Latest ravens mail do the ravens take a wr in first round

Jamison HensleyFeb 21, 2015, 10:00 AM ET

It's time to open up Part 1 of this weekend's Baltimore Ravens mailbag ...

@jamisonhensley Do you think this year is finally the time to draft a wide receiver in round one?
— Sonny (@evrybdyluvshugo) February 18, 2015

@jamisonhensley: The Ravens are certainly due to use a first-round pick on a wide receiver. In the franchise's 19-year draft history, the Ravens have selected a wide receiver in the first round on two occasions: Travis Taylor in 2000 and Mark Clayton in 2005. This might explain why the Ravens have been so hesitant to do it again. But assistant general manager Eric DeCosta told the team's website at the NFL combine that an elite wide receiver might be available at the end of the first round. Dorial Green-Beckham is perhaps the most talented receiver in this draft, but he comes with a lot of red flags. One prospect who makes plenty of sense for the Ravens is Arizona State's Jaelen Strong. His production (82 catches for 1,165 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns) and physical tools are going to be intriguing to the Ravens.

@jamisonhensley What are the realistic chances of the #Ravens signing or trading for a veteran wide receiver? Or are they fine staying put?
— Alex Wolf (@AWOLFNATION) February 18, 2015

@jamisonhensley: That really depends on a couple of factors: the ability to re-sign Torrey Smith and their cap room. If the Ravens can retain Smith, it's unlikely the Ravens will sign another wide receiver because Steve Smith is expected to return. Under that scenario, the biggest addition would come in the draft. If Torrey Smith signs elsewhere, the Ravens are probably going to get someone to replace him unless they believe a first-round pick can start immediately. The type of receiver will depend on how much cap room the Ravens will have at the start of free agency. One name to watch is New Orleans' Marques Colston. The Ravens prefer to sign salary-cap casualties, and Colston will be one unless he takes a pay cut. He could be an affordable target with good size.

@jamisonhensley Another great year for WR's, no stand out corners and a very poor safety class. See any alternative to WR in round one?
— Freddie Ping (@FreddieGPing) February 18, 2015

@jamisonhensley: I would say wide receiver has to be the early favorite. Still, I wouldn't be shocked if the Ravens selected a tight end (Minnesota's Maxx Williams), a pass rusher (Clemson's Vic Beasley) or a cornerback (Florida State's P.J. Williams). Some mock drafts have linked the Ravens to Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon. While I don't believe the Ravens will use a first-round selection on a running back, Gordon would be the choice for the Ravens if they did so. Ravens running backs coach Thomas Hammock coached Gordon when he was at Wisconsin, so the Ravens have a strong connection to the No. 1 running back in the draft.

@jamisonhensley Assuming the Ravens don't bring back Forsett, which running back fits best in the Ravens' offensive scheme?
— TD Hunter (@TDizzle52) February 18, 2015

@jamisonhensley: The Ravens are looking for one-cut, downhill runners and there are quality ones who should be available in nearly every round. Here are the backs to watch from my perspective: Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon (first round), Indiana's Tevin Coleman (second round), Miami's Duke Johnson (third round), Florida's Matt Jones (fifth round) and Mississippi State's Josh Robinson (sixth round). If Coleman somehow falls to the Ravens near the bottom of the second round, it might be hard for them to pass on such a physical, big-play runner.

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Ravens Mail: Do the Ravens take a WR in first round?