Ravens Mock Draft: Mel Kiper Jr. Sends WR Zay Flowers to Baltimore; Lamar Jackson Help?

The Baltimore Ravens address a different brand of aerial issues by adding Boston College receiver Zay Flowers in Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest NFL Draft projections.

In case you're new to the site, the Baltimore Ravens have a bit of a situation when it comes to their passing attack. Fortunately, such an issue is addressed in the latest projections from ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.

No, the Ravens don't find Lamar Jackson's potential replacement at quarterback with the 22nd overall pick. Instead, he sees Baltimore upgrading its targets for either Jackson or his potential successor in the form of drafting Boston College receiver Zay Flowers. 

The early draft entrant is fresh off a 1,077-yard, 12-touchdown season on Chestnut Hill, one that earned him first-team All-ACC honors for the second time. 

Kiper starts his analysis with the disclaimer that he's assuming that Jackson will be in Charm City on the franchise tag. But Flowers is bar none one of the top receiving prospects in the draft and would no doubt help whoever is entrusted with the Ravens' aerial affairs. 

The longtime draft guru further sites Flowers' playmaking ability headlined by his agility and the expertise of both Jackson and newly-minted offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

"The dynamic Flowers is a favorite of mine in this class," Kiper declares. "While some in the NFL see him strictly as a slot receiver, he actually had five touchdowns when lined up outside last season (and seven from the slot). 

"Though he's only 5-foot-9, he could be used everywhere. He forced 25 missed tackles last season, the third-most in the country for a wideout. He could thrive with Jackson in Baltimore, especially with new coordinator Todd Monken opening up the offense."

Though the Ravens' civil war of attrition has warranted most of the purple headlines, the team will undoubtedly have to address their receivers' depth chart, one where the top-gaining name was Demarcus Robinson at a mere 458 yards behind tight end Mark Andrews. 

With Rashod Bateman lost to injury, the Ravens were forced to turn to return specialist Devin Duvernay and in-season acquisition DeSean Jackson for primary offensive snaps during the crucial stages of the season, one that produced a playoff berth but a first-round exit. 

While Baltimore is no stranger to first-round receivers (landing Bateman, Marquise Brown, and Breshad Perriman within the last eight drafts), picking a receiver with the 22nd overall pick would be their highest selection of a target since they took Mark Clayton in the same slot in 2005.

The 2023 NFL Draft will be held in Kansas City on April 27-29.

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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