Pick Slots:
#27
#31 (picked up from Kansas City in trade for Orlando Brown
Best Guess: We will make one of these picks and trade down in the other one to pick up a second round pick and an additional fourth round pick
Team Needs:
1) Offensive Line help – right tackle and center – needs to be able to play immediately
2) Defensive Edge Rusher / Outside Linebacker (replacing Matthew Judon) – needs to
both set the edge against the run and rush the passer with explosiveness from the
outside
3) Wide Receiver – need somebody tall and fast who can win contested catches on the
outside and downfield – an improved version of Myles Boykin; we already have a
small speedster in Hollywood Brown)
Other Needs for Later Rounds:
1) Defensive Line – since our starters are on the last year of their contracts
2) Safety – we only have 2 starters – could use a free safety type that plays center field
and is a good ball hawk
3) Tight End – to give us a third option after Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle
Best Case Scenario:
1) Kwity Paye falls far enough that we can move up a few slots and select him – Unlikely
2) Teven Jenkins is still available when we pick — Hopeful
Alternative Picks:
– Trevon Moehrig is a safety that would be worth the value at our picks; but not an area of immediate need
– Same with Christian Barmore – defensive lineman
– Jaelan Phillips would be another good player on the EDGE – but might not fit our defensive scheme as much and probably not still on the board; also a huge risk due to some medical concerns
– Azeez Ojulari also a possibility – might be a little small and have trouble setting the edge
– Creed Humphrey – Center from OK; I like him a lot; just not sure he is a first round talent
Other Considerations – comments on players others have projected in first round to Ravens:
– Wide receivers: Rashod Bateman or Terrace Marshall Jr. – not sure they are impactful enough to be worth a first round pick; not as tall as I would like; some medical concerns with Marshall
– All of the lower round EDGE players have been projected to the Ravens – some of them based more on body type and athletic ability but without proven production (e.g. Jayson Oweh and Joseph Ossai) in terms of sacks – Joe Tryon is a possibility but rated more as a good second round talent
– Other tackles merit consideration: Samuel Cosmi (needs to refine technique but has a high up side – more of an under-sized left tackle or possibly left guard), Alex Leatherwood (we love Alabama players), Liam Eichenberg (but he lacks the nasty streak) and Jalen Mayfield (might be more suited to guard because of some issues protecting against outside pass rushers)
– Centers have more second round potential
o Landon Dickerson – would be a great selection except for too many medical issues with his knees
o Creed Humphrey – mentioned above
