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Training Camp Position Breakdown: Wide Receiver

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With training camp right around the corner, we're breaking down each position's competition. Today is the wide receivers.

In the Hunt

  • Quincy Adeboyejo, 2nd season
  • Miles Boykin, rookie
  • Marquise Brown, rookie
  • Michael Floyd, 8th season
  • Joe Horn Jr., rookie
  • Jordan Lasley, 2nd season
  • Sean Modster, rookie
  • Seth Roberts, 5th season
  • Jaleel Scott, 2nd season
  • Jaylen Smith, rookie
  • Willie Snead IV, 5th season
  • Antoine Wesley, rookie
  • Chris Moore, 4th season

Projected Starters

The Ravens reshuffled their wide receiver corps again this offseason when they released veteran Michael Crabtree and watched John Brown depart for Buffalo. Baltimore's unit is looking for breakout seasons from some young up-and-coming players.

Veteran Willie Snead IV and Chris Moore, the only returning wideouts who have caught a pass in an NFL regular-season game, are expected to be the two starters. Snead led the Ravens in receptions (62) last season and was the only wide receiver whose production didn't drop much after Lamar Jackson took over under center.

Owner Steve Bisciotti labeled Moore as a "breakout candidate," as Moore has flashed his potential in limited opportunities the past couple years. A special teams standout, Moore has 44 receptions for 490 yards and four touchdowns in three seasons. He'll get more passes thrown his way this year and has shown good chemistry with Jackson in offseason practices.

Brown is the Ravens' most dangerous weapon, and he will be relied on to deliver an immediate impact. That will be a challenge given that a Lisfranc foot injury has kept him off the field thus far and the jump to the NFL can be particularly tough for wide receivers. With that said, the Ravens have confidence that he'll get healthy in time and his immense talent and speed will make him a top offensive playmaker this season, regardless of whether he's a true starter.

Best Battle

Four wide receiver spots are all but locked up by Snead, Moore, Brown and Boykin. That leaves probably two more up for grabs and it's going to be one of the best competitions in training camp.

Roberts, who the Ravens pounced on after he was released by Oakland, has a strong shot considering his experience, knack for making clutch plays, and strength in the slot. Floyd is a former first-round pick who posted a 1,000-yard season in 2013, but that was a long time ago and he's trying to recapture that magic now at 29 years old.

Scott, a fourth-round pick a year ago, was a standout in OTAs and minicamp, showing off his size and strength in the red zone. Lasley, a fifth-round pick in 2018, has the talent to develop into an all-around weapon. Ayanbadejo is healthy and looking to put it all together. Undrafted rookies Wesley and Modster impressed in practices thus far. As it often does, those two final spots will be somewhat decided by special teams.

Under the Radar

The dark horse candidates in this roster competition are the undrafted rookies. As mentioned above, Wesley and Modster caught a lot of passes in OTAs and minicamp, and if they continue to stand out in training camp, one could find their way onto the team.

Wesley is a thin-framed 6-foot-4, 206-pounder who was especially good on vertical routes. He put up big-time stats with 88 catches for 1,410 yards (16.0 average) and nine touchdowns last season at Texas Tech. Wesley has a knack for coming down with the ball even in tight coverage.

Modster is on the other end of the scales, measuring in at 5-foot-11, 183 pounds. He's reminiscent of Michael Campanaro, who the Ravens tried for years to get going but ultimately struggled with too many injuries, though listed as two inches taller. Modster had 68 catches for 978 yards and eight scores at Boise State last year. He could be a shifty target over the middle of the field.

Smith, who is close with Jackson since their days playing at Louisville together, and Horn, son of former four-time Pro Bowl NFL wide receiver Joe Horn, are two other interesting prospects who have flashed at times in practice.

Here are players who flashed during the three days of practices open to the media.

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