With The First Pick
Fansided

2018 NFL Mock Draft: Super Bowl LII and Senior Bowl Edition

By Maxwell Ogden

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 27: Baker Mayfield #6 of the North team throws the ball during the first half of the Reese's Senior Bowl against the the South team at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 27: Baker Mayfield #6 of the North team throws the ball during the first half of the Reese's Senior Bowl against the the South team at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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OXFORD, MS – OCTOBER 24: Christian Kirk #3 of the Texas A&M Aggies reaches for a pass during the third quarter of a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 24, 2015 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – OCTOBER 24: Christian Kirk #3 of the Texas A&M Aggies reaches for a pass during the third quarter of a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 24, 2015 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

26. . Wide Receiver. Texas A&M. Christian Kirk. 16. player

It’s rare that one can actually pinpoint wide receiver as the primary need for a team in the first round of the NFL Draft. In the case of the Baltimore Ravens, however, they’re coming off of a season during which their most productive receivers were Mike Wallace and Benjamin Watson.

Joe Flacco may or may not be a franchise-level player, but whomever the Ravens play at quarterback needs help—and Christian Kirk would provide it.

Despite the fact that Alex Collins provided a solid season on the ground, Baltimore struggled to execute through the air. It ranked No. 29 in passing yards and dead last in yards per attempt, which signals an undeniable need for playmakers at wide receiver.

Derrius Guice could make sense at running back, but the better option for Baltimore would be to give Flacco a player whom he can trust to make plays after the catch.

Courtland Sutton is the more explosive option, but his issues with drops make Kirk the better selection for Baltimore. Kirk may prove to be more of a slot receiver, but being able to get the ball into someone’s hands and trust that they’ll create extra yardage would change the offense.

Kirk has the elusiveness to help move the chains, and the speed to beat a defense over the top—and Baltimore has neither with its current receiving corps.

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