After a domestic violence investigation that stems from an accident that got picked up two months ago, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers was cleared by the NFL. The former 22nd overall pick last year was involved in a case that was eventually suspended by the Baltimore County police a month later.
Flowers and his alleged involvement with the potential assault charge were then reviewed by the league, which ended in no violation of their personal conduct policy.
The NFL deemed their investigation of the incident to have “insufficient evidence” in the case against Flowers, as he can participate in all team activities moving forward.
Baltimore: WR Need Still Imperative this Offseason
Statement from the NFL on #Ravens WR Zay Flowers, who has been cleared by the league of any violations stemming from an allegation that became public in February: pic.twitter.com/Gu1Phkc8Db
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 18, 2024
This is according to NFL’s Tom Pelissero, as the incident involving the Baltimore receiver occurred in Owning Mills, Maryland on January 16th.
Per the Baltimore Sun, the police report states the alleged victim reported domestic violence in Acton, Massachusetts. The female victim didn’t identify the suspect other than saying he was an NFL player who was “all over social media.” This led to basically a dead case when police reached out to the victim, saying there were “no further issues” and didn’t disclose any more info.
Flowers declined to speak with investigators through his attorney, as the Ravens let the situation play out like any potential legal situation last month. The case is closed essentially, as he will not face any action by the league.
Baltimore will have to get another receiver to pair with Flowers, who set rookie records in receiving yards and receptions last season. While they re-signed veteran Nelson Agholor and signed Deonte Harty, those are more depth options or potential weapons in the return game.
Rashod Bateman will need to have a big year in 2024, as this could be the last chance for the former first-rounder from 2021. He had a disappointing year as a Raven in 2023, as Baltimore will likely not pick up his fifth-year option.
Baltimore: WR Targets for the Ravens in Rounds 1-4
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With the 30th overall pick in the draft, Baltimore has a few options in a loaded receiver class. If they decide to address this need in round one, many big names would big play threats if they fell that far in the first round.
Some of those receivers include Texas receivers Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy who are both likely first-rounders. Oregon’s Troy Franklin and Georgia’s Ladd McConkey often get taken at the back end of the first or early second. The same can be said for South Carolina’s Xavier Legette and Florida State’s Keon Coleman, who is an enigma in this receiver class.
As a potential big slot, he would be a potential safety net for Lamar Jackson. Coleman is profiled normally as a traditional outside receiver, there are some questions about separation but he could be used on the inside to give him space to work the middle as a yards-after-catch monster.
If Baltimore decides to wait till day two for a receiver, some round-two options include Michigan’s Roman Wilson, Florida’s Ricky Pearsall, and Western Kentucky’s Malachi Corley. Washington receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan are enticing options as well as round two or three-type prospects.
I could even see the Ravens covet size late in the draft, maybe even someone like Florida State’s Johnny Wilson, Coleman’s teammate, early on day three.
Baltimore: Potential Trade Candidates at WR
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The Broncos starting receiver held out of offseason workouts Monday, seeking a new contract. Courtland Sutton could be a name on the move on draft day or later this offseason, potentially to a team like Baltimore.
The Ravens are missing a bigger body possession receiver on the roster currently. While they could get one in the draft, it is rare to have a reliable red-zone threat on the outside. If Baltimore trades for Sutton, it will likely cost them a day two or early day three pick plus the money Sutton is seeking.
Denver already sent their former first-rounder Jerry Jeudy, who signed an extension with the Browns after the trade, to Cleveland for a late-day three-pick in the draft.
There are a few other names out there that would give the Ravens an instant spark in their receiving core if they traded for them but are higher in the price range.
Sutton is a more realistic target, but names like Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers have been rumored on the block but nothing serious has materialized. The big issue with that is the draft capital and contract they either are under or are seeking.
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