Greg Jennings an option for Baltimore Ravens?

Saturday, veteran wide receiver Greg Jennings was released by the Minnesota Vikings. With a need at the position, would he be a good option for the Baltimore Ravens?

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With Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones departing for San Francisco and San Diego respectively, the Ravens need another talented pass-catcher.

Steve Smith Sr. is the only wide receiver currently on the roster who surpassed 300 yards in 2014.

With Jennings now on the market, it might be a smart move to bring in the veteran to give Joe Flacco another talented, experienced weapon in the passing game.

The 31-year-old spent the last two years with the Vikings after playing the first seven years of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers. While in Green Bay, he was apart of the Super Bowl XLV winning team and scored two touchdowns in the game itself. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in both 2010 and 2011.

Through nine years, Jennings has caught 552 passes for 8,083 yards and 63 touchdowns. While his numbers have declined slightly in the past two, that can be blamed primarily on the quarterback throwing him the football as opposed to his talent regressing.

While in Green Bay, it was the current league MVP Aaron Rodgers. Since he’s been in Minnesota, he’s had a number of quarterbacks including Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel and Josh Freeman before finding some stability with Teddy Bridgewater.

Sep 7, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings (15) makes a touchdown catch over St. Louis Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines (33) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

There is no reason to believe that Jennings can’t still play at a high level for a few more years. According to ESPN Stats, Jennings led the Vikings in receiving yards in each of his two seasons with the team.

In 2014 he caught 59 passes for 742 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 12.6 yards per catch, and could provide Flacco with a deep passing option they will lack with Torrey Smith leaving.

Dec 15, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings (15) celebrates his touchdown during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Alongside Steve Smith, the Ravens would have a solid duo of pass-catchers, and could look to add a third option in the draft.

A prospect that could be of interest in the first or second round is Michigan’s Devin Funchess. The 6’5″, 232-pounder has spent time at both wide receiver and tight end in his time at college, and would provide the Ravens with a potential difference maker.

He is still raw and has to work on his consistency at catching the football, but he would compliment Jennings and Smith as a versatile threat in the passing game. Funchess can play outside, in the slot and could even be used at tight end–another position of need for the Ravens.

Before the focus turns to the draft, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome might try his luck at luring the signature of veteran Jennings.

With Smith, Jones and Owen Daniels having departed Baltimore, the Ravens need to add more weapons for Flacco. There will be options in the draft, but Jennings would be an excellent veteran signing to help maintain a talented offense.

A team of Flacco, Justin Forsett, Smith Sr. and Jennings would form a strong core of playmakers on offense, and they could build on the foundations with a successful draft.

Next: Can the Baltimore Ravens replace Torrey Smith?

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