The Baltimore Ravens coaching staff has been enamored with wide receiver Devontez Walker this offseason. He was one of the team’s standouts in OTAs, and that hype translated after their mandatory minicamp.
The second-year player out of North Carolina did not get much playing time in his rookie season. He caught just one pass but flashed his splash play ability, hauling in a 21-yard pass for a touchdown against the New York Giants. He is getting the opportunity to showcase his skill set this offseason, and Walker is taking over.
The 24-year-old impressed coaches and head coach John Harbaugh seems to have growing faith in him. After the two-day camp, the wideout looked faster than ever and made an outstanding catch that caught everyone’s attention.
“I saw a catch on the sideline that was spectacular,” Harbaugh said. “Every day, all he does is show up and go 100 miles an hour…He’s got a chance to be really good.”
The door is open for Devontez Walker to have a big year
This offseason showing has put Walker’s foot in the door. He waited all of last season for a consistent chance but never got it. The outlook in 2025 is looking much different, though. It sounds like he is closing in on the fourth wide receiver spot on the depth chart, and while that is still far down the list of targets, he is earning the trust of his coaches and quarterback.
Baltimore did sign veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in the offseason, but it is only a one-year deal. If Walker can slowly carve out a role in 2025, a big opportunity could be open for taking in 2026. He has an intriguing combination of size and quickness; the potential is through the roof.
The Ravens have also started to develop their passing attack into one of the scarier units in the NFL. In 2024, quarterback Lamar Jackson had his best year throwing the football. He finished the campaign with 4,172 passing yards and 41 touchdowns. He also had a 119.6 passer rating, the fourth-best in league history.
The receivers also had their best seasons with Jackson under center. Zay Flowers became the first Ravens wide receiver to make a Pro Bowl, and Rashod Bateman feasted in the end zone with nine touchdowns. Pretty soon, Walker could join that duo.
The 24-year-old has plenty left to prove. However, if the brief offseason activities thus far signal what Walker could become, Baltimore might have another legitimate weapon loaded in their arsenal.