Who Is Number Two In Baltimore?

While Joe Flacco and Steve Smith are clearly entrenched in the passing game, the Baltimore Ravens passing attack is one that is in question after losing receivers to the West Coast after winning the Super Bowl just three seasons ago. Let's start by taking a look at some of the players they have lost and then begin again by looking at the players in contention for the number two spot at this time.

Anquan Boldin was their strong receiver and he would easily go across the middle and grab anything and take any punishment that would come his way. But then they traded him to the San Francisco 49ers after the Super Bowl season and the passing game hasn't quite been the same.

Also, of course, who could possibly forget about Jacoby Jones and his game tying catch against the Denver Broncos during their Super Bowl run. He also caught a deep ball in the Super Bowl against San Francisco. They tried using both Jacoby Jones and then using both him and Torrey Smith as deep threats didn't work the same together as there was very little help across the middle of the field. Jacoby is now a member of the San Diego Chargers.

Torrey Smith also went to the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent this off-season. He signed a quite luxurious 5 year, $40 Million dollar deal with $22 Million guaranteed. He has been a deep threat but it is just another example of the people who have left the Ravens.

When it comes to the receivers still on the team, the one with the most touchdowns is Marlon Brown. He was great in 2013 with Joe Flacco, catching 49 passes for 524 yards and 7 touchdowns. But he fell down to earth in 2014 with 24 catches for 255 yards and no touchdowns. While Brown has shown some promise, he is much more likely a flash in the pan.

Kamar Aiken bounced around a few NFL teams before finally developing as an wide receiver and getting some playing time with the Ravens this past season. Aiken did well enough last year and had his best game against the Miami Dolphins when he had 6 catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Right now, based off of the 2014 season alone, you have to believe that Kamar is ahead of Marlon on the depth chart. But, Kamar is definitely questionable as a top tier receiver. That is why in this writer's opinion, Aiken will start the year as the number two option, but it will quickly be switched up later.

That is whenever it becomes clear for when Breshad Perriman picks up the playbook and stops having issues with drops. His skill level is clearly too good for players like Marlon and Kamar to keep him down. He is their first round draft pick from the University of Central Florida, and he is another deep threat to go across from the possession receiver they have on the other side in Steve Smith. Plus, they are running the Chicago Bears offense from the past two years as Marc Trestman has become the Offensive Coordinator and uses his top two receivers for a large purpose. So, despite Kamar starting the year as the number two receiver, this writer tends to believe they are going to invest in their young talent by putting Perriman on the field for years to come.