Devontez Walker gets comparison to Ravens legend from Eric DeCosta

The Baltimore Ravens knew they needed to add to their thin wide receiver room in the 2024 NFL Draft. While they waited until the fourth round to address that need, the Ravens managed to land a very impressive prospect in North Carolina receiver Devontez Walker.

Walker's best traits are his ability to get downfield with blinding speed for his size and his playmaking after he gets the ball. It doesn't take a genius to see how Lamar Jackson and Todd Monken could get some major use out of him.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta can't wait for Walker to fully integrate himself into the team's offense, even comparing him to one of the best receivers in franchise history. Pulling the Torrey Smith card is a big complement for the unproven rookie.

"He's tall. He ran very fast, 4.3s. Jumped over 42 inches, I think. Just an explosive guy," DeCosta said via The Lounge. "Having a guy like Torrey Smith was for us, who can just run past people, catch the ball on vertical routes, draw pass interference penalties, force teams to play two-deep Cover 2-type coverages against us...I think it's gonna really help us."

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta compares Devontez Walker to Torrey Smith

Walker, a Kent State transfer who saw his time at North Carolina limited by some ridiculous NCAA bureaucracy, fell a bit in the draft due to concerns about a limited route tree and a lack of snaps against top competition. If he hits his stride, however, Walker could easily become a 1,000-yard receiver at his peak.

Not only does Walker possess strong hands and solid top-end speed (4.36 40-yard dash), but he was one of the best receivers in this class at tracking the ball down the field. With Zay Flowers at his best going underneath and Nelson Agholor getting old, Walker is a perfect deep threat.

Smith, who spent four seasons as a Raven, was taken in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Maryland. Smith amassed 3,591 yards in four seasons, and he assuredly would have challenged Derrick Mason's franchise receiving yards record if he was retaind long-term.

If the Ravens can draft another version of Smith in the fourth round, that's one solid use of a pick in this range. Walker has all the potential in the world, and it's on Baltimore to make sure he is put in a role where he can dip into that endless reservoir of talent.