The Baltimore Ravens addressed their ailing offense in the 2019 NFL draft. Out of eight selections, the Ravens picked five offensive players, including four of their first five.
There was a lot to like about Baltimore’s draft. They hit all their biggest needs while never really reaching for any players. Even though there was no general consensus top wide receiver in this draft, the Ravens got the first one off the board (Marquise Brown), meaning they got the guy they ultimately wanted.
ESPN draft expert Todd McShay loved the selection of Oklahoma wide receiver Marquise Brown in the first round. McShay labeled it his favorite Baltimore pick in the 2019 NFL draft.
The Ravens really needed to get some pass-catchers for Lamar Jackson, and man, did they get a good one late Thursday night. Brown has explosive burst out of his breaks, and he excels at adjusting on the run to make catches. There will be concerns about his 5-foot-9 frame and that lingering foot injury, but his ability to transition upfield and leave everyone in his dust is very intriguing in this offense.
I had him as my No. 11 prospect and the top wide receiver on my board, and I can’t think of a single player who I’ve evaluated with a better combination of speed and quickness. Brown is a big-play threat every time he gets the ball in his hands, and Jackson will be looking for him — and third-rounder Miles Boykin — often.
The Ravens certainly focused on speed with their offensive selections. It speaks volumes about their plans as an offense in 2019 that they grabbed some of the fastest players at each skill position. Baltimore has the makings on paper of a big-play offense that can score a touchdown on any given down.
