When the Ravens' offense breaks the huddle during training camp, one of the most hotly contested job competitions will be at the wide receiver position.
While five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith is entrenched as a starter, the other starting position is up for grabs and so are several roster spots.
The pecking order has yet to be determined, but the primary contenders for a starting position are established.
Rookie wide receiver Breshad Perriman, the Ravens' first-round NFL draft pick from Central Florida, has excellent size and figures into the equation as an immediate deep threat. The 6-foot-2, 212-pound speedster has run the 40-yard dash in 4.22 seconds, making him one of the fastest players on the team.
Perriman, who needs to catch the ball more consistently, is trying to beat Kamar Aiken and Marlon Brown for a starting position. All three had their moments working with the first-team offense this spring.
"I see it as extremely competitive," said receivers coach Bobby Engram, who praised general manager Ozzie Newsome, assistant general manager Eric DeCosta and director of college scouting Joe Hortiz for the talent at his position group. "I think you've got a room full of guys, honestly, that can play in this league. Obviously, we know the numbers won't allow that for the Ravens, but I'm very impressed. Just a collective effort to really bring a lot of good football players in here, and it's shown. So, I reap the rewards of that one."
Besides Perriman, Aiken and Brown, wide receiver Michael Campanaro (River Hill) is scheduled to return from a strained quadriceps by training camp. Once healthy, Campanaro could push for a rotational role and also figure into the Ravens' plans in the return game.
Jeremy Butler had an impressive minicamp. Sixth-round draft pick wide receiver Darren Waller has outstanding size at 6 feet 6, 238 pounds. And undrafted rookie DeAndre Carter has flashed quickness and return skills.
"It's very competitive," Smith said last week. "Breshad was out there catching passes. Kamar stepped his game up tremendously. Marlon has done what he always does, which is make plays. When I first came here last year, that's all they talked about was sensational rookie season he had and how he came out of nowhere. But he has been working his tail off.
"Then you've got my favorite, DeAndre. Then Camp [Campanaro], unfortunately, pulled his quad. He's going to come back raring to go. So, it's a lot of guys out there that were showing some great flashes of things. I'm actually going to sit back and watch it and just root for those guys and see them make plays. And, then Jeremy Butler, I don't think he has dropped a pass all camp. He is doing a fantastic job."