D.J. Moore could be a late first-round selection for Baltimore

As the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine winds down, there have been many players that have caught the attention of scouts around the league. One player that has done just that is former Maryland wide receiver, DJ Moore. The Baltimore Ravens need to address the wide receiver position and Moore could be that player, but just not at the 16th overall pick.

In 36 college games, Moore finished with 146 receptions for 2,027 receiving yards, averaging 13.9 yards per catch and 17 touchdowns. His highest production came during his junior season in 2017, where he caught 80 passes for 1,033 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Keep in mind, during his three college seasons, Moore played with eight different quarterbacks in Maryland.

His stats didn’t jump out at anyone until last season, but that’s obviously not his fault. Moore has shown he doesn’t need ample time to build a rapport with whichever quarterback that he has played with. He finished the 2017 season as a first-team All-Big Ten selection and the Big Ten Receiver of the Year.

Moore’s draft stock has been elevated after he measured at 6’0, 210 lbs. and ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at this year’s NFL Scouting. He had been pegged as a possible third or fourth round selection by some sources before the combine. However, his production in college, in conjunction with his impressive measurements, have made him an attractive possible late-first or early-second round selection.

The Ravens have the aforementioned 16th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Wide receivers Mike Wallace and Michael Campanaro and tight end Benjamin Watson are set to become free agents. Jeremy Maclin may be released. Baltimore finished 29th in receiving yards (3,235) in 2017. Obviously, they need help at the pass-catching positions.

Moore will most likely be available after the Ravens’ selection at number 16. Luckily for Baltimore, they can have their cake and eat it too by trading back to a later selection in the first round or an early selection in the second to draft Moore. If Baltimore were to miss on Moore, there are a litany of receiving prospects available. Looking northwest to a division rival in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ second round selection of JuJu Smith-Schuster in the 2017 NFL, Baltimore could still find a receiver they covet.

If Moore falls off of the board, Equanimeous St. Brown, Auden Tate, Christian Kirk, D.J. Chark and many other talented receivers could be available in a later pick for Baltimore. The Ravens could always opt to use one of the other picks to address tight end as well or even the offensive line. As of right now, Baltimore is in a win-win situation when it comes to where they currently select. Teams around the league are looking to draft a quarterback in early rounds and Baltimore could use other teams’ hastiness to add to their picks in 2017.