The 2022 NFL draft is merely days away, and the Ravens have main wants at cornerback and the offensive and defensive strains that should be addressed. Nonetheless, there are just a few different positions price contemplating if the suitable participant falls to them.
From Southern California large receiver Drake London to Georgia working again James Prepare dinner, listed below are some gamers the Ravens ought to contemplate exterior of their high areas of want within the first 4 rounds.
First spherical
Drake London, WR, USC
It doesn’t damage to offer quarterback Lamar Jackson some extra weapons to work with, particularly after veteran receiver Sammy Watkins signed with the Inexperienced Bay Packers after one season in Baltimore.
At 6 toes 5 and 220 kilos, London has the physicality, explosiveness and athleticism to threaten NFL defensive backs within the close to future.
Earlier than London suffered a season-ending ankle damage, he was among the best receivers in school soccer, catching 88 passes for 1,084 yards (12.3 yards per catch) and 7 touchdowns in solely eight video games. In 2020, London totaled 502 receiving yards.
After recovering from the ankle damage, London suffered a gentle hamstring pressure earlier this month, which brought on him to delay his professional day. Nonetheless, London, who performed basketball at USC till 2021, is among the high receiver prospects. He ranks fifteenth general on The Athletic’s consensus huge board, which mixes rankings from greater than 70 lists.
Pairing London up with second-year receiver Rashod Bateman, fourth-year receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and tight finish Mark Andrews would give the Ravens a dynamic passing offense heading into the 2022 season and past.
Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Lloyd is an intriguing prospect as he can play a number of linebacker positions and could be a superb match alongside 2020 first-round draft decide Patrick Queen.
“There isn't any participant on this draft I have a look at extra and suppose, ‘This man needs to be a Raven’ than my man Devin Lloyd,” NFL.com author Adam Rank mentioned. “He’s the form of participant who can get to the passer and in addition excels in protection. I’m telling you, there’s no such factor as the proper decide. However this is perhaps the proper decide.”
Final season, Lloyd recorded 111 tackles (66 solo) and eight sacks in 14 video games whereas being named the Related Press and Pac-12 Defensive Participant of the 12 months. He not solely proved he was an efficient blitzer, however he was stable in move protection, too. Lloyd, a two-time Butkus Award finalist, had six move deflections and 4 interceptions, two of which had been returned for a landing.
Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
A number of mock drafts have the Notre Dame star going to the Washington Commanders at No. 11. Nonetheless, the Ravens can have a call to make if he falls to No. 14.
Security will not be the crew’s largest want, however a duo of Hamilton and newly acquired free agent Marcus Williams to pair alongside cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey could be laborious to move up.
Though Hamilton’s 40-yard sprint time on the mix was a disappointing 4.59 seconds, he's nonetheless thought-about among the best security prospects in years. The 6-4, 220-pound Hamilton has the energy and measurement to cowl elite pass-catching tight ends whereas lining up anyplace on the sphere.
Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Dean, the 2021 Butkus Award winner, performed a big function in Georgia’s elite protection, racking up 72 tackles (10 1/2 for loss), six sacks, two interceptions and a pair of pressured fumbles in 15 begins. He was stellar within the Bulldogs’ victory over Michigan within the Orange Bowl, recording seven tackles, a career-best 5 quarterback pressures, a sack and a pressured fumble.
Dean, who was Professional Soccer Focus’ highest-rated linebacker, is perhaps undersized, however he has the velocity and explosiveness to be a stable run stopper and blitzer.
A five-star recruit popping out of highschool, Dean is certainly one of three gamers to win the Butkus Award in highschool and school, becoming a member of Manti Te’o and Jaylon Smith.
Second spherical
George Pickens, WR, Georgia
Pickens tore his ACL throughout spring follow in 2021 and missed most of final season however recorded 107 yards on 5 catches within the Bulldogs’ remaining 4 video games of the season, together with a 52-yard catch within the nationwide championship sport. He burst onto the scene as a freshman, totaling 727 yards and eight touchdowns whereas averaging 14.8 yards per catch.
The 6-3, 195-pound Pickens has elite ball abilities and might make catches in tight protection.
Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
Harris completed the 2021 season ranked fifth on the Crimson Tide with 79 tackles, together with 12 1/2 for loss and 5 1/2 sacks. A 3-year starter, the 6-foot, 226-pound Harris stands out together with his athleticism and velocity, as his 40-yard sprint time of 4.44 ranked second amongst linebackers on the NFL scouting mix.
Third spherical
Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Maryland
After Maryland misplaced receivers Dontay Demus Jr. and Jeshaun Jones to season-ending accidents, Okonkwo grew to become one of many Terps’ high move catchers, recording 447 yards and 5 touchdowns on 52 receptions. Okonkwo can generate yards after the catch, block and line up as a halfback, the form of talent set the Ravens covet in a run-heavy scheme.
Fourth spherical
James Prepare dinner, RB, Georgia
Prepare dinner rushed for 728 yards and 7 touchdowns on 113 makes an attempt for the nationwide champion Bulldogs this previous season. He additionally showcased his skill as a pass-catcher, recording 284 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns.
With J.Ok. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill coming back from main season-ending accidents, it is perhaps smart for the Ravens so as to add some insurance coverage on the working again place.
NFL DRAFT
Thursday, 8 p.m.
Friday, 7 p.m.
Saturday, midday
TV: ESPN, NFL Community, Chs. 2, 7
Las Vegas
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