What type of wide receiver is needed for the Baltimore Ravens?

It's a forgone conclusion that the Ravens will look to add a wide receiver. The round, the name and the type are the only things that we don't have a clue about.

In this 2016 NFL draft class, receivers are very diverse. We can find deep speed and YAC (Yards after catch) types, possession types, red zone threats and slot receivers mixed in from the first round to the fourth round.

Speed Wide Receivers

The leader of the speed and YAC group is Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Will Fuller and boy is he blazing fast. He opens his bout against the USC Trojans toasting Olympic sprinter Adoree Jackson for 70 yards on a post route displaying a second gear and explosion out of his cut.

Adding a speed receiver opposite of returning veteran Steve Smith and the also ridiculously juiced up Breshad Permian could do wonders for the Ravens offense, as it would force defenses to stay in two deep coverage, opening up the underneath routes for tight ends and lightening the opposing defense's front seven for the running game. Speed kills, and it provides a trickle down effect on the entire offense.

Following Will Fuller in the wide receiver category are Baylor Bears' Corey Coleman and Colorado State Rams' Rashard Higgins. TCU Horned Frogs' Kolby Listenbee could provide a late round option for the Ravens.

Possession Wide Receivers

The possession group would provide a more direct answer to life after Steve Smith as these targets are more pro ready and sport more polish in both the nuance in being a wide receiver and their physical frame. None other than Ole Miss Rebels' Laquon Treadwell leads the way, and you have already heard about him. A prospect reminiscent of Brandon Marshall, in a smaller package, Treadwell is primarily a possession type as a short term projection who will move the chains in a variety of ways.

Treadwell is followed by Ohio State Buckeyes' Michael Thomas, Pittsburgh Panther's Tyler Boyd and Rutgers Scarlet Knights' Leonte Carroo. Southern Missouri's Mike Thomas could provide a late round option.

Slot Wide Receivers

The Slot types are led by Oklahoma Sooners' Stirling Shepard, a personal favorite of mine, when value and talent are combined. Shepard is the best route runner in this class, and though he stands at 5'10" and weighs 185 lbs, he does not know the meaning of the word fear, making catches in traffic and taking on linebackers and safeties. He is probably the receiver that is the closest to our very own Steve Smith when combing ability and intangibles.

Shepard is followed by Ohio State's Braxton Miller, who put on a show at the Senior Bowl to bolt his stock and South Carolina's Pharoh Cooper. Oregon Ducks' Braylon Addison provides a late round option.

Red Zone Wide Receivers

TCU Horned Frogs' Josh Doctson does not specifically fit in a particular category but his prowess in 50-50 ball situations makes him easier to chart as a red-zone threat, though he certainly has the ability to take a slant to the house. He could well turn out to be the most productive receiver in the class, as he fills out his 195 pound frame.

Doctson is followed by Mississippi State's De'Runnya Wilson. Tennessee Volunteers' Marquez North provides a late round option.

Overall

Wide receivers are aplenty in this class, even if the overall talent may not be quite as elite as the previous two draft classes. The depth is strong and the Ravens should come away with a solid contributor, at the very least.

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