You can't teach speed, nor can you teach size.
So when the Ravens had a chance in the sixth round of this year's draft to take Tommy Streeter, a 6-foot-5 WR out of Miami who runs a 4.4 40-yard dash, they jumped at the chance.
Streeter broke out of his shell as a junior at Miami, finishing the season with 46 receptions for 811 yards and eight touchdowns. He was projected to go in the first few rounds but fell due to concerns with his route-running ability.
He said he's been working on correcting the kinks in his game, to become a more fluid receiver in the NFL.
"Playing football is a process," he said. "You're not going to be great overnight, but as long as you continue to stack days on top of each other and stay focused and know it's a grind. It's like a marathon, not even a sprint -- who can last until the end."
Streeter said his route tree has improved since arriving at Baltimore's team facility in May. Most of his highlights in college came on nine-routes, where he used his size and speed to burn past defensive backs or come down with jump balls. In the NFL, a receiver's game must be more refined, something coach John Harbaugh predicted will come sooner rather than later.
"He's got a good vision for what he wants to become as a player," Harbaugh said. "It's going to take some time. It's a matter of time, but I don't think it's going to be as long as some people think."
So far in training camp, Streeter has stood out in the red zone. He has used his leaping ability to win one-on-one battles close to the goal-line. If Streeter is to make the 53-man roster, it will probably be as a situational target when the Ravens get inside the 20.
However, he has to make the team first. In what was an area of concern a year ago, the coaching staff has lauded this year's receiving group. Wideouts Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones, Tandon Doss and LaQuan Williams have all had impressive practices since camp opened. It wouldn't be a stretch to consider Doss and Williams locks for roster spots.
A year ago Baltimore kept six receivers on the roster and could do so again. If that's the case, the final spot could come down to Streeter, receiver David Reed (who's still rehabbing a torn ACL at the moment) and undrafted rookie Deonte Thompson out of Florida.
With Baltimore spending a draft pick on him, albeit a late one, it doesn't seem likely they'd risk placing him on the practice squad for a year. It would be tough knowing that at any moment another team could claim a player with the kind of tangibles Streeter possesses.
Streeter said his main area of emphasis right now is to maintain the correct technique during routes so he doesn't tip a defender as to what he's running. It was something he could get away with on talent alone in college. In the NFL, it's a different story.
"On this level everybody's elite," Streeter said.
Follow Ravens reporter Jason Butt on Twitter: @CBSSportsNFLBAL and @JasonButtCBS.