NFL Draft Rumors: The Baltimore Ravens Need to Find Franchise Wide Receiver
By on April 13, 2011
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The Ravens Never Have Drafted A Franchise WR
It really is almost unbelievable when you read the Baltimore Ravens never have drafted a franchise wide receiver like a Jerry Rice.
But there it was in black and white (and a few other colors) on ESPN.com. Despite the incredible success the Ravens have had drafting at just about every other position, they have not struck gold at the wide receiver position.
Consider this: Since the beginning of the franchise in 1996, the Ravens have selected 16 wide receivers and none have had a 1,000-yard season in Baltimore. Only Brandon Stokley, a former fourth-round pick of the Ravens in 1999, had a 1,000-yard season in his career with the Indianapolis Colts in 2004.
For every draft success like linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed, the Ravens also have busts at receiver like Travis Taylor and Mark Clayton. Receivers Yamon Figurs, Demetrius Williams, Devard Darling and Pat Johnson were all drafted by Baltimore with high hopes but flamed out. The most successful receivers in Baltimore have been veteran free agents such as Derrick Mason and Anquan Boldin.
The Ravens are in a good position to draft a wide receiver with the 26th pick. While A.J. Green and Julio Jones will be off the board, guys like Torrey Smith, Titus Young, Randall Cobb and Leonard Hankerson still will be around.
There is a line of wide receivers who had great NFL careers who were not drafted in the first round. You can find good receivers all over the draft.
Check out: 20 Players Who Need To Put Up Or Shut Up In 2011
Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome is so good at the draft, it is stunning he does not have a better track record with wide receivers.
I did leave Jonathan Baldwin off this list because not only has his draft stock been falling, I have lost confidence in him after reading a report about some attitude problems. Without first-hand knowledge, reports are all I have to go by, but there it is.
Where there is smoke, there usually is fire, and if the Ravens want a better chance of getting their franchise wide receiver, it probably is best to stay away from attitude problems.
My vote is for Torrey Smith, if you could not tell by the picture.
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