The biggest move that the Baltimore Ravens made on the first day of the 2023 NFL Draft came before the first selection was even announced. They agreed to a record-breaking five-year contract with Lamar Jackson, locking in their franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future.
With the Jackson situation resolved, Baltimore could turn their focus to the rest of the roster and put together a championship-caliber group. Part of the reason they were likely able to work out a deal with Jackson is that they showed they were committed to surrounding him with better talent.
The Ravens made a splash signing in free agency, agreeing to a one-year deal with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. The team also signed Nelson Agholor to go along with 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman. Baltimore didn’t stop there when it came to addressing the wide receiver position.
With the No. 22 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Ravens selected Boston College wide receiver, Zay Flowers. There is a lot to like about Flowers’ game, as he is a great fit for the modern NFL.
While his size may be seen as a deterrent by some, he possesses the skill set to play in the slot and on the perimeter. His scouting report is an impressive one, as plenty of positives stand out that more than compensate for his height.
As shared by Kyle Stackpole of CBS Sports, Flowers is a super-twitched-up athlete that can get into top gear in a flash. He is an awesome route runner that possesses supreme yards-after-catch skills. Arguably most important is the fact that Flowers plays bigger than his size.
While it will be debated whether or not the Ravens should have taken Jordan Addison, who went the next pick to the Minnesota Vikings, they addressed a major need. Finding another long-term answer at the wide receiver position was important and they landed a potential difference-maker in Flowers.
Playing with an improved quarterback performance should help Flowers take his game even higher. The Ravens got a great player to elevate their passing offense to a level that has not been reached during Jackson’s tenure with the franchise.
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