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It took them a little while but the Baltimore Ravens finally addressed their need at wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft, taking Texas’ Devin Duvernay. But in such a deep wide receiver draft class, let’s take a closer look at what type of player Baltimore actually got.
Duvernay, at 5-foot-11, is not who most fans and pundits were expecting the Ravens to take at that position, but fills a need for them anyway: slot receiver.
The Texas A&M product didn’t see much action until his senior year, in which he blew up, putting up 106 receptions, 1,386 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches.
Duvernay might not be the No. 1 receiver fans wanted but he fills an important position and role on the Ravens’ offense: slot receiver. Willie Snead is a talented slot option but game-breaking speed he does not have. Duvernay, on the other hand, is an absolute burner who ran a 4.39 at the NFL Scouting Combine, adding another dimension to an already impossible-to-cover Ravens offense.
Duvernay brings more to the table than just straight-line speed, however. Despite his smaller stature, Duvernay plays bigger than his size, pushing through contact. When he isn’t gaining extra yards through force, Duvernay can be shifty in the open field, using his agility to make defenders miss. And with outstanding hands, Duvernay is sure to get chances to make things happen in the open field.
As a slot receiver with deep speed, agility in the open field and some run strength, Duvernay is a weapon for quarterback Lamar Jackson and he’ll balance Baltimore’s other weapons well. His third-round status might make some think he’s not very good but in a historically great draft class, where Duvernay fell to has more to do with the talent ahead of him than what he brings.