The Ravens need a tough, explosive wide receiver for the 2019 season. Will they be lucky enough to draft one? This team is not known for drafting big-named wide receivers, but defense is what the Ravens stand for. The 2019 NFL Draft is two weeks away, and the team is looking for the next receiving play-maker.
The team has only two wide receivers on the roster that has made a catch in the NFL; Willie Snead and Chris Moore.
Each year during the draft, general managers and coaches go through the task of selecting the best player for their team. They watch tapes, attend the NFL Combine and the Pro-Day training to select just the right guy.
With all the relevant information they must look at, making the pick is like rolling the dice. After a player’s name is called, they go up on stage to take a picture with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ready to start their NFL career. Unfortunately, the best college players don’t always make the best NFL players.
Here is a short list of wide receivers that are top ranked in this year’s draft.
Parris Campbell, Ohio State
Campbell is a big bodied slot receiver that has played on special teams at Ohio State and recorded 329 yards on nine kick-off returns. According to Walter Football, he had an issue with dropped passes but is regarded as an explosive play-maker. In the NFL Combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds. His performance in the Combine caused his draft stock to remain at Round 1 or 2. However, a Bleacher Report draft analyst, Matt Miller, considers Campbell to be more of a “gadget guy” than a wide receiver. Although ball security is a must in the NFL, it is a skill that could be perfected on the right team or he could be a boom-or-bust.
A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
Brown had a good 2018 season, recording 85 receptions for 1,320 yards and six touchdowns. At the NFL Combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds and is projected to be a first-round draft pick. The New York Giants hosted him for a top-30 visit their training facility, the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. The Giants have the sixth pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. If he works out well for them, Brown won’t be available for the Ravens at No. 22.
He has been regarded as having good yards-after-the-catch skills including a 40-yard dash time of 4:49 seconds. He is a big slot receiver, standing at 6’1” and weighing 230 pounds with the ability to stretch the field from the outside. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport compares him to JuJu Smith-Schuster and Michael Thomas.
D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss
Metcalf is a big, fast receiver, standing at 6’3” and weighing 228 pounds. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds at the NFL Combine. Metcalf is regarded as a top-ten draft prospect and projected to go in the first-round. His athleticism is Pro Bowl-caliber. In a Baltimore Ravens article, general manager Eric DeCosta compared Metcalf to former Pro-Bowl wide receiver Terrell Owens’ open field ability.
Metcalf suffered a season-ending neck injury on October 13 against the Arkansas Razorbacks. He concluded his season averaging 21.9 yards per catch. According to an earlier article on Yahoo Sports, he was medically cleared and able to participate in the draft process and team workouts.
Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
Brown is regarded as an explosive player with good yards-after-the-catch skills. Coach Harbaugh might be interested since he has special teams experience. He began his college career at the College of the Canyons, where he made major special teams contributions, recording 402 yards on 13 kick returns and 182 yards on nine punt returns in one season. Brown transferred to Oklahoma in 2017.
He has a small frame, standing at 5’9”, and weighing around 166 pounds. He needs to add a little weight without it affecting his speed. A 200-pound defensive back tackling him at full force could end his season quickly. NFL.com has projected that he could become an instant starter.
He has been projected to go in Round 1 to 3. This speedy wideout is closely following behind his cousin, Pro Bowl wide receiver Antonio Brown. Brown missed Combine due to a Lisfranc injury, which is a mid-foot injury that results in broken bones and/or ligaments. He had surgery in January to repair the injury and is expected to be healthy by the beginning of training camp.
