Unsung Hero of Week 2: WR Miles Boykin

The Ravens and Texans matchup in Week 2 was a game in which Baltimore mostly played on the ground. However, the offense was able to get the passing game going in spurts throughout the contest.

Lamar Jackson a had a good day throwing to his No. 1 wide receiver Marquise Brown, but couldn’t connect much with Mark Andrews at all, who was targeted only three times for one reception. With Andrews blanketed consistently, it was up to another receiver to step up and be a reliable target for Jackson.

This week’s unsung hero is the man, the myth, the legend himself: Miles Boykin.

Boykin had a great day, catching four of five targets for 38 yards, two of those catches being for first downs. He was consistently available for quick, short throws from Jackson, evidenced by his average depth of target being only 5.8 yards. When comparing that versus Brown’s 7.3 YPC or Andrews whopping 12.7 YPC, it’s clear that Boykin’s value was mostly as a short-route target that could help get the ball out of Lamar’s hands quickly.

Jackson had a 98.3 passer rating when throwing to Boykin, the highest on the team by anyone with more the two receptions. Boykin provided a much-needed presence in the passing game that can’t be filled entirely by Brown. Boykin proved that he is someone Jackson can rely on to make a key catch when needed.

Boykin is in his second year in the NFL, and so far Baltimore is putting him in a more important role in the offense this season. He is already halfway matching to his total reception number the 2019 campaign.

Boykin’s stock is on the rise two weeks into his sophomore season.