NFL

2023 NFL Draft grades: Ravens pick Zay Flowers at No. 22; what Baltimore is getting in Boston College WR

by
SaC Bot
April 27, 2023

The Baltimore Ravens won the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft before it even started, agreeing to terms with star quarterback Lamar Jackson on a five-year, $260 million contract, making him the NFL’s highest-paid player. The Ravens had more good news to share on Thursday night, as they drafted former Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers with the No. 22 overall pick.

A former three-star recruit out of NSU University School in Florida, Flowers left Boston College as the most-accomplished pass-catcher in school history, setting career records in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He saved his best season for last, racking up more than 1,000 yards receiving and 12 scores in 2022.

Big things come in small packages, and Flowers has big-time potential. He had five games last season with at least two touchdown receptions, which was tied for the second-most in the FBS. It’s a reason he is the first Boston College wideout to be selected in the first round. Baltimore added Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency, and now Jackson has another potential home-run hitter.

Below is a comprehensive draft profile for Flowers, including his scouting report, prospect ranking, pro comparison, combine results, college and high school accolades and overall NFL outlook.

NFL Draft grade: B

They needed to get a young receiver for their new offense under Todd Monken. I like Jordan Addison more, but this is a good move. Flowers is a really good player who was hurt by bad quarterback play at Boston College. — Pete Prisco

Join us for live 2023 NFL Draft analysis from CBS Sports and an updating NFL Draft tracker. Also check out Pete Prisco’s NFL Draft grades for every first-round pick and subscribe to the “With the First Pick” podcast for nightly recaps, winners and losers and more from Kansas City.

Zay Flowers draft profile

Age: 22
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Interesting fact: Boston College’s all-time leader in receptions (200), receiving yards (3,056) and receiving TD (29)
CBS Sports prospect ranking: No. 24 overall | No. 3 WR | 88.43 rating (Long-term starter)

NFL Combine measurements/results

Height: 5-9 | Weight: 182 lbs | Arms: 29 1/4″ | Hands: 9 1/4″

40-yard dash: 4.42 seconds (unofficial pro day time)
3-cone drill: 6.57 seconds
Broad jump: 10 feet, 7 inches
Vertical jump: 35.5 inches

NFL comparison

Scouting report

Zay Flowers is short but not small, twitched-up inside and out wideout. His short-area explosiveness is special, and it doesn’t take long for him to reach top speed. He runs super-sharp, no-nonsense routes. He has a tiny catch radius but fights in every contested-catch situation. He has lateral quicks and tenacity to work through press coverage with good regularity, and his athleticism allows him to be weapon after the catch. He has adequate power to his game due to a thicker lower half and shows sheer will through contact. He doesn’t have the most reliable hands, but drops aren’t concerning issue. He has great speed. He was held back production-wise by blah QB play. Height will hinder him at times, but he’s a pro-ready wideout made for the modern-day game.

Strengths

Super-twitched up
Gets to top gear in a flash
Awesome route-runner
Supreme YAC skills
Plays bigger than his size

Weaknesses

Short with tiny frame
Little catch radius
Some easy drops on film

College stats, accolades

Year	Games	Rec	Yards	YPC	TDs
2022	12	78	1,077	13.8	12
2021	12	44	746	17.0	5
2020	11	56	892	15.9	9
2019	13	22	341	15.5	3

Honors

2022: AP Third-team All-American
2022: First-team All-ACC
2020: Second WR in school history to be named first-team All-ACC
2021: Third-team All-ACC

Notable statistics

Career: School’s all-time leader in receptions (200), receiving yards (3,056) and receiving TD (29)
2022: Set single-season school mark in receiving touchdowns (12), tied record for receptions (78) and produced third-most receiving yards (1,077)