Final Mock Draft: Ravens
With the draft just a day away, there is much speculation as to who the Ravens will pick in the first round. A defensive player seems to be the popular opinion among fans, but the focus needs to be on the offense. With Marshall Yanda, retiring, Matt Skura still recovering from a knee injury, and Bradley Bozeman proving to be a less than dominant guard, the priority should be interior offensive lineman. The second priority needs to be WR. The top 3 WR targets from last year combined for just 1,121 yards. Even for a run heavy team that is concerning. With that said, here are my picks for the Baltimore Ravens. Don’t get emotional (or do and leave us a comment)!
Prospect videos from:
Round 1
Pick 19: Jerry Jeudy WR Alabama - Ravens trade the 28th pick plus two 3rd round picks (picks 92 and 106) to the Raiders to move up and get a WR with star potential. Jeudy has a complete skill set. Excellent route running, hands, and big play ability. Playing opposite of Hollywood Brown will give the Ravens WRs that they can trust to open up the passing playbook with.
Round 2
Pick 55: Joshua Uche EDGE Michigan - Matt Judon’s future with the Ravens is in question (they currently have him on the franchise tag), and players like Jaylon Ferguson and Tyus Bowser haven’t established themselves as long term starters on the opposite side. Uche is a versatile LB that can set the edge and get pressure on the QB. He will challenge for immediate playing time and even a starting role.
Pick 60: Matt Hennessy C Temple - Starting center, Matt Skura is still rehabbing from ACL, MCL, and PCL injuries. He is on schedule to return this season, but there will no doubt be questions as to if/how his injuries will affect him. He will be an unrestricted free agent next year. Matt Hennessy is considered a plug and play starter who will fit in both gap and zone schemes. This pick will help keep the interior O-line stable in case Skura does not come back at 100%, and also gives them a replacement for Skura should he leave in free agency.
Round 4
Pick 129: Ben Bredeson OG Michigan - Marshall Yanda retired, leaving a huge gap to fill in the interior O-line. While Bredeson is no Yanda, he will provide solid guard play and possibly beat out Bradley Bozeman for a starting role.
Pick 134: Leki Fotu iDL Utah - The Ravens’ starting interior D-line is set. with Brandon Williams at nose tackle and newly acquired Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe playing the ends. Justin Ellis, Jihad Ward, and Daylon Mack can provide depth. With that being said, all three starters are over the age of 30, and Derek Wolfe has missed games in every season except one. The Ravens will be looking to bring in guys who can provide solid snaps to keep the starters fresh, as well as eventual replacements. Loki Fotu is a powerful nose tackle who can earn playing time early on.
Round 5
Pick 157: Shaquille Quarterman LB Miami - LB may be the weakest part of the defense. CJ Mosley left for the Jets in free agency last season, and Patrick Onwuasor and Kenny Young couldn’t fill his shoes (consequently they are now gone). LJ Fort and Josh Bynes joined the team during the season and provided solid LB play through the remainder of the year. LJ Fort returns this year and should continue to provide solid LB play. Bynes is gone, and bringing in a player like Shaq Quarterman is not only a good replacement, he may prove to be an upgrade. A 4-year starter at Miami, he has a lot of experience and a high football IQ. And for a team that is looking to improve on their run defense, Shaq will be a great fit as he is a violent tackler.
Round 7
Pick 225: Jauan Jennings WR Tennessee - Big and strong is the name of his game. Not a fast or particularly athletic WR but he can win contested catches, giving him some value as a red zone target. With a team that doesn’t have a lot of firepower at WR why not spend a late round pick on the guy?