The Baltimore Ravens have seemingly needed wide receiver help for their entire franchise history, as they only have one wideout (Derrick Mason) with more than 4,000 receiving yards with the team. Even after drafting Zay Flowers, the team's lack of depth in this area remains a serious problem.
Rashod Bateman is a huge gamble, as the former first-rounder has never quite reached his full potential. Nelson Agholor is a limited veteran who doesn't have a very high ceiling, and Odell Beckham Jr. is not returning. At some point in the draft, Baltimore will likely be adding a wideout.
The Ravens have praised the depth in this class at wide receiver, giving them the flexibility needed to either use one of their top picks on a wideout or wait until the later rounds and try to add a steal to the mix. Either way, Lamar Jackson can expect one more big name entering the mix in the 2024 season.
No matter when then the Ravens decide they should address their lack of spectacular wide receiver talent, there is a player who could come in and eventually become a reliable part of the offense. Baltimore needs to put these seven receivers of varying skillsets in their sights.
1 wide receiver Ravens may target in each round of the 2024 NFL Draft
Round 1: Adonai Mitchell, Texas
While his teammate Xavier Worthy might be the more recognizable name after setting the 40-yard dash record at the NFL combine, Mitchell running a 4.33 at 6-4 and over 200 pounds may have been just as impressive. Of the two, Mitchell is without question the safer prospect.
Mitchell has a nose for the end zone, as he piled up 11 touchdowns on just 55 catches last season. With tremendous verticality, fairly solid route-running, and some quality performances in big games despite inconsistent quarterback play from Quinn Ewers, Mitchell is not going to leave the first round.
Adonai Mitchell could become a star for the Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens need to reconcile the fact that Mitchell only had one year of starting production. If they feel confident in the traits, Mitchell should be given every opportunity possible to unseat Bateman as the No. 2 wide receiver on the depth chart. If nothing else, Mitchell is a red zone threat.
Mitchell may not be the speed demon that worthy is, the physical jump ball presence of Florida State's Keon Coleman, or the sharp route-runner of Georgia's Ladd McConkey, but his overall blend of skills makes him a perfect first-round prospect for Baltimore to mess around with and eventually mold into a star.
Round 2: Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
Corley has received quite a few comparisons to Deebo Samuel, and his unique build makes it easy to see why. Corley has already met with the Ravens which may be a sign that DeCosta is willing to take a fairly situational player and try to develop him into a possible Pro Bowl talent.
Corley has a very limited route tree, but he is exceedingly creative with the ball in his hands as a runner. With solid speed and hands, A premium athlete like Corley could be a valuable weapon over the middle while eventually picking up the skills he needs to go downfield with more consistency.
Johnny Wilson could be a steal for the Baltimore Ravens
Round 3: Johnny Wilson, Florida State
You can teach how to run routes more crisply, and you can even help players bulk up. You can't teach being 6-7 and 230 pounds with an endless wingspan. Wilson's 4.52 40-yard dash finally put to bed all the dissenters who believed the former Seminoles stud should move to tight end in the pros.
Wilson is not a precise route-runner, and he hasn't faced a ton of press coverage in his career. This is another bet on his physical traits. As long as Jackson gets the ball roughly in the same ZIP code as Wilson, he will be able to haul it in. On third down, that size could be a big weapon for Todd Monken.
Round 4: Javon Baker, UCF
Baker, who averaged 21.9 yards per catch, is one of the more unusual players in this draft. While he is just 6-1 and 200 pounds, his style of play is more akin to what most teams from someone with Mitchell's body type. He lacks great speed, but managed to become a terrific downfield playmaker after transferring to UCF.
Baker's verticality will be much appreciated in a Todd Monken offense that is always looking for new ways to stretch the field. Baker is a raw player when compared to most of the receivers in this range, but there's a good chance he could lead the league in yards per catch if he develops perfectly.
Anthony Gould will bring speed to the Baltimore Ravens
Round 5: Anthony Gould, Oregon State
At 5-8 and 172 pounds, Gould is not going to be competing in Mr. Olympia anytime soon. He is still worth selecting as a prospect, as his time with the Beavers established him as one of the fastest players and best playmakers with the ball in his hands across the entire Pac-12.
Gould only found the end zone six times in three seasons, and he might need to show teams he could succeed at his size. However, with Baltimore taking another sharp route-runner with size concerns in Flowers last year, the Ravens could be more comfortable using a premier pick on a player like Gould.
Round 6: Drake Stoops, Oklahoma
Stoops may seem like a coach's son, but he has willed himself into becoming a quality pro prospect. Many solid receivers have been found in this range due to their route-running and hands overshadowing poor athletic ability, and Stoops once again fits into that archetype.
Stoops is an older prospect with one season of high-end production, both of which are alarming for receiver prospects. At this point in the draft, however, the benefit he could provide as a WR4 and special teams ace outweighs the possibility of burning a draft pick on someone who isn't an NFL athlete.
Xavier Weaver is worth the dice roll for the Baltimore Ravens
Round 7: Xavier Weaver, Colorado
Weaver was a four-year contributor at USF before transferring to the Deion Sanders show in Boulder. He finished as Shedeur Sanders' top target when healthy, catching 68 passes for 908 yards. Even at a light 180 pounds, Weaver showed strong hands and a fairly diverse route tree.
Weaver may have flown under the radar a bit due to how much noise surrounded him on the field. Even though he isn't an athlete with the explosion that will make anyone consider picking him before the third day of the draft, the Ravens could do worse if they take a stab in the dark late.