The Baltimore Ravens came into this offseason once again in need of wide receivers. After not inking any through the initial wave of free agency, it looked as though the Ravens were going to have to make up the ground through the 2019 NFL draft.
But on Friday, Baltimore added former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts. Roberts had just been cut by the Raiders on Thursday, meaning he won’t count against the Ravens’ compensatory pick formula.
Roberts has been with Oakland for five seasons, playing in the last four. Over that time, Roberts has caught 158 passes for 1,826 yards and 13 touchdowns.
While not a big-name addition, Roberts is a player who will help fill out the depth chart ahead of the 2019 NFL draft. At 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds with a 4.44 40-yard dash, Roberts definitely has the size and speed Baltimore would like to see from their wide receivers.
The signing of Roberts is more than likely to give the Ravens a more full depth chart at wide receiver rather than an expected starter. After Baltimore cut Michael Crabtree and saw John Brown sign with the Buffalo Bills this offseason, the Ravens were left with only five wide receivers on their current roster. Of that group, only Willie Snead — signed last year — is a proven, consistent option.
While free agency was rather thin at wide receiver, the 2019 draft has a plethora of options available. It’s expected the best depth will be in the second and third rounds, where Baltimore could try to find their next starter.
