3 Baltimore Ravens who need more playing time starting Week 11

2. James Proche II, WR

The Ravens’ wide receiver chart is deceptively crowded. It does not include many big-name wide receivers, but there are a lot of talented young players.

Marquise Brown is locked in as the team’s top wideout, and veteran Sammy Watkins is second among the team’s wide receivers in targets.

Then, there are rookies Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace and second-year players Devin Duvernay and James Proche II. 2019 third-round pick Miles Boykin is also in the mix, but he is primarily utilized on special teams and as a run blocker.

Proche has gotten somewhat lost in this mix, and it is a shame. At SMU, Proche was one of the best wide receivers in the nation. In his senior season, he had 111 receptions for 1,225 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Proche played sparingly as a rookie, as he was targeted only three times the whole season. Nevertheless, Proche was a standout in training camp:

He continued to make impressive plays in the preseason, as well:

In Week 4, Proche got his first real chance to contribute, and he was impressive. He hauled in five of his six targets for 74 yards.

Like Williams, the statistics favor Proche. Proche leads Baltimore’s wide receivers in yards after catch per reception (5.3), and he is second among Baltimore’s wide receivers in passer rating when targeted (107.4).

The Ravens’ wide receiver group struggled during their loss to the Dolphins. Sammy Watkins’s fumble helped the Dolphins put the game away.

It would be smart to get Proche more involved. He could give the offense a spark, and the playing time could help further his development.