Tag: Miles Boykin

Ravens Draft Prospect Profile: Kadarius Toney

The Baltimore Ravens have plenty of young receivers on their roster. They could look to add Kadarius Toney to the mix

The Baltimore Ravens currently have plenty of talented young receivers on their roster. Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin, Devin Duvernay, and James Proche will be looking to continue to prove themselves, especially with some of them expected to take on much larger roles. However, Baltimore could look to add another young receiver to that group.

Kadarius Toney would be an enticing option for the Ravens’ offense. In his four years at the University of Florida, Toney accumulated 1,590 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns, with 984 yards and 10 scores in 2020. He also put up 580 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, showing that he’s a versatile threat in multiple facets of the offense. He was also a star quarterback in high school, so if selected by Baltimore, he could be in the middle of some exciting trick plays.

Toney is absolutely electric in the open field. When he gets the ball in his hands he’s a huge hassle to bring down, as he can run past defenders with his speed, create space for himself with his agility, or even outmuscle them with his underrated physicality.

Toney is going to be a playmaker somewhere in the NFL. However, some people are concerned about a potential fit with the Ravens because of his size. Toney stands at 5-foot-11 and weighs 189 pounds, which is similar to the build of Brown, who already has scored 15 touchdowns in his first two years in a Baltimore uniform. While Brown’s success as a smaller receiver in the Ravens’ offense is promising for a player like Toney, some think he’s just too similar to Brown to justify picking him in the first round, where he’s projected to be selected.

The former Gator has a little bit of work to do as a route-runner, but there’s no doubt that defenses have to account for him on every single play due to his game breaking ability. No matter how tall a player is, talent is talent, and Toney would make Baltimore’s offense better in multiple different ways.

Eric DeCosta ranked as 17th best drafting general manager by NFL.com

Eric DeCosta has had a few nice drafts as the head GM in Baltimore. He was ranked 17th out of 23 in a list by NFL.com for draft abilities

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta has established himself as one of the best in the business over the short amount of time he’s run the team. Taking over the position from former Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome in 2019, DeCosta has shown the ability to sign quality free agents both in and out of season, acquire playmakers via trade, and draft well.

NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal put together a list of every NFL general manager who have been in charge for two drafts or more and ranked them in terms of how well he believes they draft talent. He also didn’t go back past 2015, so any draft class before then had no impact on Rosenthal’s rankings.

Out of 23 general managers who qualified for the list, DeCosta was ranked 17th. Rosenthal’s reasoning for ranking DeCosta at No. 17 is as follows:

“Ozzie Newsome left big shoes to fill, especially after selecting Lamar Jackson, Orlando Brown and Mark Andrews in his final draft. It’s early, but DeCosta’s first two hauls look unlikely to produce a difference-maker. Last year’s first-rounder, Patrick Queen, was the lowest-graded rookie linebacker by Pro Football Focus (min. 20% of snaps), but it’s too early to put a “worst pick” tag on him. The team’s first-round pick in 2019, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, has played his best in the playoffs.”

Rosenthal lists J.K. Dobbins as Baltimore’s best selection during DeCosta’s tenure as general manager, but doesn’t list a worst pick, presumably because there hasn’t been enough time to deem anyone from his two draft classes a “bust”.

Although it’s only been two years at the helm for DeCosta, he’s shown a keen ability not only to take great prospects, but also to maneuver up and down the draft board to position himself to select impact playmakers. Some of the players that the former assistant general manager has selected include Brown, Queen, Dobbins, Justin Madubuike, Devin Duvernay and more. While his 2019 draft class that includes Jaylon Ferguson and Miles Boykin doesn’t look as strong as his 2020 haul, DeCosta has gotten enough out of the players he’s taken to rank higher on a list of general managers based off of their drafting ability.

DeCosta was most likely ranked so low on Rosenthal’s list because of his lack of experience as the true general manager plus a subpar 2019 draft class, which are both fair points. However, he worked under Newsome for years and was a key voice in prior drafts, which holds weight. DeCosta is one of the best general managers in the league, and as he gains experience as the head man for the Ravens, he will gain more respect from people outside of Baltimore.

Ravens Draft Prospect Profile: Rashod Bateman

The Baltimore Ravens could look to draft a receiver in the first round. Rashod Bateman is a great prospect who would make the Ravens better

It’s no secret that the Baltimore Ravens have been looking for wide receiver help during the 2021 offseason. They were reported to be interested in both JuJu Smith-Schuster and T.Y. Hilton, but weren’t able to agree to terms with either. They then went out and signed former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Sammy Watkins, who should help on the outside along with bringing a veteran presence to the team.

Although adding Watkins is a great start, he most likely isn’t the singular missing piece that the team needs to compete for a Super Bowl. Baltimore will probably look to the draft to add another playmaker at wide receiver, and there are plenty available in the 2021 draft class that could make an immediate impact in a Ravens uniform.

One receiver that many have been clamoring for Baltimore to draft is Rashod Bateman. The University of Minnesota product was an extremely productive player during his three years for the Golden Gophers, catching 147 passes for 2,395 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging 16.3 yards per catch. He was also extremely consistent, averaging 77.2 receiving yards per game across the 31 contests that he played in.

From a skillset perspective, Bateman brings exactly what the Ravens need. He’s a tactician as a route runner, dangerous in space, and excels at catching contested footballs. Baltimore needs a physical receiver, and Bateman would certainly bring that to their offense as well as shiftiness in the open field.

Listed at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Bateman is a bigger receiver who uses his size to his advantage. While he isn’t a speed demon, he still plays extremely fast within the flow of the game. He displays a good first step, and is someone that does everything well. He is a well-rounded prospect who will be a fantastic pick for any team that selects him.

The Ravens currently have plenty of receives on their roster who should be able to make an impact in 2021 between Watkins, Marquise Brown, Devin Duvernay and more. However, adding someone like Bateman would immediately make Baltimore’s offense better, as he would provide them with an outside threat while Brown, Duvernay, and even James Proche operate out of the slot. He would instantly give Lamar Jackson another dangerous weapon who can be used all around the football field.

There’s no guarantee that Bateman makes it to the Ravens’ first round selection, which is currently slated to be the 27th overall pick. If they decide to make a draft night move, Baltimore could look to trade up for him if they believe he’ll get taken before they are able to pick. If they can somehow get Bateman in black and purple, the Ravens’ offense would truly become a force to be reckoned with, not just because of their running game, but also because of their passing game.

Free-agent WR Allen Robinson likes tweet saying Ravens should sign him

Let me know if you’ve heard this one before . . . The Baltimore Ravens enter the offseason needing help at wide receiver. Though Baltimore has made some strides at the position, there’s a clear lack of top talent to help the Ravens get over their …

Let me know if you’ve heard this one before . . . The Baltimore Ravens enter the offseason needing help at wide receiver. Though Baltimore has made some strides at the position, there’s a clear lack of top talent to help the Ravens get over their playoff hump. While it’s far from the only problem the passing offense has, it has continuously been an issue for the franchise over the last decade.

So when Bryan Perez of Bears Wire pointed out that Baltimore should hand Chicago wide receiver Allen Robinson a blank check this offseason, it was well-received by fans. And apparently, Robinson himself, who was among the more than 2,000 people who liked the tweet.

Robinson is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and is my top choice for Baltimore to target when free agency begins. As Perez noted, Robinson is everything quarterback Lamar Jackson needs and could completely transform the Ravens’ 32nd-ranked passing offense overnight.

Robinson should be considered one of the top wide receivers in the league by most metrics. He can play both outside and in the slot, and is an impressive route runner who uses his 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame to make contested catches. Robinson would be a great compliment to Marquise Brown, who came on strong at the end of the season and has great deep speed as well as the shiftiness to make quick completions big plays.

Indeed, that sure-handed possession receiver was exactly what the Ravens’ offense was missing this season. It was hoped Miles Boykin would develop into that role but it never really materialized. Baltimore signed Dez Bryant to help out and while the veteran receiver certainly made some big plays, it was little more than a band-aid on a much bigger problem.

Robinson has often performed under less than ideal circumstances. Having played for both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears over his seven years in the league, Robinson hasn’t ever had a top quarterback throwing him passes. Yet, despite often being the lone weapon on offense, Robinson has broken the 1,000-yard mark three times, including the 2015 season where he caught 80 passes for 1,400 yards and a league-leading 14 touchdown receptions. Even this past season on the Bears’ awful offense, Robinson 1,250 receiving yards and six touchdown catches, earning his quarterback a 92.3 passer rating when targeting Robinson.

The Ravens already have a dominant rushing attack and a defense that, even when not playing at their best, is among the top in the league. Adding another weapon for Jackson and improving the passing scheme might be all it takes to turn Baltimore from a playoff team into Super Bowl champions. At the very least, Robinson appears to be open to the idea.

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Notre Dame in the NFL: Week 17 photos and highlights

A recap of the best performances from Notre Dame football alumni in the NFL’s last week of regular season play.

The final week of the NFL regular season once again saw plenty of Notre Dame football alumni perform at an extremely high level. Let’s take a look back at week 17 action with photos and video highlights of the best former Irish players.

Ravens activate Marquise Brown, 2 other receivers from Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Ravens will have all their wide receivers available to them in Week 15 against the Jaguars after activating three from the COVID-19 list

The Baltimore Ravens looked to once again be in a dire situation earlier this week after putting three wide receivers, including Marquise Brown, on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. On Saturday — one day before they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars — the Ravens announced wide receiver Brown, Miles Boykin, and James Proche had been activated back off the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

As expected and evidenced from the short time out, the three appear to have been on the list due to being considered “close contacts” after being around a coach who had tested positive. And while they’re eligible to play, the lack of practice time for the trio puts a question mark on if they actually will play. But with Baltimore needing to win games to get into the playoffs and having so little wide receiver depth behind Brown and Boykin, the Ravens might not have much of a choice but to put them on the field.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson would probably like to have Brown back out on the field after he made a clutch catch in last week’s win over the Cleveland Browns. While Brown hasn’t been nearly as good as advertised this season, he remains Jackson’s most-targeted player by a wide margin.

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Notre Dame in the NFL: Highlights and photos of the best performances in week 14

A recap of the best former Notre Dame players performances in week 14 of the NFL.

The NFL is winding down, but that doesn’t mean that former Notre Dame football stars are slowing down with their performances. Take a look at the highlights and photos of the best that former Irish players had to offer from week 14 action.

More former College Wire players — NFL Week 14 Action:

Bama / Aub / Fla / LSU / Tenn. / UGA // Mich. / Mich St. / Ohio St. / Wisc. // Okla. / Texas // USC

Ravens place WRs Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin, James Proche on Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Baltimore Ravens added three of their wide receivers to the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday, including Marquise Brown.

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The Baltimore Ravens can’t seem to catch much of a break this season. Though it appeared the Ravens were finally finished with their COVID-19 outbreak, the list is once again growing. Baltimore announced it has placed wide receiver Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin, and James Proche on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

Per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, all three players are considered to be “close contact” with a coach that tested positive. The contact came on Monday, per Zrebiec, which would mean all three players could be eligible to play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars as long as they don’t show symptoms or test positive themselves.

The difference in the two designations means a big difference in the minimum amount of time a player is held out per the NFL’s protocols. A positive test requires a player to be held out a minimum of 10 days or a certain number of positive tests while a “close contact” is held out for a minimum of five days.

It’s a potentially big blow to Baltimore’s offense. If all three players end up missing Sunday’s game, that would leave the Ravens with just four wide receivers available on the 53-man roster. Though that would mean guys like Dez Bryant and Devin Duvernay would have a more prominent role on the offense, it would give Baltimore next to no depth at the position.

The Ravens had found some rhythm Monday night against the Cleveland Browns, beating their division rival 47-42. Brown, especially, had an up-and-down evening, dropping several passes before catching a 44-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson that put Baltimore right back into the game. But for his inconsistencies, Brown has big-play potential defenses have to take into account each game. Taking that away would dramatically alter how the Jaguars’ defense plays the Ravens’ offense, potentially causing the rushing game to stagnate with more of a focus on it.

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Notre Dame in the NFL: Highlights and photos of week 13 action

A look back at some of the standout performances from former Notre Dame stars in the NFL during week 13.

The NFL got back to a normal schedule this week, well, sort of. The weeks finale was played on Tuesday night, a contest that featured former Notre Dame stars Jaylon Smith and Miles Boykin. The Dallas Cowboys linebacker and Baltimore Raven wide receiver once again made their presences felt, like many other Irish stars of the past. Here’s a look at some of the best performances from players in the NFL that used to call South Bend their home.

Watch: Ravens turn pick into quick six points

Patrick Queen set the Ravens up with the pick and Lamar Jackson took advantage on the next play

That didn’t take long.

Baltimore Ravens’ LB Patrick Queen made the stellar interception to set up Lamar Jackson and the offense in the second quarter.

And the Ravens capitalized on the next play, with Lamar Jackson finding Miles Boykin with a 38-yard TD pass.