The Baltimore Ravens went into this offseason needing help on offense. Looking to build around young quarterback Lamar Jackson’s solid rookie season, the Ravens will need to add weapons both through free agency and the 2019 NFL draft.
They added another running back in former New Orleans Saints rusher Mark Ingram. But with Willie Snead as Baltimore’s only proven and consistent wide receiver on the roster, it remains their biggest need as they head into the draft.
The idea of adding a wide receiver early in the draft to develop and grow with Jackson is tantalizing. But the Ravens won’t ask for Jackson’s opinion on their draft board quite yet. According to general manager Eric DeCosta, Baltimore won’t consult with Jackson on who they’ll draft. Though the door has been left open for that to happen in subsequent years.
With the 2019 NFL draft likely being the best chance for the Ravens to find quality help at wide receiver, it’s a little disappointing the team won’t ask for Jackson’s opinions. However, given how much Jackson still has to develop as a passer, allowing him to focus on his craft, for now, is probably the wisest decision.
Jackson is a unique talent thanks to his mobility. Trying to draft conventional wide receivers might be a mistake when paired with Jackson’s ability to scramble and draw defenders out of coverage. Finding prospects that better work with that style of play and who Jackson is excited to team up with would benefit Baltimore both in the short and long term.
On the flip side, Jackson is spending his offseason working out, according to the Ravens. Having him take focus away from that important development time to study tape of draft prospects would likely do more harm than good this early in his career. Once Jackson becomes a little more stable in his growth, he’ll have a little more time to study in the offseason and a better idea of what he works best with.
While it won’t likely happen this year, potentially in the 2020 NFL draft the Ravens should at least ask Jackson if there are any players he’s especially excited for. Then use that as a basis to do a little extra digging on those prospects to see how well they fit.
