The Baltimore Ravens brought in a couple of familiar names for workouts this past Friday: former New York Giants wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Dante Pettis. But here’s the real kicker: neither player got inked right after the session. That non-signing, even after putting these veterans through their paces, speaks volumes. It tells you exactly where the Ravens stand with their receiving corps and, honestly, what a tough grind it is in the veteran market right now. This isn’t a casual look; this is serious evaluation by a team hungry for the right pieces.
Shepard’s Resume: A Proven Pro’s Battle For Another Shot
Sterling Shepard is a name that used to carry serious weight in New York. The Giants snagged him in the second round back in 2016, and he gave them eight seasons of solid work, moving on after the 2023 season. This guy racked up impressive numbers in New York: 372 receptions, a rock-solid 4,095 receiving yards, and 23 touchdowns across 90 games. Those aren’t small figures by any stretch. They shout “consistent, reliable target” for a long, long time. After his run with the Giants, he even found a spot with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for both the 2024 and 2025 seasons. So, for the Ravens to bring in a free agent with that kind of resume, put him through a workout, and *still* hold off on pulling the trigger immediately? It shows just how meticulous they’re being in their search for the absolute perfect fit. It also screams that these veterans are fighting tooth and nail for their next opportunity in this league. Every rep, every drill, matters.
Pettis’s Grind: The Scramble For That Final Roster Spot
Then you’ve got Dante Pettis. His journey with the Giants was definitely more of a whirlwind. He landed in New York via waivers from the San Francisco 49ers in November 2020. He saw action in five games over the 2020 and 2021 seasons for the Giants, catching 14 passes for 163 yards and a couple of touchdowns. After his stint in New York, Pettis bounced around, making stops with the Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints. Both he and Shepard are free agents right now, grinding it out, on the hunt for a team to give them a shot. The Ravens are clearly still evaluating *all* their options at wide receiver, and that is the whole darn story here. They’re not just signing anyone who walks through the door; they’re looking for that precise piece to slot into their offensive scheme. This isn’t just a tryout; it’s a statement about the Ravens’ commitment to getting their receiving corps exactly right.
The fact that both these veterans, with their distinctly different levels of past production, are still out there on the market tells us the wide receiver landscape is intense right now. The Ravens are absolutely doing their due diligence, clearly holding off on any immediate signings. They’re weighing every single option to bolster that receiving corps. For Shepard and Pettis, the anxious wait for that phone call continues. For the Ravens, the search for that impact player, that game-changer, is still wide open. Keep your eyes peeled, because when they finally make a move, you know it’ll be for someone they truly believe can elevate their game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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