Lamar Jackson's options at wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens have never looked better.
The Baltimore Ravens' front office went to work over the summer, negotiating a lucrative contract extension for star quarterback Lamar Jackson and completely revamping the wide receiver room.
Odell Beckham Jr. was the splashy move. The Ravens convinced the skeptical star, fresh off a year of injury recovery stemming from an ACL demolition he suffered in the 2021 Super Bowl, to sign a one-year, $15 million contract with $3 million in likely incentives.
While there are myriad concerns tied to Beckham's injury history and his generally underwhelming production in recent years, he's a talented athlete with a strong track record of explosive playmaking. The expectation is that he will serve as Jackson's primary target in the Ravens' offense.
That said, Beckham isn't the only high-profile WR Baltimore added to the roster. Zay Flowers out of Boston College was selected with the No. 22 pick in April's NFL Draft. And, per reporters at training camp, he's making a strong early impression in team drills.
Zay Flowers outshining Odell Beckham Jr. at Baltimore Ravens training camp
Flowers was an absolute beast in his final season at Boston College, grabbing 1,077 yards through the air while averaging 13.8 yards per catch. He's slightly undersized at 5-foot-10, but he makes up for it with an elite first step and remarkable up-field explosiveness. He's twitchy and elusive; The Ravens can expect plenty of massive gains after the catch.
While Beckham has the obvious track record of NFL stardom, he's on the wrong side of 30 with several notable injuries on his ledger. Through no fault of his own — and it would appear Beckham is performing admirably in his own right at camp — he could quickly lose his No. 1 title to Flowers if the rookie lives up to expectations.
The Ravens have not always been the most reliant on WRs with Jackson, who leans heavily on tight end Mark Andrews. That can partially be chalked up to schematics, however, and new offensive coordinator Todd Monken is looking to build his system around Jackson's arm.
Flowers establishing fast chemistry with Jackson is a promising sign. Even if Beckham does ultimately function as the top receiver, he's a short-term investment — a one-year rental by all indications. Flowers is expected to serve as a foundational piece of the offense for the foreseeable future.
Betting on rookie wide receivers is like throwing a dart blindfolded. Flowers is well positioned for a considerable target share — even with Rashod Bateman potentially siphoning away targets — but NFL contenders tend to prioritize experience and corporate know-how. The Ravens do, ultimately, want to contend.
The Ravens can afford to bring Flowers along slowly if need be. It's really a matter of whether or not that approach would ultimately be detrimental. If Flowers is tearing it up at camp and making his presence felt as Jackson's favorite red zone target, then Monken and the offensive staff should embrace it. Get him on the fast track to stardom sooner than later. Youth doesn't always equate to inconsistency and Flowers' athleticism garnered attention well before Baltimore rolled the dice on draft night.
