On the identical day they signed quarterback Lamar Jackson to a record-setting extension, the Ravens additionally made a draft decide: huge receiver Zay Flowers. By no means have we seen the group’s first-round decide so utterly overshadowed, however listed below are three takeaways from the group’s large day.
The Ravens continued their latest theme, including one other thrilling participant for his or her franchise quarterback.
First, Odell Beckham Jr., now Flowers, one of the crucial gushed-over playmakers on this draft class.
Jackson didn't wait lengthy to rejoice. “I’m smelling extra excellent news dropping quickly,” he tweeted simply earlier than the Ravens picked at No. 22 total. “Effectively it occurred,” he added when their decide was introduced.
The Ravens had their selection of two superb cornerbacks, long-armed Joey Porter Jr. of Penn State and ultra-athletic Baltimore native Deonte Banks. Common supervisor Eric DeCosta stated additionally they had alternatives to maneuver down and add extra picks. As an alternative, they added to a place group they stated can be their No. 1 offseason challenge, selecting a large receiver within the first spherical for the third time in 5 years. Was this a part of their gross sales pitch to Jackson as they zeroed in on an extension settlement? It couldn't have harm.
The decide additionally amounted to a vote of confidence in new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s capability to design a fast-paced passing assault that can maintain defenses off steadiness in any respect ranges of the sector. Professional Bowl tight finish Mark Andrews will not be a lonely warrior on third down with Beckham operating pristine routes, a wholesome Rashod Bateman beating defensive backs off the road of scrimmage and Flowers bursting forth from the slot. No Ravens huge receiver reached even 500 yards final season; it’s arduous to fathom we’ll see a repeat with all this new expertise available.
“Todd Monken had a great day immediately,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh stated, laughing. “He higher be pleased.”
Flowers had a sense that if he made it to No. 22, he can be headed to Baltimore. “That was my greatest go to,” he stated, echoing DeCosta’s ideas about their face-to-face interview.
His enthusiasm might be matched by that of a fan base bored with lamenting the Ravens’ lack of funding in weapons for Jackson. Bear in mind the gloom that hung over this city a month in the past? It’s burning away in a rush.
“Anyone provides us a problem? We'll assault it,” DeCosta stated.
The Ravens picked a participant who generated great enthusiasm amongst draft analysts.
It’s not arduous to inform when the pundits genuinely like a prospect. The 5-foot-9, 182-pound Flowers doesn’t match the traditional picture of a famous person huge receiver. Although lots quick, he’s not a sprinter on par with the primary huge receiver the Ravens drafted within the Jackson period, Marquise Brown. However he earned many followers by sticking with Boston Faculty and producing in the midst of an undermanned offense when he simply might have transferred to a glitzier program. His effort by no means waned, even because the Eagles’ offense floundered round him.
He radiates confidence. No marvel former Ravens begin Steve Smith Sr. stated Flowers reminds him of himself.
“It’s about what’s in your chest,” Flowers instructed Baltimore reporters, explaining what he realized from watching tape of Smith since he was in elementary faculty.
DeCosta truly talked with Smith about Flowers on the NFL scouting mix. “If Steve Smith has that a lot respect for a receiver,” he stated, “you higher concentrate. It’s like when Ozzie [Newsome] likes a good finish.”
On the sector, Flowers can play inside or exterior, although he’s maybe greatest suited as a yards-after-catch menace from the slot, a top quality that additionally reminded Harbaugh of Smith.
“I can do no matter you want me to do,” Flowers stated, flashing that confidence once more.
Flowers appeared thrilled to be a part of Jackson’s large day, even when that meant he wasn’t the lead character.
In a typical 12 months, the Ravens’ first-round decide is the end result of three months of hypothesis, an event to rejoice a brand new prince of the ball. Not in 2023. Not on the identical day a very powerful individual within the franchise lastly agreed to a contract extension, ending greater than a 12 months of anxious hypothesis over his future.
Thursday will go down as one for the annals of Ravens historical past, it doesn't matter what Flowers does along with his profession.
Maybe we'll by no means know precisely what turned the tide in negotiations between the Ravens and Jackson, who took to social media to say he had requested for a commerce a month earlier than he signed his new deal. Did the signing of huge receiver Odell Beckham thaw the ice? Did Jalen Hurts’ $255 million extension (with 70% of it assured) with the Philadelphia Eagles lastly give Jackson and DeCosta the tangible mark they wanted to shoot for? It’s arduous to suppose that deal, consummated 10 days earlier than Jackson’s, didn't play some half, on condition that the Ravens reportedly beat it by precisely $5 million (and assured 71% of it).
Regardless, the Ravens and Jackson got here to the conclusion that made essentially the most sense for either side. They will now proceed with their quest to win a Tremendous Bowl, devoid of the strain that might have lingered if the quarterback had performed the 2023 season beneath the $32.4 million franchise tag. Nobody must guess at contingency plans or marvel who might be on the heart of the group’s plans for 2024 and past.
Jackson must do his half to place the reminiscences of two straight season-ending accidents and previous playoff disappointments behind him. If something, he might be judged by much more unforgiving requirements going ahead. However these are considerations for future days.
How will Flowers match into the narrative? He was fired up when he noticed information of Jackson’s extension, although he was not but a Raven on the time.
“Oh, if I am going there, it’s going to be lots of bother on the sector,” he recalled pondering. “We double juiced up.”
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