The Baltimore Ravens surprised some people when they opted not to address the wide receiver position this offseason, even after the departure of Marquise Brown. Much of that was due to their faith in young players on their roster such as James Proche.
A sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Proche will be entering his third NFL season in 2022. His opportunities have been few and far between to this point, but that’s all set to change this season.
The former SMU standout is penciled in as the third wide receiver on the Ravens’ wide receiver depth chart, and many believe that he’s ready to make the most of his opportunity.
One such individual is Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport who recently dubbed Proche as the “best-kept secret” on the Ravens’ roster.
"“Proche was ridiculously productive at SMU, posting 204 receptions over his last two collegiate seasons. But in the pros it has been a much different story—Proche has just 17 catches over two seasons and has never played more than 212 snaps in a season.That could be about to change, though. Per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, Proche has shined at OTAs, leading to speculation that his offensive role could increase significantly in 2022. If Proche does emerge as a viable option on third downs, the 5’11”, 193-pounder will smash new career bests across the board.”"
James Proche could have a breakout season for the Ravens in 2022
Proche made a name for himself at SMU for his sure hands, impressive catch radius, and advanced route-running. While not the biggest or fastest receiver, Proche is technically refined and as tough as they come.
It’s his competitive spirit and work ethic that has made him a fan favorite during his time with the organization. Few players have worked harder to improve than the Texas native.
After hauling in just one catch for 14 yards as a rookie, Proche finished the 2021 season with 16 catches for 202 yards. He still wasn’t a huge part of the offense, but he made the most of the snaps he was given.
Proche will be looking to do just that again in 2022. The 25-year-old is expected to serve as the Ravens’ No. 3 wide receiver behind second-year pro Rashod Bateman and special-teams ace Devin Duvernay.
That should lead to plenty of opportunities for the former second-team All-American. And if prior history is anything to go on, look for Proche to make the most of every snap he receives.
The secret could be out soon enough.