What kind of WR do you want?

[808Blackbirds]

can we  land hakeem nick and maybe get a speedy slot in the draft.

[Ravenslifer]

can we  land hakeem nick and maybe get a speedy slot in the draft.

 

Depends on the price - he's the type of receiver I think we need, but he is injured a lot - he's never played a full 16 games in the 5 years since he's been drafted.  There's a lot of risk, and he might get overpaid in the market like a lot of receivers did last year.

[Guest Omerta]

Calvin Johnson, but better is my vote.

[Raven26]

I want the ravens to draft a hall of fame wideout someone that is best of the best. no learning curve just from day 1 straight production

[Cville-Raven]

I want the ravens to draft a hall of fame wideout someone that is best of the best. no learning curve just from day 1 straight production

Well thats totally realistic…

[Raven26]

Well thats totally realistic…

how is it not? not hall of fame in his rookie season. so your telling me there aren't guys who produce from day 1?

[blazing32]

A big physical receiver who has the smarts to run good routes and knock linebackers on their backsides as he goes over the middle to catch passes. 

[blazing32]

Ozzie revealed to us in the presser exactly what kind of receiver they're going to target. They want a WR with sure hands, who can convert on 3rd downs; which means he has to be able to get separation, and - that is strong enough to take a hit and gain some YAC (yards after catch). Now I know some on this board are using process of elimination to suggest that a shifty, smaller Wes Welker type is the obvious choice to what our WR corp is lacking - but that couldn't be further from the truth.

 

What we need to compliment our Speed is a tough, over-the-middle, physical presence who can contend for catches, act as a true #1 possession WR and be a difference a maker. Like:

 

-Vincent Jackson

-Brandon Marshal

-Antonio Brown 

-Aj Green

-Demayrius Thomas

 

I've spent a lot of time studying this years WR draft prospects, free agency, and other teams salary cap situations in order to provide some sort of insight as to who we could go after. The player that makes the most sense to me given all the financial factors and compensation that would have to be given up, is: 1st round draft prospect Mike Evans. Definitely a big time playmaker and @ 6'5'' 220 lbs he plays fierce, his hands are made of glue and his game is completely based around physicality. He would be the perfect compliment to Torrey Smith and Marlon Brown and he would immediately become a go to option for Joe Flacco. Love this guy.

 

Other players we could target (and highly unlikely) would have to come through trade because as of right now, I just don't see that many WRs in free agency that both Ozzie and Harbaugh would be overly enthusiastic to have.

 

So thru unlikely trades:

 

Larry Fitzgerald (30). The Cards are in really, really bad shape cap-wise and the way his contract is structured they're going to have no other choice but to release him after next season. The problem with trading for him now though is two-fold, 1) the compensation that would have to be given up and 2) his contract would have to be cleverly restructure because he's due crazy $$ in base salaries for the remainder of his career do to all the restructuring he's done.

 

Andre Johnson (33). The Texans are really tight in cap space as well and the only way for them to get around it is by releasing players. But when it comes to Andre Johnson the only way to save cap is by restructuring his deal and then trading him. Releasing him outright saves them less than a mill for this year and they're at a point where they cant keep pushing money into the future without it coming back to haunt them, so further restructuring seems unlikely.. There's no incentive for them to get rid of a great player if they don't have to. However, the pending years of his contract will inevitably force them to part ways with him sooner rather than later. So now might be the best time to recoup as much value as they can while he's still a productive player. But, similar to Fitzgerald, his contract is another nightmare to take on because of all the restructuring he's done in the past. I don't know the in's-and-out's of how trading players work, or if there are ways to work around that kind of thing but a new deal with him would no doubt ensure that an aging Andre Johnson (33yr) would be on our team for at least the next 2-3 years with the final years coming at a hefty price both $$ and cap wise. But he is Andre Johnson so....

 

Vincent Jackson (30). Being that he plays for a crappy team like the Bucs this is more plausible than feasible but none the less it's a possibility. He just signed a huge contract in 2012 which keeps him in Tampa for the next 3 years. Essentially, we would have to give up draft picks for the rights to pay him a ton of $$. Only way he's on our team is if we're willing to pay $8+ mill for every year he's here in addition to giving up picks (or Suggs wink wink).

 

Free Agent-wise there's:

 

Jimmy Graham (1% chance there)

Hakeem Nicks (has never played a full 16 games in any season and he's looking for a big contract)

Kenny Britt (has never really done anything other than flash potential, look up his numbers they're shocking)

Malcom Floyd...

Eric Decker :/ (we already have our version of him in Dennis Pitta)

 

Slim pickings.  

 

Aside from Sammy Watkins, the draft has two WRs that I think could come in right away and fill the role we're looking for:  Mike Evans (personal choice) he compares well to Vincent Jackson. And Marques Lee (really really like his game) he compares exactly to Antonio Brown. Watch his games and tell me that isn't Antiono Brown playing in a Trojans uniform

 

But my bet is in the end we find another free agent steal that as usual no one expects to be as good as he winds up being. Anyway here's rooting for Mike Evans!

That's exactly what we need. Little receivers are no good since Joe Flacco is inaccurate with a lot of passes.

[StlRave]

A speedy wr and a possession wr is very necessary. one in  the draft and one through trade or FA a combo of maclin/evans or nicks/lee would be amazing. Jordan Matthews would also be a nice fit. The offense was very boring and predictable this year and I just want to see it opened up next year

[gooftroop]

A guy who can get open! Scheme and playcalling play a part, of course, but our guy don't get open. I get sick watching other team's games and receivers are running free all over the place.

[Tank 92]

A guy who can get open! Scheme and playcalling play a part, of course, but our guy don't get open. I get sick watching other team's games and receivers are running free all over the place.

 

 

......and the threat of a running game.

[Cville-Raven]

how is it not? not hall of fame in his rookie season. so your telling me there aren't guys who produce from day 1?

not sure if serious

[Robbo15]

That's exactly what we need. Little receivers are no good since Joe Flacco is inaccurate with a lot of passes.

ezactly why Evans is my guy for that reason

[PurpleSnowman]

Why is no one talking about Davante Adams? He has good size (6'2"), and is fast enough to create separation. He has consecutive 100+ catch 1000+ yrd seasons as an underclassman. He will easily fall to us at our second pick in the draft. 

[DomMcRaven]

Though I love big receivers, I must ask: which receiver(s) has(have) the best combination of route-running and hands? That's what I like. Even if it IS drafting more than one receiver that has similar traits. 

[Raven26]

Why is no one talking about Davante Adams? He has good size (6'2"), and is fast enough to create separation. He has consecutive 100+ catch 1000+ yrd seasons as an underclassman. He will easily fall to us at our second pick in the draft. 

I guess he's not a high profile guy.

[cushrinada1986]

I'm not sold on Lee, he dropped 12% of the catchable passes thrown at him last season. We already have a problem with drops from our receivers.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/46006/349/peshek-top-4-wr-metrics

 

Looking at the chart, I get what your saying about his catching ability but it may deal with how hes being used. On the chart mentioned in the link, his most high percentage passes come close to mid range and he excels on getting the yards after catch, which is exactly what OZ mentioned he wanted in a WR. We have deep threats already in Jones and Smith and Thompson but to have that quick threat that can get open in a small space and cause havoc underneth to give Pitta some space, that is exactly what would help keep the D off track.

[RavensIQ13]

Mike Evans is a guy who presents a mismatch problem and a huge catch radius. Imo, he has the best hands in this draft class and has the physical strength to overpower anyone lined up in front of him. He's a guy Joe can throw a jump ball to knowing he'll come down with it every time. Now, what's one of the biggest things we struggled with this year? SCORING IN THE REDZONE! Mike Evans, if nothing else, is a pure Redzone Nightmare. Imagine being inside the opponents 10 yard line with a 5'10'' 190lb cb 1-on-1 with a 6'5'' 220lb WR who has an insane vertical jump and hands that catch everything. There's no other WR in this draft that catches the ball better at its highest point than Mike Evans does. Even when he's covered - at 6'5'' with a 39'' vertical - he's never covered. He's the reason Johnny Football gets so much hype. Watch his games against Alamaba and Auburn this year if you're not familiar with him.

 

 

http://youtu.be/wl2OfgKbEBs

[TXRavensFan]

Looking at the chart, I get what your saying about his catching ability but it may deal with how hes being used. On the chart mentioned in the link, his most high percentage passes come close to mid range and he excels on getting the yards after catch, which is exactly what OZ mentioned he wanted in a WR. We have deep threats already in Jones and Smith and Thompson but to have that quick threat that can get open in a small space and cause havoc underneth to give Pitta some space, that is exactly what would help keep the D off track.

I'm not ruling him out, it's just that his drop percentage is sort of a red flag. It may very we'll be that he has difficulty with the deep ball and that's not how we would use him (already having Torrey), but I think it is something that has to be considered if you're thinking about using a first round pick on him.

[jazz1988]

Mike Evans is a guy who presents a mismatch problem and a huge catch radius. Imo, he has the best hands in this draft class and has the physical strength to overpower anyone lined up in front of him. He's a guy Joe can throw a jump ball to knowing he'll come down with it every time. Now, what's one of the biggest things we struggled with this year? SCORING IN THE REDZONE! Mike Evans, if nothing else, is a pure Redzone Nightmare. Imagine being inside the opponents 10 yard line with a 5'10'' 190lb cb 1-on-1 with a 6'5'' 220lb WR who has an insane vertical jump and hands that catch everything. There's no other WR in this draft that catches the ball better at its highest point than Mike Evans does. Even when he's covered - at 6'5'' with a 39'' vertical - he's never covered. He's the reason Johnny Football gets so much hype. Watch his games against Alamaba and Auburn this year if you're not familiar with him.

 

 

http://youtu.be/wl2OfgKbEBs

 

 

I heard so much about this guy but when i watched him play i saw a guy whom struggled against physical cornerbacks, he's  not a good route runner, probably should have stayed in school to work on his craft, yes he can be physical but it seem like when the opposing cornerback is just as physical he will try stunts like pushing the cornerback down which is  a penalty in the nfl, he has deceptive speed but he may have a hard time gaining separation in  the nfl atleast in his rookie year,and he overall pretty raw . I think there are some risk in drafting Mike Evans in the first round because he's raw but The Ravens will have to have full faith in their receiver coach to help bring this kid up(Ozzie called him the one of the  best receiver coach). 

[RavensIQ13]

I heard so much about this guy but when i watched him play i saw a guy whom struggled against physical cornerbacks, he's  not a good route runner, probably should have stayed in school to work on his craft, yes he can be physical but it seem like when the opposing cornerback is just as physical he will try stunts like pushing the cornerback down which is  a penalty in the nfl, he has deceptive speed but he may have a hard time gaining separation in  the nfl atleast in his rookie year,and he overall pretty raw . I think there are some risk in drafting Mike Evans in the first round because he's raw but The Ravens will have to have full faith in their receiver coach to help bring this kid up(Ozzie called him the one of the  best receiver coach). 

 

 

I think you're off the mark. When you're 6'5'' 220lbs you don't need to get separation. Look at what Vincent Jackson does. Check out his highlights. VJax isn't that fast, he's not a burner or a masterful route runner and still he's led the league in 1st down percentage for nearly 5 years in a row. Last year he was #2 behind Calvin Johnson, the year before that #1, year before that #1, before that he was injured, year before that #1. Vjax isn't gonna burn you but he is going to outfight you for the football. He's always going to win the jump ball battle. Mike Evans is vjax 2.0. One of Evans biggest strengths is facing press overage. He simply over powers at the point of attack and uses his physicality to gain quick separation on slants. If this guy is one of the WR that's on your radar, go back and watch his games again and notice how many quick slants and jump balls he catches. Not just that but the separation he gets at the line. 

 

Think of a bigger, faster Anquan Boldin

[CockyHarbs]

I want one that catches lots of passes and scores lots of touchdowns.

 

I'll leave it to Ozzie to figure out what he looks like 

[cushrinada1986]

I'm not ruling him out, it's just that his drop percentage is sort of a red flag. It may very we'll be that he has difficulty with the deep ball and that's not how we would use him (already having Torrey), but I think it is something that has to be considered if you're thinking about using a first round pick on him.

Having another possible deep threat is definately something to think about, if he cannot catch deep, it hurts the reason to get him that high but I think with our coaches, we can work on that like we did with JJ. Besides, they also mentioned that the QB play was not that good that year so that could also have been a reason.

[jazz1988]

I think you're off the mark. When you're 6'5'' 220lbs you don't need to get separation. Look at what Vincent Jackson does. Check out his highlights. VJax isn't that fast, he's not a burner or a masterful route runner and still he's led the league in 1st down percentage for nearly 5 years in a row. Last year he was #2 behind Calvin Johnson, the year before that #1, year before that #1, before that he was injured, year before that #1. Vjax isn't gonna burn you but he is going to outfight you for the football. He's always going to win the jump ball battle. Mike Evans is vjax 2.0. One of Evans biggest strengths is facing press overage. He simply over powers at the point of attack and uses his physicality to gain quick separation on slants. If this guy is one of the WR that's on your radar, go back and watch his games again and notice how many quick slants and jump balls he catches. Not just that but the separation he gets at the line. 

 

Think of a bigger, faster Anquan Boldin

 

Im not saying Mike Evans needs to be a masterful route runner to gain separation or to be good but height and size isnt everything and if it was guys like Jonathan Baldwin, Stephen Hill,  Brian Quick and etc would have been great receivers by now. Vincent Jackson was even a raw receiver and didn't start making a name for him self until his fourth year. Mike Evans  indeed shows things that we alll may like but at the end of the day I see a receiver whom dominated against weaker cornerbacks and struggled against more physical cornerbacks which showed when he went  up against cornerbacks from Lsu and Missouri . I would have loved to see how he would  faired against more talented/better cornerbacks but he really didn't  last year . 

[Ravenslifer]

I like Jordan Matthews a lot, and another guy, maybe more under the radar, is Jared Abbrederis out of Wisconsin.  I don't think we go receiver with the first pick, and I think either of these two would fit in really nicely here and one of them should be there with our second round pick.

[Robbo15]

Why is no one talking about Davante Adams? He has good size (6'2"), and is fast enough to create separation. He has consecutive 100+ catch 1000+ yrd seasons as an underclassman. He will easily fall to us at our second pick in the draft.

if not Evans We Should grab Adams

[jimmypowder]

I want someone along the lines of Travis Taylor .

He was a stud while here and his yards after catch were amazing .

Big , strong hands .Physical .

[Ravenslifer]

Why is no one talking about Davante Adams? He has good size (6'2"), and is fast enough to create separation. He has consecutive 100+ catch 1000+ yrd seasons as an underclassman. He will easily fall to us at our second pick in the draft. 

 

I don't know why - he's a good receiver.  He'd be a good pickup in the second round depending on who is off the board at that point.

[Robbo15]

I want someone along the lines of Travis Taylor .He was a stud while here and his yards after catch were amazing .Big , strong hands .Physical .

Travis Taylor was a stud ? Are you serious ?

[jimmypowder]

Travis Taylor was a stud ? Are you serious ?

Sorry I meant Mark Clayton