The Baltimore Ravens released their first depth chart of the 2017 season today. The Ravens depth chart is the first of many that will appear soon. It should be taken with a grain of salt, as this is only based on training camp and other team activities. The preseason will also heavily influence the depth chart going into the regular season. Some of these spots will see major changes, while others will stay the same. Although it is early, there are some surprises on the depth chart released by the Ravens today.
Breshad Perriman is a Starting Receiver
The Ravens have two receivers who I have consistently considered the best on the roster over the summer, Mike Wallace and Jeremy Maclin. By all logic, the two talented veteran receivers would start over Breshad Perriman, who still has yet to impress consistently during the regular season. However, this is not the case. Breshad Perriman is listed as a starting receiver. He is listed as starting over Michael Campanaro, Kenny Bell, and others, while Mike Wallace and Jeremy Maclin are listed in a separate set of wide receivers. This means that Perriman is not necessarily starting over either Wallace or Maclin, but has done enough to earn himself a starting spot on the outside. Wallace is also listed as a starter, above Maclin. If this depth chart holds up, Wallace and Perriman will start as outside wide receivers, while Maclin will start in the slot. This makes sense, as both Wallace and Perriman are big time speed wide receivers.
Nick Boyle is the Starting Tight End
This one really caught me off guard. Nick Boyle, the young tight end out of Deleware, is listed as the starting tight end, above Benjamin Watson. The Ravens, of course, have lost both tight ends Dennis Pitta and Crockett Gillmore. Benjamin Watson has much more experience than Boyle, and with that much more success throughout his career. The Ravens have also signed tight end Larry Donnell, formerly of the New York Giants. Donnell has a chance to take the starting spot from Boyle but has only been with the team for a few days. Since he has not had much practice with the team, the team did not list him as a top three tight end. I would expect either Watson or Donnell to take the starting spot sometime in the future, but for right now, it seems Boyle is turning heads at training camp.
Link to the Ravens Depth Chart
If you want to see more of the Ravens depth chart, you can find it on the official Baltimore Ravens website, baltimoreravens.com, or through this link. (Ravens Depth Chart)
