Devin Duvernay:
Devin Duvernay may be the Ravens’ best chance at finally developing and grooming the real deal at the wide receiver position. Willie Snead is a free agent and will presumably be somewhere else next season. The step Duvernay will be set up to take is a fairly obvious one. Snead had 33 receptions last year compared to Duvernay’s 20.
Duvernay will be the main slot receiver for the Ravens next season. That isn’t carved in stone but it’s at least scratched on a rock. Greg Roman kind of knows they have to throw the football ore in the 2021 season, so look for more than 33 receptions out of the slot. It’s not like Duvenray is going to jump to 55 catches in a run-heavy offense, however, 35-45 seems like a healthy estimate.
Duvernay has the most untapped talent in the current group of Ravens receivers. He has speed, hands, and toughness. He’s the only player the Ravens have under contract who can be a Swiss-Army knife kind of receiver. He can beat you over the top and he can be a possession receiver over the middle of the field.
It won’t happen in his second season but in time Duvenray could be the best receiver the Ravens have. Duvernay is the one receiver who is positioned perfectly to take the next step. The player on the roster that was taking snaps away from him was Willie Snead. He’s going to be gone.
The Ravens are seeking a receiver to put opposite of Brown. The Ravens are almost by default depending on Duvernay to be the answer at a key position. In three to five years Duvernay could be looked at as one of the Ravens best steals ever in the NFL Draft. In the meantime, he can have a breakout year and help a good team get better.