Steve Bisciotti: Ravens 'need' tight end, 'not desperate' for a receiver

When it comes to the draft, the Ravens always preach grabbing the best player available. Needs will factor into the draft board, sure, but that's usually not a determining factor.

That's what makes owner Steve Bisciotti's comment during a conference call with PSL ticket holders on Wednesday about the tight end group a bit surprising.

Steve Bisciotti: "We absolutely need a tight end. We don't absolutely need a WR." He's pumped about Brown, Campanaro and Aiken.

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 1, 2015

Steve Bisciotti: "I'm not desperate for a wideout."

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 1, 2015

In this post about a potential first-round pick, it was already established that Bisciotti doesn't believe the Ravens have to reach for a receiver early in this year's draft. Here, he says the Ravens "need" a tight end and that he's "not desperate" for a receiver.

Well, when it comes to the tight end position, there aren't too many quality guys left in free agency. The only one left standing with any kind of value as a receiving option is Rob Housler, and he only caught nine passes a year ago. It's also a fairly top heavy draft class at tight end, with Minnesota's Maxx Williams (projected late first, early second) and MIami's Clive Walford (projected second) headlining an otherwise average group.

Behind Williams and Walford, it's anyone's best guess as to which tight end could wind up being a top-flight option.

Point is, the Ravens' options at tight end aren't great in terms of finding an immediate contributor. This could be setting up a trade scenario for the Ravens. Detroit's Brandon Pettigrew (since Eric Ebron is entering Year 2) and Jacksonville's Marcedes Lewis (since Julius Thomas is now in town) could be interesting options Baltimore may want to try and acquire.

With the importance of a dual-threat tight end becoming ever important, the Ravens will need to hit on one for the 2015 season — whether it's a short-term or long-term option.