2015 Draft Is Perfect Time for Ravens to Finally Target True No. 1 Wide Receiver
The Baltimore Ravens had one of their best seasons on offense in 2014, with quarterback Joe Flacco less erratic than in years past and the run game rebounding after a disappointing 2013.
The additions of free-agent wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. and running back Justin Forsett provided the Ravens with a spark on offense, while then-coordinator Gary Kubiak's system got the most out of its players.
Though Kubiak is gone, replaced by former Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman, much of Baltimore's offense should remain the same. The only difference will be in the personnel—Forsett is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, as is veteran wideout Torrey Smith.
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CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported last week that the Ravens offered Smith a five-year, $35 million deal with $19 million guaranteed prior to the start of the 2014 season. Keeping Smith around would certainly help the Ravens—he led the team with 11 receiving touchdowns in the regular season and is Flacco's primary deep-ball target.
However, regardless of Smith's status in Baltimore, the Ravens must use a draft pick—ideally an early one—on a true No. 1 wide receiver. The Ravens simply don't have one. That's just not the kind of receiver Smith is, and none of the Ravens' other, younger wideouts seem primed to carry that mantle. Marlon Brown, Michael Campanaro and Kamar Aiken can all be solid role players, but none seem cut out for more than slot or possession receiver duties.
Though the 2015 NFL draft is not as deep at wide receiver as 2014's, it's still a position of strength. With the Ravens thoroughly avoiding the riches at receiver in last year's draft until the seventh round, when they selected the aforementioned Campanaro, they cannot again turn a blind eye to the position this year.
ESPN's Todd McShay has the Ravens selecting Louisiana State cornerback Jalen Collins with the 26th overall pick in Round 1, noting the team's lack of quality depth at an injury-ravaged position.
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller has the team taking Georgia running back Todd Gurley, despite his ACL tear, likely with a nod toward Forsett's impending free agency. Miller also does not have the Ravens taking a receiver until Round 6, which seems far too late given Baltimore's needs.
However, receiver might be the smarter Round 1 move, especially with the potential of high-caliber talent still being on the board once the Ravens make their pick.
First on that list should be Arizona State's Jaelen Strong. Strong projects to be a late first- to early second-round pick (NFL Scouting Combine and pro-day performances pending, of course), putting him squarely in play for the Ravens in Round 1 at 26th overall.
In two seasons, Strong has caught 157 passes for 2,287 yards and 17 touchdowns and averaged 14.6 yards per reception—all numbers that indicate No. 1 receiver production. Though lacking elite speed, as WalterFootball.com notes, he is also "a big, physical receiver who has some quickness," "is fast enough to get separation" and "is an excellent weapon in the red zone."
| 2013 | 75 | 1,122 | 15.0 | 7 |
| 2014 | 82 | 1,165 | 14.2 | 10 |
| Total | 157 | 2,287 | 14.6 | 17 |
At 6'3" and 215 pounds, Strong has the height and size of a prototypical No. 1 receiver. CBS Sports' Rob Rang praises Strong's body control and ability to gain yards after the catch, adding that he can work both inside and outside of the field.
This versatility in concert with his size would make Strong an instant threat against opposing defenses and, should Smith be re-signed, give the Ravens a greater ability to stretch the field. Two deep threats in Baltimore are certainly better than one.
West Virginia's Kevin White should also be on the Ravens' wish list, though it's possible he doesn't fall far enough for the Ravens to select him. White had just 35 catches for 507 yards and five scores in 2013, but he burst on the scene in his 2014 season with 109 catches for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Like Strong, White has size and great leaping ability but lacks elite speed—or, as CBS Sports' Dane Brugler puts it, he "doesn't have the elite suddenness in space to consistently make defenders miss or dance his way out of trouble." Still, he is athletic and has great yards-after-the-catch ability.
Stanford receiver Ty Montgomery could be in play for the Ravens in Round 1. However, his history of both shoulder and knee injuries could drop him into Round 2, where the Ravens could get him at a relative bargain.
| 2011 | 24 | 350 | 14.6 | 2 |
| 2012 | 26 | 213 | 8.2 | 0 |
| 2013 | 61 | 958 | 15.7 | 10 |
| 2014 | 61 | 604 | 9.9 | 3 |
| Total | 172 | 2,125 | 12.4 | 15 |
Montgomery has speed—lots of it. He didn't just catch passes for the Cardinal but also ran 39 times for 334 yards and four touchdowns over his collegiate career and is a prolific kick returner, totaling 2,493 yards and three scores on his 91 returns.
While he's never breached 1,000 receiving yards in a season, he came close in 2013, when he caught 61 passes for 958 yards and 10 scores. He has a total of 172 catches for 2,125 yards and 15 touchdowns and averaged 12.4 yards per reception.
Most notable about Montgomery is how pro-ready he seems. As Rang pointed out in his scouting report, though Montgomery did "most of his damage on quick screens and verticals," he was also "asked to run a variety of routes in this pro-style scheme." He's aggressive about breaking tackles, running through defenders rather than "dancing."
Montgomery's special teams upside means that he would have ample opportunities to contribute to the Ravens immediately. Though his injury history does raise a few red flags, those could be used to the Ravens' advantage. Montgomery could easily fall to the second round, allowing the Ravens to follow their typical best-player-available pattern in Round 1 before addressing receiver later on.
Finally, another early-round receiver target for Baltimore could be USC's Nelson Agholor. Agholor is entering the draft after posting the best season of his collegiate career, catching 104 passes for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 12.6 yards per reception.
An NFL scout spoke with Miller in October about Agholor, saying, "He's the cleanest route-runner in the draft right now. We like him as a year one impact player." That was well before his impressive season concluded, and there's little chance that view of Agholor has diminished since then.
Agholor is a yards-after-the-catch machine and can handle man coverage like a receiver well beyond his years. Given the myriad needs of the other 31 teams, Agholor could go overlooked to the tune of being a Round 2 or even Round 3 option for the Ravens.
The Ravens could certainly take more than one receiver in this year's draft, though given their young depth at the position, it appears that only an early-round, No. 1-style wide receiver is their biggest need. Any one of these four soon-to-be-rookies would provide a quick and significant boost to the Ravens receiving corps, giving them a playmaker they sorely need regardless of what ultimately becomes of Smith.
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