Zay Flowers (Ravens) NFL Draft Preview
Post-Draft Fantasy Impact
Draft Team: Baltimore Ravens, Round 1, 22nd pick
The Ravens’ pass game was a mess last year, so it should come as no surprise that they were looking for upgrades in the off-season. Pretty amazing to go 10-7 while your top wide receiver in yardage (Demarcus Robinson of all people) only manages 487 yards on the season. Their first move was to bring in Odell Beckham Jr. who represents a major upgrade to everyone outside of Rashod Bateman. Their second move was drafting Zay Flowers 22nd overall.
Flowers will be another immediate upgrade for the offense and his skillset blends well with new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s system. Flowers recognized that immediately after receiving the playbook,
“Oh, I love it, it’s kind of like some of the stuff I ran at B.C. [Boston College]. I love it. I think it fits my style perfectly. Running, getting open, being able to create space, deep balls, short, intermediate — do it all.”
While I think Flowers can be a game-changer for the Ravens’ offense, I’m not sure that will translate to huge wide receiver production. Even with new play calling, it can be assumed that the Ravens will still be one of the heaviest rushing offenses in the league. And in the passing game, Mark Andrews will remain the focal point. That leaves an underwhelming amount of targets to be distributed between Bateman, Beckham, and Flowers. The Ravens haven’t had a top-20 wide receiver in almost 20 years, and they won’t again next year.
Again, that’s not to say that Flowers won’t put up yards or scores, but his long-term value on the Ravens doesn’t match up with the first-round pick you will have to spend to get him in a dynasty draft. Overall Baltimore represents a pretty significant downgrade for Flowers’ fantasy projections and is likely relegated to WR2/3 land for at least the first portion of his career.
Zay Flowers NFL Draft Preview
An ultra-productive college player, Zay Flowers has proved doubters wrong, putting up numbers all four years in college even with a smaller stature and spotty quarterback play. Despite playing the majority of his snaps on the outside at BC, he will likely be pegged to play the slot in the pros, where his speed and shiftiness should get him onto the field sooner than later.
Zay Flowers ↔️ Steve Smith
“He's a bigger dog than me—- I believe he’s special”
pic.twitter.com/zh61SPqppT— Hogg (@HoggNFL) March 4, 2023
Measurables
- 5’9″ 182 lbs
- 40-yard dash – 4.42 seconds
- Vertical Jump – 35.5″
- Broad Jump – 10’7″
Stats at Boston College
- 2022: 78 catches, 1077 yards, 12 TDs
- 2021: 44 catches, 746 yards, 5 TDs
- 2020: 56 catches, 892 yards, 9 TDs
- 2019: 22 catches, 341 yards, 3 TDs
I have my own comp for Zay Flowers but it's irresponsibly lofty expectations so I'm afraid to say it.
but I mean…you guys see it too, right? pic.twitter.com/eElPdeDqr4
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) January 24, 2023
Strengths
His speed, especially in the open field, jumps out to you when you watch him. He’s terrific after the catch and extremely elusive. Defenders have a hard time getting their hands on him, and when they do Flowers is the one that usually initiates the contact. Footwork pops as well, as he is quick in and out of breaks to create separation. Traffic and contested catches are often made, going up and over bigger corners.
you see this all over the zay flowers tape #2023NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/hylaWIQjM9
— Ray G (@RayGQue) March 22, 2023
Weaknesses
Small frame and size, may limit his durability and positional flexibility in the NFL, most teams will peg him to the slot. His hands were a major issue in 2022 with 9 drops, needs to improve concentration and consistency. Rushed a bit through routes, has growth to do especially playing against zone.
Grade: A
The continued knock on Flowers is his size, and he obviously can’t change that, but he’s a wildly exciting player with major big play ability both deep and over the middle. He’s also shown it on film, putting up massive production despite existing in a very poor Boston College offense. Size may limit his true #1 upside, but in the right offense Flowers could be a PPR monster, he has the skills ad upside to be a first round dynasty pick.
Patrick Whelan is a 34-year-old fantasy football writer, dynasty league enthusiast, and DFS player based out of Chicago. When he’s not watching his Detroit Lions disappoint on Sundays, he’s crafting brand strategy for Gatorade, rooting on his Michigan Wolverines, or cooking elaborate meals. You can follow him on Twitter @PdiddyWay
