Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie throughout a sport final season in opposition to Colorado. (David Zalubowski, AP)
With the NFL scouting mix two weeks away, the beginning of free company 4 weeks away and the primary spherical of the NFL draft 10 weeks away, the Ravens’ large board is a piece in progress. However you don’t want Eric DeCosta’s keycard to know the workforce has some holes to fill and picks to spend.
The Ravens are anticipated to have 10 alternatives in April’s draft, together with 4 within the first three rounds. If DeCosta can’t tackle the workforce’s wants in free company — offensive line, line of defense, secondary — he ought to have loads of draft capital to assist bolster a workforce coming off a disappointing 8-9 season.
It’s exhausting to say whom the Ravens may favor, nevertheless it’s not exhausting to think about the paths they could take. With the assistance of Professional Soccer Focus’ mock draft simulator, right here’s a take a look at 10 potential picks, in addition to some notable gamers off the board and snubs at every draft slot. (As a result of compensatory picks have but to be awarded, the draft order after the second spherical just isn't but finalized.)
First spherical (No. 14 general): Washington CB Trent McDuffie
Within the AFC, the Ravens should cope with Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Justin Herbert. Within the division, they should face Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ elite large receiver trio twice a yr by way of no less than 2023. With Marlon Humphrey coming off a disappointing 2021 and Marcus Peters coming into the ultimate yr of his contract, it’s not a foul thought to spend money on one other high-end cornerback. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound McDuffie, a three-year starter at Washington, is taken into account a low-risk decide at a significant place. He tackles properly, impresses in press protection and allowed a passer score of 49.7 over his remaining two seasons, in response to Professional Soccer Focus.
Simply missed: Cincinnati CB Ahmad Gardner. Snubbed: Iowa C Tyler Linderbaum.
Second spherical (No. 44): Minnesota OT Daniel Faalele
Think about Orlando Brown Jr., however larger. In line with his Senior Bowl measurements, the Melbourne native is about as tall (6-8) as Brown was and about 40 kilos heavier (387 kilos) than Terrence Cody was coming into the NFL draft. Enjoying solely at proper deal with, Faalele allowed one sack, two quarterback hits and 5 hurries final season, in response to PFF, the fewest pressures for any blocker with no less than 280 pass-blocking snaps. Faalele doesn’t have nice stability or flexibility, however his huge body, nimble toes and regular enchancment counsel he may be an early-impact starter on a Ravens line that should higher shield Lamar Jackson.
Simply missed: Florida State EDGE Jermaine Johnson II. Snubbed: Georgia DL Devonte Wyatt.
Third spherical (No. 78): Kentucky EDGE/DL Josh Paschal
The Good Counsel product completed his fifth season at Kentucky because the highest-rated edge rusher within the Southeastern Convention — even larger than Alabama star Will Anderson, the potential No. 1 general decide in subsequent yr’s draft. The 6-3, 278-pound Paschal doesn’t have jaw-dropping manufacturing (15 ½ tackles for loss and 5 ½ sacks in 12 video games final season) or elite bend for a move rusher, however neither did Za’Darius Smith, one other versatile former Kentucky standout. Paschal’s explosiveness off the snap, robust arms and positional flexibility would match properly in a Ravens defensive entrance that expects run-stopping acumen however wants extra pass-rush juice.
Simply missed: Connecticut DT Travis Jones. Snubbed: Memphis G Dylan Parham.
Third spherical (No. 102): Ohio State TE Jeremy Ruckert
Mark Andrews is among the many NFL’s most harmful receivers, however for an offense that depends so closely on two-tight-end units, he wants a extra dynamic operating mate. That might nonetheless be Nick Boyle, a ferocious blocker and dependable catcher who, due to accidents, performed simply 95 offensive snaps final season. Or it could possibly be somebody like Ruckert, a bodily, 6-5, 250-pound tight finish who spent most of his profession at Ohio State as an in-line participant. Ruckert wasn’t a prolific receiver in school — he had profession highs of 26 catches and 309 yards final season — however he’s thought-about a stable athlete with an excellent really feel for locating the gentle spots in zones.
Simply missed: Arizona State C Dohnovan West. Snubbed: Georgia ILB Quay Walker.
Fourth spherical (No. 107): Illinois S Kerby Joseph
After an nameless first three years at Illinois, the place he bounced round from place to place, Joseph broke out at security final season. He had 5 interceptions in 12 video games and allowed simply 9 catches on 19 targets for 134 yards and two touchdowns, in response to PFF, incomes first-team All-Massive Ten Convention honors. With a powerful exhibiting in Senior Bowl practices, the thrill grew even louder. The massive query for the 6-0, 200-pound Joseph — and for the Ravens, who want a ballhawk within the again finish — is whether or not he’s quick sufficient to make performs as a deep-lying security.
Simply missed: Auburn S Smoke Monday. Snubbed: Oklahoma G Marquis Hayes.
Fourth spherical (No. 116): Oklahoma G Marquis Hayes
With the Ravens’ dedication to rebuilding their offensive line this offseason, their funding within the draft most likely received’t cease at one decide. Kevin Zeitler is locked in at proper guard, however together with his thirty second birthday nearing and the workforce’s uncertainty on the left facet, DeCosta might take a guard in his fourth straight draft. Hayes appears to be like the half: 6-4, 318 kilos, thick construct. He began at left guard for 3 straight years at Oklahoma, elevating his season-ending grade PFF grade every time. Hayes is fluid sufficient as a puller and exhibits good processing in move safety. He allowed 5 sacks over the previous three seasons, nevertheless, and quick-twitch move rushers could make him look sluggish.
Simply missed: LSU G Ed Ingram. Snubbed: BYU RB Tyler Allgeier.
Fourth spherical (No. 125): Nebraska DB/LB JoJo Domann
The Ravens’ move protection struggled all over the place final season, however particularly over the center of the sector. In line with Soccer Outsiders, solely the Jacksonville Jaguars fared worse at defending throws over the center. The 6-0, 226-pound Domann, one thing of a tweener prospect, might step in as a dime linebacker and assist the Ravens immediately. At Nebraska, he moved over from security to outdoors linebacker earlier than the 2019 season and performed the majority of his snaps within the slot. Domann allowed 32 completions on 39 targets final season, however for simply 4.4 yards per goal, serving to him maintain opposing quarterbacks to a passer score of 63.8. He was impactful elsewhere, too, posting 72 tackles (9 for loss) and two sacks.
Simply missed: Virginia Tech G Lecitus Smith. Snubbed: Central Michigan OL Luke Goedeke.
Fifth spherical (No. 140): Cincinnati ILB Darian Beavers
If the Ravens consider Patrick Queen is finest suited as a weak-side inside linebacker, they’ll want one other younger center linebacker within the pipeline. Malik Harrison’s taking part in time fell off final season, and the 32-year-old Josh Bynes may also help out for less than so lengthy. The 6-4, 252-pound Beavers was a finalist for the Dick Butkus Award, given to the nation’s prime linebacker, after ending with 102 tackles (11 ½ for loss), 4 ½ sacks and an interception in 14 video games. Along with his large body, Beaver is restricted in man-to-man protection and doesn’t venture as a three-down linebacker. However he’s a stout run defender with a soccer IQ that helps him keep a half-step forward.
Simply missed: Virginia Tech OT Luke Tenuta. Snubbed: Georgia RB James Prepare dinner.
Fifth spherical (No. 141): Georgia RB James Prepare dinner
J.Okay. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill are all coming back from season-ending accidents, and Ty’Son Williams by no means discovered a constant position within the offense. Relying on their curiosity within the free-agent market, that could possibly be the push the Ravens want so as to add one other operating again. Prepare dinner, the youthful brother of Minnesota Vikings star Dalvin Prepare dinner, would give the offense a speedy, pass-catching risk out of the backfield. He torched Michigan within the Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinals, ending with 4 catches for 112 yards, together with a 53-yard seize on a vertical route. As a runner, the 5-11, 190-pound Prepare dinner averaged no less than 6 yards per carry in all 4 of his seasons at Georgia.
Snubbed: Cincinnati RB Jerome Ford.
Sixth spherical (No. 193): Boston Faculty C Alec Lindstrom
If the Ravens can’t re-sign Bradley Bozeman, they’ll want so as to add one other heart to the combo this offseason. Trystan Colon has confirmed himself a reliable reserve, showing in 14 video games over his first two seasons, however Patrick Mekari’s stable work at proper deal with might preserve him away from his outdated job inside. The 6-3, 294-pound Lindstrom allowed simply three sacks and 4 hits over his three years as a full-time starter at Boston Faculty, in response to PFF. The youthful brother of Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom, Alec probably initiatives as a developmental prospect. Along with his lack of play power, Lindstrom might battle with a power-blocking scheme just like the Ravens’.
Simply missed: Texas DL T’Vondre Sweat. Snubbed: Oklahoma EDGE Isaiah Thomas.