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The Baltimore Ravens quest to completely retool the wide receiver unit continues at a fast pace. After signing John Brown and Michael Crabtree, the team has reportedly expressed interest in recently released wide receiver Allen Hurns. Previously of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Baltimore has even expressed interest in the restricted free agent market, which is something they rarely do. On Thursday, the Ravens brought in restricted free agent receivers Willie Snead and Cameron Meredith for a visit in their continued search for playmakers.
When general manager Ozzie Newsome talked about reconstructing the group, it didn’t bode well for players like Jeremy Maclin, Mike Wallace, and Michael Campanaro. Maclin was released, and now Wallace has signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Newsome brought up that they were talking to Wallace and Campanaro’s agents about a potential return, but now one is gone, while it looks like the other could be gone as well.
The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec tweeted out on Thursday that the Ravens kick returner is not expected to be back on the team in 2018.
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome vowed to change the look of the receiver room and that's exactly what has happened. Out are Jeremy Maclin, Mike Wallace and likely Michael Campanaro who is not expected to return. In are Michael Crabtree, John Brown and a few others to be named.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiecsun) March 22, 2018
This does come as a bit of a surprise after Newsome’s prior comments about Campanaro, but this, along with Wallace leaving, does fit to what the team is trying to do. Baltimore’s general manager said at the NFL combine that that he would, “leave no stones unturned,” when it came to finding players. Bringing in restricted free agents, especially someone like Meredith, who the Chicago Bears are prepared to match any offer like they did with Kyle Fuller, is more proof of that mantra.
If the Ravens don’t bring back the Wake Forest alumni, it brings an end to a run that was cut short way too soon many times. Campanaro was drafted in the 7th-round in the 2014 draft, and while he showed his ability both as a receiver and a returner throughout the last four years, an injury would always sideline him and halt his progress. Campanaro has all the ability in the world to be an impact player, whether it’s for the Ravens or someone else, but his injury history has always seemed to hold him back of his potential.