2017 NFL mock draft: Mike Williams headed to Baltimore Ravens

In 2016 the Baltimore Ravens were about as average as you can get. The team finished 8-8, No. 17 in the league in offense, and scored only 22 points more than they gave up on the season. One place Baltimore was below average was in passing yards. The team was No. 24 in the league and veteran Steve Smith Sr. retired.

Suffice to say, if the Ravens want to be more than average in 2017, boosting the passing game is going to be a key. That’s just what Kyle Barber of Baltimore Beatdown did with his first-round pick in the SB Nation NFL writers’ mock draft.

Barber: The biggest needs for the Baltimore Ravens include wide receiver, pass rush, and tackle; with Mike Williams dropping to 16, Baltimore Beatdown is thrilled with this pick.

Baltimore needs offensive production. Joe Flacco needs weapons, and it starts with a strong wide receiving corps. As of now, the pass-catchers for Baltimore include only speed receivers and big tight ends. It’s something teams adjusted to by halftime, creating difficulty for the Raven offense to move the chains. With Mike Williams, the Ravens now have a weapon standing 6’4 and 218 pounds. The prototypical size of a star receiver, with a highlight reel of catches in college to flaunt, it’s a no brainer for Baltimore to take a number one receiving prospect.

Over the past few seasons, the Ravens always had a tough receiver with strength and tenacity, from Anquan Boldin to Steve Smith Sr. With Smitty’s retirement, the Ravens need a receiver capable of third down catches and big play ability. We believe Mike is “the guy.” With his youth, Baltimore can pair him with the also-young Breshad Perriman. If both can grow into their potential, the Ravens offense may become more high-flying than previously thought possible.

Analysis: You have to wonder if this would be so pressing if Perriman had more than 33 career receptions. If he was playing like the No. 1 receiver Baltimore drafted him to be, taking a wide receiver in the first round this year may not have been as necessary. But coupling his struggles with Williams’s talent makes this a good choice. Williams is a physical wideout, and how he plays will fit nicely in Baltimore’s offense. The gamble is that it can be hard to find a tackle or pass rusher in the second round.

Our next pick of the day, coming at noon ET, is from Ken Meringolo of Hogs Haven making the pick for Washington.