The Ravens drafted WR Devontez Walker in Round 4 last year to a team with a shallow pass-catching depth chart. He managed all of 1 reception on 3 targets despite appearing in nine games as a rookie. But that doesn't mean the team is casting him aside. Walker's lone catch did, at least, go for a 21-yard TD in Week 15, the start of a four-game stretch that found increased playing time. According to the team site, HC John Harbaugh "proposed the play" that produced the TD. And it sounds like Harbaugh remains optimistic.
Walker: "Last year, early on, I felt like I wasn't able to play as fast. You know, I'm wondering what to do. I'm thinking so much, trying to do everything right, perfect everything. I wasn't able to go out there and run full speed. This year, I'm able to get lined up and go out there and play as fast as possible."
Harbaugh: "Every day, all he does is show up and go 100 miles an hour. He's got a chance to be really good."
The Ravens sported last season's second most run-heavy offense. They return all nine of the players who reached double-digit targets last year. And they added WR DeAndre Hopkins in free agency.
Walker could play a much bigger role than he did as a rookie and still fall well short of fantasy relevance this season.
The question with Walker is whether he remains worth stashing for the long term. The answer: Why not, if you have space.
Walker led each of his final two college teams in receiving, at different schools. He didn't break out until his age-21 season, which suggests a limited ceiling. But he also delivered a 4.36-second 40 time at decent size (6'2).
It's still obviously more likely he doesn't become a fantasy difference maker. Walker will need to deal with Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman being around for the foreseeable future, and the offense isn't gonna go pass-heavy anytime soon.
So Walker's worth keeping around for now if you have him, but don't go chasing after him.
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