LaQuan

Williams

It’s where we suspected Jones would end up all along, despite his postseason flop at Baltimore to end Houston’s season. Carolina and Dallas were also interested. The Ravens had one of the least effective return games in the NFL last season, and Jones represents an immediate upgrade on David Reed and LaQuan Williams. Jones is also the favorite to take over as the No. 3 receiver, with Anquan Boldin moving inside in three-wide sets.

Briefly the Ravens’ kick returner earlier this year, Williams has been targeted just 12 times in 11 games after a preseason splash. Despite being exceedingly explosive in space, Williams won’t be guaranteed a roster spot next summer.

An undrafted free agent, Williams cracked the Ravens’ 53 on the back of a strong preseason, but caught just four passes in 12 games. He was given a chance at return duties early in the season, but returned only two kicks and zero punts after Week 4. The arrival of Jacoby Jones and Tommy Streeter sealed Williams’ fate.

Per beat writer Matt Vensel, Williams appears “a little more polished,” while OC Cam Cameron says he’s also noticed improvement. However, even Williams acknowledges he’s facing an uphill battle for a roster spot following the arrival of Jacoby Jones and Tommy Streeter. “I have to make plays on both sides of the field, on offense and special teams, to make sure I’m here.”

Writer Ryan Mink believes Williams could be in the mix for the No. 3 receiver role, but concedes Jacoby Jones’ salary makes him the favorite. Williams was a puff-piece All Star this offseason, but will have to be equally impressive in pads to hold his roster spot, let alone expand his minimal role on offense.

Williams played with the first-team offense because Torrey Smith (ankle) was inactive. Joe Flacco’s go-to target on Baltimore’s first two drives, Williams had one potential catch broken up by a defender and let another one slip through his hands. He was targeted primarily outside the numbers, and showed good acceleration on his two grabs. An offseason puff-piece All Star, Williams has three catches for 38 yards this summer. His role on offense should remain minimal.

“This one is over,” says beat writer John Eisenberg. “It was Jacoby Jones’ job to lose, and he didn’t.” Despite an impressive offseason, Tandon Doss has failed to make waves in camp due to a hamstring injury. LaQuan Williams has made more plays than sixth-rounder Tommy Streeter, and speedy UDFA Deonte Thompson has “faded a bit lately.”

Williams was talked up all summer by the media, but he finds himself at the bottom of the depth chart. Jackson is dealing with an illness and Reid has a calf injury.

A deep reserve, Williams appeared in just 11 games on special teams this season, and failed to play a snap on offense. The second-year undrafted free agent will have to claw for a roster spot in 2013.

It’s poor timing, as Williams is fighting for a roster spot. The third-year undrafted free agent finished the exhibition season with just three catches for 43 yards and a score. Even with the Ravens repurposing their receiver corps, Williams would likely again be limited to special teams if he cracked the roster.