In less than 30 days, the 2023 NFL Draft will begin. With only five selections currently at their disposal, it’s not hard to believe the Ravens will trade out of the first round altogether in order to acquire more draft capital. However, one can also make the case that the Ravens wide receiver room needs major help.
When forecasting the Ravens first choice, whether that’s at 22, later in the first round, or out of the first round altogether, choosing wide receiver as the top position of need is an easy choice. Baltimore getting the player it wants is much murkier prospect.
The Ravens are in a unique position. There’s not that much competition for a wide receiver amongst teams in front of them. Tennessee (11), Houston (12), Tampa Bay (19), and Seattle (20) are all teams that could go with a pass catcher at those respective selections. Those teams have other pressing needs as well. In other words, there aren’t many teams who need one position as badly as the Ravens do.
Here’s an estimate for which players could be taken from No. 1-21:
QB: C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson
WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jordan Addison, Quentin Johnston
RB: Bijan Robinson
OL: Peter Skoronski, Paris Johnson, Broderick Jones, John Michael Schmitz
IDL: Jalen Carter, Bryan Bresee, Calijah Kancey
EDGE: Will Anderson, Tyree Wilson, Myles Murphy, Lukas Van Ness, Nolan Smith
LB: Trenton Simpson
CB: Isaiah Witherspoon, Christian Gonzalez, Deonte Banks, Joey Porter, Jr., Kelee Ringo
S: Brian Branch
There are 26 names listed above, and that’s not counting the one or two outlandish reaches teams make every year. Without making any big concessions, it’s fair to say the Ravens are in good shape with their first pick. Even if their wide receiver of choice is gone, that mean another top prospect will be there. Either way, knowing you’re picking before these top players are likely to be chosen has to help settle the nerves.
As far as specific wide receivers go, it’s no secret I think Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the best of the bunch. Jordan Addison is my 1-A, and then from there, I see a few players that would be a strong fit in Baltimore.
The best receiver I foresee being available when the Ravens select, after Smith-Njigba and Addison, is Boston College standout Zay Flowers. At 5’10” and 182 pounds, Flowers ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He’s fast, quick, and doesn’t mess around.
From Year 1 to Year 4, Flowers averaged 15.6 yards per reception—that’s remarkable production. He also scored 29 receiving touchdowns at Boston College—as many as Dez Bryant, Tavon Austin, and Tyler Lockett.
From his school profile: “[Flowers] finished his career as BC’s all-time leader in career receptions (200), career receiving yards (3,056) and career receiving touchdowns (29).”
Flowers may be the best receiver in this draft in terms of uncovering. He’s exceptional at forcing defensive backs to bail out or flip their hips prematurely. He makes them do what they don’t want to do so he can do what he wants to do. If he had a more accurate quarterback, he may be looked at as a fringe Top 10 pick. His route running is really advanced. He reminds me of Hollywood Brown, but with more size.
He’s very smart, too. You can tell when watching him that he’s aware of the situation. That may seem like something everyone should be aware of, but as we know, that’s not always the case. Flowers isn’t Jerry Rice, obviously, but he does something that Rice did expertly—not declare the route until the very last moment. At times, he made defenders look downright foolish.
How does Flowers fit into the Ravens? If Baltimore drafts him, I think he’s instantly their best receiver, even better than a healthy Rashod Bateman. So as far as fit goes, he could be their No. 1 guy. Flowers is used a to run-heavy offensive attack, too, as the Eagles ran the ball 45.2 percent of the time last year. He’s used to playing in cold weather and making big plays whenever the ball comes his way. I don’t know of any character concerns, either.
In a recent Twitter poll I conducted, 79 percent of those who voted think the Ravens receiving core ranks in the last quartile in the league. I think Baltimore would be well-advised to draft two (or maybe even three wideouts) this season. That position needs to be fixed.
Selecting a stud like Flowers would be a great first step toward completing this roster.
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
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