Don’t be shocked if the Ravens wait until round three to draft a wide receiver

With the NFL Draft only a few weeks away, speculation among fans is heating up regarding who their favorite team will select. For the Ravens, it’s less of “who” Baltimore will select, but instead “which wide receiver.” However, don’t be shocked if the Ravens end up waiting until the third round to take a swing at the coveted position.

Baltimore has bigger fish to fry currently, including right tackle, center, and tight end. The 2018 tackle and tight end classes are not very deep, while wide receiver is. It has been said time and time again that the strength of this years’ wide receiver class is outside of the first round. Players like D.J. Moore, D.J. Chark, Michael Gallup, and Equanimeous St. Brown could all be available in the second round and beyond.

Meanwhile, at tight end, there are only a few potential stars. Mike Gesicki, Dallas Goedert, Hayden Hurst, and Mark Andrews will all go in the first three rounds, possibly before the Ravens are even on the clock again in round two. The tight end class drops off noticeably in talent after the top four. The same can be said for tackle, with Mike McGlinchey, Connor Williams, Orlando Brown, and Kolton Miller all presumed to go early in the draft.

Baltimore could be wise to prioritize tackle and tight end over wide receiver. Despite what many people like to believe, James Hurst and Alex Lewis are not good options to play right tackle in 2018 for the Ravens. Baltimore has a critical lack of depth at the tackle position, with Ronnie Stanley being the only quality starter on the roster.

Meanwhile, Baltimore lacks any receiving threat at tight end. Tight ends have been a huge part of the Ravens’ offense, and have always been a favorite target for quarterback Joe Flacco. Baltimore has serviceable receivers with Michael Crabtree, John Brown, and Chris Moore. The same cannot be said for either tackle or tight end.

Most of the receivers would be a reach to select in round one, and round two is a prime time to take one of the top tight ends, if available. Wide receiver is a fun position, but there are much bigger needs for the Ravens to fill currently.