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Ebony Bird Round Table: The ideal pick for Baltimore Ravens at 22

By Chris Schisler

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver N'Keal Harry #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrates after catching a nine yard touchdown reception against safety Scottie Young Jr. #19 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 42-30. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver N'Keal Harry #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrates after catching a nine yard touchdown reception against safety Scottie Young Jr. #19 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 42-30. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 8: A.J. Brown #1 of the Mississippi Rebels points to the sky after scoring a touchdown against the Southern Illinois Salukis during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 8: A.J. Brown #1 of the Mississippi Rebels points to the sky after scoring a touchdown against the Southern Illinois Salukis during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Mike Reid: A.J. Brown, WR (Mississippi)

My dream situation for the Ravens would be having the choice of these four offensive prospects at pick 22: N’Keal Harry, A.J. Brown, Garrett Bradbury, and Cody Ford. All four of these players would fill an immediate need and become an instant starter for the Ravens as rookie.

Harry and Brown would come in and immediately take over as at least the #2 wide receiver and most likely develop as the team’s top target by season’s end. Bradbury would be the day 1 starter at center and Ford would fit right in at left guard. The Ravens would be thrilled to have all for of these players on the board but would have a very difficult decision to make. If I had the choice of these four players, my pick would be wide receiver A.J. Brown.

Must Read. Ravens Draft: The top argument for each need in the first round. light

All these players would be a great pick for the Ravens and are a safe bet to be solid pros. To me, Brown has the highest ceiling along with a very high floor, which makes him my pick here. Brown’s college production at Ole Miss was tremendous. After a modest freshman year, Brown exploded on the scene in his sophomore and junior seasons. He was a First-Team All-SEC both years after combining for 160 receptions, 2,572 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Brown does a lot of his damage from the slot but has the size and speed to line up all over the field. He is smooth route runner with a strong pair of hands. Once he gets the ball in his hands though, he becomes a dangerous weapon. At 6’0″ and 226-lbs. he has size to run through tackles and moves like a running back to evade defenders. With his ability to create separation, make strong catches, and rack up yards with the ball in his hands, Brown would quickly develop as Lamar’s security blanket and go-to guy.

After taking the elite talent at wide receiver in the first round, the Ravens can then shift their focus on targeting interior offensive linemen, pass rushers, and linebackers with their day two and three picks. All three of these positions the Ravens have shown the ability to draft and develop mid to late round picks into solid starters for them.

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