Let’s take a look at the Ravens Wide Receivers and their role in Gary Kubiak’s offense.
Steve Smith Sr.
Steve Smith Sr is the best Wide Receiver on the Ravens roster. He can line-up outside of the numbers (Plus Split, Numbers Split), inside of the numbers closer to the Quarterback (Reduced Split) or inside the numbers in the Slot Position. Smith Sr is Joe Flacco’s go to receiver on critical downs. Flacco has a QB rating of 118.6 when targeting Smith Sr. Smith Sr is the most complete receiver that has ever been on the Ravens roster. He can stretch the field vertically and horizontally.
Torrey Smith
Torrey Smith’s primary role in the Raven’s offense is to provide the vertical threat. Smith averages 17.1 yards per reception. Smith primarily lines up in a Numbers Split on the line of scrimmage. Smith can be considered as the X-receiver. Lining up in this position allows Torrey Smith to release immediately into his vertically oriented routes. On running plays, Smith is also in a good position to block his defender at the line. The major difference between the 2013 season and 2014 season is that Defenses are placing a safety over the top to help the Cornerback cover Torrey Smith. Last year, Torrey Smith was targeted 41 times on routes of 20 yards or more. This year, he is on pace to receive 22 targets on routes of 20 yards or more. This defensive scheme is forcing Torrey Smith to run more slants and dig routes. Running shorter and intermediate routes are an area where Torrey Smith has historically struggled. He is not a refined route runner. 3 of Joe Flacco’s 7 interceptions this year are a result of an attempt to force the ball into Torrey Smith’s hands in the middle of the field.
Kamar Aiken
Kamar Aiken is slowly emerging as the number 3 receiver. Why? He is as versatile as Steve Smith Sr. Aiken can play inside the numbers and outside the numbers.
As an outside receiver, Aiken runs a lot of routes breaking towards the middle of the field. He doesn’t have straight line speed (40 yard dash - 4.59s). The Ravens do not need another speedster. The Ravens need a receiver that can catch the ball underneath and in coverage. These needs are the strengths of Kamar Aiken.
As an inside Receiver, Aiken can line up in the Reduced Split. A Reduced Split is where the Receiver is aligned inside of the numbers closer to the center of the formation. This allows Aiken to create room for passes outside of the numbers (such as the Stick Route or Fade Route). Aiken has reliable hands. He has only dropped one pass this year (week 8 - 1st Quarter, 4th down on goal line) . Aiken’s snap count has been steadily increasing over the season. In week 1 Aiken was on the field for 13 snaps. In week 8, Aiken was on the field for 33 snaps. Aiken has just as many targets (16) as Jacoby Jones and Marlon Brown combined (17). Expect to see Aiken continue to play all over the field and firmly entrench himself as the third receiving option for Joe Flacco.
Mike Campanaro
The 2014 7th round pick has gotten almost a third of the snaps in the past three weeks. Campanaro is a solid route runner and is an ideal Slot Receiver. Campanaro is effective at running drive routes and flat routes. He can also stretch the field horizontally (drive route) and vertically (dig route) when the Ravens run crossing routes. Campanaro has been able to find open spots in zone coverage. Campanaro has also made himself available when Flacco is flushed from the pocket.
Marlon Brown
Marlon Brown is not a major target in this offense. Brown has 6 targets so far this year compared to 150 snaps. Brown’s primary role in the offense is as a decoy drawing attention of the Linebackers or Safeties in the middle of the field. Brown is usually brought onto the field when the Ravens line up in Empty or Spread formations. The Ravens use this formation in their 2 minute offense.
Jacoby Jones
After dropping 3 passes in week 1 and 5 passes overall this season, Jacoby Jones is not really a part of the offense game plan. Jones’ snap count has diminished to 8 in week 8. When he is on the field, Jones is used purely as a vertical threat running seam and post routes out of the slot position. Jones has lined up in the slot 72% of the time this season.
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