Ravens Don’t Need To Draft A Receiver

You’ve seen it in my Ravens-specific mock drafts and you’ve heard it in other places. Even though they’ve added Donte Stallworth and Anquan Boldin, many people predict that the Ravens will add another receiver in the later rounds of this draft. I’ve been one of those people, saying first that Mardy Gilyard in the 2nd round would be a good pick, and more recently, have suggested Freddie Barnes out of Bowling Green in the 5th round. What I’ve come to realize though, is two reasons why the Ravens don’t need to, and really shouldn’t draft a receiver this weekend.

Click “Continue Reading” to see why Joe thinks the Ravens don’t need to draft another receiver.

My two reasons are:

• They really don’t need one: Like I’ve said, the Ravens added two very, very able veteran receivers this offseason. Anquan Boldin will be an all-around stud, while Donte Stallworth will be the vertical threat the Ravens have lacked pretty much every year of their existence. Add them to Derrick Mason and possibly Mark Clayton and that’s as good a receiver lineup as anybody the Ravens will play this season. Depth-wise, the team can keep Demetrius Williams, Kelley Washington and David Tyree. Also, keep in mind that Marcus Smith missed the whole season in 2009 being on the IR, and Justin Harper is back again. When you think about all of those guys, the Ravens have 9 legitimate wide receivers. I doubt they need an.other for any reason, and I hope Ozzie Newsome feels the same way.
• They have other bigger needs. Cornerback, defensive line, tight end, kicker, long snapper, safety. These are, in my opinion, the team’s bigger needs than at receiver. Defensive line and tight end might be addressed tonight in Round 1 with Jermaine Gresham or Terrence Cody, and if he falls far enough, the cornerback need could be filled by Boise State’s Kyle Wilson. Safety depth is needed, general depth at other positions is needed. Depth at receiver, like I explained, is most definitely not needed. In a draft class this deep, the Ravens would be stupid not to use its talent to add depth and fill minor needs.