Which members of the Baltimore Ravens 2019 NFL Draft class are most integral to the plan in 2019? This is a ranking of who the Ravens need to shine most as rookies:
1. Marquise Brown:
The Ravens have had no luck when it comes to drafting wide receivers and the 2019 NFL Draft has to be the moment where that changes. The number one thing that the Ravens added to the offense was speed. Eric DeCosta wanted to surround Lamar Jackson with speed. Brown is a big part of the plan. Brown has to be a play-maker right away. It’s not just that he has to live up to the first round billing; he has to add a new element to the offense.
Brown has to be the wide receiver that defensive coordinators have to worry about. He has to be a difference maker. Brown has to be able to use his speed to burn past safeties and to catch quick passes and turn them into big gains. Brown doesn’t need to be a Pro Bowl level talent from day one, but he has to give the defense something to fear. When the offense is going to be predicated on the run game, and everybody in the stadium will be keyed into the tackle box, Brown has to bring life into the passing game.
By the end of the season, Brown needs to be thought of as the Ravens’ number one target in the passing game. He has to have a productive rookie year that gives hope for a bright future. There is a lot on Brown’s shoulders. He has to break the curse that the Ravens have at the wide receiver position. He has to be a game changer as a rookie. Make no mistake about it, Brown has to be legit if Baltimore wants to win another division crown.