NFL Draft 2023 tracker: Live blog and pick-by-pick analysis
For the third time in the past five years, the Ravens used a first-round pick on a wide receiver, ignoring their lack of success in addressing the position early in drafts. Boston College’s Zay Flowers, who the Ravens selected at No. 22 on Day 1 of the NFL Draft, is the latest wide receiver tasked with helping to improve a struggling passing game and breaking one of Baltimore’s few poor drafting trends.
The Ravens have used first-round picks on receivers five other times with disappointing results. The jury is still out on Rashod Bateman (2021), and Marquise Brown (2019) did some good things before he was traded. However, Breshad Perriman (2015), Mark Clayton (2005) and Travis Taylor (2000) never panned out — although Clayton did have his moments.
Flowers, the first Boston College receiver to be drafted since 1987, was widely considered one of the most dynamic players in the draft — despite not playing with a standout quarterback in college or a star-studded supporting cast. Flowers had 200 catches, 3,056 yards receiving and 29 touchdowns in his four-year career at Boston College.
The addition of Flowers continues the Ravens’ offseason makeover at wide receiver. They also signed veteran free agents Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor. They return Bateman and Devin Duvernay, among others, as one of the league’s least productive receiving groups in recent years now looks formidable on paper.
Draft grades: Scott Dochterman on Round 1
Big board best available: Who’s left from Dane Brugler’s Top 300?
Big board ranking
Flowers ranked No. 32 on Brugler’s list of the top 300 prospects. He was Brugler’s fourth-ranked receiver, behind Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba (No. 18), USC’s Jordan Addison (No. 25) and Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt (No. 31).
Introduction
Flowers’ stock seemed to rise in the pre-draft process, but he had long been on the radar of NFL evaluators. Playing on a three-win Boston College team last year, Flowers put up huge numbers (78 catches for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns) despite the fact that opposing defenses were focused on stopping him. He still managed to consistently get open, relying on his 4.42 speed and quickness. He was extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands, using his change-of-direction skills and his balance to create something out of nothing. His highlight film is a fun watch.
At 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds, Flowers is undersized and could struggle with NFL physicality. However, there is so much else to like. His coaches rave about his work ethic, confidence and competitiveness. He has also been extremely durable, having never missed a game in college.
How he fits
He can play on the outside, but most evaluators feel like given Flowers’ size limitations, his NFL future is in the slot. He certainly is adept at finding open space and using his acceleration to pull away from defenders. He’ll give new offensive coordinator Todd Monken more options with Bateman, Beckham and Agholor also able to line up both outside and in the slot. Lamar Jackson should benefit from Flowers’ presence. The Ravens needed to get more speed and dynamic playmaking ability on the field.
It also can no longer be said that the Ravens don’t have a representative group of targets for Jackson. Their wide receiver group now includes a strong top five of (in no particular order) Beckham, Bateman, Duvernay, Agholor and Flowers. In Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, the Ravens have three quality pass-catching tight ends. Running back J.K. Dobbins should be much more active in the passing game in a Monken offense, too.
Flowers has punt return experience, so he could factor on special teams as well.
Rookie impact
The Ravens now have a lot of mouths to feed on offense. Monken should bring offensive changes, but until Baltimore shows that it can maintain an explosive passing offense, it’s probably best to keep the expectations for Flowers in check. With Jackson as the quarterback, Andrews will still be heavily targeted. Bateman and Beckham sure won’t be ignored, either, and Jackson was showing a growing rapport with Likely before the quarterback’s injury. However, Flowers is a pretty polished receiver with the ability to come in and contribute immediately. There’s no excuse for the Ravens to not make it a priority to get the ball in his hands.
Depth-chart impact
Flowers will likely compete with Duvernay and Agholor for the No. 3 wide receiver role, with Beckham and Bateman occupying the first two spots. Duvernay is a Pro Bowl returner and has also been used as an occasional ball carrier. Agholor can line up anywhere. Obviously, the Ravens didn’t draft Flowers to ride the bench, but he’ll have to earn his snaps early. Barring injuries, his selection ultimately could knock one of the younger returning receivers, like James Proche or Tylan Wallace, off the roster.
Fast evaluation
Eric DeCosta vowed to upgrade the wide receiver room and he’s delivered. It will be up to head coach John Harbaugh and Monken to bring it all together. To me, a cornerback should have been the priority with the Ravens’ first pick. You certainly could have made a case for the Ravens to pick either Maryland corner Deonte Banks or Penn State corner Joey Porter Jr. However, given how the first round unfolded, it’s understandable why they couldn’t resist adding a guy who was considered by some to be the top receiver in the draft. Flowers, whose intangibles and character are widely praised, should become a fan favorite immediately. He may not have No. 1 receiver upside, but he has all the skills and intangibles to have a solid NFL career.
(Photo: David Eulitt / Getty Images)
