The Baltimore Ravens had two fourth-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. Things started out with the 131st overall pick. Many pundits and fans were looking for a double-dip for pass rushers, yet the Ravens dipped back into the wide receiver pool.
Let’s take a look at the Ravens’ two fourth-round picks. starting with the exciting receiver out of Oklahoma State.
By the numbers:
Wallace had over 900 yards three years in a row for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. In four seasons he racked up 26 touchdowns. He had a career average yards per reception of almost 17 yards. This is a play-maker. Make no mistake about it. This is a player with a lot of potential and he will make an impact with the Ravens. When he gets the ball in the open field. He’s a good route runner and he has good hands.
DeCosta gets the wide receiver problem:
The Ravens needed to upgrade at the wide receiver position. The number one complaint of Ravens fans all offseason was the lack of a number one receiver and the generally lacking position group. DeCosta gets it.
This is the third time the Ravens have double-dipped at wide receiver in the DeCosta era. The Ravens selected Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin in 2019. In 2020 it was Devin Duvernay and James Proche. This year’s double-dip of Bateman and Wallace may be the most exciting/ The Ravens are taking shots at the position.
This time a month ago the Ravens were struggling to bring in free-agent wide receivers, and the position was looking bleaker than fans had hoped for. While the Ravens need to wait to see how this young group of receivers pans out, they have a crowd forming at the position group for the first time in a long time.
The Bottom Line:
The Ravens got a tremendous value. They couldn’t pass up on Wallace. In two years the Ravens have inserted a ton of talent into the receiver group through the draft. Devin Duvernay now has competition in the slot. Miles Boykin may be the biggest loser of the draft so far. He went from being an integral part of the receiving unit to finding himself on the roster bubble.
Stick with Ebony Bird for everything you need to know about the Baltimore Ravens and the 2021 NFL Draft.