The calendar has formally flipped to April, which might solely imply one factor: It’s time to prepare for the NFL draft.
The primary spherical begins April 27 in Kansas Metropolis, however till then, the Ravens have a lot to determine. Most notably, their contract stalemate with star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has requested a commerce whereas below the $32.4 million nonexclusive franchise tag. If he will get his want, the Ravens’ draft may look so much completely different.
Baltimore owns 5 picks: Nos. 22 (first spherical), 86 (third spherical), 124 (fourth spherical), 157 (fifth spherical) and 199 (sixth spherical). A blockbuster deal for Jackson would considerably enhance the scale of that haul, however the Ravens are assured at the least one extra first-rounder this yr if Jackson indicators a suggestion with one other workforce earlier than the draft and Baltimore declines to match it.
As we get nearer to the draft, The Baltimore Solar will look at which gamers at every place of want (quarterback, huge receiver, cornerback, line of defense, edge rusher and offensive line) might be accessible within the early, center and late rounds when the Ravens are on the clock.
With veteran chief Calais Campbell now in Atlanta and dependable contributors Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul nonetheless free brokers, the line of defense is prepared for a youth motion.
Early: Clemson’s Bryan Bresee
Terps cornerback Deonte Banks isn’t the one Maryland native who may tempt the Ravens within the first spherical.
Bresee (pronounced bruh-ZEE) turned the No. 1 general recruit within the nation at Damascus Excessive earlier than committing to powerhouse Clemson, the place he burst onto the scene as a freshman. He began 10 video games in 2020, recording 23 tackles, 6 1/2 tackles for loss and 4 sacks to earn first-team All-Atlantic Coast Convention and freshman All-American honors, however he performed solely 4 video games the next season earlier than struggling a torn ACL.
In the course of the center of final season, Bresee left the Tigers to be along with his household after the loss of life of his youthful sister, Ella, who handed away from mind most cancers on the age of 15. He additionally battled a kidney an infection and a shoulder harm that later required surgical procedure however nonetheless earned second-team All-ACC honors, recording 15 tackles, 5 1/2 tackles for loss and three 1/2 sacks in 10 video games.
Whereas the 21-year-old Bresee is now not thought-about a top-10 prospect given his harm historical past and restricted faculty manufacturing, he nonetheless provides great potential. At 6 ft 5 and 298 kilos, Bresee ran the 40-yard sprint in 4.86 seconds, recorded a 29-inch vertical leap and delivered 22 reps on the bench press to rank sixth amongst defensive tackles on the NFL scouting mix in athleticism rating.
When he was on the sector, Bresee put these bodily instruments to good use. Whereas analysts say his method lacks refinement, he’s been praised for his instincts and skill to each anchor towards double groups whereas defending the run and push the pocket as a go rusher. He’s additionally versatile, lining up at a number of spots alongside the Tigers’ loaded line of defense. His capability to stress the quarterback is maybe most intriguing, having delivered a career-best 82.0 pass-rushing grade this previous fall, in line with Professional Soccer Focus.
Given his pedigree and flashes of elite play, Bresee may show to be a worthy funding for a Ravens workforce that should get youthful on the line of defense.
Center: Texas’ Moro Ojomo
Whereas the tweener label can usually be a detriment within the draft analysis course of, it may show to be a power for Ojomo.
At 6-3 and 292 kilos, Ojomo may be higher suited lining up on the sting moderately than the inside, however his power defending the run speaks for itself. In his redshirt senior yr at Texas, Ojomo earned an elite 91.4 run protection grade, in line with PFF. Mixed with a dominant 17.8% go rush win fee — how usually he beat a block inside 2.5 seconds whereas pressuring the quarterback — he earned a 90.6 general grade, eighth amongst all Division I inside defenders. In 376 snaps, he set profession highs in defensive stops (19) and whole pressures (26).
With 34 1/2-inch arms, a eager understanding of leverage and the tenacity to play till the whistle, Ojomo is a troublesome task for offensive linemen. Nonetheless, analysts say his stiff decrease half and lack of explosiveness are a priority, with Ojomo maybe relying an excessive amount of on his upper-body power to beat blockers on the line of scrimmage.
After beginning three seasons in faculty, Ojomo, who was born in Nigeria and moved to the USA when he was 7 years previous, is barely 21. That mixture of youth and expertise might be significantly interesting for the Ravens on the subject of restocking their roster round what might be a profitable extension for Jackson.
Late: Oklahoma’s Jalen Redmond
If the Ravens wish to take a giant swing on the finish of the draft, a former edge rusher-turned-interior defensive lineman might be a worthy choice.
With a standout efficiency on the scouting mix, the 6-2, 291-pound Redmond ranked third amongst defensive tackles in athleticism rating. He completed with the perfect outcomes at his place within the vertical leap, broad leap, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle; solely Pittsburgh’s Calijah Kancey, a projected first-round choose, beat him within the 40-yard sprint, working the quickest time by a defensive sort out since 2003. That’s spectacular for a participant who switched positions and added almost 60 kilos in faculty.
Nonetheless, analysts say that athleticism doesn’t present up sufficient on tape. Though Redmond produced strong numbers throughout his faculty profession, recording 71 tackles, 31 1/2 tackles for loss and 14 sacks over three seasons, he wasn’t dominant. Regardless of recording the second-fastest 10-yard break up and the fourth-most bench press reps amongst defensive tackles on the mix, Redmond performs with heavy ft and inconsistent leverage, analysts say. For all his bodily instruments, there’s a query whether or not he can beat blocks constantly on the subsequent stage.
Nonetheless, these instruments are interesting, particularly late within the draft. Even when Redmond solely turns into a rotational participant for the Ravens, that’s a welcome consequence for a Day 3 choose.
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