RGIII praises Baltimore Ravens’ pair of rookie wide receivers

Devin Duvernay
Sep 15, 2018; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Devin Duvernay (6) leaps for the ball against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens offense was, quite simply, remarkable in 2019. Led by MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Ravens’ rushing attack was nearly unstoppable. It was so good that it set a new record for the most rushing yards produced by an offense in a single season.

But for Baltimore to get to that next level, they’ll need some playmakers to emerge at wide receiver.

Marquise Brown, the team’s first-round pick in 2019, is slated to be the club’s WR1 this year. His electrifying speed and home run ability is the perfect complement to Baltimore’s ground-and-pound attack. Brown just has to stay healthy. He also needs help.

Second-year wideout Miles Boykin should develop into a more reliable target after finishing 2019 with just 13 catches for 198 yards and three scores, but it’s this year’s third-round pick, Devin Duvernay, who should have Ravens fans excited. He already has Robert Griffin III singing his praises.

“Duvernay, obviously a track guy,”  Griffin said on “The Lounge” podcast. “He’s a tough guy, tracks the ball really well downfield. He is fast, but he’s really fast.”

Duvernay finished the 2019 season at Texas with 106 catches, 1,386 yards and nine touchdowns. He isn’t as fast as Brown, but he isn’t much slower either. Plus, he has a thicker body-type and should be able to handle the wear and tear of the NFL a little better.

James Proche, the Ravens’ sixth-round pick out of SMU, has Griffin’s attention too.

“Proche, there’s just something about the way he comes to work every time we go out there,” Griffin said. “I think he’s a lot faster than people give him credit for. His 40 time, maybe injury is the reason that he fell in the draft. The kid can fly and he’s got strong hands. He has a desire within him to kind of prove everybody wrong.”

Both rookies have a wide-open opportunity to contribute right away in 2020. Only Willie Snead stands in their way as a veteran option on the depth chart.

Bryan Perez

Bryan is the founder of Pro Football Draft. His work has been featured on The Draft Network, NBC Sports and USA Today. Former CFL scout.

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