Baltimore Ravens Comprehensive Draft Guide for 2020

This Baltimore Ravens Comprehensive Draft Guide for 2020 is intended as an analysis of draft strategies and selections for the Ravens.  It is written solely from the perspective of the Baltimore Ravens.  It considers the current Ravens roster and focuses on players that fit within, and will add to, the anticipated focus of the Ravens for the 2020 season.  It rates prospective draftees only from the perspective of the Ravens’ needs and approaches.  Accordingly, certain players who may otherwise be ranked highly by third parties in the context of their particular skill sets are devalued in this report because, among other reasons, their skill sets do not address the Ravens’ needs and strategies.

This Baltimore Ravens Comprehensive Draft Guide also accounts for highly regarded players who do not fit the Ravens.  It also ignores players who clearly, under any circumstances, would not be drafted by the Ravens.  For example, top-rated quarterbacks and cornerbacks are ignored.

Part I:  Potential Baltimore Ravens’ Trade Scenarios For The First Round Pick

The Ravens hold the 28^th pick in the first round. This pick is worth 660 points under the Jimmy Johnson trade value chart.  As our analysis below illustrates, there is a material risk that the Ravens will be unable to select a player at the 28^th slot whose value to them is worth the selection.  This would put the Ravens in the position of looking to trade down to create additional picks in the second through fourth rounds, which arguably offers greater depth for the positions of Ravens’ needs.

Trading Back: Who are the Trade Partners?

In theory, the purpose for trading back will be to accumulate one or more extra picks in the second, third or fourth rounds. We believe the extent to which the Ravens are willing to trade back (i.e., how far back?) is likely limited.  This is because we have identified several likely round two targets for the Ravens who will probably be gone by pick 40 or so.

We focus on the two key components for finding a trade partner.  First, which teams might have the desire to move up to pick 28, being mindful that one advantage of having a first round selection is that a first round pick has a five-year contract window for the drafting team.  Second, which teams have adequate high-quality trade capital to induce the Ravens to trade back?

Teams with More than One Second Round Pick

Pre-draft, there are five teams that own multiple second round picks (Johnson point values in parenthesis):

(1)          Indianapolis – Picks 34 (560) and 44 (460), for total point value of 1,020.

(2)          Chicago – Picks 43 (470) and 50 (400), for total point value of 870.

(3)          Miami – Picks 39 (510) and 56 (340), for total point value of 850.

(4)          Seattle – Picks 59 (310) and 64 (270), for total point value of 580.

(5)          LA Rams – Picks 52 (380) and 57 (330), for total point value of 710.

Teams Without a First Round Pick

From the above list, Indianapolis, Chicago and the LA Rams each do not have a first round pick. Hence, they each have a natural incentive to seek to trade up, all things being equal.  Buffalo, Houston and Pittsburgh also lack first round picks, but all three teams lack adequate trade capital to induce the Ravens (absent Houston offering its 40^th pick plus a first rounder next year; a highly unlikely outcome).

If The Baltimore Ravens Want two Second Round Picks: What to Do?

Thus, if the Ravens want two second round picks, both Indianapolis and Chicago are “matches” as possible trade partners for the Ravens 28^th pick. In the case of Indianapolis, the Johnson chart suggests the Ravens would have to offer back picks with a value between 300 and 350 points.  We believe that price is simply too high.  Additional analysis of Indy as a trade partner in other scenarios follows.

In Chicago’s case, the Ravens would have to offer back picks with a value of approximately 200 points, which would equate to Ravens picks 92 plus 106 (a total value of 214 points).  Potentially, they could get by offering picks 92 and 129, totaling 175 points.

We don’t see either Seattle or the Rams as potential trade partners because neither holds a high enough second round pick for the Ravens, i.e., the picks are simply too low.  Miami is a different case, which we describe below.

The Chicago Bears emerge as the best match for the Ravens if the Ravens are seeking two second round picks. Let’s take a look at the Bears overall situation.  First, the probability of the Bears’ trading up is not particularly high.  They hold very little draft capital going into the draft, lacking a first round pick and holding only picks 43, 50 and 140 through the first four rounds.  The Bears, therefore, would likely have to see a serious value at the Ravens’ pick 28 in order to surrender some of their relatively thin trade capital.

The Bears secondary is a mess.  Though they have the solid Kyle Fuller at one corner, they were forced to sign Artie Burns as, to this point, their second corner and Burns will never hold up as a starter.  Their slot corner, Buster Skrine, is also below average and we view one of their starting safeties, Deon Bush, as significantly below average.

The two top corners (Okudah and Henderson) will definitely be gone by pick 28.  We view Kristian Fulton and Jaylon Johnson as first-round caliber, and if either one of them remains available at 28 then the Bears could be tempted.  Yet the problem remains that the Ravens would have to surrender more than pick 28 to entice the Bears to yield 43 and 50, and we are skeptical here.  In all, the probability here remains low.

Other Viable Trade Scenarios

There are several possibilities here.

Teams Offering a High Second Round Pick, Plus More

There are more viable trade possibilities in this scenario. Possible trade partners here are as follows:

(1)  Miami – Picks 39 (510) and 70 (240), for total point value of 750.

(2)  Tampa Bay – Picks 45 (450) and 76 (210), for a total point value of 660.

(3)  Indianapolis – Picks 34 (560) and 75 (215), for a total point value of 775.

(4)  Jacksonville – Picks 42 (480) and 73 (225), for a total point value of 705.

(5)  New York Giants – Picks 36 (540) and 99 (104), for a total point value of 644.  Further, the Giants also hold pick 110 (74), which would create a total point value of 718.

(6)  Cincinnati – Picks 33 (580) and 65 (265), for a total point value of 845; or picks 33 and 107 (80) for a total point value of 660.

Let’s take a closer look at these possibilities and see what is really doable.

Less Likely High Second, Plus More, Trade Partners

(1)          Cincinnati Bengals – Probability suggests that Cincinnati is a relatively weak potential trade candidate.  The Bengals only have their seven allotted picks (one in each round) with a lot of needs.  They need more picks, not less.  And trading within their division further suggests that they are an unlikely candidate.  We eliminate the Bengals.

(2)          Indianapolis Colts – From the Ravens’ perspective they ideally would not fall back too far while adding a pick or two.  Indianapolis has the highest pick among the remaining five candidates, at 34.  As we noted, the Colts lack a first rounder, and they have a real current need at wide receiver.  They could also seek a tight end or a quarterback for the future.

However, like the Bears the Colts just don’t have a lot of draft firepower and are more likely seeking additional picks themselves.  And further, the draft offers so many quality wide receiver prospects that the Colts are likely intending to stand pat and let one fall to them at 34.  Thus, a trade back with the Colts seems unlikely.  But, a Baltimore Ravens trade-up with the Colts within the second round is a real possibility.  More on that below.

(3)          Tampa Bay Buccaneers – The Bucs absolutely must land a stud at right tackle to protect Tom Brady.  They figure to address that in the first round come hell or high water.  They might be able to solve that problem with their pick number 14 in the first.  But several teams in front of them have a similar need and there are several very high-quality offensive tackles worthy of top 10 consideration.

The Bucs really can’t wait, with the limited Brady window opening, and we view them as much more likely to try to trade up within the first round to solve their tackle problem.  Thus, the probability is that the Bucs spend some of their trade capital to move up in round one from pick 14.  That really reduces the likelihood of their trading back into the first round with their remaining trade capital.  A Ravens’ trade is therefore unlikely.

More Likely High Second Plus More Trade Partners

(1)          New York Giants – This is where it starts to get more interesting.  The Giants hold the fourth pick in the draft and will undoubtedly focus on either one of the stud offensive tackles or Isaiah Simmons.  If they are targeting a tackle, they could easily trade back from four, add more capital, get a tackle and be in a strong position to trade with the Ravens back into the first round and address their many defensive needs.  At that point we view them as a very viable trade partner for the Baltimore Ravens.

But even if the Giants don’t trade back, a trade of picks 36, 99, and 110 could make sense if they see real value at 28.  From the Ravens’ perspective, adding picks 99 and 110 gives them more firepower to move up the board within the second round.  Given the depth of the draft in rounds two and three, this could be the Ravens’ real intention – move up the board in round two.

In all, we see the Giants as a real possibility, particularly if they move back from pick four in the first round.

(2)          Miami Dolphins – Obviously the Dolphins have a lot of needs and a lot of picks, including three first rounders and two second rounders.  Indeed, the Dolphins have the most draft capital of any team, giving them great flexibility to move around the board.

For starters, sitting at pick five they may have to move up to secure the quarterback they want.  Both the Lions (at pick three) and the Giants (at pick four) are likely looking to move back, creating openings for quarterback-hungry teams.  Thus, Miami could easily spend some draft capital to move up to pick three or four.  To get pick number three the Dolphins would have to offer up 500 points on the Johnson chart, which itself would be pick 39.  To go up one slot to pick number 4, we’re talking a much more modest 100 points.  In that latter case, they would retain ample capital.

With so many other needs, it’s not much of a stretch to see the Dolphins add yet another first rounder at Ravens pick 28.  Assuming they pick a quarterback at four or five, then we foresee offensive line, safety and linebacker as their need most pressing needs.  But they also have more needs at wide receiver and running back.  Pick 28 could well entice the Dolphins, particularly if the top running backs are still on the board, which they likely will be.

In that case, an offer by Miami of picks 39 and 70 is not a far stretch.

(3)          Jacksonville Jaguars – The Jags own a tremendous amount of draft capital; the second most behind Miami.  This alone makes them a likely trade partner.  They currently hold picks nine and 20 in round one, with obvious needs all over the place.  Now, they could be one of the teams looking to make the move up to three or four to pick a quarterback.  If they do so then a trade for the Ravens pick 28 likely vanishes.

But then there’s the Yannick Ngakoue situation – are the Jaguars likely to trade him on draft day and get whatever picks they can?  More picks, more trade potential.  For that matter, would the Baltimore Ravens want Ngakoue?  We doubt that could work from a cap perspective without trading away Matt Judon – and we don’t see the value of essentially swapping Judon for Ngakoue.  We nix that notion.

If the Jags don’t trade up to pick three or four, they become very viable trade partners with the Ravens.  Picks 42 and 73 to the Ravens makes a lot of sense if one of the Jags targets is still on the board at 28.  But would the Ravens be willing to fall all the way to 42?  We doubt it.

Trading Up Possibilities?

We view a Baltimore Ravens trade-up as an unlikely scenario. As we describe later on, we just don’t see any of the inside linebacker or edge prospects as worthy of surrender of material draft capital, i.e., their true value is at pick 28 or below.  Now, if Henry Ruggs III dropped down the board towards the low teens, we would definitely take a different view on trading up.  He’s the one name we’ll be looking to fall once receivers start coming off the board.  And if the Ravens really value Patrick Queen (which they could), they could move up some slots to get him.  Now, the Ravens have some excess capital to make these moves.  It would cost them 240 points to get to pick 18.  Pick 22 is 120 points.  But we don’t see any other trade-up scenarios for the Baltimore Ravens.

Part II – The Baltimore Ravens First Round Draft Pick

Drafting for Need

Put aside all of that nonsense about not drafting for need.  Of course the Baltimore Ravens draft for need.  We need only look back to the 2018 draft where they started at pick 16 and traded back twice to select Hayden Hurst over – shall we even mention it – Derwin James and Tremaine Edmunds.  James and Edmunds are both likely multi-year Pro Bowlers and longer term potential yellow jacket players.  The Hurst picks was a need pick if ever there was one.  The Ravens let James and Edmunds pass by and simply drafted the best player within their highest needs at that time.  That is the true approach for a team with Super Bowl winning intentions.  We expect that to be the Ravens approach this year too.

The Baltimore Ravens Draft Needs

The Ravens’ needs are fairly easy to identify, in likely order:

Three-Down Inside Linebacker – The Ravens currently lack any viable starters at inside linebacker, and certainly no three-down linebackers.

Interior Offensive Line – With Marshal Yanda retired and Matt Skura coming back from major knee surgery the Ravens have real issues on the interior.  Ben Powers originally projected as a relatively stiff bull-type blocker with questions in pass protection.  It seems safe to say the Ravens will not enter 2020 depending on Powers as the starter – he’ll have to win the job.  Skura’s level of play in returning is also a real unknown.  Although Patrick Mekari held his own, finding a starter at guard and/or center is a high necessity.

Wide Receiver – The Baltimore Ravens will become virtually impossible to defend if they can find a high-quality playmaker at wide receiver.  More speed and quickness to spread the field will completely stress-out defenses.  Targets who can handle the middle of the field given Lamar Jackson’s below-average capability on hard throws to the outside would also be a big boon.

Edge Rusher – Yes, there’s a lot of talk about the need for an edge rusher.  But for 2020 we think that’s a bit over-hyped.  Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe will bring much needed heat on their own.  This suggest that the real need is for depth on the defensive line – which it is.  But that’s a later round issue.  The Ravens could augment that group by adding a low-priced veteran post-draft.  Pernell McPhee or Clay Matthews are possibilities, among others.  They could combine that with a developmental edge rusher mid-round.  But Campbell, Matt Judon, Wolfe and Tyus Bowser, augmented in this fashion, may be enough.  This is especially so given the Ravens’ back-end talent.

First Round Worthy Draft Targets for the Baltimore Ravens’ Needs

This could be tough sledding for the Ravens at pick 28 as there just aren’t many players worthy of pick 28 given the Ravens situation.  By order of need, below are first round (or arguably first round) worthy targets:

First, Three-Down Inside Linebacker, where the choices boil down to Patrick Queen and Kenneth Murray.

Second, Interior Offensive Line, where we see only one first-round viable option:  Cesar Ruiz

Third, Wide Receiver.  There are three strong candidates:  Cedee Lamb, who won’t last beyond pick 12 or so.  Jerry Jeudy, who likely will not be available after pick 16 or so.  Henry Ruggs, who could go anywhere between 12 and 21.

Fourth, there’s edge rusher, where we only see K’Lavon Chaisson as a viable choice, though questions abound, as discussed below.

First Round Names – Detailed Analysis

Let’s consider some specific player choices and decisions the Ravens must make.

Three-Down Inside Linebacker: A Deeper Dive

Queen or Murray? Murray or Queen?

Patrick Queen – He’ll barely be 21 by opening day.  By traditional standards he is small, at 6’ and 229 pounds.  But we note that the Steelers’ Devin Bush is actually shorter at 5’11 and only weighs a few pounds more at 234.  This is the new NFL, where bully-type inside linebackers who are great downhill but can’t cover your grandmother at tight end or running back are denigrated in favor of speed-cover inside backers.

Queen has been outstanding in his limited sample size.  And it has been put up against the best competition in the country.  He has allowed barely half a yard per cover snap, an amazing number.  Athletically, he’s got it all, running a 1.51 10-yard split at the combine (top 1%), a 4.5 40-yard dash (top 3%) and showing a broad jump of 10’5” (top 8%).  That speed allows him to bring the hammer and he’s tremendous underneath.

The questions against him focus on his size vs. downhill against the run.  A key here is the Ravens’ franchise-focus on providing mass – big mass – in front of their interior linebackers.  Calais Campbell, Brandon Williams and Derek Wolfe do just that (with more to come).  And at age 21 Queen could definitely fill out to 235 or 240 pounds.

Queen’s abilities are tremendous.  He is so quick with read-react diagnosing that he is able to swim through the wash faster than many guards will be able to reach him.  But no doubt, his current play strength is just average, and he must improve his stack/shed abilities.  He has a very high football IQ with tremendous effort.  He has great reactionary quickness.  And boy can he turn and run in coverage.  He can carry a tight end up the seam and is good at the catch point.  He’s got great closing speed.  He still overruns a few things and has to clean that up.

Kenneth Murray – He’s a bit bigger than Queen, at 6’2 234 pounds.  Murray has tremendous explosiveness.  He has great speed for his size and can go sideline to sideline.  He struggles deconstructing blocks and has gotten stonewalled at the point of attack.  His decision-making has been inconsistent.  He’s not as quick or nimble as Queen.  His coverage ability is more uncertain.  Oklahoma had a terrible defense and he was not frequently used in coverage.  Though he has the makeup to do it reasonably well there are questions about his coverage instincts.

Murray is no doubt competitive and very tough with a strong mental makeup.  He is relentless.  He’s an excellent tackler who rarely misses in the box.  But he plays so hot that he runs himself out of plays, and he needs to improve his spatial awareness.  Murray also needs to further develop his processing ability.  He is likely best suited as a downhill blaster who can play to the sideline.

So who is the choice?  Given the Ravens’ needs and style of play, Queen is the clear better pick over Murray.  In fact, we really don’t see Murray as being first-round worthy at this point, though he likely will get picked in the first, and potentially as high as the late-teens which, in our view, way overvalues him.

We see Queen’s value as being somewhere in the mid-20’s or lower.  Because several other teams need inside linebackers, there is a real risk Queen never makes it to 28.  But if he does, he would be an excellent choice.  And there is a chance the Baltimore Ravens value him even more highly, increasing the odds of a slight up-trade.

Interior Offensive Line – Cesar Ruiz

We see Ruiz as the only arguably worth-it first round choice at interior offensive line.  We see little possibility that Ruiz will go before pick 28.  However, he could go at 31 and 32 to either San Francisco or Kansas City.  If he slips past there, he could easily wind up in the late-40s slots, perhaps somewhere near Atlanta at pick 51.  Or a slip towards that are could entice another team to trade up into the 40s to get him.  This trade up attractiveness is a reason why the Ravens might want more capital to trade up within the second round.

Ruiz is very young but is very talented.  He has an excellent anchor with very strong (and very large) hands.  He’s a natural, and tremendous, athlete.  He’s powerful.  He shows an excellent base in both run and pass.  Ruiz does struggle a bit with stunt recognition.  He has excellent mobility and technique and is very good laterally.  Ruiz shows both gap and zone ability.  He also shows great versatility in all types of schemes.  To date, he has been somewhat average in run blocking.  Though a center at Michigan, he could swing to guard for the Ravens though his modest length is more suggestive of center in the NFL.  And coming from Michigan, the Ravens should have excellent intel on him.  He certainly has elite potential.

With all of that said, what we don’t know is Matt Skura’s real situation.  If the Ravens have a high degree of confidence in his recovery (and we’re not sure how they could at this point), then the Baltimore Ravens would be better served by focusing on a true guard later in the draft.  But if not, Ruiz would be a solid pick at 28.

Wide Receiver: Henry Ruggs III

Yes, we know this is the deepest draft for wide receivers in a decade. And no, we think there is no chance that Lamb could fall to any slot that would be tradeable-up for the Ravens.  But we love Ruggs, and there’s a chance he could fall far enough to warrant a trade-up.  Henry Ruggs is simply a complete receiver.

First, he’s the fastest dude out there, having run a 4.27 40-yarder at the combine.  He’s 5’11 188 pounds.  The guy also has big hands and with a vertical jump and broad jump at the 98^th and 96^th percentiles, respectively.  He’s a tremendous athlete.

Ruggs is a fantastic deep threat with elite ball skills.  His speed is obviously game-breaking.  He regularly gets clean releases and shows subtle route running chops.  Ruggs has fantastic hands.  He’s great at tracking the ball.  He’s perfect for jet sweeps.  Ruggs loves going over the middle and would be perfect on slant routes.  When thrown the ball in college, he put up an unbelievable 151 passer rating.  He’s also great at absorbing contact.  His instincts with the ball in his hands are phenomenal.

Now, can you imagine the Ravens’ offense with Ruggs teaming with Marquise Brown on the outside, on jet sweeps, deep balls, slants, etc.?  He, Brown and Lamar Jackson would give the Baltimore Ravens incredible explosiveness across the field and at all levels.  In combination they would be indefensible.

Ruggs is our favorite receiver in the draft.  This is the one trade-up, if he’s available at 19 or so, that would be very tempting for the Ravens.

Edge Rusher

A group of players have been suggested at the top of the edge rusher list. Frankly, none of the first three below are great fits for the Ravens, albeit for different reasons.

K’Lavon Chaisson

Preliminarily, it seems relatively unlikely that Chaisson will be available anywhere within range of where the Ravens could arguably reach to get him.  After the incomparable Chase Young, Chaisson is generally seen as the edge rusher with the most talent and upside, and that may well be true.  But we see him as a true boom/bust type of prospect.

Chaisson is 6’4 and 250 pounds.  Athletically, he’s the perfect fit for a 3-4 defensive scheme.  Chaisson is quick off the ball and can cover.  His first step is absolutely explosive.  He has tremendous flexibility.  He’s excellent in pursuit and very explosive.  His rushing skills are excellent to the outside, but he has not shown much versatility to the inside.  Chaisson needs to develop some counter moves.  So far, he’s essentially an upfield rusher lacking a go-to move.  But there is talent there.  And he runs with a tremendous motor.

Chaisson can be stiff and lacking bend.  His power and punch can stall in his rush.  His hand fighting needs improvement.  Chaisson absorbs blocks instead of attacking.  His strength at the point of attack is not great, and the Ravens demand that their outside linebackers hold the edge against the run.  That is certainly true of anyone who would be considered for a first round pick; otherwise, a primarily pass-rushing weakside linebacker only has value down into the second and third rounds and beyond.  But the physical tools are there with Chaisson.

One can project Chaisson all they want; beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.  Is he worth the 28^th pick?  Perhaps, but he is not a lock to be great and it could take him two or three years to reach his ceiling, wherever that may be.  With that said, given the lack of top-end edge rushers in this draft, it would be shocking if Chaisson lasted into the 20s in this draft.

A.J. Epenesa

This much talked-about player really does not fit the Baltimore Ravens.  Epenesa is anything but a top athlete (his combine performance was terrible).  At 6’5 and 275 pounds, he’s really built to be a 4-3 defensive end.  We just cannot see him standing up in a 3-4, and certainly could not be tasked to handle running backs in the flat or tight ends.

This man just can’t play in space.  At his peak, he might be a slightly better version of Jaylon Ferguson, though we don’t think he matches Ferguson’s athletic ability.  And the Ravens already have Ferguson.  Epenesa is a terrible match for the Ravens and we would be massively disappointed if the Ravens selected him.

Yetur Gross-Matos

Gross-Matos is another much talked-about player who similarly just doesn’t fit the Ravens, although we see him as a better prospect than Epenesa.  He is 6’5 and 266 pounds.  Gross-Matos has been good but never great.  He has a relentless motor for sure and a massive wingspan.  His processing is poor.  Now Gross-Matos has a strong skillset for a 4-3 alignment, with good power to attack the run and the ability to rush from the inside, along with other strong traits for a 4-3 end.  Could he be a five-technique end in a 3-4?  Potentially yes, but the Ravens have filled those spots for 2020 with Wolfe and Campbell.  Though they need another one, we just don’t see them drafting another five-technique in the first round.

Zach Baun

Baun is a more intriguing prospect for the Baltimore Ravens.  He logs in at 6’2 and 238 pounds.  Physically, he is not another T.J. Watt (6’4 and 252).  Baun is a different type of player.

He is an explosive athlete and is relentless as a pass rusher.  He has excellent anticipation at the snap and can turn and run.  Baun has excellent hand technique.  As a rusher he has an excellent cross chop move, along with some inside spin, some speed rush, swim move and rip/dip moves.  Against the run he clearly is an off-the ball type, especially given how quick he is to react.  This man gives total effort and his motor runs real hot.  There are shortcomings, starting with his lack of length, allowing him to get swallowed up.  But he is very versatile and can certainly stand up.  He has a very high football IQ.

Baun lacks bend.  He’s stiff, making him susceptible to strong tackles who can deal with that quickness.  And he’s lacking enough upper body power to be truly effective against the run on the edge.

Baun is a swiss-army type of player, and his versatility is well-suited for the Ravens’ defensive strategy.  No doubt he can be effective as an edge rusher on passing downs, but he must play off the ball in run situations and early downs.  Could he slide inside on those downs?  We certainly believe so, but it’s a lot to task a rookie with playing both edge and inside.

We like Baun.  In fact, we like him a bunch.  We just don’t see him as worthy of pick 28.  This is a man to potentially target if the Baltimore Ravens trade back a bit.  But if the Ravens are stuck at 28 and our big three are gone, we would accept Baun at 28.

The Baltimore Ravens First Round Selection, in Order of Attractiveness

1. Henry Ruggs III
2. Patrick Queen
3. Cesar Ruiz (maybe)
4. Trade back, if possible

Running Back Nonsense

We have always held the view that most running backs are a dime a dozen. Most of them have skills that are easily replaceable and mirrored by many other backs.  We believe that there are few, if any, running backs who are so “special” that first round draft capital should be used to get them.

This is particularly so with the Ravens.  Lamar Jackson has the same impact on running backs who play with him as Ray Lewis did on players (and defensive coaches!) who lined up with him.  Most NFL caliber running backs could be very effective in the Ravens running attack when paired with Lamar.  You just can’t convince us that De’Andre Swift or J.K. Dobbins will bring that much (if any) more to the Ravens’ attack.  Maybe a back who could add more jitterbug-gadget quickness in certain situations (particularly passing downs) would make sense.  But there just isn’t value in picking a traditional back in the first round.  Or even the second.

And we don’t buy the “Mark Ingram is getting old” theory.  There’s plenty enough left in Ingram for 2020.  The Baltimore Ravens can worry about getting his replacement next year.

Those analysts who believe Swift of Dobbins should be picked by the Ravens in the first round don’t get it.  The draft capital value just simply isn’t there.  We would be jaw-dropping shocked if the Ravens went running back happy in the first, or even the second, round.

Part III – The Baltimore Ravens’ Second Round

With so much discussion regarding the Ravens’ first round scenarios, perhaps the real focus should be on the second round.  The Ravens sit with picks 55 and 60.  Nice, but not particularly well placed within the round.  If they really want to get one of the top wide receiver choices, pick 55 isn’t going to do it.  Trading up within the second round makes an awful lot of sense.

At the most, there are potentially eleven slots “open” on the Ravens roster.  This assumes that players such as Chris Moore and a few others currently under contract are far from locks to make the team.  The Ravens have a total of nine draft picks.  Now perhaps nine rookies can make the squad, who knows.  And perhaps Eric Decosta will manipulate the draft board in such a way that the Ravens wind up with nine picks or more.  But we believe Decosta’s critical task in manipulating that board is to move the Ravens up in the second round.  We’d be very surprised if he didn’t (unless he winds up moving up in the first round to snatch Ruggs or Queen).

How high up do the Ravens need to go in the second round?  We’d guesstimate at least to 45 or better.  The key of course is identifying possible trade partners.  Here the focus is on teams that need more picks, and this starts with teams who have few picks.

Second Round Trade Partners

Let’s start with the Chicago Bears.  Chicago currently has eight picks but only two (picks 43 and 50) in the first 139 picks. What might be achievable?

Scenario 1 – Bears trade pick 43 which is worth 470 points and the Ravens give up pick 60 (300 points), pick 92 (132 points) and pick 134 (34 points).

Scenario 2 – Bears trade pick 50 (400 points) and the Ravens give up pick 60 (300 points) and pick 106 (82 points).

Our next take is the Indianapolis Colts.  The Colts lack a first round pick and only have a total of six picks. They hold picks 34 and 44 in the second round.  A simple swap for pick 44 (460 points) with the Ravens giving up pick 60 (300 points) and pick 92 (132 points).

Finally, let’s consider the Arizona Cardinals.  Arizona has only six picks (lacking a fifth rounder) and holds pick 40 (worth 500 points). To reach this high the Baltimore Ravens likely would have to slide up from pick 55 (worth 350 points) and throw in pick 92 (132 points).  But pick 40 would really put the Ravens in the position to nab a top wide receiving prospect; or potentially Cesar Ruiz or Zack Baun.  This could be very intriguing for the Ravens.

Part IV – Bigger Names That We Don’t Like – Either Outright or as Fits for the Baltimore Ravens

There are definitely a group of hyped players that we think are just plain overrated or are quality players who just don’t fit the Ravens.  By position:

Running Backs

De’Andre Swift – As noted, there just isn’t a fit here given where Swift will likely get picked (top of the second in all likelihood).

J.K. Dobbins – This guy’s not even dynamic in the open field. Over-rated prospect and certainly not a fit for where he’ll get snatched.

Jonathan Taylor – This dude is lacking any hands. And he fumbles an awful lot.  This is a complete no-no for John Harbaugh.

Wide Receivers

Chase Claypool – Just don’t like him.

Tee Higgins – This guy’s simply not worth a first round pick. Or likely even a second rounder.  He lacks speed and suddenness.  And he can’t block.  Now he does have a bunch or good qualities.  But we think his deficiencies are the keys given what the Baltimore Ravens do.  Out.

Justin Jefferson – Now here’s a guy that we just don’t get the first-round hype. We won’t completely denigrate him; he’s a good player.  But he’s likely just a slot guy and a lot of his success has been the product of exploiting holes in zones.  Press coverage might present problems.  What’s more, he’s only average after the catch.  In our view he’s just not in that elite group of wideouts.  Let’s hope he gets selected in the first round– and before Henry Ruggs!

K.J. Hamler – We like Hamler, but much lower than others. Why?  The man just drops too many easy ones.  Don’t get us wrong, he’s absolutely electric with the ball in his hand.  At 5’9 and 176 pounds he’s a mirror of Marquise Brown, and he plays that way too.  And maybe that in itself is a problem.  We’re not sure the Baltimore Ravens would want their number two guy to mirror number one.

Interior Offensive Line

Lloyd Cushenberry (center) – Some people see him going as high as the bottom of the first round. But not us.  Now he’s got good length for a center and has decent power.  But he’s quite modest laterally; pulling is just not his game.  His body control can sometimes be a challenge.  He did have an excellent Senior Bowl so that may help him some.  But we see him as being more of a third-round value.  And we definitely prefer Ruiz.

Tyler Biadasz – This guy was an excellent prospect – before he got hurt. Since then he’s definitely regressed as a pass blocker.  We don’t want to take on this type of risk.

Netane Muti – Here’s another guy who was a top of the board prospect before injuries. He really had most of the package – strength, violent hands, quickness to the second level, great punch and more.  There were a few shortcomings.  But post injury?  We’ve dropped him to the fifth round.

Interior Defensive Line

Marlon Davidson – This is one we just don’t get. He simply doesn’t grade out that high in our minds.  We completely discount some people’s notion that he can play the edge.  Forget it – he’s just too big (297 pounds).  But that’s where he played at Auburn.  Which means you have to project him as an interior d-linemen (where he must play).  He lacks length which means technique will be critical.  We question the value of his skillset in the Baltimore Ravens primary schemes.  Too much risk for the Ravens with a high pick on Davidson.

Ross Blaylock – Here’s a guy who is highly ranked but is not much of a pass rusher.  And he’s not that technically sound.  Plus, that football IQ needs a little work.  He is a physically talented guy, but we don’t like to take risks with high picks on “athletes” who haven’t been consistently top-notch if not dominant.  And that’s not Blaylock.

Linebacker

Kenneth Murray – A strong play but just not worth a top 20 spot. Nor, for that matter, a first round grade.  But he could be quality value if picked lower.

Malik Harrison – Tremendous against the run. But gives you nothing against the pass.  Two-down linebackers just aren’t worth picks before the third round.  Some see Harrison as a first rounder.  No way.  He’s a third at best and we’d be happy for the Baltimore Ravens there because they need that first and second down thumper in the middle.

Akeem Davis-Gaither – Here’s another guy about whom we just don’t get it. A small guy from a small school who really isn’t excellent at most things.  Pass.

Willie Gay – Character, character, character.  He doesn’t have it.

Edge

Bradley Anae – We just don’t see anything special with Anae.

Terrell Lewis – Is he the second coming of Tim Williams? Another Alabama edge guy with a lot of physical ability.  Injuries ripped through his career.  He’s not an edge setter.  He’s got a weak lower body.  He’s unrefined.  Yes, he is explosive.  And yes he started last year with a bang.  But he really tailed off at the end of the year.  And he’s not a cover guy.  We’d take a risk on him.  But nowhere near as high as he’s likely to go.

Julian Okwara – Another decent prospect who is way over-rated in the press. He’s explosive, tall and with long arms.  He’s undersized.  His game is converting speed to power.  Rush the quarterback!  But he’s a liability in the run game.  And maturity is a concern.  We see him strictly as a rush specialist to this point.  Fourth round is where he belongs.

Joshua Uche – Another very good pass rush specialist. But his point of attack skills are suspect.  He’s not a great tackler or at finishing in space.  He lacks functional strength.  Again, fourth round seems about right.

Curtis Weaver – He just doesn’t possess the movement skills to play as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Playing in space is not his game.  He is not the explosive defender that one would want.  And he’s not much of a stack and shed run defender.  He’s just not the type of guy that fits the Baltimore Ravens system.

Defensive Backs

Trevon Diggs (CB) – Not a first rounder in our view. He’s not that technically sound.  He’s lacking transitional quickness and doesn’t offer a lot as a tackler.  But he’s a physical read/react guy in coverage with a strong football IQ.  We just grade him lower.

Jeremy Chin (S) – Another guy who just doesn’t grade out towards the top of the second round. He’s a great athlete but hasn’t proven to be a great safety.

Part V – The Baltimore Ravens Big Board

This section lists players who fit the Ravens and are worthy of being picked in the round listed, in order of priority.   Scouting reports are included for picks after the first round.

Round 1:

(1)          Henry Ruggs III – WR

(2)          Patrick Queen – ILB

(3)          Cesar Ruiz – C

Round 2 (the Ravens have two second rounders, so the first two players are listed as the top targets):

(1)  Zack Baun – Edge.  See scouting report above

(2)  Robert Hunt – G – Hunt has great size and power.  He’s 6’5 and 322 pounds.  He was simply dominant last year at guard, though a late season injury stopped him.  This guy is nasty.  He is massive yet mobile.  He can get to the second level.  He uses his hands really well.  This guy should keep getting better.  He needs to focus on his footwork in pass protect, where he can also play a bit too tall.  We put him in the Keleche Osemele category.  We see him as an excellent fit for the Baltimore Ravens.

(3)  Jalen Reagor – WR – At 5’11 and 197 pounds, Reagor is hugely explosive.  He is a terrific athlete with a fabulous change of direction ability.  He is electric with the football, just the type of home run hitter that would help make the Baltimore Ravens impossible to defend.  He is great after the catch.  He runs at full speed out of his cuts and is very strong on contested passes.  Surprisingly, his quickness drills at the combine were poor.  He is a fierce competitor.  Now, he is a liability in the run game, and he does show some lapses of concentration – there will be a few agonizing drops.  But he is great at the high point, great going vertically down the field, and just a very dynamic player.  He played with a terrible quarterback last year at TCU, so his comparative lack of production is fully discounted.

(4)  Laviska Shenault – WR – Shenault is a much bigger man, at 6’2 and 220 pounds.  Let’s start off by noting the obvious.  There are injury red flags as he has undergone three surgeries, the most recent one coming in March involving his core.  This could cause the Baltimore Ravens to shy away, especially given other wide receiver choices.  Nevertheless, Shenault has elite physical tools.  He is very explosive and is great on contested balls.  He’s very tough to bring down after the catch as his play strength is dominant.  Shenault can be a terror in the open field.  His route tree needs work coming out of the Colorado offense, and this could also push him down the board a bit.  He has very good speed for his size but is not a true burner.  He does bring natural hands to the game.  Shenault is a threat at all three levels on the field and very versatile, with the ability to play on the outside or in the slot.  And he is fiercely competitive and, for the Ravens, an excellent blocker.  He’s also got an excellent football IQ.  In all, Shenault is not a complete receiver at this point but we think he’ll soon get there and he brings a lot to the table.

(5)  Denzel Mims – WR – Mims is tall, at 6’3 and 207 pounds.  He does lack some polish and he will need some development.  Mims brings great raw explosiveness and body control.  He’ll make the great catch but drop the easy one.    He absolutely must further develop his route tree.  Mims has a very large catch radius with great leaping ability, and is an elite athlete.  His hands can be plucky but as noted are inconsistent.  He is not as much of a break-away threat as some others, lacking some acceleration.  He’s a nasty blocker.  We see Mims as a marginal second round player at this point, more likely better slotted in the third.

(6)  Logan Wilson – ILB – He’s 6’2 and 241 pounds.  In fairness, he is likely better slotted in the third round overall, but we are slotting him here given the possibility that the Baltimore Ravens were unable to get an inside linebacker before this point.  But there’s more than that.  Wilson may be seen as a two-down downhill backer, but we note he has been an excellent blitzer and his third down role could be coming forward not going backward.  He’s very good in the run game and can read and react with the best of them.  A very physical player.  He moves well laterally.  He’s been decent in coverage but wasn’t asked to do much.  He’s a very strong tackler.  Wilson is a quick processor and is strong in pursuit. He’s been team captain for three years.  Though he’s not an explosive player his testing numbers were excellent.  He ran a 4.63 forty (82^nd percentile), a 1.54 10-yard split (98^th percentile) a 20-yard shuttle of 4.27 (97th percentile) and a three-cone of 7.07 (71^st percentile).  In combination these are excellent numbers.  We see Wilson as the best pure linebacker against the run on the board.  And even if the Baltimore Ravens draft Queen, we could see Wilson as an excellent complement.

(7)  Josh Jones – G (tackle in college) – He’s 6’5 and 311 pounds.  Realizing he was a tackle in college, we are projecting him as a guard for the Ravens.  He has good feet in pass protect.  He’s got a lot of athletic ability in the open field with excellent ability to mirror and gear down when necessary.  Jones has good hand technique and he’s got plenty of power at the point of attack.  His football IQ needs some work, however.  He has excellent functional athleticism and is very flexible.  Jones does need technical development.  We think he might be a bit of a second round reach at this point as a tackle, but perhaps not if slotted inside to guard where the Baltimore Ravens would use him.

Round 3 (the Ravens have two picks; this is not in any order given uncertainty as to need by this round):

(1)  Michael Pittman – WR – He is a big man, at 6’4 and 219 pounds.  He is not a vertical threat player.  But he is very good at everything else.  Pittman has fantastic ball skills, excellent hands and a great catch radius.  He is a prototypical possession receiver and very physical.  But he lacks explosiveness and one shouldn’t expect too much after the catch.  Separation can be an issue.  He’s a sound blocker.  An excellent red zone target and very competitive.  The issue for the Baltimore Ravens with Pittman is this – if they want another home run hitter he’s not your guy.  But if you want a sure handed, tough, physical and blocking guy underneath, he’s as good as any from the second round down.

(2)  Brandon Aiyuk – WR – 6’0 and 201 pounds.  This is a guy who is also a borderline second round grade.  He’s explosive after the catch and can really run, putting it in another gear and yet shifty at the same time.  He is very twitchy and exciting.  Aiyuk is a game breaker with the ball.  But he’s got some improving to do with his route stems and at the top of his routes.  He’s a terrific athlete.  Though he has plucky hands he will drop a few.  He struggles a bit in tight man coverage.  He has blocking ability.  Aiyuk is going to have to work against bigger and longer physical press corners where he must improve.  He’s ultra competitive with high effort.  In all, he may be best suited for the slot, and is probably best slotted in the third round.

(3)  Lucas Niang – G (tackle in college) – He’s 6’7 and 328 pounds.  This guy is very athletic.  The real question is whether he’s simply to tall to slide inside.  In that context he has tremendous power at the point of attack and can shove people around.  A true road grader.  His hand technique is much improved.  He obviously has the length.  His IQ is solid.  Niang can really move for a man his size.  His dense torso allows him to anchor well.  He’s naturally very mobile.  The guy is also tenacious.  He had surgery last year for a torn labrum.

(4)  Jordyn Brooks – ILB – He’s 6’1 and 245 pounds – Another inside linebacker that we see as well suited as a two-down run defender.  He’s big, physical and has range.  Brooks is an excellent player downhill.  He’s extremely fast (ran a 4.54 forty at the combine, which is 94^th percentile, and his 10-yard split was a blazing 1.53 which is 98^th percentile).  He takes on blocks fearlessly and hits like a ton of bricks.  Brooks can really shoot the gaps against the run and the pass and has enough mobility to be effective in zones.  He plays with a very hot motor.  But questions abound regarding his coverage ability.  Given that the Baltimore Ravens frequently take their inside linebackers off the field on passing downs, questions about Brooks’ cover abilities might not matter too much given what he brings to the run game.  Again, he would be a perfect complement to Queen, but regardless, either he or Logan Wilson would be excellent fits for the Ravens at inside linebacker.  It would be reasonable enough to suggest that they should be graded fairly equally.

(5)  Ashtyn Davis – S – He’s 6’1 and 195 pounds.  This guy’s got great play speed and is very explosive.  With excellent ball skills and a great attitude, he brings a lot to the table.  He’s relentless.  A traditional free safety type but not a straight-up Ed Reed type of prowler, he would also be a great special teamer.  Definitely not an in-the-box type.  He has excellent range and is physically tough with good speed and athleticism.  He can match-up in man coverage.

(6)  Terrell Burgess – S – He’s 5’11 and 192 pounds.  Burgess is an excellent cover guy.  He can stick with slot receivers and can handle a variety of coverages.  But he’s not strong against the run.  Burgess has excellent burst and is quick into pursuit.  He’s a very solid tackler.  He’s shown to be very good in zones.  His ball skills have not been notable, and he is really limited in length.  The guy is very competitive.  But he may lack adequate strength and size to compete against tight ends.

(7)  Leki Fotu – DT – He’s 6’5 and 337 pounds.  This is a very big dude.  He possesses very good traits.  He’s a penetrator with a high motor.  He can handle the double teams to free up his linebackers and shows some real two-gap ability.  But he needs improvement with using leverage.  Fotu has an explosive first step.  He has good short area quickness though we wouldn’t call it great.  He has an excellent tackling radius.  Pass pressure is not his game though he is a pure bull rusher at this point, nor is change of direction when attempting to deconstruct blocks.  Fotu also has tremendous hands.  Mental processing is a bit suspect.  He’s got a strong motor.  To this point we see him as one dimensional but capable of swallowing double teams to allow linebackers to flow to the ball.  Can he be a true nose tackle for the Baltimore Ravens?  He has the functional capabilities but there are concerns with his height and he needs to be more consistent.  He is not without risk.

(8)  Davon Hamilton – DT – He’s 6’4 and 327 pounds.  Hamilton is very tough to move as he takes on double teams.  He is an outstanding run defender and could be an excellent player to draft and put behind Brandon Williams.  We see him as a stong replacement for Michael Pierce.  He has excellent two-gap ability.  He’s very powerful with good athletic ability for his size.  He plays with good leverage.  Hamilton is not yet a developed pass rusher but has some skills to get there.  He has excellent mobility for his size.  We like him more than Fotu and he seems like a classic Baltimore Ravens run-stuffer; absorbing double teams to led his linebackers make the plays.  We’d be surprised if he lasted too long into the third round.

(9)  Amik Robertson – Nickel – He’s 5’9 and 180 pounds.  For his size he is very tough and physical.  He stays balanced against double moves.  Robertson has excellent instincts and good ball skills.  This guy is fearless.  He stays on top of receivers.  He’s very willing as a run defender.  Robertson can handle man and zone those his speed is somewhat restrictive.  His small stature will be limiting against tight ends but he should really excel in zone.  This guy’s a very solid nickel back.  Robertson could be of interest to the Baltimore Ravens depending on Tavon Young’s condition and then into 2021.

(10)  Josiah Scott – Nickel – He’s 5’9 and 185 pounds.  Scott has elite quickness and body control.  He’s an excellent tackler though his size is limiting.  A very competitive guy who is just 21.  He’s well suited for man coverage and he’s sharp in zone coverage.  He has a lot of flexibility and the acceleration to run with receivers.  Though he has quality skills, like Robertson his physical dimensions are somewhat limiting.

(11)  Damon Arnette – CB – He’s 6’ and 195 pounds.  Arnette is a very physical cover guy, though a bit grabby.  He is excellent in press coverage (which the Baltimore Ravens love) but needs some work in zone play.  He exhibits very good recovery footwork and takes great angles.  Arnette has a nose for the ball with good ball skills.  He’s a tackling thumper.  With that said, he’s not particularly imposing in run support.  He could improve his processing ability.  But he’s quite explosive though he lacks elite speed.  His arms are a bit short.  And he needs to better control his emotions.

(12)  Neville Gallimore – DT – He’s 6’2 and 304 pounds.  We rate him much lower than others because of his less likely fit for the Ravens.  He simply isn’t a two-gap true nose tackle, and we don’t see him so much playing the five technique in a 3-4.  We think his strength is in the 4-3 as a 1T.  With that said, were he to fall this low his talent along would be tempting.  He’s a gap penetrator and will likely be a very effective pass rusher.  He has a lot to offer in the pass rush game.  He is really nimble and twitchy.

(13)  Cam Akers – RB – He’s 5’11 and 212 pounds.  This guy has great tools.  He’s a good, though not great receiver but has natural skills here.  He explodes laterally out of cuts and makes people miss.  He runs balanced under his pads.  Unlike Justice Hill, he is not a one-cut and go runner.  Instead, he makes fast and dynamic cuts; he’s got juice and more.  He also is strong and explodes into contact with his powerful 212 pounds frame.  His awareness in the blitz has been poor but when he finds it he sticks it.  But there are no physical limits.  For the Ravens, we think they could use that elusive-type running back and Akers is that and more.  And he fits nicely in the third round.  His biggest issue for the Baltimore Ravens – fumbles!

(14)  Antonio Gibson – RB – Another big back at 6’1 and 223 pounds.  Gibson is both elusive and explosive.  He breaks tackles and is a solid receiver.  He bounces in and out of his cuts without losing speed.  There’s very little wear on his body.  He ran a 4.39 at the combine.  He needs to improve his patience and is not as comfortable between the tackles as he needs to be.  But this is a very versatile guy who could line up in the slot.  And he can return and play special teams.  A very versatile player, and we think an excellent fit for the Baltimore Ravens.  Both he and Akers are the kind of backs who may be available in Round 3 and offer potentially more value to the Ravens than the big name backs.

(15)  Devin Asiasi – TE – He’s 6’3 and 257 pounds.  We rate him higher than most.  He can block and blocks well in-line, a key trait for the Baltimore Ravens.  And he offers plenty as a receiver, with good early acceleration into his route stems and solid deceptiveness.  He presents himself well to the quarterback, which could be very useful for Lamar Jackson.  He’s very tough after the catch and can generate some real YAC.  Asiasi also offers very good hands.  He has decent speed and is versatile.  He’s a good route runner with some juice and can reach all levels of the field.  He offers a lot.

(16)  Adam Trautman – TE – He’s 6’5 and 251 pounds.  Though he played at small school Dayton, Trautman had an excellent Senior Bowl against top competition.  He is great out of his route breaks.  Trautman has enough speed and has excellent hands.  He’s very physical with the ball in his hands.  He stays with his blocks but needs some coaching up here.  For being at Dayton he has developed a strong route tree. He offers a lot of versatility.  He will likely need time to develop to his full potential, which is relatively high.

(17)  KJ Hamler – Slot WR – At 5’9 and 176 pounds, Hamler is in Marquise Brown territory.  He’s another, smaller, version of Jalen Reagor with one big exception: he simply drops too many passes.  But he’s a tremendous weapon if he catches it.  He has a great combination of speed and quickness.  He’s almost un-guardable underneath.  He’s been called a human joystick.  But he’s got very small hands and lets the ball get into his body.  His focus has been inconsistent.  And he’s not going to block for you.  For the Ravens, he’s far from the perfect fit and we see him only as a drop-back option if none of the other top receivers are available when the Baltimore Ravens are ready to select a wideout.

(18)  Matt Hennesey – C – He’s 6’4 and 302 pounds from Temple.  He’s an excellent technician with great range and football IQ.  Excellent in the run game though he’s not the most powerful blocker.  His lack of length is a bit limiting.  He doesn’t figure to be a great fit in gap blocking run attacks.  Hennesey does have the ability to stay upright and has good short-area quickness.  He’s not a pure power anchor.  Hennesey is a natural athlete and whose got good mobility.  He’s been very solid in pass sets with good feet and showed very well at the Senior Bowl in pass reps.  He is tenacious.  A solid prospect.

(19)  Justin Madubuike – DT – He’s 6’3 and 293 pounds.  He is above-average athletically.  He’s been very inconsistent – he can take over games and then disappear.  Those flashes of dominance are intriguing, but we wanted to see more last year.  He has strong and powerful hands with great balance and sinks well into the bull rush.  Madubuike is capable of pushing the pocket on any play.  He’s not as agile as one might suspect.  He’s not ideally suited as a two-gapper; hence he’s less appealing to the Baltimore Ravens style.  He could be well suited in rush situations over center and he could be used as a 3-tackle in a 3-4, but his best spot is likely in a 4-3 over the guard.

(20)        Lloyd Cushenberry – C – He’s 6’3 and 312 pounds.  He’s solid in the run game with good toughness and strike.  He’s adequate to good in the pass game.  His footwork needs improvement.  Cushenberry is suited for a gap blocking scheme because his lateral mobility and range are modest.  He’s not a true power center and shows functional strength as opposed to a power base.  His hand punch is solid but not spectacular.  He’s not a mauler but more of a technician.

(21)  Darrell Taylor – Edge – He’s 6’4 and 259 pounds.  He’s an excellent athlete with an explosive first step off the line.  He has great bend.  Taylor shows ability to put a power dynamic into his rush.  Thus he has both burst and bend.  He showcases a good dip and rip and has a solid bull rush.  Taylor has done a solid job setting the edge though he’s not going to toss people.  But he is disciplined in the run.  He needs to work on his counter moves as a rusher.  Taylor has excellent functional strength.  He’s a solid tackler.  He has good lateral hip mobility.  Taylor has done a nice job picking up backs from the backfield but needs more polish.  A very good prospect and fit in a 3-4.  Not a day one starter but an excellent eventual starter candidate.  We could see the Baltimore Ravens taking him on and stashing him on special teams while he develops.

Round 4 (Ravens have two picks):

(1)  Donovan Peoples-Jones – WR – Peoples-Jones has good size at 6’2 and 208 pounds.  He has a well-developed route tree and has plenty of highlight reel catches.  Yet, he has dropped a few.  He’s very physical and great on contested balls.  He has very good YAC ability; he’s very good downfield.  But he’s not dynamic in short spaces.  Peoples-Jones has functional speed and is a long strider.  He has excellent body control along the sidelines.  He’s also very physical in the run game, something the Baltimore Ravens will love.  He will have to prove that he can beat press coverage regularly given some questions regarding his quickness.  In all, we wouldn’t be surprised to see him go higher, and he could well be a better NFL than college player.

(2)  Ben Bartch – G – He’s 6’6 and 308 pounds and played at St. John’s.  Bartch was a tackle in college but we project him as a guard for the Ravens.  Notwithstanding that he played at St. John’s he had an excellent Senior Bowl week and showed he can more than hold his own against the big boys.  He plays nasty with a lot of play strength.  Bartch has very heavy hands.  He has excellent eye discipline and play awareness – he’s not fooled by defenders on the move.  He has a high football IQ.  He’s an excellent pass protector.  As a run blocker he has been able to get to the second level and shows the ability to make long pulls.  He needs to add more functional strength in an NFL weight room.  Bartch has a lot of upside but we wouldn’t project him as a year one starter.

(3)  Nick Harris – G/C – He’s 6’1 and 293 pounds.  He can get out and run as he is explosive to the second level.  He’s an excellent zone blocker.  Harris resets his hands quickly and his play strength greatly improved this year.  He is not ideal for a gap scheme.  His power can be turned by defenders as was evident at the Senior Bowl.  Harris’ anchor can be challenged which has led to issues with bull rushers.  He has natural leverage.  He has experience at both guard and center but we see him as a center where his athleticism would be ideal for a pulling and climbing rush attack.  The bigger challenge for him would be in pass protection where he must improve his anchoring abilities.

(4)  Jonah Jackson – G – He’s 6’4 and 310 pounds out of Ohio State.  Jackson was simply a dominant pass protector in college.  He was not the most powerful run blocker but is a solid run technician.  He needs better leverage.  He shows up best in a zone blocking scheme.  Jackson has a high football IQ.  Although he has very good functional strength he is not a mauler.  He plays with too high of a pad level resulting in bending being an issue.  He has very fast feet and heavy hands to match.

(5)  Damien Lewis – G – He’s 6’2 and 329 pounds out of LSU.  Lewis is an explosive run blocker.  He displays flexibility and raw power.  He needs better leverage in pass protection and has lack of great foot speed may present challenges against pass rushers who can get to his edge.  Lewis is the perfect fit for a gap scheme.  He is fierce and does not take any plays off.  A very durable player, Lewis is highly motivated and has a good football IQ.  The guy is nasty with a mean streak.  He has had some trouble in motion where he has been a bit of an inconsistent blocker.  He has shown cases of being late in cutting off linebackers.  Not the perfect player by any means and he is likely scheme dependent.

(6)  Darrynton Evans – RB – He’s 5’11 and 185 pounds.  Evans is a very elusive back.  He has natural hands as a receiver.  He shows excellent vision and patience.  He has great short area quickness and can bounce outside the scheme.  This guy’s a home run hitter in space.  He has great speed (a 4.41 forty with a 1.5 10-yard split – both fantastic).  He’s not much in breaking tackles and doesn’t always use his blocks well.  Evans would be an excellent complement to what the Baltimore Ravens already have, assuming they’d keep four backs.

(7)  Jordan Elliott – DT – He’s 6’4 and 315 pounds.  He gotten better each year.  Elliott is able to anchor against the run at the point of attacks.  He can shoot gaps.  The man has a strong core.  His leverage needs to improve and needs to grow mentally.  He has the traits to play as a five technique in a 3-4 but needs to develop further.  Elliott has great length and has explosiveness to the quarterback.  He has a very good blend of power and quickness and is very versatile.  He has a high motor and has been consistent.  Elliott doesn’t get swallowed by blocks.  He took a big leap up next year, with the promise of more to come.  He’d be an interesting prospect for the Baltimore Ravens.

(8)  Cameron Dantzler – CB – He’s 6’2 and only 185 pounds.  Dantzler is an outstanding press corner.  He’s a natural athlete and is quite physical given his slight body.  He can play both man and zone.  But he is almost old-man slow, running a 4.64 forty, and this impacts his range, as his man cover range could definitely be better.  Because Dantzler needs more functional strength, he doesn’t offer too much in run support.  We almost hesitated putting him this high given has lack of speed and the need for run support capability.

(9)  Malik Harrison – ILB – Harrison is 6’3 and 246 pounds.  He’s a prototypical old-style linebacker.  He’s a physical finisher and was built to come forward.  He has good closing burst and finishes the tackles.  Harrison can shed blocks and neutralize lineman.  His hand pop is good.  He plays physically.  But he’s not going to pivot and run with quick running backs and his coverage skills are quite marginal.  And he’s not that flexible and lacks the range to get over the top of plays and go sideline to sideline.  We see him as very overrated by those who see him as a marginal first round to mid-second round prospect.  We don’t see that.  But a solid run-stuffing first and second down guy – sure.  He could fit the Baltimore Ravens as that first and second down linebacker who is on the sideline on passing downs.

(10)  Troy Dye – ILB – He’s 6’4 and 224 pounds.  Run defense is not his strength nor is he a great tackler.  He’s the opposite of Malik Harrison – he can run and cover.  He has an excellent combination of length and the ability to transition.  At his height he is really lean.  He’s not overly flexible and will clearly struggle inside against physical linemen.  Processing could be an issue.  He could offer blitzing capability.  He’s really better suited as a 4-3 weakside linebacker where his skills are probably better utilized.  He’s a nominal fit for the Ravens.

(11)  Antoine Winfield – S – He’s 5’9 and 203 pounds.  Winfield is a ball hawk.  Not the most physically gifted of the safeties but he has outstanding instincts.  He’s very good at splitting routes and being in the right spot.  Winfield is quick but not fast.  He’s a fairly strong tackler.  He has played a lot of deep zone and performed well.  Winfield is tough as nails and is an excellent guy with run support in the box.  He’s very versatile and brings a lot to the table.  And he should be an excellent special teams contributor.

(12)  Jonathan Greenard – Edge – He is 6’4 and 262 pounds.  Greenard is quicker than fast.  He has very strong hands.  A relentless pass rusher, he needs to expand his pass rush plan of attack.  We would not call him a dynamic rusher.  He is strong at the point of attack in the run game but needs to learn to use his hands better to stack and shed.  He is not a dynamic athlete.  We’d be surprised if the Baltimore Ravens went in his direction, but the possibility is not zero.

(13)  Alex Highsmith – Edge – He’s 6’4 and 242 pounds and went to Charlotte.  He has excellent acceleration and twitch.  And his burst is not just straight up the field.  He lacks consistency in his hand techniques but shows good upside with his rip moves.  He also displays a good spin move with a nice inside chop complement.  Highsmith plays with a fluid base.  His run defense needs some work and.  To this point, he’s more of a gap penetrator with quickness as opposed to being a strong stacker of defenders.  But his motor runs real hot.  And he’s an explosive tackler.  He’s untested (and mostly unused) dropping back but he has the mobility to be effective there.  This is the biggest question for the Baltimore Ravens.  We like Highsmith and see him as a very solid developmental guy with a lot of upside.  And he played well when he was up against top competition.

(14)  Julian Okwara – Edge – See the earlier analysis.

(15)  Terrell Lewis – Edge – See the earlier analysis.

(16)  Joshua Uche – Edge – See the earlier analysis.

(17)  Van Jefferson – WR – He’s 6’2 and 197 pounds.  He’ll be 24 when the season starts.  He would serve as the complementary, possession-type receiver to Marquise Brown.  A very good athlete.  Jefferson is strong and has good foot quickness.  He’s a savvy route runner against press coverage and can create separation with his craftiness.  He has strong hands and good body control on fades.  A very good red zone target.  But he doesn’t play well through contact.  Although he has decent speed he is not a burner who will take the top off.  Jefferson is good in the intermediate area.  At his age one wonders how much more upside he offers.

(18)  David Woodward – ILB – He’s 6’2 and 235 pounds.  The primary question regarding Woodward is his health.  On talent alone he might grade out higher, and if a team is not satisfied with his condition, he’d grade out much lower.  He has suffered a fractured vertebrae and had a season ending injury last year.  Now the positives.  He has a very high football IQ.  He’s a nasty tackler with real pop though not the widest wingspan.  But he doesn’t miss.  Woodward can stack blocks really well.  He can get walled off if not protected.  He’s very tough and is all over the field.  Woodward has lots of range.  He has done well playing the pass in shallow zones and he might not be the guy you want on the field on third down passing situations.  But he has the potential to be a solid blitzer.  We see him as a two down player, if healthy.

Round 5:

(1)  Darnay Holmes – CB – He’s 5’10 and 192 pounds.  Holmes has been a bit of a puzzler, offering his best play against the best competition but dropping down against lesser players.  He has excellent speed and can really drop his hips.  Double moves give him real problems.  Holmes has good ball skills and is very aggressive.  He’s not great in run support and his tackling could be much better.  He’s a boom or bust type of project and we only put him on the board because of the boom potential, but we’d be surprised if the Baltimore Ravens made the plunge.

(2)  L’Jarius Sneed – S/CB – He’s 6’ and 192 pounds.  He has really good athletic talent and has not fully lived up to it yet.  He has very good balls skills and could certainly play corner.  Sneed has elite speed and covers ground fast.  He tracks the ball very well.  He’s an excellent tackler but his thin frame limits the power that he brings.  Sneed offers stout ability against the high point of the ball.  He figures to be a corner at the NFL level.  He has struggled in press coverage against suddenness.

(3) Zack Moss – RB – He’s 5’9 and 223 pounds.  Moss is built like a rock.  He’s got size, vision and elusiveness, but is not much with speed.  A very solid pass protector.  He’s instinctive and of course is excellent with his contact balance and in breaking tackles, a trait that would play very well in the Ravens running scheme, as he runs very well on the inside.  He does have a bit of an injury history.  Moss has an excellent pass-catching profile and would be a real problem for defensive backs trying to bring him down.  But his lack of speed and explosiveness is limiting.

(4)  Madre Harper – CB – He stands 6’1 and 196 pounds.  Harper’s a good athlete.  He has natural flexibility and is very physical.  He finds the ball and does well with underneath routes.  He’s very fast as he ran a 4.42 forty.  Harper was a leader on the field.  He works hard against the run and keeps his outside leverage.  He is very willing to throw his body in there.  Though he could use more discipline he could adapt well as a press corner or potentially a free safety.  Coming from Southern Illinois, he’s an interesting prospect.

(5)  Geno Stone – S – He’s 5’10 and 207 pounds.  Stone is excellent underneath all the way through the deep ball.  He is definitely not an in-the-box safety.  He’s stood out in zone coverage, which is his real strength for the NFL level.  Stone has excellent processing skills and brings excellent range.  A team captain but with athletic limits as his burst and dynamic range in space are clear shortcomings.  He makes the open field stops and reacts very quickly.  Stone has never had a penalty.  A very intense player.  He could offer a lot on special teams, and offers modest potential for the Baltimore Ravens.

(6)  Matt Peart – OT – He’s 6’7 and 310 pounds out of U Conn.  He plays with very light feet and needs to add strength.  He does play tall.  Now thinking about him as a guard is where he might fit in with the Baltimore Ravens.  He has explosive moves and those light feet make him an easy projection as a pulling guard.  His hand play needs a lot of work and that’s where NFL coaching could really help.  No doubt Peart is a developmental player and would not be looked to start in year one.  But he has the athletic traits to show strong upside.

(7)  Netane Muti – G – He’s 6’3 and 307 pounds.  Muti has suffered three season-ending injuries, which accounts for him being this low on the board.  Otherwise, he has higher-round abilities.  He has excellent core power and tremendously violent hands.  He’s a very strong dude with great upper body strength to shove defenders back.  Muti is quick to the second level.  He’s very nasty.  Muti does have short arms and can be very grabby as a result.  His lateral agility is only average.  He has an excellent punch in pass protection.  He is very well suited for zone blocking schemes.  But that injury history is a big red flag and we doubt if the Baltimore Ravens would take the risk.

(8)  Juan Jennings – Slot WR – He’s 6’3 and 206 pounds.  This guy is really tough in the open field.  He led the nation in broken tackles.  His suddenness and balance are great but he doesn’t provide any long speed.  He brings some tremendous double moves and has great balance and body control.  He’s physical with strong hands.  But he lacks separation quickness, and this lack of quickness and burst drops him down to this round.  Not sure he’s a great fit for the Baltimore Ravens; likely not.

(9)  Lynn Bowden – WR – 6’1 and 199 pounds.  Bowden is not a true wideout.  He’s a generalized weapon.  He’s very dynamic with the ball in his hands, so the task with him is to get the ball in his hands, however you can.  He’s tremendous in the open field.  Bowden’s hands look excellent.  He absolutely must improve his route tree (does he have one?).  He’s physical with the ball and has good vision.  But he may be a gadget player who is not fantastic at most things.

(10)  Josiah DeGuara – TE – He’s 6’3 and 245 pounds.  He could fit well into the H-back/fullback role.  He’s a very willing blocker and a good blocker in line; and, as such, a better receiver than most blocking tight ends.  DeGuara has the ability to get open both in intermediate and deep routes.  He is a creative route runner.  He’s not going to wow you with the ball in his hands, but he is tough to bring down.  A high effort guy who has some speed to go with his strength.  Versatile.  But he is not a great athlete per se.  He seems to fit very well with the Baltimore Ravens, in the mold of Nick Boyle.

(11)  Hakeem Adeniji – G – He’s 6’4 and 302 pounds.  He played tackle in college, but we project him as a guard for the Ravens.  Adeniji has a lot of core strength and plays with a wide base.  He has excellent reaction quickness.  He has a high football IQ.  Adeniji possesses a very strong work ethic and was a team captain.  His punch has been inconsistent, and he can get knocked off balance.  He has been more of a leaner than a blocker.  He is best suited for zone blocking schemes.  He had a very strong Senior Bowl.  There are injury red flags as he has had two labrum surgeries.

Rounds 6 & 7:

(1)  Devin Duvernay – WR – He’s 5’11 and 202 pounds.  Duvernay has excellent hands combined with top-end speed.  He’s tough to bring down after the catch and can make people miss in space.  He’s tremendous providing YAC.  Duvernay is an undeveloped route runner, which is a big reason he’s slotted down here.  He has problems sinking his hips causing some problems with route separation.  He’s ideally suited for the slot.  His lack of agility limits what he brings, however.  But for the Baltimore Ravens, who run a lot of RPO stuff, he could be very well suited matched up against linebackers.

(2)  Tyler Johnson – WR – He’s 6’2 and 205 pounds.  Johnson is an excellent and crafty route technician.  He knows how to use leverage.  He can go get it, particularly in contested spots.  Johnson brings physicality.  And though he’s shown very good hands he’s had occasions where drops were surprising. He is not the most explosive or dynamic guy and won’t stand out for his blocking prowess due mostly to his lack of natural play strength.  In all he brings some decent qualities.

(3)  Josh Pearson – WR – He’s 6’3 and 205 pounds.  Pearson comes from a small school.  He has good sustained speed, great burst and good physicality.  Pearson tracks the ball well over his shoulder.  He’s smooth mid pattern.  Unsurprisingly, he’s very much a route running novice.

(4)  Logan Steinberg – G – He’s 6’6 and 317 pounds.  Steinberg is a very nasty guy.  His film is full of pancakes.  He has vice-grip hands.  He plays very under control in pass protect.  He moves well for his size.  Steinberg finishes his blocks.  He struggles in pulling situations and is not explosive.  Much more of a mauler.  With his height he plays pads high and can be stiff and top heavy.  His limited range may be a deal breaker for the Baltimore Ravens but if they opt for a mauler then Steinberg certainly fits the bill.

(5)  John Reid – CB – He’s 5’10 and only 181 pounds.  With short arms and being small in stature, Reid is best suited as a nickel.  He has good man skills and actually performed very well in the limited man in was in.  Reid uses great leverage.  He was a plus player in zone coverage.  He’s a very good locator of the ball.  But he has below average play strength and has just average open field skills.  He’s an excellent athlete and offers enough to be an intriguing nickel prospect.  His 20-yard shuttle at the combine was the best.

(6)  Reggie Robinson – CB – Robinson is 6’1 and 205 pounds.  He’s an excellent athlete.  He is really good in run support and has very good ball skills.  He’s an alpha-male type.  Robinson runs with smooth hips and transitions well but has sloppy footwork and can be late out of his backpedal.  He’s been inconsistent – when he’s good he’s very good, but when he’s not . . . . Coaching him up is the key.

(7)  Cam Brown – ILB – He’s 6’5 and 233 pounds.  He has excellent athletic traits and is very fluid.  He has not played up to his physical ability.  Brown is often overextending.  But he has excellent coverage traits and should easily match up with tight ends.  He has an excellent tackling radius and has shown an ability to engulf running backs.  Brown plays with excellent leverage.  But he has false steps everywhere and there are balance issue.  He has not been a play-maker.  In all, he has very high end tools and the team that picks him must be able to coach him up.  The Baltimore Ravens certainly can do that.  Brown would be a priority free agent if undrafted.

(8)  Davion Taylor – ILB – He’s 6’1 and 224 pounds.  Taylor needs development and his got a ways to go with recognition ability.  He has little experience between the tackles.  What he does bring is a solid tackling profile with a wide wingspan and closing burst.  Taylor is a solid finisher.  He’s a high motor guy.  He brings a lot of speed to the table.  He’s a terrific athlete and the type of player that, if you can coach him up, could surprise.  A developmental player who could be worth the risk down the draft board.

(9)  Kyahue Tezino – ILB – He’s 6’ and 235 pounds coming out of San Diego State.  A strong read and react player who blows up plays at the line.  He’s a fierce tackler and does not back down.  Tezino has been a strong and explosive blitzer.  He has a professional mentality and prepares very well.  He was voted team captain.  Tezino needs to develop more strength at the point of attack.  He sometimes arrives too hot.  His range is a bit ordinary.  He needs to work on his anticipation in pass coverage.  An interesting prospect down the board.

(10)  Alton Robinson – Edge – He’s 6’3 and 259 pounds.  Robinson is a developmental player with upside.  He has a great explosive first step with very intriguing tools but a lot of work to do to add more.  He has the prototypical size for an edge defender with a lot of physical gifts.  There are character issues (second-degree robbery charge) in his past which may be a death knell for consideration by the Ravens.  Robinson has a long stride with good mass.  His hand usage is developing as is his tilting technique.  He’s developing a good swipe and dip move along the outside, and this is important because he can play too upright.  He’s a fairly good run defender.  Whether he can play upright is a challenge and, in the end, may keep him off of the Baltimore Ravens board.

(11)  Dalton Keane – TE – He’s 6’4 and 242 pounds.  Keane is an excellent athlete who is very versatile and could fit as an H-back.  He is a good blocker and blocks well in space though his power at the point of attack is sub-optimal.  He has good ball skills.  His route tree has been limited, perhaps because he has been underutilized.  Keane has excellent hands.  He brings great character and is tenacious.  He has some ability with the ball in his hands.

(12)  Levante Bellamy – RB – He’s 5’8 and 192 pounds.  Bellamy has tremendous burst through the hole and is a great athlete.  He shifts into high gear with an excellent plant and go.  Vision is excellent.  But he’s a small framed back lacking physicality.  His bottom of the board role is as a top speed back trying to make big plays.

(13)  McTelvin Agim – DT – 6’3 and 307 pounds.  This is a guy who must get stronger at the point of attack.  He’s a gap penetrator with great burst.  His length is very promising if he can figure out how to stack blocks.  Agim could develop into a base end in a 3-4 but will never be a nose tackle.  He has excellent mobility for his size and is a solid tackler.  He’s a gifted athlete with very good flexibility.  A developmental prospect with potential but he may be best suited as a three-technique in a 4-3.