Ravens Zay Flowers Excited for 'Genuine' Team Connection
Sometimes, letting your game speak for itself is the best course of action.
After being taken off of the draft board in the first round with the Baltimore Ravens No. 22 pick, former Boston College receiver Zay Flowers spoke with the media about his selection and his forthcoming hometown reunion with superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson.
As it turns out, Flowers was more familiar with the game of football than he was with the NFL.
"Honestly, I don't even know who's in the AFC North," Flowers said as he was met with laughter from reporters.
After being informed that he would be facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns twice a year, the receiver was pleased, however.
"Oh yeah that's lit," he replied. "We got some good games."
Next season, the Ravens will also be facing some of the league's playoff-caliber teams in the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks, and even if Flowers isn't familiar with them, he'll have a strong opportunity to prove himself in his rookie season.
"I think with Lamar and the guys on the outside, we have something special that we can build here," Flowers said. "Everybody in the building [is] genuine. A lot of the places I went to, I had to put on a front, [but] when I got here, everything was pure."
Coming from Boston College, Flowers stood out amongst his teammates, earning multiple All-ACC selections and an All-American nod throughout his four years. In that time frame, the receiver also amassed 3056 yards and on 200 receptions and 29 touchdowns.
His athleticism impressed many, but perhaps none more than the Ravens' front office, who were pleased to take him with their first-round pick.
"We're very excited," Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said of Flowers. "This is a player I've seen a lot. I've always liked his game, and we spent a lot of time watching him. ... Zay was by far the [best] prospect of the eight players we looked at last week [leading up to the draft].
"We're very happy for him, and we think he fits what we're looking to do."
Flowers' selection marked yet another move Baltimore made to improve its passing game. Signing Odell Beckham Jr. and re-signing Jackson were the first two, making Flowers another positive acquisition for the Ravens' offense that finished third-to-last in total passing yards.
Baltimore will undoubtedly be looking to have a better season than last year, after losing to its division rival Bengals in the wildcard round of the playoffs, and Flowers is a nice addition for the team, which plans to utilize him heavily amongst its other draft picks.
And Flowers is already off to a positive start with the Ravens, which he hopes will only continue as he begins his NFL career.
"It felt great walking back into the building [as a Raven]," Flowers said. "Everybody that I saw the first time, it felt like I [had] known for a couple of years when I had only known them for a day. Just being somewhere where I can be comfortable, be myself, still work hard, and play football is a perfect spot."
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