OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens' biggest challenge on Sunday also serves as a reminder of one of the most frustrating stumbling blocks in franchise history.
In order to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Ravens must slow down wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns (that is, if he's healthy enough to play). They're both young. They're both on pace to produce over 1,000 yards receiving. They're both averaging over 17 yards per reception. And they both have scored six touchdowns.
This matchup underscores how the Ravens have consistently failed to draft and develop impact wide receivers. Baltimore still has high hopes for injured first-round pick Breshad Perriman, and the team takes pride in how Torrey Smith became a coveted deep threat. But, overall, the Ravens have dropped the ball when it comes to adding young playmakers around Joe Flacco.
Out of the 23 wide receivers drafted by the Ravens -- their most at any position in their 20-year existence -- there have been no Pro Bowl players and one 1,000-yard receiving season (Torrey Smith in 2013). Over that same period, only the Jaguars and Oakland Raiders have not had a drafted receiver record a 1,000-yard season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Those streaks will likely end this season with Robinson and the Raiders' Amari Cooper both ranking in the top 20 in receiving.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said it's more challenging these days to hit on receivers in the draft because the styles of offenses are so much different than the college game. It's tough to project what prospect will be able to run a more diverse route tree and understand the assignments when moved around multiple positions, according to Harbaugh.
"So, some guys make it, and some guys don’t," Harbaugh said. "Some guys, it turns out, can’t figure it out or can’t really run all the routes. And other guys, who you might not have anticipated, just blossom because you didn’t always see them doing it in college. So, it’s probably a little tougher than it used to be because the offenses are a little different.”
The Ravens are left thinking what might have been this season with Perriman. Baltimore invested the No. 26 overall pick in him, and the Ravens didn't get one full training camp practice out of him. A sprained posterior cruciate ligament has kept him from playing a snap in the regular season, and the Ravens are close to placing him on injured reserve.
Perriman was expected to replace Torrey Smith as the Ravens' deep threat. Without Perriman, Baltimore has produced three pass plays of 40 yards or more. Only two teams (Tennessee and Washington) have fewer.
"It's just been one of those injuries that has really been nobody's fault," Harbaugh said. "Breshad has worked so hard to get back and it just hasn't responded the way the doctors expected that it would. So, it's been disappointing for him and for us."
The Jaguars have had their share of big-time misses at wide receiver as well. Jacksonville used the No. 5 overall pick on Justin Blackmon in 2012 and a second-round pick on Marqise Lee last year. But the future is bright for Blake Bortles with Robinson and Hurns, two targets who are under the age of 25.
Flacco doesn't have the same luxury. Since drafting Torrey Smith in the second round in 2011, Baltimore has drafted five wide receivers: Tommy Streeter (sixth round), Aaron Mellette (seventh round), Michael Campanaro (seventh round), Perriman (first round) and Darren Waller (sixth round). They have combined for 14 career catches for 155 yards and one touchdown.
Of the seven receivers currently on the 53-man roster, only one (Perriman) was drafted by the Ravens. The rest of Flacco's targets are five undrafted players (Kamar Aiken, Marlon Brown, Jeremy Ross, Joe Morgan and Jeremy Butler) and a fourth-round pick (Chris Givens).
In a conference call with Harbaugh this week, one member of the Jacksonville media commented that Baltimore's wide receivers don't look dangerous without Steve Smith.
"Thanks for the compliment," Harbaugh said. "I'll be sure to pass that on to them there."