Training Camp Battles: The Ravens Second Wide Receiver
Training camp is upon us which means that football is finally back! For some of us it feels like forever since the Ravens won the Super Bowl and Ray Lewis cried with hundreds of cameras pointed at him. Since then we have had free agency, the draft, and some OTAs but we still have an awful lot of questions about what might happen when the games matter and who the true breakout stars might be. In order to help draw your attention to a few different training camp battles that could have a long lasting impact on your fantasy roster we are kicking off our Training Camp Battles series.
We will give you an in-depth look at several training camp battles and give you the strengths and weaknesses of each player involved. We will also break down what they need to do in order to win the battle and what the upside is for the winner.
Our series continues with a look at the wide receiver group of the defending Super Bowl champions. Things first became a little dicey when the Ravens let Anquan Boldin walk away to San Francisco. The receiving group became even more decimated when top target Dennis Pitta broke his hip during training camp – that leaves a glaring hole for pass catchers opposite starter Torrey Smith and someone needs to step up. Let’s take a look at the players in this battle.
Tandon Doss
A fourth round selection in the 2011 draft by the Ravens, Doss will be entering his third season. He missed the majority of his rookie season with injuries, failing to log even a single catch. His sophomore season, while healthy, wasn’t that much better. He managed to haul in only seven catches while being active for 14 games. Entering his third season, this could be make or break for his professional prospects.
Strengths: Measuring in at 6’2”, size is on Doss’ side. In college he showed good speed, great acceleration and great hands. He also displayed a maturity and work ethic that made many believe that his transition to the next level would be very smooth and relatively quick. He definitely has the raw ability to be the sure handed complement to Torrey Smith.
Weaknesses: Doss just can’t stay healthy. Missing the majority of the games his rookie season and then a handful in 2012 with hernias have stalled his development. What might be worse is his lack of productivity when he has been on the field. The Baltimore Sun reports he has had over 200 snaps at the line during his two years, but he’s only had seven catches. His transition to the NFL obviously hasn’t gone as smoothly as he and the Ravens had hoped.
What he needs to do: First and foremost, Doss needs to stay healthy. He has flashed in training camp each of his previous seasons only to miss some time or be slowed by injuries. If he hopes to see the field consistently this year he needs to avoid the injury bug. The other skill he needs to show is that he can get open and haul in catches against NFL defenders. Preseason games will be crucial for Doss.
Upside: If he managed to outperform the other two options, he could line up opposite Smith in two wide receiver sets and then push into the slot on three wide looks. He has the skill set to be a decent WR3 or flex play option on your fantasy team, but he is probably the longest shot of the three options.
Jacoby Jones
The veteran will be entering his seventh season in the NFL, playing five years with the Texans before coming to the Ravens in 2012. So far in his career he has never topped 600 yards or 55 receptions in a single season. With the Ravens, he functioned mainly as the primary return man last season, but did manage to get 30 receptions over the course of the season.
Strengths: Jones has always been a burner. He has nice size at 6’2” and 212 pounds and he can really fly – that is part of what made him one of the best kick returners in the league last year even as he is approaching 30 years of age. That speed and agility are his main assets along with his experience. He has lined up and caught passes against NFL defenders, which isn’t something you can say about his competition. The fact the second wide receiver job is his to lose also helps.
Weaknesses: After six full seasons, we pretty much know what Jacoby Jones brings to the table. He is a serviceable journeyman at the wide receiver position, but that is about it. The chances of him breaking out and suddenly being fantasy worthy are very limited. I also question his desire given that he showed up to training camp out of shape and has already started to turn his attention to other endeavors like Dancing with the Stars.
What he needs to do: At this point in time he is really more of the veteran fall back option should neither of the young guys step up and take the job. What he needs to do is show good chemistry with Joe Flacco and keep his head in the game. He needs to show that he is more consistent and more comfortable than his young teammates.
Upside: He doesn’t offer the same upside as the young talent, but he does have experience and will function as a serviceable wide receiver. Should he win the job, he could push for career highs and approach a 60/800/6 type of line. I wouldn’t expect much more than that.
Deonte Thompson
The undrafted 2012 rookie out of Florida had a very quiet rookie season. He was on the active roster for only six games during the season and managed just five catches, four of which came during their week 17 game.
Strengths: The local media, coaching staff and even GM Ozzie Newsome have been talking up Thompson this off-season during mini-camp and leading up to training camp. At six feet tall and 203 pounds, Thompson has decent size, but his key weapon is his 4.32 speed. He can take the top off of defenses better than anyone else on the team. He has also been praised for his route running and hands recently.
Weaknesses: Of the three options, Thompson is the least experienced one. He only has catches in two NFL games and this is only his second year in the league. Aside from the inexperience, there really isn’t much to knock the young receiver on. He is talented, has great physical tools and seems motivated to succeed.
What he needs to do: Being the least heralded member of this trio means Thompson needs to make people notice him. So far he has been doing that, but he needs to put on a show during the preseason to make everyone see that he should be the one lining up opposite Smith.
Upside: He might be the least experienced, but he also has the best upside. He already seems to be the third receiver and might be pushing for the second spot early in training camp. If he’s in your free agency pool, you might want to pick him up for a shot at WR3 value in a pass catching group that just doesn’t have many options.
Prediction
Jones will start as the second wide receiver, but he will be out played by Thompson in training camp and during the pre-season games. Thompson might still be listed as the third receiver at the start of the season, but it won’t take too many games before he is starting. Jones will return to the third wide receiver and return man role he played last year while Doss will be left on the outside looking in.
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