Louisville Wide Receiver DeVante Parker to Visit Baltimore Ravens

Nov 29, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver DeVante Parker (9) runs the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Papa John

If there’s any doubt that Ozzie Newsome and the Baltimore Ravens are prepared to draft with a “best player available” approach once again in 2015, you need only look to their player visits to dispel that thought. The Ravens have met with pass rushers, wide receivers, cornerbacks, and running backs over the last couple of weeks, most of them first round prospects.

The latest, according to the Baltimore Sun, is Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker. A projected early first round pick, Parker recorded an impressive Combine performance by running a 4.45 40 and recording 17 reps on the bench, a 36.5 inch vertical, and a 10’5″ broad jump. Parker missed the first seven games of the 2014 season after undergoing foot surgery, but still managed to rack up 43 receptions for 855 yards and 5 touchdowns across six games.

Parker never posted gaudy yardage numbers in college, but did show some serious red zone chops with 33 touchdowns across his career, which tied Louisville’s school record. He exhibits excellent body control, soft hands, and elite concentration. Parker also possesses a big catch radius and the ability to make explosive plays despite lacking elite top end speed.

To be a true number one in the NFL, Parker must get stronger so that he can beat physical press man coverage. He lacks polish in his route running and isn’t a great run blocker, but he does have the ability to win contested passes with his height and wingspan. In a West Coast offense, Parker has the skills and size to excel.

Next: Ravens Have Big Decisions to Make on Offense

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