2021 NFL Draft: Teams that should consider wide receiver early

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens may not have been as dominant as they were during the 2019-20 season where they went 14-2, but they still showed that they are one of the most dangerous contenders in the league. After a rocky start offensively the Ravens committed to a running game headed by 2020 second-round pick J.K. Dobbins that opened up the passing attack by Lamar Jackson.

Baltimore won their first playoff game under Lamar Jackson this past season beating the Tennesee Titans who upset them the year prior in the Divisional Round. There is also a case to be said that if there were stable conditions in Buffalo during their 17-3 Divisional Round loss the following week, Baltimore could have won that game and advanced to the AFC Championship.

The biggest need the Baltimore Ravens address at this point of the offseason is edge rusher. Both star edge rushers Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue signed with new teams during the first day of the NFL’s tampering period. After that their biggest need is at wide receiver.

For the last couple of years, Baltimore had been in need of a true number one receiver. In 2019 the Ravens selected Marquise “Hollywood” Brown with their first-round pick. Brown has been solid since entering the league and has had flashed at times showing the ability to be the Raven’s best offensive weapon. From year one to year two Brown had improved his statistics. But ultimately the Ravens have to look at the fact that both years Brown averaged less than 50 receiving yards per game and has never reached 800+ yards a season.

Baltimore Ravens

Brown has shown that he is more suited to be the team’s second wide receiver and possible third option in the offense after tight end Mark Andrews. Following Brown on the Ravens depth chart is veteran receiver Sammy Watkins who the Ravens signed this offseason. After Watkins are two wide receivers Baltimore has invested third-round picks in back-to-back seasons, Miles Boykin and Devin Duvernay. Boykin has not been able to assert himself as a vital piece of the offense week to week. While Duvernay showed his explosiveness in his rookie season with success in the return game and on trick plays like end-around.

Baltimore shouldn’t aim to replace Marquise Brown as the team’s number one receiver during the 2021 NFL Draft. Instead, find a receiver that compliments Brown’s skill set as a low-volume receiver who does his damage on big chunk plays. Even though Baltimore is a run-first team they should take a bigger possession receiver early that should easily get between 8-10 targets a game. If that receiver becomes a threat to defenses making plays close to the middle of the field it will open up deep shots for Brown downfield.

If Baltimore can generate a dynamic passing game to go with their elite running game they will become a legitimate Super Bowl contender next season.

Wide Receiver options for the Baltimore Ravens from the 2021 NFL Draft:

• Draft Rashod Bateman (Minnesota) with pick #27
• Draft Nico Collins (Michigan) with pick #58