The Ravens have brought a local product home, as they officially signed wide receiver/returner Deonte Harty to a one-year deal Sunday.
The Ravens were looking for a returner after the departure of receiver/returner Devin Duvernay, a two-time Pro Bowl returner, in free agency to Jacksonville. Harty, 26, is a speedster who could be especially dangerous considering the new kickoff rules that should lead to more returns.
Harty, 26, was an All-Pro returner in 2019 with the New Orleans Saints, when he led the league with 338 punt return yards and scored a return touchdown. He's averaged 10.4 yards per punt return and 25.2 yards per kick return over his five-year career.
Last season, Harty returned a punt 96 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to help the Bills beat the Dolphins in Week 17 and clinch the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. It was the longest punt return for a touchdown in the NFL last year.
Harty spent last season with the Buffalo Bills, catching 15 passes for 150 yards. While he didn't have a big role offensively, Harty averaged a career-high 12.4 yards per punt return and scored his second career punt return touchdown.
Harty could get some of the gadget-style plays Duvernay has taken over the past few years, such as jet sweeps or end arounds. Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken is always looking to get the ball to playmakers in space, and Harty can gash teams with his speed.
It's a homecoming for Harty, who played at Archbishop Curley high school. He was undrafted out of Assumption University in 2019.
