The Baltimore Ravens are set to sign former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts to a one-year deal. Given the Ravens’ need at wide receiver once again this offseason, any free-agent signing is sure to be big news. So how does Roberts affect Baltimore’s need at wide receiver and their current depth chart?
Realistically, it’s not likely to change their need much, if at all. It’s the perfect case of finding a player with all the physical tools but in need of coaching to reach the next level. Still, it gives Baltimore a player with proven production on his resume to help fill out their anemic depth chart ahead of the 2019 NFL draft.
Roberts is a former UDFA from West Alabama who has had marginal results with the Raiders before being released on Thursday. Over four seasons with Oakland, Roberts has started 25 games, catching 158 passes for 1,826 yards and 13 touchdowns. While that isn’t very much production, it bests all but one of the Ravens’ wide receivers — Willie Snead.
With the release of Michael Crabtree and John Brown signing with the Buffalo Bills in free agency, Baltimore will once again see a dramatic change in their wide receiver corps in the offseason. Before Roberts’ signing, the Ravens had only five wide receivers on the roster. Of that group, only Snead has been a proven and consistent player in the NFL.
Though Roberts hasn’t really produced much in his five years in the league, he fits what Baltimore is looking for and likely sits second on the depth chart right now behind Snead. Though the draft, the rest of free agency and training camp will likely change that before Week 1.
He’s 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds with a 4.44 40-yard dash. He’s known for being a positive downfield blocker — something the Ravens have regularly talked about seeking from potential wide receiver signings. Baltimore also got an up-close look at Roberts last season, when he caught two passes for 54 yards and one rushing attempt for 11 yards — showing he can be a big-play option at times.
Roberts has also shown decent hands over the last two seasons, dropping just seven of his 125 targets, according to PFF. Given how awful Baltimore has been with holding onto the ball in recent seasons, that’s a huge positive mark in his favor. Another bonus is Roberts’ signing won’t count against the Ravens’ compensatory pick formula, having been cut by the Raiders first.
Roberts is effectively a developmental prospect of sorts that can potentially offer some immediate help. I personally see him more as a way to apply a little pressure on recent draft selections Jordan Lasley and Jaleel Scott, along with a bit of a safety net ahead of the 2019 NFL draft.
While he should produce some this year, he’s not the top signing Baltimore fans were hoping to see. Roberts is the definition of a low-risk, high-reward signing Baltimore hopes pans out for them.
The Ravens should still be just as aggressive in the draft and the second wave of free agency to find capable pass catchers to surround young quarterback Lamar Jackson in 2019.
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