That makes him perfect for a list of dark horse candidates in free agency. It’s hard to find a better under-the-radar perfect fit for Baltimore.

The Baltimore Ravens are familiar with Tim Patrick, a player who tried out for the team in 2018. Patrick was an undrafted free agent out of Utah, the same school as Tyler Huntley. Patrick ended up having a decent first gig with the Denver Broncos. 2020 was a bit of a breakout season for Patrick.

He had 51 receptions for 742 yards and six touchdowns. That’s a big jump from the 39 catches and one touchdown he had in the previous two seasons. Patrick is a young receiver who is starting to develop at the NFL level. He’s not a number one receiver. That being said, he would come into Baltimore with more career receptions than Miles Boykin, Devin Duvernay, and James Proche.

Patrick is also the exact type of receiver the Ravens need. He’s a 6-4 player with a big catch radius. He can go up and get the tough catch. The Broncos had Courtland Sutton, well Patrick was a poor man’s version of Sutton. With Sutton on the sideline for pretty much the whole 2020 season with an injury, Patrick got his big chance.

Patrick is a tough wide receiver that the Ravens should have never let leave the building. Patrick did solid work for the Broncos the last three seasons. When he got his opportunity he did good work. Patrick won’t break the bank. A reunion for the Ravens and Patrick makes sense on all levels.

Patrick has the toughness and physicality to play for the Ravens. He’s exactly what he was as an underrated prospect at Utah. He’s a scrappy receiver who won’t be afraid to block down the field for the Baltimore run game.

Patrick was the third leading receiver for the Broncos this past season. Jerry Juedy was the Broncos first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was credited by many to be the most pro-ready receiver in his draft class. Patrick only had one less reception than Juedy and his overall numbers weren’t too far off of his overall. That’s good evidence that Patrick could be a solid number two receiver.