Miles Boykin draws comparison to Saints WR Michael Thomas
By Seth Steere
Baltimore Ravens third-round pick Miles Boykin has the athletic prowess to be one of the best receivers in his class and he’s turning heads early at training camp.
Former Notre Dame WR Miles Boykin was taken with the 93rd-overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens, and when we look back at this draft three years from now, we may be wondering how he lasted that long.
One reason may be that Boykin lacked the production of an elite receiver during his time with the Fighting Irish. He never amassed more than 60 receptions or 900 yards in a single season. He was drafted for his upside and the rare athletic traits he flashed at the 2019 NFL combine.
Outside of Seattle Seahawks’ receiver D.K. Metcalf, Boykin had arguably the best combine performance for a receiver. Standing 6-foot-4 and 220-pounds, Miles ran a 4.42 40-yard dash. His 40-time put him in the top-10 amongst receivers in his class. His 40-time wasn’t the only drill that turned heads at the combine; he finished in the top three among WRs in the three-cone, vertical jump, broad jump, and the 20-yard shuttle.
Despite being an elite athlete, scouts and analysts had issues with his game coming out of college. One concern was his lack of concentration; he had too many drops.
But that’s all in the past now, and Boykin is off to a hot start at Ravens training camp. He’s had his chance to shine due to Marquise Brown — Baltimore’s first-round pick — being sidelined with his foot injury.
The rookie has not only impressed Ravens reporters but his teammates as well. Ravens veteran wideout Willie Snead hasn’t shied away from giving the rookie high praise.
"“I keep telling him every day, I’m like, ‘Dude, you look like Michael Thomas,'” I remember when Michael Thomas came to New Orleans, he was built the same, had the same mentality, just trying to get better every day.”"
Formerly a teammate of Michael Thomas in New Orleans, Snead’s comments shouldn’t be taken lightly. If he’s correct in his assessment of Boykin, then the Ravens will have one of the most talented and exciting pair of young pass-catchers in the NFL.