It’s hard to get consistent targets in the Baltimore Ravens offense if you’re a wide receiver. The duo of Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry ran the ball on nearly 44% of the team’s offensive snaps last season.
In the passing game, wide receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman demand looks, and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely take away from the target share. It will be an uphill climb for a wideout like Devontez Walker, who is trying to break out in year two. But his performance in OTAs is helping him out tremendously.
The North Carolina product might be the story of the offseason so far. He’s showing off in every practice, and there hasn’t been a bad review of his performance. Walker was highlighted as a standout on two occasions by Ravens writers Ryan Mink and Cliff Brown.
“If Wednesday’s practice is any indication, he could have a somewhat larger role in 2025. He was a busy man and made an impressive touchdown catch in the back of the end zone,” Mink wrote of Walker’s week one OTA showcase.
“The second-year wide receiver ran decisive routes and gained separation regularly. Walker’s obvious improvement made a very talented wide receiver group look even stronger,” Brown wrote in his article on OTA standouts on Thursday.
Devontez Walker looks to make a name for himself in 2025
Walker saw little to no action in 2024. He only saw three targets and caught one pass, but that one reception was a big one. In Week 15 against the New York Giants, Walker pulled in a touchdown pass from 21 yards out, dragging his toes in the back of the end zone. While it was just one catch, it could be a glimpse of what could come if he can carve out a role in 2025.
Since college, Walker has always been a prolific deep threat. The questions have been whether or not he can separate consistently, and by the sound of Brown’s notes on his outings at OTAs, that area of his game could take a substantial leap in the upcoming season.
As a sharp separator, Walker has the chance to flash as one of the more underrated playmakers on the Ravens offense. With Flowers and Bateman being touchdown threats any time they have the ball in their hands, the 23-year-old could sneak up on opposing defenses and make a name for himself. If he can continue this strong offseason into the regular season, it would add another layer of game-breaking ability to an already stacked Baltimore offensive attack.
The road ahead doesn’t get any easier for Walker. He had trouble breaking through in 2024, and the signing of DeAndre Hopkins puts another receiver ahead of him on the depth. Running back Keaton Mitchell returning to form in 2025 could add another mouth to feed, as well. However, if a player can prove their talent daily, genius offensive coordinator Todd Monken will find a way to get them into his game plan, and 2025 has the making of a breakout campaign for Walker.