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          NFL Nation

          Todd McShay's first mock: Ravens select 'Baby Beckham' in first round

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterDec 13, 2017, 05:01 PM
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          One of the Baltimore Ravens' biggest needs this offseason will be at wide receiver.

          So why not take the pass-catcher who has been dubbed "Baby Beckham?"

          In Todd McShay's first mock of the 2018 draft, the Ravens select Texas A&M wide receiver Christian Kirk with the No. 22 overall pick.

          Kirk, who has not yet declared for the draft, has all the qualities to be a No. 1 target in the NFL, which is why there have been comparisons to All-Pro receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Kirk is an explosive slot receiver who can turn a slant into a touchdown. He's a deep threat who can run past corners. He's an all-around pass-catcher who is known for his route-running as well as punt return ability.

          So, why would Kirk be available in the bottom half of the first round? At 5-foot-11, he doesn't have the size of Julio Jones or A.J. Green. Kirk is also coming off his worst college season. After producing more than 80 catches and 900 yards in each of his first two seasons, Kirk managed 58 receptions for 730 yards in 2017. But that is likely the result of a transition at quarterback at Texas A&M.

          The Ravens desperately need to address their wide receiver position after the season. Baltimore has totaled 1,391 receiving yards from its wide receivers. That's third-worst in the NFL and only better than the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears.

          Plus, there will be plenty of holes to fill. Mike Wallace is a free agent in 2018. Jeremy Maclin has been a major disappointment and could be cut after the season. And Breshad Perriman, a 2015 first-round pick, has been inactive in three of the past four games and isn't a lock to be on the roster next season.

          The Ravens have a poor history when it comes to taking a wide receiver in the first round. They've done it three times in their history, and Travis Taylor, Mark Clayton and Perriman rank among their biggest busts.

          But the priority has to be adding playmakers to what has been a struggling offense for most of the season. That means potentially picking a wide receiver has to be in play in the first round.