The Baltimore Ravens draft Devontez Walker with the No. 113 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
With the No. 113 pick in Round 4 of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Devontez Walker, wide receiver, North Carolina.
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 193 lbs.
School: North Carolina
Honors: Third-team All-ACC (2023)
2023 stats: 8 games, 41 receptions, 699 yards, 7 touchdowns
Kyle Phoenix’s analysis: Each time the Ravens get on the clock, they fill a need with a young, fast player, and Walker is no exception. The kid has the wheels on him with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash.
Being a fourth-round prospect, there is a bit of flaw to Walker’s game. But nothing that you can’t hope can be remedied with coaching. He’ll need to work on the route-running and he’s had inconsistencies with drops.
However, he’s a home-run hitting receiver the Ravens can hope to get developed into a burner.
It’s worth noting Walker is the only receiver last season to post a 20+ yard reception against their first round pick, cornerback Nate Wiggins. So, the ability is there and his speed can even beat the best of them.
Scouting Reports
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein
All-day vertical target with long, linear frame and impressive build-up speed to win the footrace. Walker is a tale of two receivers. He’s a long strider who will excel running go routes, posts, corners and over routes. When he’s allowed to maintain play speed and keep his feet moving, he’s fine. When he’s asked to get in and out of breaks or make tighter turns, his lack of short-area footwork and route acumen make him substantially easier to cover. Walker showed drastic improvement making the combat catch, but the jury is still out on whether he’s physical enough to do it as a pro. He’s a Day 2 field-stretcher for West Coast offenses looking to create explosive opportunities in the passing game.
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) draft guide:
SUMMARY: A one-year starter at North Carolina, Walker was an outside receiver in offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey’s scheme, lining up almost exclusively to the right of the formation. His fight for eligibility last season received national attention, and his impact on the Tar Heels’ offense was obvious once he took the field. With a high average depth of target in 2023 (18.2 yards), Walker did his best work downfield using his acceleration, tracking skills and ability to change gears when the ball was in the air. However, he won’t get easy looks in the NFL, and his route running is begging for improved footwork, tempo and overall deception to help him uncover on intermediate routes. Overall, Walker is a vertical/stretch receiver who requires a linear route tree, but he is a big-play threat with a promising catch radius and the speed to climb on top of coverage. He must develop better consistency in his routes and hands to be more than a complementary outside option.
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