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2019 NFL Mock Draft: Odell Beckham trade throws first round into chaos

By John Mitchell

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25:Wide receiver Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants leaves the field after losing 22-25 to the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25:Wide receiver Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants leaves the field after losing 22-25 to the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

player. 26. . WR. Iowa State. Hakeem Butler. 22

Coming off an AFC North Championship in 2018, the Ravens are going to look a lot different next season after roster attrition in free agency. Gone are defensive standouts such as C.J. Mosley, Eric Weddle, Za’Darius Smith, and Terrell Suggs. They stopped the bleeding by signing former-Seahawk Earl Thomas to fill the void left by Weddle, and they added some much needed depth at the running back position with the addition of Mark Ingram.

Prior to the Ingram signing, I thought the Ravens would be a logical fit for another former-Alabama running back, Josh Jacobs, but now I expect they’ll look elsewhere with Ingram in the fold. I still imagine that offense will be their priority, particularly at wide receiver, although the franchise rarely takes a receiver in the first round. The fans have been clamoring for it, though, and it’s certainly the team’s biggest need as they look to surround Lamar Jackson with talent.

Baltimore got by with mostly replacement level options at receiver last season; they need to find a true No. 1 receiver who can grow with Jackson. Iowa State’s Hakeem Butler might be a little raw, but his upside is as high as anyone in this class at the position.

He’s got excellent size at 6-foot-6, and he’s strong in contested catch situations. He needs development with his route-running, but he’s got the footwork that leads you to believe that that won’t be a problem once he works with NFL position coaches.

Butler is that big-bodied receiver who will be a terror in the redzone. It wouldn’t surprise me if he scored double-digit touchdowns as a rookie. He would be a good fit with Jackson as his catch radius is larger than most, which would allow him to bail out Jackson at times when his throws aren’t always accurate.

With Smith and Suggs leaving in free agency, an edge rusher has moved up the list of priorities. Florida’s Jacahi Polite could be an option as a result. With Mosley gone as well, Baltimore could reach to fill the void left in the middle by another Alabama linebacker in Mack Wilson.

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