By Joe Schiller
The Baltimore Ravens officially released veteran wide receiver Michael Crabtree on Monday, making a disappointing campaign after one season.
Crabtree caught 54 passes for 607 yards and three touchdowns during the 2018 season. After leading the NFL in drops and following the transition at quarterback from Joe Flacco to Lamar Jackson, Crabtree's role became expendable.
Crabtree's departure marks a long list of free agent wide receivers that have failed to produce. The remaining receiver core features Willie Snead, Chris Moore, Jordan Lasley, Jaleel Scott and Quincy Adeboyejo.
But in a way, it provides a silver lining that the Ravens must shift their wide receiver needs to the draft, rather than focus on landing big free agent targets.
I've talked about the Ravens' struggles to draft and develop wide receivers before. Acquiring veteran targets was the bandaid that couldn't cover the real problem.
They have an opportunity this year with a new wide receivers coach in David Culley to acquire top young talent and develop them into starting-caliber receivers.
There are plenty of first round prospects the Ravens could consider. The long list includes Ole Miss receivers A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf, Arizona State's N'Keal Harry, Iowa State's Hakeem Butler, N.C. State's Kevin Harmon or even Oklahoma's Marquise "Hollywood" Brown.
Yes, the Ravens will likely have to target one veteran receiver to add to their group through free agency but the draft should be the top priority.
As Lamar Jackson develops as a quarterback, he has to have wide receivers alongside him doing the same.
