Aug 21, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens broad receiver Zay Flowers (4) celebrates with teammates after scoring a landing towards the Washington Commanders throughout the first quarter at FedExField. Necessary Credit score: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports activities
Odell Beckham was the big-name addition within the Baltimore Ravens broad receiver room, however rookie Zay Flowers would possibly find yourself being the largest star. Chosen within the first spherical of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Boston School product has carried out nothing however impress teammates and coaches alike all through coaching camp and the preseason. Whereas we have now but to play a daily season recreation, Beckham just lately mentioned that he believes Flowers shall be a top-five receiver within the league earlier than lengthy.
Odell Beckham Jr. says Zay Flowers may creep into everybody’s top-five when speaking about broad receivers pic.twitter.com/6ipLXGuTSR
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) September 3, 2023
Odell Beckham: Zay Flowers Will Be A Prime-5 Large Receiver
The Quote Itself
Whereas making an look on the Wealthy Eisen Present, Beckham began itemizing his prime receivers within the NFL. After itemizing off the same old names (Justin Jefferson, Davante Adams, and many others), Odell Beckham shocked everybody by mentioning Zay Flowers utterly unprompted.
Editor’s be aware: Beckham is making a telephone look on the podcast, so his audio is just a little muffled.
“I feel the largest one to be careful for this yr creeping into everybody’s prime 5 is gonna be Zay Flowers. Simply maintain that identify up there each single week when he’s exhibiting up on SportsCenter.”
Now, teammates speaking up teammates isn’t newsworthy in of itself, however the best way Odell Beckham spoke about Zay Flowers is price mentioning. For one, no one requested about Flowers at this level within the interview – Beckham merely felt the necessity to convey up the rookie all on his personal. Secondly, that is remarkably excessive reward. Eisen and Beckham had been discussing the perfect broad receivers within the league, and no one would take into account Beckham a nasty teammate if he didn’t point out Flowers.
Final, and definitely not least, is the truth that Beckham has by no means had an issue with talking his thoughts prior to now. Throughout his days with the New York Giants, the previous first-round choose criticized the play of then-starter Eli Manning and even incurred a nice for his feedback. Beckham has matured since these days, however the reality stays that he’s not the kind of man to lie a few participant’s talents. The truth that he mentioned this reveals that he actually believes Flowers has what it takes to be among the many better of the perfect.
Is Odell Beckham Proper About Zay Flowers?
If Odell Beckham is correct about Zay Flowers being a top-five receiver, then the rookie will principally should set the world on fireplace from the phrase ‘go’. Again in 2021, Ja’Marr Chase put the world on discover when he recorded 5 receptions for 101 yards and a landing on seven targets in Cincinnati’s win over the Minnesota Vikings. Justin Jefferson, in the meantime, had his first large recreation in Week 3 of the 2020 season, recording seven receptions for 175 yards and a rating towards the Tennessee Titans.
Up to now, even the perfect broad receivers would want a season or two to regulate to the NFL recreation. Nonetheless, due to many years of rule adjustments which have disproportionately benefitted the offense, most elite receivers are in a position to hit the bottom working. Now, this isn’t to say that Flowers’ whole profession shall be decided by his first month {of professional} motion. Nonetheless, if he can instantly set up himself as the highest possibility a passing assault that includes two different confirmed choices, then Flowers may very nicely be a top-five broad receiver at this level subsequent yr.
Important Photograph: Geoff Burke – USA Immediately Sports activities