Baltimore Ravens: 5 takeaways from the 2018 NFL Draft
By Cory Hughes
![BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens stands on the field in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens stands on the field in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Febonybird-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F01-2F900139618-cincinnati-bengals-v-baltimore-ravens-jpg-f7beebc7611d7bf499314d89f846c862ce7192fb65928de66631fd5949781ff8.jpg)
4. Ozzie Newsome may have finally found a star wide receiver
In his Hall of Fame career, Ozzie Newsome has drafted quite the talent in his tenure. He drafted one of, probably the greatest linebacker of all time in Ray Lewis. The greatest safety in Ed Reed. One of the best offensive lineman in Jonathan Ogden. And one of history’s best pass rushers in Terrell Suggs. But something he has never been quite able to figure out on draft day, is the wide receiver position. Could he finally have crossed that off his list in 2018?
With this draft, Ozzie gives himself two opportunities to answer that question. Going back to back at wide receiver on day three in rounds four and five. At pick 132, the organization selected New Mexico State’s Jaleel Scott. A 6’6 wide out with an incredible catch radius. With the combinations of the two 6’5 tight ends the team drafted on day two, Scott is going to cause quite the match up headache for defensive coordinators on Sunday’s.
This past season Scott Registered 76 receptions for over a thousand yards and nine touchdowns. While averaging over 14 yards a catch. Scott will be a perfect and rather large target for Joe Flacco to sling the ball to in 2018.
The second wide receiver the front office selected was UCLA’s Jordan Lasley. Which was rather surprising. Ever since the Ray Rice fiasco the front office have tried to stay away from the guys with off the field issues. In his three seasons at UCLA he’s had numerous suspensions and was also arrested twice in 2016. The off the field questions certainly was the issue that caused him to slide as far as he did. Mel Kiper had him ranked as the 81st best prospect on his list. And he ended up going at pick 162. So, Ozzie did get quite the steal in round five. In 2017, Lasley caught 69 passes for 1264 yards for nine touchdowns. Averaging over 18 yards a catch. He was quite the deep threat and reliable target for Josh Rosen. Maybe he can be the same for Flacco and Lamar Jackson in the future.