Zay Flowers Makes Ravens History: First Baltimore Wide Receiver Named to the NFL Top 100

By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog

For nearly three decades, the Baltimore Ravens have been defined by Hall of Fame defenses, dominant rushing attacks, elite quarterbacks, and legendary tight ends. While the franchise has featured several outstanding wide receivers throughout its history, one milestone had always remained just out of reach.

That changed Friday.

Zay Flowers was voted No. 71 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026, becoming the first true wide receiver in Baltimore Ravens history to earn a spot on the prestigious, player-voted list.

It’s more than another accolade.

It’s validation that Baltimore finally has the homegrown No. 1 receiver the organization has spent nearly 30 years searching for.

A Historic Achievement

The NFL Top 100 isn’t determined by media members or analysts.

Every summer, current NFL players vote on who they believe are the league’s best players. That makes earning a spot one of the highest individual honors in professional football.

When your opponents, teammates and fellow stars believe you’re one of the NFL’s elite, you’ve officially arrived.

Flowers’ No. 71 ranking is another major milestone in a career that has been ascending since the Ravens selected him 22nd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Boston College.

Baltimore has employed outstanding receivers throughout franchise history including Derrick Mason, Anquan Boldin, Steve Smith Sr., Torrey Smith and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.

None ever appeared on the NFL Top 100 while playing wide receiver for the Ravens.

Flowers is the first.

From Boston College Superstar to Baltimore Star

Flowers entered the NFL as one of college football’s most dynamic playmakers.

Despite playing in an offense that rarely received national attention, he rewrote the Boston College record book.

Boston College Career

• 200 receptions
• 3,056 receiving yards
• 29 receiving touchdowns
• First-Team All-ACC
• Consensus All-American candidate

Scouts questioned whether his 5-foot-9 frame would translate to the NFL.

Flowers has answered those questions emphatically.

His elite route running, explosive acceleration, body control and fearless style have made him one of the league’s toughest receivers to defend.

Year-by-Year NFL Statistics

2023 Rookie Season

Flowers wasted no time becoming Baltimore’s top receiving threat.

2023 Stats

• 16 games
• 77 receptions
• 858 receiving yards
• 5 receiving touchdowns
• 8 rushing attempts
• 56 rushing yards
• 1 rushing touchdown

Flowers immediately set Ravens rookie franchise records for receptions and receiving yards.

Even in an offense built around Lamar Jackson and the running game, Flowers established himself as Baltimore’s future No. 1 receiver.

His quickness after the catch, elite footwork and ability to separate from defenders made him one of the NFL’s most exciting rookies.

2024: Becoming a Pro Bowler

Flowers took another major leap during his second NFL season.

2024 Stats

• 17 games
• 74 receptions
• 1,059 receiving yards
• 4 receiving touchdowns

The season produced his first 1,000-yard campaign and his first Pro Bowl selection.

By year’s end, Flowers had established himself among the AFC’s premier receivers.

2025: From Star to Superstar

If 2024 proved Flowers belonged among the NFL’s best receivers, 2025 cemented it.

2025 Stats

• 17 games
• 86 receptions
• 1,211 receiving yards
• 5 receiving touchdowns
• 10 rushing attempts
• 62 rushing yards
• 1 rushing touchdown

Flowers posted career highs in catches and receiving yards despite facing constant double teams and extra defensive attention.

Defensive coordinators entered games knowing Baltimore wanted to get the football into Flowers’ hands.

Stopping him proved much more difficult.

Whether lining up outside, in the slot or in motion, Flowers consistently created separation and produced explosive plays.

His chemistry with Lamar Jackson continued to grow into one of the NFL’s most dangerous quarterback-receiver combinations.

Career Numbers Through Three Seasons

After just three NFL seasons, Flowers has already produced numbers that rival some of the best receivers in franchise history.

Career Totals

• 50 games
• 237 receptions
• 3,128 receiving yards
• 14 receiving touchdowns
• 18 rushing attempts
• 118 rushing yards
• 2 rushing touchdowns
• Two Pro Bowls
• NFL Top 100 selection

At his current pace, Flowers is on track to shatter numerous Ravens franchise receiving records.

Finally Solving Baltimore’s WR1 Problem

Finding an elite wide receiver has long been one of the Ravens’ biggest organizational challenges.

The franchise has enjoyed outstanding seasons from veterans such as Derrick Mason, Anquan Boldin and Steve Smith Sr., but none were drafted and developed by Baltimore.

Torrey Smith became a fan favorite.

Hollywood Brown flashed star potential before being traded.

Rashod Bateman has developed into an important contributor.

But Flowers has become something different.

He’s become the centerpiece of Baltimore’s passing attack.

General Manager Eric DeCosta’s decision to draft Flowers has already become one of the defining moves of his tenure.

Chemistry With Lamar Jackson

One reason Flowers has developed so quickly is his connection with Lamar Jackson.

Jackson trusts Flowers in every situation.

Third down.

Red zone.

Deep shots.

Critical late-game drives.

Flowers’ ability to separate quickly gives Jackson an immediate throwing window, while his acceleration after the catch turns short completions into explosive gains.

With Derrick Henry commanding attention in the running game and Baltimore’s tight ends stressing defenses over the middle, Flowers has become the player opposing defenses fear most on the outside.

More Than Statistics

Flowers’ impact extends well beyond the box score.

His energy has become contagious.

He celebrates teammates’ success.

He blocks with intensity.

He plays with confidence and emotion.

His competitive fire has made him one of the emotional leaders of Baltimore’s offense despite still being one of its youngest players.

Those qualities help explain why fellow NFL players voted him into the Top 100.

Looking Ahead

The Ravens have already exercised Flowers’ fifth-year option, ensuring he’ll remain in Baltimore through at least the 2027 season.

If he continues producing at this level, an even larger contract extension appears inevitable.

Even more importantly, Flowers gives Baltimore something every championship contender needs—an elite playmaker capable of changing a game with one touch.

MSB Take

This honor represents more than an individual achievement.

It symbolizes how much the Ravens’ offense has evolved.

For years, Baltimore was known for defense, running backs and tight ends. Wide receiver was always viewed as the franchise’s biggest weakness.

Not anymore.

Zay Flowers has changed the perception of what a Ravens wide receiver can become. At just 25 years old, he’s already a two-time Pro Bowler, a 1,000-yard receiver, and now the first wide receiver in franchise history to earn a place in the NFL Top 100.

The scary part for the rest of the league?

No. 71 may only be the beginning.

If Flowers continues on his current trajectory with Lamar Jackson, future appearances in the NFL Top 100—and perhaps even Top 50 or Top 25 rankings—could become the norm. By the time his career is over, there is a legitimate chance fans will remember him not only as the greatest wide receiver in Ravens history, but as one of the greatest offensive players the organization has ever produced.