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NFL Draft: Why Ravens may avoid wide receiver in 1st round

By Chris Schisler

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Calvin Ridley #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates a seven yard touchdown catch during the fourth quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Calvin Ridley #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates a seven yard touchdown catch during the fourth quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Ravens are feeling the pressure to get better at wide receiver, but don’t expect the Ravens to draft a wide receiver with the 16th pick:

The NFL Draft is getting closer and closer. If the Baltimore Ravens drafted a player like Calvin Ridley or Courtland Sutton with the 16th overall pick, it wouldn’t be shocking. Wide receiver is a need that has been poking the Ravens in the ribs for a while now. It’s easy to talk yourself into the Ravens are going after a wide receiver narrative. I wouldn’t say that is a given.

The Baltimore Ravens have selected only three first round receivers ever. They were Travis Taylor, Mark Clayton and Breshad Perriman. Not only is drafting a wide receiver something Ozzie Newsome seldom does early, it is something he doesn’t do well. Newsome is under pressure to have a good ending to his career. He’s probably going to do something he is comfortable doing. That’s bad news if you’re a Ravens fan that wants a wide receiver in the 1st round.

Secondly the wide receiver class is overshadowed by other positions this year. There are a lot of number two receivers, a good amount a of slot guys, but there are only a few number one targets in this draft. The receivers that are getting the first round buzz all have their detractors. Ridley is undersized and doesn’t have an elite catch radius. Many worry about Sutton getting separation at the next level (though you know how I feel by now). D.J. Moore is a prospect that some considered over hyped because of the combine.

Newsome worried about his past mistakes:

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The point is that the wide receiver class doesn’t have the unanimous sure thing prospect that everybody wants. The very fact that the Ravens could probably draft Ridley with the 16th pick tells you a lot about Ridley. He’s a boom or bust player and at wide receiver the Ravens tend to find the busts.

The Ravens are still targeting free agent wide receivers. The team is expected to push towards Dez Bryant. Willie Snead is the obvious plan B. Either way, another signing makes three wide receivers brought in this offseason. The Ravens moves indicate they don’t want to be forced into picking a receiver Thursday, April 26th.

If the Ravens ended up with Snead, Ridley would be too much of the same kind of wide receiver. Snead and John Brown are players that can stretch the field and win with route running. Chris Moore is a deep threat coming into his own. If the Ravens ended up with Bryant, Ridley would make more sense. In this case Ridley could play primarily in the slot, dulling some of his downsides. However drafting Keke Coutee in the fourth round takes a much smaller investment and therefore an acceptable level of risk. I repeat, the Ravens have options on top of options.

While the top of the wide receiver class isn’t as flashy as it has been in recent years, the Ravens will have a lot of receivers to pick from after the first night of the draft. The Ravens have a number one receiver in Michael Crabtree. It isn’t a long-term solution, but he can suffice as the top target for 2018. When the Ravens get on the clock in the second and third day, that is the most likely time to attack the wide receiver position.

The Bottom Line:

If the Ravens ignore the wide receiver position in the first round, that is not a big deal. I have 10 wide receivers that I have given second and third round grades. The wide receiver run may not start until we get to the 20’s, so the Ravens are going to have choices in the 2nd round.

Next: 3 Ravens poised to break out in 2018

If the Ravens pass on a wide receiver throughout the entire draft, they will have made an unforgivable mistake. It seems doubtful the Ravens will pass on wide receivers throughout the draft. As long as they realistically address the need, they don’t have to force it in round 1.

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