The 2021 NFL Draft is loaded with talent at the wide receiver position this year. If your team doesn’t grab one of the top-eight it’s ok, there is plenty to be had in the later rounds. We could see over 20 wide receivers drafted when it is all said and done this year, which will make quite a dent in NFL rosters. This is great news for the Baltimore Ravens, who are in need of another pass catcher.
There is one, however, who seems to be a great option in the middle rounds and it is Frank Darby. Darby is the next great wide receiver to come out of ASU following in last year’s first round pick Brandon Aiyuk but at a much more manageable price tag. ASU is not known as an NFL powerhouse now and days, but this is the second solid wide receiver to come out in consecutive years who could carve out an NFL role.
In four years and 28 games played Darby amassed 1,317 yards and 13 touchdowns. His best season coming in 2019 where he played 12 games. In that season Darby hauled in 31 catches for 616 yards and eight touchdowns. Giving him an amazing 19.9 yards per catch average.
At his pro-day Darby came in at 6-foot-0 200 pounds and a 4.56 40-yard dash. He also threw up 19 reps at 225 pounds and leaped off with a vertical of 34.5 inches. His three-cone was also notable at 7.50 and a shuttle of 4.25. Darby may not be a household name right now, but as his career progresses we could see one of the more relevant mid-round players in this draft.
Will the Ravens be pressed to get him early?
Darby should slide down boards as we get closer to the draft. So the Ravens shouldn’t have to give up much draft capital at all to get him. They should be able to safely target him in the fourth round or later and not be too worried about it due to the depth of the class. With much more pressing needs on the roster after the elite wide receivers are gone this could be a bargain for them.
I do not think the Ravens end up going wide receiver in the first round, as there will be defenders there at the top of their class versus maybe the fifth or sixth wide receiver in this class. This will be a waiting game for a team not far off from a Super Bowl birth, and patience could be a virtue in this 2021 NFL Draft.