Ravens add speed with Devontez Walker

The Ravens selected North Carolina WR Devontez Walker in Round 4 of the NFL Draft. Walker’s path to the draft was a long one that included a 2019 ACL tear and multiple transfers. He entered scouts’ radar in 2022 at Kent State, where he tallied 58-921-11 in 12 games. Walker accounted for 29.6% of the team’s catches, 35.6% of the receiving yards, and 64.7% of the receiving TDs. Strong marks – the kind you want to see from a guy facing a lower level of competition. A transfer to North Carolina paired Walker with top-10 QB prospect Drake Maye. However, Walker didn’t play a full season, as an eligibility battle with the NCAA limited the Carolina native to eight games. When active, he filled an outside, vertical role. That led to a massive 18.2-yard aDOT and 17.0 yards per catch. The nearly 6’2, 193-pounder effectively used his 83rd percentile wingspan to snag 10 of 17 contested catch opportunities (58.5%). Walker also boats NFL-caliber speed on tape. According to tracking data from Zebra Sports, he hit a Senior Bowl-high 21.18 MPH. Walker’s negatives come from a lack of proven post-catch ability and a thin route portfolio. Overall, we’re intrigued by the size/athleticism package. In Baltimore, Walker finds intriguing opportunity behind No. 1 WR Zay Flowers. Walker will primarily compete for snaps with Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor. The rookie at least has a shot to provide some spike weeks for best-ball teams. Longer term, he has the potential to develop into a field-stretching No. 2 WR for QB Lamar Jackson.