The Baltimore Ravens have many options for their first-round pick in this year's NFL Draft.
During this offseason, they have lost three out of five starters from their offensive line.
Their top two edge rushers have become free agents.
They have been in need of a second cornerback since before the end of the 2023 season.
They do not have a WR2 after Odell Beckham Jr. became a free agent.
ESPN’s Matt Miller thinks that the Ravens will address this need in the first round. In his most recent mock draft, he predicted that the team would select ex-Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey.
He had this to say about the pick:
“With Zay Flowers being a true WR1 in his first season (77 catches, 858 yards, 5 TDs), the Ravens should feel positive about their developing passing game. But let's continue to build, especially since Rashod Bateman hasn't emerged and Odell Beckham Jr. is a free agent. McConkey is a precise route runner with a speed of 4.39 and the agility to dominate on short routes. After recovering from an ankle injury in 2023, McConkey performed strongly in the Senior Bowl and excelled in his combine workout; he is a target for Round 1 on my board.
A Lot of Wins, Not Much Production
McConkey experienced a lot of success during his time at Georgia.
While on the team, McConkey won two national titles and the team achieved a 13-1 record in his final season.
However, his stats were not as impressive as the team's success.
He had a good start to his career, making 31 catches for 447 yards and 5 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman.
The following year, his stats improved, but still not enough to establish him as an elite receiver. In 2022, he made 58 catches for 762 yards and 7 touchdowns.
These numbers include the 5 catches for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns he achieved in Georgia’s title game victory over TCU.
He received All-SEC Second Team honors after the 2022 season.
During the recent season, there were hopes that McConkey would advance to an elite level, but he was held back by injuries.
He played in only nine games, making 30 catches for 478 yards.
It seems that the lack of top-notch production is not holding him back.
The skills he displayed in college, along with the speed he demonstrated at the NFL Combine, have been sufficient to keep him in consideration for the first round.
They might even be enough to persuade the Ravens to use their first-round pick on him as their WR2.
Ravens’ Wide Receiver Situation
The Ravens currently only have one reliable wide receiver, and that is Flowers. As a rookie, he immediately became a trustworthy option for Lamar Jackson to throw to and he should be their WR1.
Beyond him, the situation becomes less clear. The team re-signed Nelson Agholor, but he is more of a WR3 or WR4 option. Baltimore also continues to wait for Bateman to fulfill the potential that led them to draft him.
The lack of certainty is not seen as a major issue for one significant reason. Mark Andrews is one of the best tight ends in the league and has been Jackson’s preferred target for years.
It just so happens that he is not the only gifted tight end on the roster. Isaiah Likely has also displayed a lot of promise when Andrews has been unavailable in the last few seasons.
The team might decide to solve its lack of a true WR2 by using more formations with two tight ends.
If that's not the plan, then they'll have to find a receiver in the draft because most WR2 options in free agency have already been signed.
However, round one might not be the right time for them to search for one. They have many other needs on their roster after enduring numerous losses this offseason.
It wouldn't be surprising to see the Ravens draft a receiver in the first couple of days in this year’s NFL Draft, but it would be surprising to see them take McConkey in round one.
