Ravens WR Zay Flowers Has 'Immediate Star' Potential

Drafted in the first round of the most recent NFL Draft and part of Lamar Jackson's new arsenal, expectations for Baltimore Ravens freshman Zay Flowers are exhilaratingly high.

When it comes to intriguing rookies to watch in the upcoming NFL season, many observers believe Zay Flowers is ready to bloom.

The Baltimore Ravens' rookie receiver was among five offensive rookies that Heavy.com believes is destined to become an "immediate star."

Arriving in Charm City as the 22nd pick of April's draft out of Boston College, Flowers joins a revamped Baltimore aerial attack headlined by the respective returns of Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman. They'll catch passes from Lamar Jackson, whose Baltimore future is well-secure after a long-standing financial war of attrition was settled.

"There might not be a rookie receiver who fell into a better position than Zay Flowers with the Baltimore Ravens," Heavy.com declares. "Flowers is a prototypical field-stretcher with 4.2 40-yard dash speed, and he lands in an offense where he’ll be on the receiving end of passes from Lamar Jackson and surrounded by playmakers Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman who will command plenty of attention from opposing defenses.

"If Baltimore becomes an offense that pushes the ball vertically downfield, and Jackson continues to make the strides as a passer he showed prior to getting injured last season, Zay stands to be the biggest beneficiary."

Flowers is one of two receivers on the list, joining Seattle's Jaxon Smith-Njigba. They're joined by running backs Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit) and Bijan Robinson (Atlanta) as well as Carolina quarterback Bryce Young. 

Baltimore's expectations for Flowers were apparent from the get-go: upon his selection, Flowers became just the sixth first-round receiver in the 28-year history of the franchise and the 22nd pick was the hight choice used on a catcher since 2005 (Mark Clayton). Only Travis Taylor (10th overall, 2000) was chosen earlier. 

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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