How early should Ravens invest at WR in 2022 NFL draft?
It’s no secret how much draft capital the Baltimore Ravens have invested in the wide receiver position over the past few years. Six total wide receivers have been selected by the team since the beginning of the 2019 draft, with two being selected in each of 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Despite having so many young talents at wideout, Baltimore could invest in the position once again in the 2022 draft. A key question has been how early will the Ravens select a wide receiver if they decide to go that route, and it has drawn many different answers. There are intriguing wide receiver prospects in all seven rounds of this draft class, and Baltimore could get talent wherever they might choose to take one.
Since the Ravens have young players such as Marquise Brown, Rashod Bateman and others on their roster, wide receiver isn’t nearly as big of a need as it’s been in recent seasons. While a projected first-round receiver such as Garrett Wilson, Drake London or Chris Olave would create one of the more dynamic young wideout groups in the league, it feels much more likely that a Day 2 or Day 3 receiver could be a target such as George Pickens, Christian Watson and others.
It feels somewhat likely that Baltimore could keep six wide receivers on their roster in 2022. If that is the case, with Brown, Bateman, Devin Duvernay, James Proche II and Tylan Wallace likely take up five of those spots, it leaves room for one more player, whether it be a draft pick or veteran free agent signing.
In their wide receiver room, the Ravens would benefit from having a big-bodied wideout who can win in contested catch situations. There are plenty of prospects that fit that profile in the 2022 class, and there are multiple rounds where they could land one. However, because of that fact they don’t have to reach for a specific player at the position.
All in all, it feels a lot more likely now than at the beginning of the 2022 offseason that Baltimore could take a wide receiver at some point during the 2022 draft. When that selection would come remains to be seen, but instead of a first round wideout, a second or third round investment should be where the Ravens look instead.
