Baltimore Ravens: Two-round mock draft 4.0
By Joe Schiller
No. 52: Christian Kirk WR, Texas A&M
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If the Ravens select McGlinchey or another top offensive lineman in the first round, they most certainly have to address the pass-catcher conundrum. Christian Kirk is excellent value at pick No. 52 and this provides much-needed talent and youth to the wide receiver depth chart.
Full disclosure, I don’t expect Kirk to be available at this point in the second round. This is a situation where the Ravens would have to trade up early on Day 2 but for the purposes of this mock draft, we are sticking with the pick.
The Ravens still need to add a slot receiver. Michael Crabtree is a possession receiver who plays the sticks while John Brown‘s main threat comes from stretching the field through the vertical passing game. Kirk is an NFL slot talent that’s lethal in the open field. A 4.47 40-yard dash time wasn’t among the top in wide receiver group at the combine but let’s just remember that blazing speed doesn’t necessarily translate to success at the next level. Breshad Perriman provides the perfect in-house example.
Kirk can turn short and intermediate catches into big gains. His return ability is also something to take into consideration. With one of the AFC’s top returners in Michael Campanaro likely signing elsewhere, the Ravens have a need to fill in that department.
Next: Ravens Draft: Potential first round picks by position
Kirk screams big-play ability and he’d thrive with the power of Joe Flacco’s arm this season.