Former NFL WR says Ravens' best WR 'isn't even close'

The Ravens have very high expectations for the 2023 season, and it is likely because of their new-look wide receiver group. However, former NFL WR James Jones believes there's a clear WR1.

Jones says that rookie WR Zay Flowers has reportedly looked like Baltimore's "best WR" and it "isn’t even close."

It's a bold statement as Flowers joins former first-round wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman, who have high aspirations this season as well.

The 22-year-old has already received comparisons to great players such as Antonio Brown, DeSean Jackson and Stefon Diggs before playing a snap in the NFL. If Flowers is anything like them, Baltimore got a steal at pick No. 22.

At Boston College, Flowers had 78 catches for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022. Pro Football Focus called him the "best pure separator in the draft class," which is why some NFL scouts believe Flowers could end the season as "WR1" for the Ravens in terms of targets.

The biggest knock on Baltimore's receiving corps has been its lack of availability. Beckham Jr. hasn't played since suffering a torn ACL in Super Bowl LVI and Bateman was just reinstated and activated from the reserve/did not report list.

If the group struggles to stay healthy once again, expect to see Flowers early and often in his rookie year as he carves out his role in the Ravens' new offense.