Latest news with #DevontezWalker
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN names this 2nd-year WR as Ravens' 'biggest surprise' of the 2025 offseason
ESPN named the biggest off-season surprise for all 32 NFL teams and 2nd-year wide receiver Devontez Walker was the Ravens most impressive performer In some sense, Devontez Walker is still a rookie after seeing action in just nine of Baltimore's 17 regular-season contests after dealing with injuries and inconsistency coming out of training camp. The former UNC pass catcher was supposed to provide a deep threat for quarterback Lamar Jackson, but finished his rookie season with just one catch, albeit for a touchdown. The Ravens are 12 days from rookies and select veterans reporting for training camp, and Walker is looking to break out and draw attention as the fourth or fifth option in a stacked wide receiver group. ESPN recently looked at the most outstanding off-season performer for all 32 teams, and Walker was the most impressive player exiting the Under Armour Performance Center for summer break. The 2024 fourth-round pick was Baltimore's most consistent wide receiver during spring practices and recorded two of the biggest catches of minicamp. On the first day, Walker made an over-the-shoulder grab 20 yards downfield. On the second day, he delivered an acrobatic grab over cornerback T.J. Tampa along the sideline. Walker is looking to become a bigger part of the passing game after a forgettable rookie season, when his only catch was a 21-yard touchdown. He appears to be the front-runner to be Baltimore's No. 4 wide receiver behind Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and DeAndre Hopkins. "Every day, all he does is show up and go 100 miles an hour," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. -- Jamison Hensley When everyone is healthy, Walker is the fourth wide receiver on the Ravens roster at best, but he offers potential to be a deep threat. The rookie had one catch on three targets for a 21-yard touchdown over nine regular-season games in 2024. The former UNC star was a healthy scratch until his NFL debut in Week 7 against Tampa Bay. The highlight of his first year was a 21-yard touchdown reception against the Giants for his first NFL catch in Week 15. Most of Walker's work came on special teams, as he logged 153 snaps and 55 on offense. Walker ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, and he'll look to be Lamar Jackson's big-play weapon.
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Devontez Walker may have ignited a key Ravens summer storyline
Devontez Walker could be the star of his own Ravens hype train by the middle of the summer. It doesn't take much to generate excitement around the formidable Baltimore Ravens. They are a content powerhouse and the two-time defending champions of the AFC North. Two seasons ago, they were on the verge of a Super Bowl appearance, but a home loss in the conference title game resulted in a difficult offseason. Last year was supposed to be about righting the ship, finishing the story Cody Rhodes-style. Sadly, they'd be bounced from contention even earlier by coming up short in the Divisional Round. Thankfully, none of that has quenched the thirst for more. Unless tragedy strikes, they should again win the division and make history in the process as the NFL's first team to claim AFC North superiority in three consecutive seasons. The vibes are positive. The roster was already loaded. Then, they drafted Malaki Starks and signed Jaire Alexander. DeAndre Hopkins has turned the clock back. Last year, Baltimore fielded 11 Pro Bowlers. All have returned. New faces bring excitement, but some of the incumbents are also making names for themselves. Nate Wiggins will be even better than he was last year, and one of the second-year stars on the offensive side of the ball is turning heads early. Might he take another step forward? Devontez Walker is poised to drive a Ravens hype train by midsummer. Things didn't go as Devontez Walker hoped last season. A 2022 First-Team All-MAC star and a 2023 ACC Third-Teamer, Baltimore made him the 113th player taken during Round 4 of the 2024 NFL Draft. He caught one pass. It was a 21-yarder that reached paydirt, but it was still one reception. He and the organization he plays for hope for more in his sophomore season with the Ravens. Walker isn't going to lead this team in targets or receptions. The offense features the two-time MVP-winning quarterback, its rushing attack, tight end Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and a deep and talented wide receiver corps. Walker is staring up at Hopkins, Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers, and Tylan Wallace on the depth chart, so don't expect a campaign where he is targeted 60 or more times. Still, his name has rolled off the tongue of head coach John Harbaugh and others. That has added a few passengers to his growing hype train. Walker has the stuff to be a summer and training camp highlight reel. He has the speed. He has the hands and the footwork. He'll raise some eyebrows with steady play at practice and during the three preseason games. Maybe it's too early to use phrases like 'breakout season'. Perhaps we'd be wise to avoid the temptation to believe he'll catapult himself into being one of the top three wideouts on the depth chart, but he's going to make this team. Once he does, all he has to do is make the most of opportunities when they come his way. That won't be a tough ask. If he averages maybe a catch a game and snags 17 on the season, we can label that one as his 'breakout'. He's gaining a little spotlight now. Next comes more opportunity. It will be fun to see how he manages the pressure and the extra attention.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens' coach praises offseason improvement of former UNC star receiver
In one year at North Carolina, under Mack Brown, Devontez Walker totaled 41 receptions for 699 yards and seven touchdowns in eight games after fighting a transfer issue with the NCAA. After making his way to the NFL and being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, Walker struggled to see the field at all. Through his second offseason in the league, Walker not only has himself surprised and feeling back to his college-day speed, but the team's head coach is taking notice of the revamped wide receiver as well. Advertisement According to Ryan Mink, the editorial director of the Baltimore Ravens, Harbaugh had this to say about Walker: "Every day, all he does is show up and go 100 miles an hour. He's got a chance to be really good." Walker himself has been surprised with some of the improvements he has seen. The turn for him started with a touchdown last season. Walker had this to say about that play: I think that touchdown meant a lot, especially to the staff. You know, drafting a guy you believe in and finally get out there and showcase it. I think it kind of turned heads a little bit. It was a real big deal for me." Walker continued in his statement post training camp to talk about those improvements: Advertisement "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. I feel really confident. I know what we're trying to get done in this offense, and I'm able to go out there and play full speed." In his rookie season with the Ravens, Walker appeared in nine games. He ended up grabbing one of three targets for the previously mentioned 21-yard touchdown. Despite Baltimore still having Zay Flowers and Rashad Bateman and adding DeAndre Hopkins, Walker will still try to carve out a role where he can shine. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: John Harbaugh 'impressed' by Devontez Walker's offseason progress
