By trading former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco to the Denver Broncos, the Baltimore Ravens have put all speculation to bed: Lamar Jackson is the franchise quarterback, and now, it’s time to get him some weapons.
The Ravens double-dipped at tight end last season, giving Jackson a solid duo in Mark Andrews and Hayden Hurst. They also managed to cement the roots of a solid offensive line for Jackson, lucking their way into drafting starting tackle Orlando Brown Jr. in the third round.
The makings of an exceptional supporting cast are present around Lamar Jackson, but more weapons can be added. At running back, the Ravens have four pending free agents, with only Kenneth Dixon left on the roster. And at wide receiver, the team’s top returning receiver is 31-year old Michael Crabtree, while speedster John Brown awaits an uncertain fate, with his one-year contract ending soon.
Even if the Ravens bring back Brown, their receiving core will be somewhat lacking. Adding a versatile pass catcher who can line up at the X, Y, and Z would be a good choice for new general manager Eric DeCosta to make, and at No. 22, Arizona State’s N’Keal Harry is a player who makes a lot of sense.
Harry is a player who showed off his versatility over the course of his career with the Sun Devils. At 6-foot-3, 217, he has the size and vertical ability to high-point 50-50 balls, but his best trait is, surprisingly, his run-after-catch ability. He excels as a runner, using crafty direction changes and shifty moves to make defenders miss. Harry will enable the Ravens to magnify the creativity that Lamar Jackson allows them to use, and in time, he could develop into a clear-cut No. 1 receiver.