NFL: Each Team’s Biggest 2015 X-Factor

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Breshad Perriman (Central Florida) is selected as the number twenty-six overall pick to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens WR Breshad Perriman

As of right now, Kamar Aiken is penciled in as the No. 2 wide receiver in the Baltimore Ravens offense with Steve Smith Sr. essentially permanently locked in as the top target after a very successful first season with the team. But with Torrey Smith now on the San Francisco 49ers, the Ravens have a vacancy for a vertical playmaker who can take advantage of Joe Flacco’s arm strength, and that player sure as heck won’t be Aiken or Marlon Brown.

Breshad Perriman’s PCL sprain is of huge concern right now, because not only has it robbed a drop-prone, raw route-runner from valuable preseason and training camp reps, but the injury could sideline him until October, per ESPN NFL Nation’s Jamison Hensley.

While Perriman is widely seen as one of the most raw rookies in the draft class, his situation isn’t much different from what Torrey Smith’s used to be. That bodes well for the former UCF star, because Perriman, like Smith, has the physical tools, explosiveness, start-and-stop ability, and absolutely searing speed to overcome his deficiencies as an actual wide receiver.

If he can shake off the injury and missed time, then he could give the Ravens offense two dynamic receiving options, and that’s always an “X-Factor” in my book.

Next: How About The Browns?