The Baltimore Ravens have worked hard to revamp their wide receiver corps over the last three years. Thanks to a combination of drafting plenty of talent at the position and adding in key free agents, the Ravens finally have a formidable group of pass catchers for quarterback Lamar Jackson. But with the 2020 NFL Draft being historically deep at the position, Baltimore likely isn’t done stacking talent at wide receiver.
There are plenty of options all over the 2020 NFL Draft. Whether the Ravens want to add a playmaker with their first-round pick or grab someone for a niche role later in the draft, Baltimore is going to have someone available every round.
Let’s take a look at the top wide receivers the Ravens could target in the 2020 NFL Draft.
WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
Jeudy has been considered one of the top wide receivers in his class for a long time. The 6-foot-1 receiver accumulated over 2,700 receiving yards and scored 26 touchdown catches in his time as a member of the Crimson Tide, distinguishing himself as the next great Alabama receiver.
Jeudy would be a dynamic piece in the Ravens offense. He has long arms, a good catch radius, is dynamic with the ball, and is a solid run blocker. Jeudy comes into the 2020 NFL Draft with a ton of polish already, especially as a route runner and he’d be an immediate starter in Baltimore’s offense.
Another big plus is Jeudy grew up in the same hometown as current Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and wide receiver Marquise Brown. He was recently working out with the pair this offseason, which means they already have a little rapport going.
The problem is Jeudy is expected to be gone well before Baltimore gets on the clock at No. 28. That means they’d have to trade up to get him, which would cost a fortune.
WR Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
The Alabama wide receivers are at the top of this 2020 NFL Draft class, with Ruggs coming in second. In some analysts’ minds, Ruggs is actually the top option thanks to his upside.
Ruggs is a speedster, running a blazing 4.25-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, according to Matt Zenitz of AL.com. That speed combines with great athleticism to make him deadly in the open field as well as a deep threat. While not as polished of a route runner as Jeudy, he’s far from bad at it, but it can be further refined. He also has very strong hands and can win at the point of attack, even with a defender draped all over him.
Ruggs would bring an elite skillset to the Ravens, and paired with Marquise Brown, would give Baltimore unbelievable speed from their top two receivers. But just like Jeudy, Ruggs is expected to get picked well before the Ravens get on the clock, making him another potential trade-up target.
WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma
Lamb might be the prospect who the majority of Ravens fans would love to see the team make a move up in the first round to get, and it’s not hard to see why. Lamb accumulated 1,327 receiving yards and 14 touchdown catches to go along with a 21.7 yards-per-catch average during his final season as a Sooner.
Lamb has exceptional ball skills and can track the ball better than any receiver in the class. He also is a physical blocker in the run game, can create yards after the catch, and doesn’t get bullied out of position easily. On top of that, he has hands that will extend throwing windows for quarterbacks and he rarely drops balls. He would add to a long list of Oklahoma players recently selected by Baltimore, which includes Brown.
He’s everything the Ravens want in a receiver. But the problem for Baltimore is that, like his other two counterparts listed above, it’s unlikely he makes it beyond the 20th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Ravens would have to make a trade to snag him, but it might be worth the high price.
WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
Jefferson is the first receiver that has a real chance to reach Baltimore at pick No. 28 in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jefferson excels at making adjustments when the ball is in the air, which is a good trait to have with a young quarterback like Jackson who can still be a little inaccurate at times. He’s also a good route runner, can play all over the field, and is a competitive blocker. Jefferson has all the tools to be a dominant receiver in the NFL and his style of play would fit into Baltimore’s offense seamlessly opposite Brown’s speed and shiftiness.
WR Denzel Mims, Baylor
Mims has been one of the hottest names of the entire 2020 draft process, steadily climbing draft analyst big boards. He blew away the NFL Scouting Combine when he revealed that he played the 2019 season with a broken bone in his hand, which might have contributed to the high drop numbers he had.
In an interview on the Glenn Clark show, Mims specifically pointed out Baltimore as a perfect fit given Baylor’s RPO offensive scheme and his ability to block downfield. When healthy, Mims can effectively win at the line of scrimmage due to his release and hand usage to disengage from press coverage. He also has good straight-line speed and can play a number of roles in an offensive scheme.
Mims is a candidate to go in the first round, but has most often been mocked in the early-to-mid second round.
WR Michael Pittman Jr., USC
Pittman is another player who has been rising up draft boards as the 2020 draft approaches. Once considered a fourth-round prospect, he is now getting some first-round hype, but he will most likely be taken in the second or third rounds.
Pittman is a 6-foot-4 giant who can pluck the football out of the air, even in the most contested of situations. He runs routes well and has functional athleticism for the position. His combine numbers compare to the likes of Mike Evans and Kenny Golliday, and if Baltimore could get production like those two receivers, they’d be very happy.
While there’s no guarantee Pittman Jr. is available at No. 55 or No. 60, the Ravens could get a steal if they decide to take him.
WR Jalen Reagor, TCU
Reagor brings a lot to the table as a wide receiver, but when people think of him, the first thing that comes to mind is his speed.
While he had a poor showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, with a 4.47-second 40-yard dash, he still showed he can be a threat all over the field. Reagor has extreme burst on his routes and uses that to leave defenders in the dust. He also has a ton of acceleration on the top of those routes and can break down from his routes quickly to get separation. He’s an intriguing option for a team that is looking to win with speed, and Baltimore might be looking to do just that.
While Reagor could very well go in the first round, the second round seems like the spot he’ll ultimately get taken.
WR K.J. Hamler, Penn State
Hamler is another speedster in this loaded draft and he’s drawn comparisons to current Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown. Hamler stands at 5-foot-9, which is the same height as Brown, and he used GPS readings to show a blazing 21.76 mph top speed from his time at Penn State, according to NFL.com’s Mike Garofolo. If Baltimore wants a track team, Hamler combined with Brown would give them that.
But Hamler is more than straight-line speed. He’s electric with the ball in his hands, being shifty in the open field and tough to bring down with quick changes of speed. While he has been knocked for his height, Baltimore took a gamble on Brown in the draft despite concerns about size and it worked out well for them. They could decide to take another risk in the second round with Hamler and try to develop a track team, regardless of height.
WR Tee Higgins, Clemson
Higgins enjoyed monster production at Clemson and saw his college career end in the National Championship Game against LSU. He could enjoy even more team success if drafted by the Ravens.
Higgins is 6-foot-4 but has amazing athleticism for his size. He can run routes effectively and can pick up extra yards after the catch. But with not running the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, Higgins could slide in a group of wide receivers that look great on tape and tested well. But for those that just watched his tape and don’t care about stopwatch times, Higgins is a solid prospect that knows how to produce, even if he’s a little raw in a few areas.
If the Ravens see Higgins on the board at No. 55 or No. 60, they’d be hard-pressed to pick someone else.
