Lamar Jackson handpicked the Ravens first pick in the NFL Draft

April 29, 2023 ndowd

Baltimore Ravens GM Eric DeCosta revealed that Lamar Jackson gave his evaluations specifically on wide receivers from South Florida in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Apr. 27, 2023 was quite the day for the Baltimore Ravens. After weeks of contentious contract negotiations, the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson reached an agreement on a five-year, $260 million extension, making him the highest paid player in NFL history.

Hours later, the Ravens gave Jackson another gift in the form of Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers with the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

While speaking with the media on Friday during Flowers’ introductory press conference, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta revealed that Jackson gave his feedback on every wide receiver from South Florida in the 2023 NFL Draft, and that he was “very, very excited” that the team selected the Boston College wideout from Fort Lauderdale.

Eric DeCosta said that Lamar Jackson gave him a list and full breakdown of every receiver from South Florida in the 2023 draft

DeCosta said that Jackson was “very, very excited” that Baltimore drafted Zay Flowers

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) April 28, 2023

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said he talked about WRs in draft with Lamar Jackson in January.

“One thing about Lamar, if you’re from South Florida, he’s going to know you,” DeCosta said. “He had a lot of opinions about Zay (Flowers) and he’s very excited we got him last night.”

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) April 28, 2023

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta reveals Lamar Jackson was ‘very excited’ they drafted Zay Flowers

It has been a heck of an offseason for Jackson. Not only did he agree to terms on a gigantic contract extension and watched the team select Flowers with their first-round pick, but they also signed wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to a one-year, $15 million contract this month. Jackson won’t be short on pass-catching options with Beckham, Flowers, Rashod Bateman and tight end Mark Andrews.

Flowers stands at 5-foot-9 and weighs 182-pounds, and he possesses some incredible speed and big catch ability.

This past season playing for the Golden Eagles, Flowers caught 78 passes for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games played. In his four years at Boston College, Flowers recorded 200 receptions for 3,056 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Getting a new contract and a new wide receiver to target down field? Yeah, Jackson had a great Thursday.

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