Devontez Walker, 23 years old, was drafted in the 4th round of the 2024 NFL Draft at pick number 113 overall by the Baltimore Ravens. Walker was the Ravens’ second offensive player and the first skill player Baltimore added. A historically deep WR class, 18 WRs came off the board before Walker. As with all day three WRs, Walker is too deep to be in consideration for redraft leagues, but at 246th overall ADP according to FantasyPros, Walker is a last-round best ball dart throw.
Devontez Walker College Production
Walker has played two meaningful years of college football. As a sophomore at Kent State, Walker pulled in 58 catches for 921 yards and 11 TDs (best in the MAC in 2022). Walker dominated at Kent State, ranking top-10 in nine categories in the Mid-American Conference, and one category top-10 in the NCAA. Building up a reputation, Walker set his sights on a second school and transferred to North Carolina. Initially denied to play as a redshirt sophomore, the NCAA did eventually clear Walker to play for the Tar Heels after months on the sidelines.
Once cleared to play, Walker jumped in and started catching passes from former Heisman winner Drake Maye and the #14 ranked Tar Heels. Late to start his season, Walker hauled in 41 catches for 699 yards and seven touchdowns. Even in the significantly stronger ACC, Walker made two top-10 conference leaderboards in yards per reception and receiving TDs for his final college year. A 4.36 40-yard dash speedster, Walker converted targets into big gains and TDs at a high rate, giving North Carolina scoring potential any time he stepped onto the field.
Devontez Walker Baltimore Outlook
Baltimore currently lists Walker behind three-year vet Tylan Wallace, who has in his entire career only caught seven passes. Both Ourlads and a writer on the Ravens’ website have Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor solidly at WR2 and WR3 respectively. Although Bateman has not really broken out after an impressive rookie season, the Ravens like him, having extended his contract for two years and $8.25 million guaranteed. There isn’t really competition for the WR3 role ahead of Agholor either, as the two players do not occupy the same role. A deep-threat speedster, Walker operates outside while Agholor has gained more slot work as he advances into his age-31 season.
However, Walker could have a potential role in this offense that makes use of his skill set. His roster spot is secure, even among the 11 receivers currently under contract. However, how far up the food chain he advances really will determine what kind of impact he can have in his rookie year. Passing volume in Baltimore is critically low. At 494 pass attempts, Baltimore ranked league-30th in 2023. However, according to player-profiler, Baltimore had three or more WRs on the field 85.1% of the time. It’s a big if at this point, but if Walker has the WR3 role, he’ll have plenty of field presence. If anything, Agholor will need reps on the sideline, opening up opportunity.
Final Thoughts
Devontez Walker’s 2024 impact is going to be entirely dependent on a position battle that could be flushed out this pre-season. Even if the depth chart opens up and he ascends to WR3, Baltimore’s most-targeted player (Zay Flowers) only garnered 108 looks last year. Walker’s appeal comes from efficiency on limited opportunity. Until he has a secure role, he can’t be a rookie fantasy starter. At his current 20th-round ADP, Walker could make a final stack opportunity with Lamar Jackson. However, Jackson gets plenty of work done without his receivers. Still, he’ll occupy a near-bottom salary in DFS, and like in college, any catch can turn into a TD, even if it’s just one catch.
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