OWINGS MILLS — Tight end Crockett Gillmore's was one of several Ravens whose 2015 season ended prematurely due to an injury. And to that point, he was one of the team's most promising young players.
After catching just 10 passes as a rookie in 2014, Gillmore more than tripled his output last season in just 10 games. He finished with 33 catches for 412 yards — most among Ravens tight ends.
Now, he enters his third season as a possible starter, but with more competition than ever.
"This is the best group in the NFL," he said of the team's tight ends after Tuesday's organized traning activity. "I'm not afraid to say it. It's hands down, and there's guys that unfortunately won't be here with the numbers — it's just you can't keep that many guys. There's going to be some really good, talented guys that can do everything not be here.
In addition to Gillmore, the Ravens feature second-year returners Maxx Williams and Nick Boyle (suspended for 10 games), as well as veteran Benjamin Watson, who is coming off a career year with the New Orleans Saints. Dennis Pitta is also back from injury.
Gillmore will have to earn his playing time, which he showed last year he's capable of.
He surpassed the 100-yard mark in Week 11 against St. Louis, but his season ended with a shoulder injury two weeks later, and he went on injured reserve soon thereafter.
Instead of needing surgery to repair torn labra in both shoulders — which would have required him to miss part of training camp — he needed just one operation, which put him back on the field in time for OTA.
That procedure placed little restriction on his offseason workout routine, so the former third-round pick is hoping to recapture his consistency in his third year.
"We've been on top of everything," Gillmore said. "I'm running around doing everything I can do right now. We've still got a little bit of time before the season, so what I weigh now and what I come in at, it's really up to me."
twitter.com/jakelourim