Ravens position-by-position draft preview: Wide receiver
Current wide receivers under contract: Michael Crabtree, John Brown, Chris Moore, Breshad Perriman, Tim White, Quincy Adeboyejo, DeVier Posey Chances that the Ravens will draft a wide receiver in first three rounds: High. The Ravens explored just about every wide receiver option in free agency and continued the search for pass catch- Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas April 26-28 TV: NFL Network, ESPN, chs. 45, 5 ers even after adding Crabtree and Brown. They haven’t spent many earlyround picks on receivers, and when they have, they’ve mostly been disappointed. However, Brown is on a one-year deal and Crabtree essentially is as well. Perriman is in the final year of his rookie contract. The Ravens need to add some young building blocks so they don’t have to overhaul their receiving group every year. This year’s receiver draft class is lacking in elite options, but it has a lot of depth. Rounds two through four should be fertile turf for the Ravens to grab a receiver or two. Possibly on Ravens’ radar: Michael Gallup (Colorado State), DaeSean Hamilton (Penn State), Christian Kirk (Texas A&M), DJ Moore (Maryland), Calvin Ridley (Alabama), Courtland Sutton (Southern Methodist), James Washington (Oklahoma State) Outlook: Fans are clamoring for the Ravens to use the 16th overall pick on Ridley, considered the top receiver in the draft, or Moore, who has a chance to become the first Maryland player taken in the first round since Darrius HeywardBey in 2009. If the Ravens believe either is a potential No. 1 receiver, they’ll pull the trigger and not be affected by their poor history with first-round receivers as well as the long list of recent first-round misses around the league at the position. However, evaluators don’t seem convinced that Ridley will become a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver and Moore seems like an overdraft at No. 16. Either might be more desirable targets if the Ravens traded back in the first round. Otherwise, the Ravens will have plenty of wide receivers to choose from on Day 2 or 3. Sutton is in the Anquan Boldin mold with his physicality. Kirk is a dynamic presence in the slot. Washington is dangerous after the catch. Hamilton’s intangibles are off the charts. Gallup is a nice combination of size and speed. There will be opportunities for the Ravens in just about every round to add a receiver with the potential to contribute immediately. The challenge for them will be finding the right fit. That’s not been the front office’s strong suit.