Former Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason is the most productive wide receiver in franchise history, but Zay Flowers may take that title within three seasons.
Mason, who spent six seasons in Baltimore from 2005 to 2010, finished his Ravens career with 471 receptions for 5,777 yards. Flowers has 247 catches for 3,362 yards through 52 career games, putting Mason’s records within reach if Flowers continues producing at his current pace.
“Records are meant to be broken,” Mason said on Glenn Clark Radio on Oct. 1. “He will be the best receiver that the Baltimore Ravens have had from a numbers standpoint.”
But the comparison between Mason and Flowers goes beyond just the statistics. At 5-foot-9 and 183 pounds, Flowers is considered an undersized receiver. Mason, who was listed as 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds during his career, knows what it’s like to succeed without a larger stature.
Mason also pointed to former Ravens receiver Steve Smith Sr. as an example of a successful undersized receiver. Smith was listed as 5-foot-9 and 195 pounds during his career.
“We were not the prototypical 6-foot, 6-1, 6-2 receiver, but we damn sure got the job done at a high level,” Mason said. “And I think that’s what is happening with Zay Flowers.”
Flowers has made up for his lack of size with his ability to get open and create plays after the catch. Mason said Baltimore can use Flowers in many ways. The Ravens can line him on the outside or in the slot or even get the ball to him on reverses.
“You can basically do anything you want because of his ability to catch the ball and not only catch it but get yards after [the] catch,” Mason said. “He’s an explosive player.”
Flowers’ availability has been limited early this season after aggravating a left hamstring injury in the Ravens’ Week 1 game against the Indianapolis Colts. He missed Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints but returned Week 3 in Rio against the Dallas Cowboys.
Despite playing just 21 snaps against Dallas, he finished with five catches for 84 yards. Ravens head coach Jesse Minter expects Flowers to have no snap restrictions when they host the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 4.
Mason also compared Flowers’ quickness to former Ravens receiver Mark Clayton, except Flowers brings more than speed to the Baltimore offense. When Mason compares Flowers to himself, he recognizes an aggressive style of play despite being small receivers.
“I think he and I played the game the same way, an aggressive way,” Mason said. “Played bigger than what you were and just tried to do everything you possibly could on the field to make sure that you put the team in the best position to win.”
Flowers needs 2,416 receiving yards and 225 receptions to pass Mason in both categories. Based on his production through his first three seasons in the NFL, he could reach Mason’s yardage and reception marks by 2028.
Mason isn’t concerned about losing these records. Instead, he sees another undersized receiver doing what he and Smith did before him — finding ways to produce regardless of size.
“He’s one of those guys that you want to have on your team,” Mason said. “Even though he’s not big, he’s going to wreck a game if you don’t pay attention to him.”
For more from Mason, listen to the full interview here:
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