A common prediction ahead of this year's NFL Draft is that the Ravens will take a receiver with the No. 16 pick.
In the latest round of mock drafts, wide receivers Mike Williams and Corey Davis were consistently projected to the Ravens. The rationale for those picks typically went something like this (from CBS Sports' Pete Prisco): "At some point, they have to get Joe Flacco more help outside."
Veteran wideout Mike Wallace has heard the doubts from media members about the quality of Baltimore's receivers – he was specifically asked this week if the Ravens need help in that area – and he told reporters at the start of the offseason program last week that their group is getting overlooked.
"People are sleeping on us a little bit," Wallace said.
Wallace, 30, is now the leader of the group. He led the Ravens with 1,017 receiving yards last year, and the nine-year veteran has significantly more experience than any other receiver on the roster. Breshad Perriman is next in line behind Wallace, and he's played in just one NFL season.
But even with a young, unproven receiving corps, Wallace expressed optimism in the unit.
"You can't ever go wrong with more weapons, but I feel confident in the guys that we have," he said. "I feel like we have more than enough to get it done."
Wallace specifically pointed to last year's fourth-round pick Chris Moore. Moore saw limited action as a rookie and mostly had a special-teams role, but Wallace believes his teammate is poised to take a big step in his second season.
"I think a lot of people will be surprised by Chris Moore this year," Wallace said. "He works hard and he's a great player. I see him in practice every day, and I know the types of plays that he can make."
Flacco backed up Wallace by agreeing that the Ravens don't necessarily need to add a receiver high in this year's draft.
But even with Wallace and Flacco saying the Ravens don't need new receivers, General Manager Ozzie Newsome will be on the lookout for the right fit in the draft. He's talked about adding a complementary receiver to the group, and he's also said he won't hesitate to draft a pass catcher at No. 16 if he's the top player on the board.
"We'll take whoever we can get, and if it's a first-round receiver, I'm all for it," Wallace said. "I'll welcome him with open arms, and I'll be the first to get him on the JUGS machine and catching passes, and get some candy from him for the [meeting] room."
