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Baltimore Ravens: Breshad Perriman Is A Problem

By Ben Palmer

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) intercepts a ball intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Breshad Perriman (18) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) intercepts a ball intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Breshad Perriman (18) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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When the Baltimore Ravens drafted Breshad Perriman in the first round in 2015, fans were cautiously optimistic. Now, they have reason to be disappointed.

With the 26th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Breshad Perriman, wide receiver from University of Central Florida, and when that pick went from Roger Goodell’s lips to the rest of the world, Ravens fans collectively sighed.

Two schools of thought occurred in the days following that pick: 1. The Ravens have a terrible history of drafting wide receivers, just look at Travis Taylor, Mark Clayton, and Yamon Figurs, or 2. Ozzie knows what he’s doing, we just have to trust him.

Suffice to say, no one was excited about the pick, but at the very least, people were cautiously optimistic.

After Perriman got hurt and was out for his entire rookie season, people started whispering “bust”, but it’s an injury, you can’t predict that, so I give him a pass. Now, we’ve seen him in action for seven weeks, those whispers are growing louder, and I have a hard time disagreeing.

The Baltimore Ravens’ offense looks anemic, and while it’s not all Perriman’s fault, he certainly isn’t helping.

Look, am I going to declare Perriman a bust right here and now? Of course not, there’s still time for him to develop, he’s still young with great athleticism, but things haven’t looked good this year.

Take these stats for example: When Joe Flacco throws to Perriman, it doesn’t usually end well, as his completion rate is just 41.2% (14-for-34) with zero touchdowns and three interceptions. That’s a pretty pitiful 22.1 passer rating when Flacco tries to go to his first-round pick.

In fact, if you had to name Perriman’s biggest asset, you’d likely say it was his speed. The guy ran a 4.29 40-yard dash at the combine, so you’d think he’s at least a go-long type, but on the year he’s only got two catches for 76 yards on plays of 31 yards or more.

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When Flacco goes to literally anyone else on the offense, he’s got a 63.8% completion rate (175-for-274), five touchdowns, and three interceptions, which totals up to a much more respectable 81.9 passer rating.

Now, is Perriman to blame for all of this? No, not at all, it’s a mix of his poor play, and poor play calling.  Perriman needs to be getting deep more often, and catching balls better (his 39.1% catch rate is the worst in the NFL), but the Ravens also need to utilize Perriman and play to his strengths.

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The Baltimore Ravens’ offense looks anemic, and while it’s not all Perriman’s fault, he certainly isn’t helping. He’s not fulfilling the potential that is worthy of a first-round draft pick. There’s still time for him to turn it around, but my cautious optimism has started to turn to bitter disappointment.

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