If Breshad Perriman Isn’t At 100% On Week 1, Who Will Step Into His Role?

Wide receiver Breshad Perriman underwent arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday, June 14. Perriman received a stem cell injection and was determined to not have an ACL tear, per Ian Rapoport. This means Perriman's chance of returning by seasons start is high. Nonetheless, ACL injuries can be hard to judge, so let's play worst case scenario: Perriman still misses the whole season.

Last season, the wide receiver position was not very deep for the Ravens, and the team found it hard to recover from the loss of Perriman, and later Steve Smith Sr. Perriman is thought to be a receiver capable of taking the top off the defense, and taking advantage of Joe Flacco’s cannon right arm. Perriman was expected to have a large impact on opening up the field for the offense. In the absence of Perriman, as well as Smith Sr., Kamar Aiken stepped up and was a leader for the receivers. Unfortunately Aiken’s production was not consistently the type of game-changing playmaking the Ravens were looking for. If Perriman misses time, do the Ravens possess the speed and playmakers to make up his absence?

Yes, absolutely yes. The Ravens own exponentially more depth at wide receiver in comparison to last season. Unlike last year, the Ravens brought in speed all over the field. The addition of Mike Wallace provides a bona-fide deep threat for the boys in purple; Rookie wide receiver Chris Moore also a nine-route burner.

Wallace experienced a few down years in a row, but all Ravens fans know very well what Wallace is capable of from his days in Pittsburgh. After leaving the Vikings for the Ravens, Wallace said, "When this process started, I knew that I wasn’t going back to Minnesota. I was like, ‘I need a good quarterback.’ I need a quarterback who I know is proven and can get things done."

While that may bea shot at Teddy Bridgewater, it is a compliment to Joe Flacco, Mike seems to think that he found the right quarterback for his skill set in Flacco. Wallace may be somewhat a one-trick-pony in terms of his deep threat capability, but as Torrey Smith showed, speedy receivers will do very well with Joe Flacco at the helm. Expect Wallace to get extra snaps without Perriman in the lineup, and as a result, expect Wallace to come back into form with Flacco’s arm.

Chris Moore may contain more potential than Wallace. Moore averaged 21.8 yards per catch in his senior season at Cincinnati. Add in Moore showing physicality as a receiver, capable of going up and attacking the ball Anquan Boldin-esque. Moore will have to earn the playing time as he is only a rookie, but don’t be surprised to see him get on the field. While it may be unfair to expect Chris Moore to have a rookie season like Torrey Smith, it isn't out of the realm of possibility. If Perriman is to be out, Moore has a lower floor than Wallace, but a higher ceiling.

Oh yeah, and the Ravens still have Agent 89. If all indications that his age and recent injury aren’t slowing him down prove to be correct we can expect the typical Steve Smith Sr. production. Reminder, that is elite, hall-of-fame level production. Kamar Aiken didn’t have gaudy stats last year, but he was far from mediocre. Aiken is arguably the most consistent receiver on the team. He probably isn’t going to put up more than 75 yards, but he isn’t going to give you fewer than 40.

Another addition, dangerous open field runner Keenan Reynolds. Reynolds is set to star as a returner, but don’t be surprised to see him earn snaps with the offense as well.

What does this all mean? It means the Ravens acquired enough playmakers without Perriman, don't fret Charm City fans