Mocking the Draft: Ravens take Odell Beckham, Jr. at pick No. 17

For a while now, SB Nation's Mocking the Draft has had the Ravens taking an offensive tackle with its first-round pick.

Whether it was Alabama's Cyrus Kouandjio or Michigan's Taylor Lewan, it appeared they were keen on the idea of the Ravens bolstering an offensive line that only averaged 3.1 yards per carry.

That's changed this week.

In its latest mock draft, this time written by Matthew Fairburn, the draft experts have the Ravens taking LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. Here's why:

"Joe Flacco is now a $100 million man, but he still needs more weapons if he's going to live up to his contract," Fairburn wrote. "Odell Beckham Jr. helped himself by running really fast at the combine. He has a real chance to be drafted over Marqise Lee, and that's exactly what happens here."

With Beckham's stock on the rise, Fairburn is a believer that the Ravens have taken notice.

Receivers taken ahead of Beckham in this latest mock are Sammy Watkins (fourth overall, Browns) and Mike Evans (seventh overall, Buccaneers). Receivers still on the board after this pick are Brandin Cooks (23rd overall, Chiefs) and Marqise Lee (28th overall, Jets via trade).

The Ravens are fortunate that this year's draft is loaded at receiver and offensive line. At pick 17, it should be fairly easy to grab a guy that fills a position of need.