Steve Smith retirement makes Wide Receiver position critical need

As regards to the wide receiver depth chart, the Ravens will not catch a break. Steve Smith will not be back next season. This leaves Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman as the top two receivers. Entering the next season without any additions is a recipe for disaster.

The Ravens front office will need to accept that Kamar Aiken simply isn't good enough. Perriman on the other hand, flashed his ability, but to thrust him into a full time role would be unwise. Wallace's stints in Miami and in Minnesota proved he was better suited as a number two than a number one receiver.

The situation is dire. However, the Ravens find themselves in position where making significant budget cuts is an option. Elvis Dumervil, Dennis Pitta and perhaps Lardarius Webb could all find themselves victims of the salary cap.

The free agent wide receiver class is headlined by Alshon Jeffery. If he does not command the “15 million a year A.J Green type of salary” and is closer to 11-12 million dollars, the Ravens could be interested. Brandon Marshall is likely to be cut, and Desean Jackson's contract is expiring. Pierre Garçon could also figure to be an interesting add, though he is on the downside of his career.

In the past, the Ravens have looked to free agency to fill their immidiate wide receiver needs. With needs being more pronounced at cornerback and edge rusher, expect this year's strategy concerning wide receivers to be as it has been in year's past.