2019 NFL Draft: Day 2 wide receiver targets for Baltimore Ravens

NFL Draft: Ravens should focus on Wide Receiver on Day 2 of the Draft.

With only about a week away till the 2019 NFL Draft, it is no secret to anyone that the Ravens will be taking a wide receiver. What round and which player(s) is still what remains to be seen. It is certainly a great year for the Ravens needing help at receiver because this class is as deep of a class in recent memory.

According to the Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs, he sees 16 wide receivers with grades in the first three rounds. More specially, 14 that could be selected between rounds two and three. If the Ravens were to take a receiver at pick number 22, I personally see only 3 guys they would take, D.K. Metcalf, N’Keal Harry, or A.J. Brown. All three are worthy of a first round selection and would most likely be the team’s #1 receiver from the jump. The Ravens do have other needs though, another position like pass rusher or interior offensive line is certainly on the table in the 1st round. Also, with only 1 pick in the first 84 selections, its safe to say a trade back in the first round to accumulate more draft capital could be very likely.

I wanted to highlight a few wide receivers that should be going in the 2nd and 3rd rounds that would be great fits for the Ravens. They will most likely have to trade into the second round for two of the prospects, while the other two will probably be available to them in the 3rd round.

Deebo Samuel (South Carolina)

If there was one wide receiver in the draft that really “plays like a Raven”, it’s South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel. First off, you don’t get nicknamed “Deebo” if you aren’t a bully on the field, and Samuel certainly is one. I think the best player comparison I can give to him is Anquan Boldin, with speed. His competitiveness and toughness at the position is reminiscence of Boldin. Samuel also thrives in the middle of the field and once he gets the ball in his hands he has the size and moves of a running back. The concern about Samuel would be his injury history, he has dealt with hamstring issues and a broken leg. However, he really entrenched himself as a top 50 pick during the pre-draft process with an impressive senior bowl and combine.

Samuel has the ability to play in the slot and outside, Lamar Jackson would quickly use him as his security blanket. If the Ravens were to trade out of the first round and into the early second, Deebo Samuel would be a very inciting option for them as he fits the Ravens mold perfectly.