Ravens Select UCF WR Breshad Perriman With 1st Round Pick In NFL Draft
BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens have selected Central Florida wide receiver Breshad Perriman with the 26th overall pick in the NFL draft.
Perriman caught 50 passes and averaged 21 yards per reception as a junior last season. The 6-foot-2, 212-pounder fills a huge void for the Ravens, who had taken a defensive player with their top pick in each of the past five years.
The Ravens were determined to get a wide receiver in the draft after losing deep threat Torrey Smith to the San Francisco 49ers and releasing wideout Jacoby Jones. Steve Smith remains, but he turns 36 this month.
Kamar Aiken caught 24 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns last season, and Marlon Brown had 24 receptions for 255 yards.
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Notes from CBSSports.com
Perriman's father (Brett Perriman) played receiver in the NFL for 10 years and had two 1,000-yard seasons with the Detroit Lions. Opposite of his father (5-foot-9, 180 pounds) Breshad is a massive target at 6-3, 214.
The Knights' leading receiver with 50 catches for 1,044 and nine touchdowns his junior season, Perriman received All-American Athletic Conference First Team honors and declared early for the NFL Draft. During his true sophomore and junior seasons he averaged an astounding 20.8 yards per catch.
STRENGTHS: Perriman is a big, strong, aggressive receiver armed with NFL pedigree who will use his size and strength to make the catch. Possesses long arms and a large wingspan. He has a very deceptive stride that lets him break down a defender's cushion and get deep.
Perriman possesses the tools to make tough, acrobatic catches with his large soft hands. Can track the football and snatch it at its highpoint. A good runner after the catch who is able to big up big chunks of yardage.
WEAKNESSES: Lacks polish and technique to the position. He'll need to work on running routes and reading coverages at the next level. Perriman will not be able to rely just on his natural ability at the next level. Can disappear at times in a game.