Who might the Baltimore Ravens be targeting in this week's NFL Draft? WTOP's Chris Cichon goes round-by-round to try to predict the gaps in the roster the team will try to address and which players might fit best.
Fresh off leading the Ravens in his rookie year to the playoffs, Lamar Jackson is set to begin his sophomore season in the NFL as the undisputed starting quarterback for Baltimore. Joe Flacco, who certainly is not “elite” anymore, was traded in the offseason to Denver and with the free agent signing of running back Mark Ingram, it looks more than ever like Baltimore will have a run-focused offense.
That does not necessarily mean the Ravens should skip looking at the wide receiver position in the 2019 NFL Draft. Head Coach John Harbaugh, who signed a four-year extension in January, admitted the group does not feature household names, but Jackson is in need of a reliable target in the passing game as he was only able to top 200+ yards passing in a game once. While this draft does not feature a can’t-miss superstar like Calvin “Megatron” Johnson or Odell Beckham Jr., wide receiver is one of the deeper positions in this year’s class.
A number of veterans have moved on from the organization, headlined by linebacker Terrell Suggs, who will undoubtedly enter Canton one day donning the Purple and Black. T-Sizzle is now with the Cardinals, fellow linebackers Za’Darius Smith joined Green Bay and C.J. Mosley is a Jet, while safety Eric Weddle signed with the Rams. The team signed Pro Bowl safety Earl Thomas, but the defense is pretty barren when it comes to veteran leadership and a lot of younger players will be asked to step up and carry on the tradition of stalwart Ravens defenses.
Despite tight end being a strong position in the draft, it’s hard to imagine the Ravens drafting anyone in the first few rounds after last season’s questionable decision to select Hayden Hurst in the first round. Robert Griffin III is a capable veteran backup, so while the team may look at a QB in the far later rounds, that is also not considered any sort of a need.
For Round 1, here are four players the Ravens should give a look with the 22nd overall pick, followed by one player in each of the subsequent rounds the team should consider.
Round 1a. (23rd overall) A.J. Brown — WR, Ole Miss
Brown put up gaudy numbers in 2018 with Ole Miss: 85 receptions, 1,320 yards and 6 TDs. He is best suited in the slot but can play any receiver position, and his ability to improvise his route running could come in handy with Jackson, who likes to scramble.
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Round 1b. N’Keal Harry — WR, Arizona State
The top-rated WR in the class, according to Sports Info Solutions, Harry is a strong run blocker with good physicality which will be very beneficial in this style offense. He’s a big WR who can go up and get the football at the point of attack and can provide Jackson with a nice target for back corner fades in the end zone.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Round 1c. D.K. Metcalf — WR, Ole Miss
If not for injuries (Metcalf played in just 21 games in three seasons as he dealt with foot and neck issues) he may have emerged as the clear-cut, best WR in this class. Metcalf is probably more widely known for his diesel physique that he can utilize when separating at the line of scrimmage and while blocking downfield in the run game. Metcalf showed off his speed at the combine running a 4.33 and can really blossom into an imposing WR at the next level as long as he stays healthy.
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Round 1d. Garrett Bradbury — C, North Carolina State
The Ravens could certainly use help in the interior, especially at center, and Bradbury is versatile enough to play center or guard. He’s has been compared to the likes of former Pro Bowlers Jason Kelce and Ryan Kalil and graded out exceptionally while at NC State.
(Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
Photo by Lance King/Getty Images
Round 3 (85th overall) Beau Benzschawel — OG, Wisconsin
If the Ravens do indeed elect to address the WR position in the first round, Bradbury surely will not be available here, so the team can bolster the interior line by selecting the versatile Benzschawel. He started 49 straight games at Wisconsin and proved he can excel in both the run and pass game.
(AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
AP Photo/Morry Gash, File
Round 3 (102nd overall — Compensatory) Jamel Dean — CB, Auburn
Dean has the height (6’1”) and speed (4.30 40-yard dash at the combine) along with the coverage skills to help bolster the strongest sector of the Ravens defense: the secondary. Dean needs to learn how to play better in the run game, but with Jimmy Smith’s future uncertain with the team, building depth at the position is pivotal.
(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
AP Photo/Vasha Hunt
Round 4 (113th overall, from Denver) Maxx Crosby — Edge Rusher, Eastern Michigan
This pick was acquired in the Joe Flacco deal. Joe Cool is gone and so are the edge rush veterans, and now the Ravens are in need of a guy who can get after the QB. Crosby has the physical ability and explosion to explode off the line and can immediately contribute on special teams while he matures, puts on muscle and learns different defensive schemes.
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Round 4 (123rd overall) Max Scharping — OT, Northern Illinois
Could DeCosta & Co. select two Max(x)’s from the MAC in Round 4? Scharping will provide insurance behind Orlando Brown on the right side of the offensive line, but he can also play on the left side, as he spent 27 games at LT and guard as well.
(AP Photo/Steve Cannon)
AP Photo/Steve Cannon
Round 5 (160th overall) Emmanuel Butler — WR, Northern Arizona
I strongly believe the Ravens will take a WR in the first round but the team still needs to build depth at the position. Butler is a big-bodied WR with strong hands that can win one-on-one battles. Butler participated in Arizona State’s pro day along with N’Keal Harry and led all attendees with a 34” vertical. Maybe both Harry and Butler could be Ravens, eventually surpassing Chris Moore and Jordan Lasley on the outside.
(Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images
Round 6 (191st overall) Tyree Jackson — QB, Buffalo
Lamar Jackson is the clear cut starter and RG3 is the backup, but the Ravens could keep a third QB on the roster or draft a guy like Jackson to join the practice squad. Jackson features the size (6’7”, 245 pounds) and the arm strength to handle big hits and deliver deep throws but is certainly a project who needs to sit and learn first.
(Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images
Round 6, (193rd overall) Karan Higdon — RB, Michigan
RB is not a position of need for the Ravens, but things can change quickly. A year ago Alex Collins was the starter but he was mainly ineffective in 10 games before getting placed on the IR in December and released following an arrest in March. Mark Ingram will be the primary ball carrier with Kenneth Dixon and Gus Edwards still in the mix, so Higdon’s role would mainly be on special teams for Baltimore as he is a solid blocker in protection. When it is his time to carry the rock, he has the ability to run in both zone and gap schemes and has good vision in the open field.
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Chris Cichon (aka "The Big Chee on WTOP") has been a sports anchor with WTOP since 2013. In addition to reporting on sports, Chris coaches football at Towson High School in Maryland.
