Baltimore Ravens: Rookies Ready to Make an Impact
Rookie wide receiver Breshad Perriman comes into Baltimore after Torrey Smith leaves. He is expected to move into the number two receiver spot behind Steve Smith Sr. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Ravens’ rookies have gone through their rookie camp and now face high expectations as they move into organized team activities, or OTAs. Some of the rookies have high expectations as they try to fill in what the offseason has taken away.
OTAs begin May 27 where the rookies will have a taste of what the NFL truly holds for them. The intensity will increase from rookie camp, and the veterans will be alongside them.
Wide receiver Breshad Perriman and tight end Maxx Williams are rookies to watch on the offensive side of the ball during OTAs. Each one has a bit more expected from them.
The first-round pick steps into the wide receiver position where Torrey Smith no longer sits. Without him, Perriman should step into the number two receiver position behind Steve Smith Sr.
He has raw talent and with the leadership of the veteran receiver, he has the potential to turn into a threat down the field. His hands are in question as multiple analysts criticized his drops in college.
More from The Baltimore Wire
- What other Baltimore Orioles Offseason Storylines will you be interested in seeing?
- Baltimore Orioles to Face Numerous Playoff Contenders Down the Stretch
- Baltimore Orioles Showing Encouraging Signs During Recent Wins
- The Baltimore Orioles and the Expanded September Roster
- Maryland Football: Terps honor Jordan McNair, beat Longhorns 34-29
“The concern with Perriman is that he had questionable hands in college, with eight drops from 58 catchable passes,” Profootballfocus.com’s Gordon McGuinness said.
Despite the concerns, he comes to the Baltimore Ravens with the chance to be a great receiver. Joe Flacco seems to have no questions about his ability to overcome the critics.
“His hands look like they’re really good,” Flacco told BaltimoreRavens.com staff writer Garrett Downing. “He looks like he has big, strong hands. He snatches the ball out of the air.”
As the pair can begin to work together at full speed, Perriman can start to becoming a true threat for Flacco. He is a downfield threat for the Ravens’ quarterback. College film shows him using his entire body to catch passes even with defenders covering him closely.
Williams was drafted in the second round with TE Dennis Pitta recovering from an injury. Being noted as the top tight end in the draft, he could play a defining role if the veteran cannot begin the season.
Maxx Williams could play a defining role if Dennis Pitta cannot begin the season.
As a rookie, he would begin the season as the number two tight end, most likely behind Crockett Gillmore. The Ravens also drafted Nick Boyle, which might mean more is expected out of Williams and the other tight ends if Pitta is not able to be ready any time soon.
Flacco said in the same article that he hopes the young tight ends can prove to factor into the offense in years to come. Again, this idea does not look good for Pitta and his injury woes.
The rookie is a pass-catching tight end, so he fits right into the offense. As OTAs begin, he can start to acclimate himself to the way the Ravens use tight ends in 11-on-11 drills.
The Ravens have always used tight ends as a joint threat in pass catching and run blocking. Williams may be primarily a receiving tight end, but with Justin Forsett, he will have to be able to run block as well.
With the new offensive coordinator in Marc Trestman, the rookies have a good bit expected from them this season. It all begins as they start their NFL careers with OTAs.