devard darling

For most of the 23 years since the Ravens were established in Baltimore, the team has lacked a dominant, game-breaking wideout.

Projecting wide receivers has become difficult for NFL teams. Nothing has been more problematic for Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome.

As much as the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers pride themselves on stingy defenses, physical play and AFC North titles, they do differ on how to develop wide receivers.

Maybe one day the Ravens' "rent a receiver" policy will end and the team will establish a legacy like the Baltimore Colts did with Hall of Famer Raymond Berry. Ravens receiver Steve Smith Sr., 36, announced Monday that he will retire at the end of the 2015 season, his 15th year in the NFL. He will have played just the final two of those seasons with the Ravens.

Whenever it comes to selecting wide receivers in the NFL draft, the Ravens consistently have dropped the ball.