PFF: Christian Kirk best wide receiver fit for Baltimore Ravens

Pro Football Focus believes Texas A&M wideout Christian Kirk is the best fit for the Baltimore Ravens.

Barring any surprises, it’s expected that the Baltimore Ravens will select a wide receiver in the 2018 NFL draft, preferably in the first few rounds. Despite signing Michael Crabtree and John Brown in free agency, the wide receiver depth chart in Baltimore needs young talent.

Breshad Perriman and Chris Moore headline the youth, which doesn’t bring much confidence for a passing attack that struggled to produce much of anything through the air last season. This year’s wide receiver draft class isn’t out of this world but there are plenty of talented prospects to target. In the first round alone, the Ravens have been heavily linked to Alabama’s Calvin Ridley.

The wide receiver depth goes far past the first round and there are plenty of other talented names available for Baltimore to target.

Pro Football Focus highlighted the best team fits for the top wide receivers in the upcoming draft class. The Ravens were paired with Texas A&M wideout Christian Kirk. Of the group, Kirk is a name that seems to be flying under the radar.

"The Ravens added Michael Crabtree and John Brown this offseason, but neither player is known for their work from the slot (Brown in particular has a yards per route run average under 1.0 each of the past two seasons). This is where Kirk made his home at Texas A&M, as he was fourth in FBS last year with 67 receptions from the slot, and third in yardage (891). He would also be a much-needed upgrade on special teams, as he returned six punts for touchdowns during his college career."

In my latest two-round mock draft, I had the Ravens selecting Kirk with the No. 52 pick. It’s a pairing that makes complete sense given the need for a slot receiver.

I can’t see the dink-and-dunk passing game going anywhere as long as Marty Mornhinweg is still offensive coordinator. If that’s the case, then the Ravens need to find personnel that benefits from the passing scheme. That’s where Kirk fits in on the offense. He can catch the short-yard outs and make a big gain out of seemingly nothing.

The special teams aspect also plays a big role. Jerry Rosburg and his coaching staff take pride in producing one of the top units year in and year out. Assuming Michael Campanaro does not re-sign with the Ravens in free agency, they need a replacement at the punt and kick returner spot.

Next: Baltimore Ravens: Five possible second-round draft selections

On paper, Kirk seems like a fantastic fit but given his talent and the need for wide receivers around the league, there’s no guarantee he falls in the second round. The Ravens will have to be crafty with their draft capital to land the Texas A&M star.