Key to the future: 2021 Baltimore Ravens offensive wish list 2.0

Wide Receivers: Marquise Brown, Rashod Bateman, Sammy Watkins, Devin Duvernay, James Proche, Miles Boykin

Here’s where the real changes begin to take place. It’s no secret that the hunt for a wide receiver was a tough one for the Ravens in free agency. Both JuJu Smith-Schuster and T.Y. Hilton rejected deals to come to Baltimore in favor of their home teams, but one player who was more than happy to play for the Ravens was Sammy Watkins.

Watkins’ introductory press conference was one that certainly got the Flock talking, and perhaps a return to the offensive coordinator he played for during his most successful season can help rekindle some of that magic. At the very least, when Watkins is on the field he’ll bring a threat to the outside that teams won’t be able to just look off or ignore.

Rashod Bateman has quickly become the belle of the ball for the Ravens, and this infatuation only increased following his incredible pro-day performance. It could’ve been a coin flip here in picking which receiver is preferable in round 1 for the Ravens between Bateman or Terrace Marshall Jr. In terms of what Lamar Jackson needs from a  true #1 on the outside though, Bateman checks all the boxes in undeniable fashion.

The addition of Watkins, and potentially Bateman, would likely cut into Marquise Brown’s target share. On the flip side, their presence would also open up plenty of more opportunities for Hollywood to get open with defenses no longer pigeon-holing him as the only receiver threat. He certainly came on strong towards the end of last season, and a little less attention defensively could be just the missing ingredient for a true breakout for Brown.

Devin Duvernay’s biggest impact will likely again be felt in special teams, having carved out a niche as the team’s top returner. Should the Ravens pass on an early receiver though, he and Miles Boykin will likely have an opportunity to step up in training camp and compete for a more consistent role in the offense. The same can be said for James Proche, but if the team’s overall usage of him last season was any indication, he could find himself the odd man out should the Ravens bring in more than one extra option over the next few months.