Heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, it was clear the Ravens needed wide receiver help. Marquise Brown panned out. However, there was nothing behind him. Miles Boykin stinks and was a wasted pick. Willie Snead is what he is. The Ravens came out of the draft with Devin Duvernay and James Proche. What we found out today is why their brass picked them.
Director of player personnel, Joe Hortiz had this to say:
“As receivers, first and foremost, the one thing they both do is catch the ball, and I mean catch it,” Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz said. “Between the two of them, there are very few drops in the state of Texas.”
It’s clear the Ravens targeted receivers with elite hands. Baltimore’s drop rate of 3.4 percent ranked 18th in the NFL. It’s obvious they want to improve in that mark. Well, Duvernay and Proche both have really good hands.
Duvervay had 176 receptions at Texas and one drop. Proche had 9 drops but that came on 437 targets. Both showed the ability to be sure handed when the ball was thrown in their direction. Both Devin Duvernay and James Proche should get looks in this offense with very little competition on the roster.
Will Proche and Duvernay pan out? That remains to be seen. I’m much more bulish on Duvernay’s chances who fits this offense like a glove. He’s the perfect speedy slot guy for this offense. I don’t think Proche has nearly the athletic traits Duvernay does but he had real production at SMU. Proche reeled in 111 receptions this past season tying Justin Jefferson for the lead in college football.
