The Baltimore Ravens came into the 2019 NFL draft with their biggest need being at wide receiver. While they grabbed the top wide receiver on their board in Oklahoma’s Marquise Brown, Baltimore might not be done. With the wealth of talent at wide receiver expected to be going on Day 2 of the 2019 NFL draft, the Ravens could double down on the position.
If they do, these are the eight-best wide receivers still available entering the second and third rounds:
A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
Brown is one of the better route runners in this draft class and has solid hands to go along with it. At 6-foot-0 and 226 pounds, Brown’s 4.49-second 40-yard dash gives him the physical make up teams should be looking for.
The knock on Brown is that while he has a high floor, his ceiling isn’t very high. What you see right now is likely about what Brown is going to be in the NFL. And with little after-the-catch ability, Brown is set up to be a possession, WR2 prospect.
D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss
While Metcalf blew up the 2019 NFL scouting combine, it only muddied things. Metcalf wasn’t productive at Ole Miss, actually finishing 2018 third in receiving yards. The upside is there if you look at his physical traits but Metcalf has some other red flags teams should be wary of.
A high drop rate and very raw route runner, Metcalf needs a lot of work to hit his high ceiling. Add that to his medical history, including two season-ending injuries, and it’s difficult to figure out how Metcalf will actually pan out in the NFL.
Parris Campbell, Ohio State
Campbell has amazing top speed and can get to it quickly. And once the ball is in his hands, Campbell’s quick-twitch athleticism makes him tough to catch and bring down.
However, even though Campbell undeniably has deep threat speed, he never really proved it at Ohio State. Campbell didn’t have a single reception of 40-plus yards through the air in 2018. His 12.4 yards-per-reception average is slightly inflated due to his run after the catch ability rather than his pure deep speed. Like almost all wide receiver prospects, Campbell needs some work on his route running as well.
Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Samuel is a little undersized at 5-foot-11 and doesn’t offer a ton of deep speed. But at a more muscular 214 pounds and having athleticism with the ball in his hands, Samuel projects best out of the slot, though he can play outside as well. Samuel is also an accomplished return specialist.
Kelvin Harmon, N.C. State
Harmon stands at 6-foot-2, weighing 221 pounds and knows how to use his body to shield the ball from defenders. Strong hands, natural ability against zone coverage and a willingness to take a hit to make a catch projects Harmon best as a possession receiver in the NFL.
Harmon doesn’t wow in either speed or athleticism, which will limit his ceiling. With time, Harmon could add some savviness to his route running which will help him get more separation. But realistically, he’s usually going to have a defender on his hip and go down where he makes the catch.
Riley Ridley, Georgia
This is the second-consecutive draft with a Ridley in it. The younger brother of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley, it’s a pretty apt NFL comparison for the younger Riley.
Ridley has polish to his route running and good hands but has just average speed and agility. That will limit what Ridley is able to do at the next level and likely forces him to be a possession receiver unless you have a top option opposite him to take pressure off.
Hakeem Butler, Iowa State
Tall and long, Butler stands at 6-foot-5 with a nearly 84-inch wingspan (longest in this draft class). Even being that big, Butler has enough deep speed to cause defenders to be cautious.
Raw route running and little agility limit the separation Butler can get on most plays. With quite possibly the worst hands in this draft class added to it, Butler has a high ceiling but really low floor.
J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
Standing at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Arcega-Whiteside puts his basketball background to good use as a receiver. He consistently wins in jump ball situations and knows how to use his body to shield the ball from the defender.
But limitations in his acceleration, routes and his focus drops all hurt how he can be used. Initially, Arcega-Whiteside projects as a red-zone threat and possession receiver who could turn into more with some development on his route running.
Andy Isabella, Massachusetts
Isabella is tough to figure out. He’s primarily been used in the slot and fits the mold about as well as you can get. At 5-foot-9 and 188 pounds, Isabella just might not have the speed to really challenge from the outside. However, Isabella has deep speed, tracks the ball well and can make things happen after the catch.
Isabella projects best from the slot but with a little more development could find he’s put all over the field — inside and outside.
