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NFL Draft 2017: Top target for each team

By John Buhler

Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) looks to throw in the first quarter against the Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) looks to throw in the first quarter against the Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) during the first quarter in the Pac-12 championship against the Colorado Buffaloes at Levi’s Stadium. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) during the first quarter in the Pac-12 championship against the Colorado Buffaloes at Levi’s Stadium. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Ravens: John Ross

Joe Flacco isn’t getting any younger and the Baltimore Ravens starting quarterback needs to get a few more big time playmakers on his offense if he hopes to get this team back to the Super Bowl here soon.

Baltimore will have the No. 16 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and should be in prime position to drat a top-tier wideout or tight end. The Ravens could go O.J. Howard here, but should look at one of the better wide receivers in the game at No. 16; Washington Huskies standout John Ross.

Ross can absolutely burn on the outside. Since Flacco has one of the better deep balls in the game, it is easy to connect the dots to understand why this is the pick the Ravens need to make. Baltimore’s passing game has never been keen on rhythm during the Flacco era, opting more for the big, over-the-top splash play. Ross is all sorts of explosive out on the edge at receiver, having had 81 catches for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns as a redshirt junior in 2016.

Though he is blazing on the grass, Ross can change direction and be a factor in other branches of his route tree. He may never be a dominant possession receiver, but he could be the best wide receiver in this draft if he can have a quarterback more than capable of throwing him open.

Ross to the Ravens is an ideal fit for both parties. While he is considered to be the third-best wideout in this draft, that 40-yard dash time of his at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine might force him towards the top-10 and out of Baltimore’s reach at No. 16.

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