The Baltimore Ravens have a very talented receiving corps that has stepped up to the plate over the course of the 2021 season. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has no shortage of weapons to throw to, including players such as wide receivers Marquise Brown, Rashod Bateman and Sammy Watkins as well as tight end Mark Andrews.
On Thursday, Baltimore offensive coordinator Greg Roman was asked about the role of Devin Duvernay and if he could be used more like Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarelle Paterson or San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Roman said that it’s already been thought about, but whether or not they choose to “unlock the vault” will remain to be seen.
“That’s already been thought about. We have tons of stuff sitting in the vault, you know what I mean? Whether or not we choose to unlock the vault … It’s a long season. The thing you’ll probably notice is teams that go crazy with that stuff, it dries up after a little bit, and then [they say], ‘Now, what do I have?’ I like to space things out throughout the course of the season. Do this one week, then they think you’re doing this, and you do that. ‘Oh, he’s doing … Oh, look out [for No.] 13,’ and then he does the other thing, that kind of thing.”
Duvernay has been somewhat of a do-it-all player for the team in 2021, totaling 24 catches for 205 yards and two receiving touchdowns while also rushing four times for 41 yards. He’s been effective and electric whenever he gets the football in his hands, and has proven to be both a rushing and receiving threat.
As the season wears on, the Ravens could opt to open up their playbook a bit more and run things that their opponents haven’t seen before. Roman made it a point say that the team doesn’t want to open their vault too early, but they could certainly choose to do so if they feel like it will be effective.