Photograph courtesy Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens’ 2023 first-round pick, Zay Flowers, could be a difference-maker at the wide receiver position—something the team has longed for over many years. He was considered more pro-ready than many of his predecessors at the position. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Flowers radiates confidence, possesses great speed that allows him to get deep for touchdowns and he can gain big chucks with his after-the-catch ability.
“I can do everything,” Flowers says. “Short throws, intermediate routes, and going deep. I absolutely can make an impact.”
Ravens’ first-year Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken says he wants to “get creative” by moving Flowers around a lot so defenses will have a hard time containing him.
Flowers, whom Baltimore picked 22nd overall out of Boston College, will have a great mentor in wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., a Super Bowl winner and three-time Pro Bowler. The team signed Beckham in the offseason.
Flowers will also be catching passes from former NFL MVP and quarterback Lamar Jackson, who signed a $260 million contract in May.
What’s Up? recently talked to Flowers about the relationships with Jackson and Beckham, what he likes about the team’s offense, and what it was like growing up with 13 siblings.
What do you like about the Ravens’ new offense?
I like everything about it. I think it really fits my playing style. I think I will be able to make an impact, that is moving around a lot. I have the speed and will be able to benefit at every level with this offense: deep balls, intermediate routes, and short balls. It will all just come together.
It must be pretty exciting being able to play with former league MVP and quarterback Lamar Jackson. He’s great at running and passing the ball. Do you look at it as a great situation playing with him?
It’s been great working with him. Learning how he sees the game and how he throws the ball. He is so confident. It is like a chill type of confidence. It makes you relax because you don’t want anybody back there that is thinking a lot. He just plays the game the right way and he complements me really well. When he talks, you really listen. He just knows how to win. It’s just going to push me more to help the team win.
What have your interactions been like with Odell Beckham, Jr., or as they call him OBJ? Do you feel you can learn a lot from him?
We have chilled a lot together. He has been watching me and giving me tips here and there. We have broken down a lot of routes and he has shown me what I can do better. He has given me a better feel for the game. I used to watch him when I was young, and I admire how he played the game. Our games are similar in a way. We can both run well after the catch.
Can you tell me what your draft experience was like?
It was really great. I just tried to enjoy every moment of it. It was a dream come true. I know how much work I put in just to get to that point. So, I enjoyed it with my brothers and sisters and everyone else in my family.
You received so much media attention like you were one of the first few picks in the draft. What is it like being in the spotlight every day? Did you enjoy that?
Honestly, I really didn’t pay attention to it. I just had one goal and that was to get drafted. I paid more attention to my goal than the people around me and what they were saying on Twitter and Instagram. I think it was positive because I was really able to get my name out there and my story. It helped me build my brand.
How did you end up at Boston College since you lived in Florida? Were you that highly recruited and what other schools were you considering?
I didn’t have many offers coming out of high school. Boston College was one of the only ones that wanted me. I wanted to go somewhere where I would get a great opportunity to reach my goals. North Carolina State was the only other school that really wanted me.
What was it like growing up as one of 13 siblings? Was there sibling rivalry and did it help you in life?
I think it was amazing when I look back. I appreciate everything I went through with them and just being with them. Everything was a competition. We would see who is the fastest, who is better at basketball and football. I think it helped me as I got older. My siblings will be my friends for the rest of my life. It was a struggle because there were so many of us and my dad was by himself [Flowers’ mother died in 2005]. He made it work.
One of the first things you did when you turned pro was buy a new car for your father. He had to be a big influence on you.
He was the biggest influence on my life. He taught me how to work. He was there for us mentally, and physically, and did the best to his ability that he could. I really appreciated that. I bought him a Mercedes and he was super happy. He picked me up for the next three days and took me to practice.
