Whereas the 2022 NFL draft remains to be a couple of months away, one of many offseason’s signature occasions is underway in Cell, Alabama.
The Senior Bowl gathers greater than 100 of the nation’s prime school prospects for every week of observe and an annual all-star recreation on Saturday that serves as a launching pad for a lot of younger gamers’ NFL careers. After an 8-9 season, the draft might be a vital a part of coach John Harbaugh and normal supervisor Eric DeCosta’s plan to construct a perennial contender round quarterback Lamar Jackson as he enters the ultimate season of his rookie contract.
Right here’s a have a look at 15 Senior Bowl gamers the Ravens may goal within the draft, with a give attention to positions of want — offensive line, line of defense, edge rusher and security.
Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
Raimann’s path to the NFL is definitely unconventional. The Austrian international alternate scholar began his school profession as a 6-foot-7, 240-pound tight finish earlier than blossoming right into a 304-pound left sort out for the Chippewas. Though he’s solely performed two seasons at his present place and has brief arms for a sort out (33 inches), Raimann put collectively an elite senior yr, incomes a 94.6 grade from Professional Soccer Focus. His uncommon athleticism has drawn comparisons to Eagles star Lane Johnson.
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
What Penning lacks in polish, he makes up for in dimension. The 6-7, 330-pound lineman is a mauler within the operating recreation, with 9 of his 12 video games this previous season incomes 90-plus run-blocking grades, in response to PFF. Though he isn’t a completed product as a go protector, Penning has the dimensions and energy to develop right into a dominant participant. Whereas his small-school pedigree would possibly scare some groups away, Penning’s former teammate Spencer Brown held his personal at proper sort out for the Payments as a rookie.
Darian Kinnard, OT/G, Kentucky
The 6-5, 324-pound Kinnard dominated for among the best dashing groups within the nation over the previous few seasons, typically ending blocks in type. Whereas he interprets as a guard on the subsequent stage, he held his personal as a go blocker, permitting simply seven pressures and one sack this previous season, in response to PFF.
Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
It’s an previous cliche for offensive linemen, nevertheless it’s merely laborious to seek out 6-9, 387-pound people that transfer the best way Faalele does. Together with his dimension, he’s nearly by no means knocked backward, permitting only one strain within the remaining eight video games of his profession, in response to PFF. Former Ravens scout and present NFL Community analyst Daniel Jeremiah in contrast the Minnesota star to former Ravens proper sort out Orlando Brown Jr.
Zion Johnson, C/G, Boston School
Johnson may very well be rising up draft boards after a giant first day in Cell during which ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid referred to as him “the perfect participant on the sector.” The 6-2, 314-pound lineman bought work at each middle and left guard — two spots the Ravens would possibly have to fill this offseason — and held up effectively in one-on-one drills.
Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
If the Ravens are in search of extra pass-rushing juice on the inside, Wyatt may be their man. The 6-2, 307-pound lineman doesn’t appear to be a typical inside defender when pressuring the quarterback, flashing an explosive first step and uncommon quickness. He could be a pleasant complement to Justin Madubuike on the within of the Ravens’ defensive entrance, particularly if veteran Calais Campbell doesn’t return.
Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
Don’t be fooled by the helmet; Jones can play. Whereas UConn struggled to place a good workforce on the sector in recent times underneath former Maryland coach Randy Edsall, Jones thrived in his position. The 6-4, 326-pound lineman was an anchor defending the run and flashed some potential as a go rusher early in observe in Cell.
Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama
It doesn’t take lengthy to scour NFL rosters and discover high quality inside defenders from Alabama. The 6-4, 313-pound Mathis is subsequent in line, racking up seven sacks as a senior and delivering persistently sturdy play in opposition to the run.
Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
If the Ravens wish to be extra disruptive up entrance, they might take an opportunity on a participant like Winfrey. The 6-4, 303-pound lineman picked up 11 tackles for loss and 5 ½ sacks this previous season, typically knifing into the backfield together with his explosiveness. If he can maintain up as a run defender, he may show to be a precious mid-round choice.
Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
Johnson burst onto the scene in Cell, impressing scouts together with his competitiveness, energy and pass-rushing repertoire. The 6-5, 259-pound Georgia switch is a stout run defender who nearly by no means left the sector whereas chipping in 12 sacks for the Seminoles. He may finish the week as a first-round lock.
Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
The Kensington native was an unheralded recruit out of Albert Einstein, however he turned heads for the Nittany Lions after transferring from Temple. The 6-2, 250-pound Ebiketie — a large receiver and basketball participant in highschool — racked up 9 ½ sacks this previous season and flashed a sophisticated set of strikes to persistently get to the quarterback.
Cameron Thomas, EDGE, San Diego State
After arriving at San Diego State at 235 kilos, Thomas has bulked as much as 264 and reaped the advantages. The 6-4 lineman typically wins together with his quickness and may line up wherever on the road of scrimmage. He put collectively a productive remaining season, incomes 4 or extra pressures in 13 of 14 video games, in response to PFF.
Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
In the case of size and explosiveness, Sanders is close to the highest of this edge dashing class. The 6-5, 242-pound defender saved his greatest for final, recording a career-high 10 pressures within the School Soccer Playoff semifinal in opposition to Alabama, in response to PFF. The query is whether or not his lean body can maintain up in run protection — and if he can reduce down on his missed tackles.
Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
There are nits to select in Enagbare’s recreation, nevertheless it’s laborious to argue with sturdy manufacturing within the SEC. The 6-4, 261-pound edge rusher recorded at the very least one strain in each recreation the previous two seasons, in response to PFF. He’s versatile and athletic sufficient to get to the quarterback, however he isn’t very flexible and generally struggles to convey ball carriers to the bottom.
Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
The Ravens love versatility, which may make them a participant like Pitre. Taking part in the “Star” position as a nickel nook and a weak-side linebacker for the Bears the previous two seasons, the 5-11, 196-pound defender racked up 130 tackles, 28 ½ tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 4 interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, 9 go breakups, 4 pressured fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Somebody who can blitz, sort out in area and canopy tight ends could be a welcome addition for brand spanking new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.
Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois
If the Ravens are looking for a ballhawking deep security, Joseph may very well be the one. The 6-0, 200-pound defensive again recorded 5 interceptions as a senior and confirmed a knack for snatching the ball over receivers. He was additionally an amazing tackler, typically bringing down returners as a gunner on particular groups. The largest query is whether or not he has sufficient vary to carry up in the midst of the sector within the NFL.
SENIOR BOWL
Cell, Alabama
Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
TV: NFL Community