The Baltimore Ravens have a huge void at wide receiver after trading Marquise Brown to the Arizona Cardinals. Baltimore had a strong first-round draft, creating arguably the best secondary in football by drafting safety Kyle Hamilton at No. 14 overall and shoring up the offensive line by selecting center Tyler Linderbaum at No. 23.
Baltimore received the No. 23 overall pick (Linderbaum) and a third-round pick (No. 100 overall), giving the Ravens a whopping nine picks from the second through fourth rounds of the draft. The Ravens have one second-round pick (No. 45), two third-round picks (No. 76, No. 100) and six fourth-round picks (No. 110, No. 119, No. 128, No. 130 , No. 139, No. 141).
In prime position to land a wide receiver (or two, potentially three) over the next two days, the Ravens can easily indulge Lamar Jackson with some pass-catching options with all this draft capital. Perhaps Baltimore will even add a veteran wide receiver along with some of these draft picks.
What are Baltimore’s options in the draft going forward? What does your current depth chart look like right now? The Ravens will certainly add wide receivers over the next 48 hours.
Ravens receiver depth chart
The Ravens drafted Bateman in the first round last season and really liked what he showed in the first year. Since Bateman debuted in Week 6, he was tied for fifth among rookies in receptions (46), sixth in receiving yards (515) and fourth in receiving first downs (29). Is Bateman ready to be the No. 1 wide receiver? He certainly has the potential to be.
Duvernay is one of the best punt returns in the game, leading the league with 13.9 yards per return and six punt returns of 20+ yards, which also led the NFL. He was a first-team All-Pro returner, but has only 53 receptions for 473 yards and two touchdowns in two seasons.
The Ravens will also need help at wide receiver after releasing Miles Boykin (2019 third-round pick) this offseason. Sammy Watkins was also not re-signed after having just 27 receptions for 394 yards and a touchdown in 2021.
Mark Andrews remains a vital part of the equation, as he finished with 107 receptions for 1,361 yards and nine touchdowns last season, leading all tight ends in receptions and receiving yards. He will be the best pass catcher in a Ravens offense that focuses on power read, fast break read and fast break run attacks.
The Ravens are also bringing back JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards at running back, so they will be focal points in an offense that will focus on Jackson’s dual-threat ability at quarterback. Still, Jackson needs some dependable outside receivers.
What draft options are available?
|
George Pickens |
Georgia |
6 |
5 |
107 |
0 |
|
christian watson |
State of North Dakota |
8 |
43 |
800 |
7 |
|
sky moore |
western michigan |
9 |
95 |
1,292 |
10 |
|
Khalil Shakir |
Boise State |
10 |
77 |
1,117 |
7 |
|
John Metchie III |
Alabama |
eleven |
96 |
1,142 |
8 |
|
david bell |
Purdue |
12 |
93 |
1,286 |
6 |
|
Calvin Austin III |
memphis |
13 |
74 |
1,149 |
8 |
|
Jalen Tolbert |
south alabama |
14 |
82 |
1,474 |
8 |
The Ravens need a speedy receiver to make up for the loss of Brown and take advantage of Jackson’s strong arm. Tolbert fits the bill, as he’s averaged 17 yards per catch in his last three seasons, showing his acceleration down the field. He needs to improve his strength and play against better competition, but there is no questioning his ability to track the ball and make a great play. Tolbert is seen as more of a long-term project.
If the Ravens want a productive wide receiver who runs great routes, the best options are Metchie and Bell, both players Baltimore can land later in the draft. Metchie would be a great option in the slot with his ability to run routes and his cunning way of getting yards off the catch. Bell is excellent in all facets of the game, even if he’s not the most explosive player. His ability to catch passes would be a good fit for a run-focused offense like the Ravens.
Pickens has WR1 potential, as he would be a player Baltimore would have to move up from No. 45 to get (having nine picks in Rounds 2-4 helps). He’s great at getting separation at the receiving end and is a natural fit on the outside, which is what the Ravens need. Watson is more of an athlete than a receiver at this stage, but his ability would work well in Baltimore’s offense. The Ravens can afford to bet on Watson and have him develop with Jackson.
Ideally, Baltimore should draft two receivers from this group. The Ravens should trade for one of the best receivers on the board in Round 2 and test their draft skills by shooting one at the third or fourth found.
Baltimore could also move up and draft a receiver and use some draft capital to acquire an available veteran receiver. The Ravens are highly unlikely to use all nine of their Rounds 2-4 picks in this draft, so there’s ammo to significantly improve at wide receiver.
The goal is to keep Jackson, the franchise quarterback, happy. Baltimore can pull this off in the next two days and remain a Super Bowl contender in the process.