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2016 AFC North Rankings by Position: Wide Receivers

By Joe Serpico

Sep 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) is congratulated after his touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) is congratulated after his touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 1, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) stiff arms San Diego Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett (22) during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens won 29-26. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) stiff arms San Diego Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett (22) during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens won 29-26. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Baltimore Ravens wide receivers Steve Smith, Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman

The Ravens need wide receivers. That seems to be the conversation that fans have every day, and yet, they have failed to develop one of their own into a star. Torrey Smith, the best wide out the team has ever drafted, is no longer in a Ravens uniform. That has forced General Manager Ozzie Newsome to look for help from other teams.

Steve Smith has been a revelation since coming to Baltimore from the Carolina Panthers. He is everything the Ravens want in a player: hard working, tough and making big plays while doing so. Hands down, he has been the Ravens top offensive weapon the past two seasons until a torn Achilles ended last year prematurely. He will be back to make his last season one more to remember.

Mike Wallace was brought in to be the vertical threat that the offense was sorely lacking last season. Joe Flacco has the capability to get the ball deep, but the Birds did not have a player that could haul in those bombs. Wallace has seen his yards per reception drop ever since leaving the Steelers, but his speed is still there. Marc Trestman is hopeful that Wallace comes back in the division he once haunted and open up some of the underneath stuff for Smith and the tight ends.

Breshad Perriman is the man the Ravens need to become that star wide receiver. The 26th pick in last year’s draft sat out all of last season after an injury on the opening day of training camp, but the team has high hopes for the former Central Florida product. Ozzie’s legacy has been a good one in Baltimore, but if he has finally found the playmaker for this franchise, the entire fan base will rejoice.

Kamar Aiken is another player that figures to get significant playing time after leading the team in receptions a year ago. The Ravens have the type of players you want in your receiving corps. Youngsters, veterans, speed, good hands, the ability to make plays after the catch and an offense that’s tailored to throw it vertically. Trestman’s offense has to be better in his second season because he has the pieces to make it work.

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