Since Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome said at the season-review press conference that he's looking for "complementary receiver," plenty of media members have speculated on what exactly that means.
Does it mean a No. 1 target, a possession chain mover or a downfield threat?
Ravens Assistant General Manager Eric DeCosta provided some clarity on that topic during an interview at last week's Senior Bowl.
"I think we're looking for a guy that can catch the ball, move the chains and get critical first downs when needed," DeCosta said.
The Ravens lost a player like that in veteran receiver Steve Smith Sr., who retired this offseason. During his three seasons in Baltimore, Smith put up 2,534 yards and 14 touchdowns, and was consistently Baltimore's top playmaker. He could move the chains over the middle or beat cornerbacks with precision route running on the outside.
Finding a player to fill that spot will be a difficult task, but Newsome has successfully brought in veteran receivers like Smith, Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason. He will keep his eye on that type of receiver when teams start to cut players to create cap room later this offseason.
The indication from DeCosta is that the Ravens don't necessarily need a speed demon because they already have that on the roster with Mike Wallace, Breshad Perriman and Chris Moore. All three of those targets can stretch the field, and Wallace led the Ravens with 1,017 receiving yards last season.
DeCosta emphasized that the receiver they target might bring a "different skillset" as someone "who can line up inside, can line up outside." Smith thrived as a receiver who could move all over the field, and the Ravens hope to find another pass catcher in that mold.
But the most important skillset for a receiver addition – and one the Ravens have emphasized on several occasions this offseason – is finding a playmaker to add to the offense.
"When you need a play, the guy is there to make the play," DeCosta said.
