Draft Recap: That’s So Raven
The Ravens entered the draft with needs on offense (OL, WR). Technically, they did grab those positions, but defense and RB were the highlights of this draft. Instead of trading up like I predicted, they did the next very predictable thing…they traded back and got more picks. Though they did hold onto their 1st rd pick, they traded one of their 2nd round picks (pick 60) and got two extra 3rd round picks. Not a bad move. But what did they do with those picks? Well, lets take a look.
Round 1
Pick 28: Patrick Queen LB LSU
An athletic, intelligent, 3 down linebacker who will be a day one starter in the Ravens front 7. Queen lacks experience as he only started one year at LSU but he made the most of it, tallying 85 tackles (12 for loss) 3 sacks, 2 PDs and 1 INT en route to earning defensive MVP in the national championship game. Despite their end of season ranking, Baltimore’s run defense was below average and came back to bite them in their 28-12 playoff loss where they allowed over 200 yards to Derrick Henry and the Titans. Queen will help in that department but it’s his coverage ability that landed him in the 1st round, still MLB is not a position of great value and Baltimore may have been better served taking a WR or EDGE in this spot.
Round 2
Pick 55: J.K. Dobbins RB Ohio State
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J.K. Dobbins was an absolute monster on the ground at Ohio State. In 2019 he totaled over 2,000 yards and 21 TDs rushing. He also averaged over 10 yards per reception showing he bring value in the pass game as well. Baltimore was the best rushing team in NFL history last season but an injury to Mark Ingram left their run game in shambles in the playoffs for the second year in a row. It appeared the coaching staff lacked trust in backup Gus Edwards and that was confirmed when the Ravens went RB in round 2. Just like in round 1 they draft a low value position and ignore greater needs but also like round 1 they got a great talent.
Round 3
Pick 71: Justin Madubuike DT Texas A&M
After trading their second 2nd round pick the Ravens select Madubuike near the top of the 3rd. Again not an immediate need but at this point maybe too good of a player to pass up. Madubuike won’t start after Baltimore added Campbell and Wolfe but he’ll be a rotational player from day one and can fill in anywhere on the line. He continues the Ravens trend of eschewing edge rushers and trying to generate pressure from down linemen. Madubuike had 11 sacks and 24.5 TFLs over the last two years and gives the Ravens more depth up front, ensuring they won’t be worn down by power run teams in the future.
Pick 92: Devin Duvernay WR Texas
Duvernay was insanely productive last year with 106 catches 1386 yards and 9 TDs. He has great speed (4.39 40), good hands and is a physical runner. On the flip side he’s not much of a route runner and isn’t particularly agile. Baltimore will need to get the ball in his hands early and in open space to take advantage of his strengths, if they can do that consistently he’ll pay off in a big way, otherwise he will be a role player with occasional wow moments. Either way Baltimore has more work to do at WR.
Pick 98: Malik Harrison LB Ohio State
The second MLB pick for Baltimore is a 2 down run stopper who will battle LJ Fort for the starting role. He could develop his coverage abilities and work himself into a 3 down player but with Queen already taking that role this pick would have been better spent on the offensive line, edge or on another pass catcher. This feels like an overreaction to the Tennessee game.
Pick 106: Tyre Phillips OL Miss State
LT: #78 Tyre Phillips
Tyre Phillips is an imposing 6’5 342 lb tackle who will likely move to guard in the league. He’s powerful with long arms but not athletic enough to handle speed rushers on the outside. Best case scenario is a backup at G and OT who will blow defenders off the line in the run game and will develop into an interior starter where his lack of athleticism won’t be exposed.
Round 4
Pick 143: Bed Bredeson OL Michigan
LG: #74 Ben Bredeson
Another interior prospect to replace the recently retired Marshal Yanda. Bredeson is similar to Phillips in that he’s strong but limited athletically. Experienced and tough, at worst Bredeson should provide depth and injury insurance. The Ravens have a bevy of interior linemen with Skura, Bozeman, Mekari and Powers. Adding Bredeson and Phillips will make for a very competitive training camp/preseason waiting for this depth chart to shake out.
Round 5
Pick 170: Broderick Washington Jr. DT TTU
A three year starter with an always-on motor, Washington is yet another addition to beef up the run defense. Any pass rushing you get from Washington should be considered a bonus and the intent with this pick looks to be twofold: Shut the door on any possibility of the front 7 failing again the way it did in January and begin to build depth for the future as Campbell, Williams and Wolfe are all over 30 and signed for two seasons or less.
Round 6
Pick 201: James Proche WR SMU
Excellent hands and notable ability to reel in contested catches define Proche. What Proche is missing is any explosion and overall athleticism. If he’s able to sharpen his routes he’s got a great chance to stick and work his way into the rotation in Baltimore’s paper thin WR corps.
Round 7
Pick 219: Geno Stone S Iowa
Geno Stone is a smart and experienced safety but doesn’t appear to have the athleticism to play on the next level. If he’s going to crack Baltimore’s roster he’ll need to contribute on special teams.
Conclusion
The Ravens no doubt drafted some talent, and fans will rightfully be excited about that. My problem with the draft is that they didn’t prioritize offense. Yes, JK Dobbins looks spectacular, but having passed up on WR in the 1st round, to see them pass that up again for a RB was disappointing. The WR corps looks very thin right now. Hollywood Brown showed a lot of promise in his rookie year, but he still needs to prove that he can be a true #1 WR. Miles Boykin hasn’t yet shown that he can be the #2 WR. And Willie Snead is firmly locked into the #3 role. Drafting Devin Duvernay (the 17th WR off the board) doesn’t instill confidence in me. This is a team that is in win now mode, and as it stands right now they don’t have a lot of proven players at the position. I was also disappointed in the Malik Harrison pick. Good player? Yes. But another missed opportunity to draft offense. With that being said, I am not down on this draft. I just hope that the the staff is right about this offensive unit. I give this draft a B.