ExtremeRavens Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 Just one day after the Ravens’ 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game, general manager Eric DeCosta arrived in Mobile, Alabama, for the annual Senior Bowl to observe some of the nation’s top draft prospects. As quickly as the Ravens’ dominant season ended, DeCosta and his staff turned their attention toward rebuilding the roster. “I don’t have the luxury of really dwelling on a season,” DeCosta said Friday at the team’s end-of-season news conference. “We’ve moved on. I know I’ve moved on. I think the scouts have moved on, and now we’re excited about the future.” That future will be shaped in large part by the NFL draft, which begins April 25 in Detroit. There’s still a Super Bowl to be played between the Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, but it’s never too early to start thinking about next year’s rookie class. With the draft order one game away from being officially set, here are The Baltimore Sun’s projections for the first two rounds: 1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers): Caleb Williams, QB, USC The Bears still have a decision to make with Justin Fields, but it makes the most sense to trade him and bring in a cost-controlled rookie. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Williams has the creativity and scrambling ability to be a star, though he’ll have to find the right balance between playing on schedule and hunting for big plays. 2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU There’s a lot of Lamar Jackson to Daniels’ game, and that should be exciting for a franchise that has lacked star power since the early years of Robert Griffin III. The 6-4, 210-pound Daniels is lean and doesn’t always protect himself in the open field, but he’s a smooth passer with electric feet who could become an elite dual-threat player. 3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina Maybe the Patriots are confident enough in their evaluations to trade down and pass on a quarterback here, but it would be quite the gamble. The 6-4, 230-pound Maye might be the third player off the board here, but he has the athletic traits and competitiveness to be the best from this class when it’s all said and done. 4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State This might be the most popular mock draft pairing, and for good reason. The Cardinals have a glaring need at wide receiver, and the 6-4, 205-pound Harrison is perhaps the best one to enter the draft since Ja’Marr Chase. Quarterback Kyler Murray should be happy. Georgia tight end Brock Bowers could be the Chargers’ first draft pick of the Jim Harbaugh era. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) 5. Los Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams both entering the final years of their contracts and Quentin Johnston coming off a disappointing rookie season, wide receiver should be at the top of the Chargers’ wish list. But new coach Jim Harbaugh made tight ends a big part of his passing game at Michigan and should fall in love with the 6-4, 240-pound Bowers, who looked ready for the NFL as a freshman. 6. New York Giants: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington It would not be shocking to see the Giants reach for a quarterback here and look to move on from Daniel Jones in 2025. But if they do give Jones another chance, adding a stud receiver like the 6-3, 215-pound Odunze, a versatile and polished prospect coming off a dominant season, would give the offense a fighting chance. 7. Tennessee Titans: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU New coach Brian Callahan comes from Cincinnati, which enjoyed an embarrassment of riches at wide receiver during his time there. The Titans need more talent at the position to help quarterback Will Levis grow, and the 6-foot, 200-pound Nabers is an electric playmaker who would immediately give opposing defensive coordinators someone to worry about. 8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama The Falcons have selected just one defensive player (cornerback AJ Terrell) in the first round in their past six drafts. That changes with new coach Raheem Morris, who takes over after serving as the Rams’ defensive coordinator. The 6-4, 245-pound Turner should help provide the pass-rushing punch this team has lacked for years. 9. Chicago Bears: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama With the top receivers off the board, this feels like an easy decision. The NFC North is loaded with receiving talent, and star cornerback Jaylon Johnson could be headed elsewhere. The 6-foot, 196-pound Arnold is a fast-rising prospect who has earned the label of the top corner in this class. 10. New York Jets: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame Didn’t this work out nicely for the Jets? The offensive line needs an upgrade at left tackle, even if Aaron Rodgers’ old friend David Bakhtiari makes his way to New York. The 6-8, 322-pound Alt was dominant in college and can help keep Rodgers clean as the 40-year-old quarterback returns from a torn Achilles tendon. 11. Minnesota Vikings: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State The Vikings need to rebuild their defensive line this offseason, especially if they lose Danielle Hunter in free agency. The 6-4, 248-pound Verse plays with an edge and would be a great fit for defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy could be the replacement for Russell Wilson in Denver. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) 12. Denver Broncos: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan The Broncos made Russell Wilson the scapegoat for their failed 2023 season, so it seems likely they’ll go in a new direction at quarterback. The 6-3, 202-pound McCarthy did not always look the part of a first-round pick in college, but he’s young, athletic and went 27-1 as the starter for the reigning national champions. Coach Sean Payton might see a ball of clay he can mold into a star. 13. Las Vegas Raiders: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State The Raiders have three starting offensive linemen headed for free agency, including right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. The 6-6, 317-pound Fashanu did not become the top-five lock many expected him to be after a breakout 2022 season, but he’s still an elite prospect. 14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State The Saints, who whiffed on Trevor Penning and are facing an uncertain future with Ryan Ramczyk, need to get better up front. The 6-6, 325-pound Fuaga, a dominant run blocker, could play tackle or kick inside to guard. 15. Indianapolis Colts: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo Even if the Colts bring back pending free agent Kenny Moore II, cornerback should be an area of focus this offseason. The 6-1, 200-pound Mitchell cemented his status as a first-round pick with his standout performance at the Senior Bowl. 16. Seattle Seahawks: Troy Fautanu, OT/G, Washington New coach Mike Macdonald might want to go defense here to recapture some of the magic of his Ravens units, but the offensive line needs improvement. The 6-4, 317-pound Fautanu played left tackle at Washington but can also step in at guard. 17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU There are plenty of areas for the Jaguars to improve after their late-season collapse, and wide receiver jumps near the top of the list if Calvin Ridley doesn’t return. With his size and speed, the 6-4, 205-pound Thomas would give quarterback Trevor Lawrence a big-play threat. 18. Cincinnati Bengals: JC Latham, OT, Alabama The Bengals can’t mess around when it comes to improving their offensive line. The 6-6, 335-pound Latham is a bowling ball in the running game and can anchor the right side of the line to protect quarterback Joe Burrow. 19. Los Angeles Rams: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA Maybe the Rams see an opportunity to draft and develop a young quarterback behind Matthew Stafford, but that doesn’t seem like something coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead have the patience for. The 6-4, 265-pound Latu isn’t the quickest or strongest athlete, but he’s a relentless, skilled pass rusher who piled up 23 1/2 sacks over the past two seasons. Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean might be a fit in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, file) 20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cooper DeJean, CB/S, Iowa Rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. breathed some new life into an aging secondary, but the Steelers shouldn’t stop there. The 6-1, 209-pound DeJean is an outstanding athlete who can line up all over the defense and wreak havoc. 21. Miami Dolphins: Jackson Powers-Johnson, G/C, Oregon Perhaps the biggest winner of the Senior Bowl, Powers-Johnson is gaining steam as a potential top-20 pick. The Dolphins might lose both their starting center and right guard, opening a spot for the 6-3, 320-pound lineman to step in immediately. 22. Philadelphia Eagles: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia The Georgia-to-Philadelphia pipeline continues, this time on offense. The Eagles love to draft linemen early, and the 6-7, 330-pound Mims offers an extremely high ceiling despite making just eight college starts. This feels like a natural succession plan for right tackle Lane Johnson. 23. Houston Texans (via Cleveland Browns): Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas For the Texans to return to the playoffs, the defense needs to be retooled quickly. The 6-1, 308-pound Murphy is an explosive athlete who can make an impact as both a run defender and a pass rusher for defensive-minded coach DeMeco Ryans. 24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma Star left tackle Tyron Smith is a pending free agent at 33 years old and Terence Steele was one of the league’s worst right tackles last season. The 6-7, 327-pound Guyton, who stood out during Senior Bowl practices, has room to grow for a franchise that has always valued the offensive line. 25. Green Bay Packers: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson The Packers covet athleticism and physical traits, and the 6-2, 185-pound Wiggins checks all the boxes in that regard. Offensive line could be in play here too, but the secondary is a more pressing need. Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman would be a worthy successor to Mike Evans in Tampa Bay. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) 26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State It would be strange to see Mike Evans playing in anything other than a Buccaneers uniform, but there’s no guarantee the pending free agent returns for an 11th season in Tampa Bay. The 6-4, 215-pound Coleman would be a worthy successor with his size and ability to make contested catches. 27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston): Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois Coach Jonathan Gannon simply needs more playmakers for his league-worst defense. The 6-2, 295-pound Newton doesn’t have ideal size or length, but he’s disruptive and tough to block. 28. Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas Even if you think the lack of production from Stefon Diggs down the stretch was overblown, the Bills could stand to add another receiver, especially a cheap one. The 6-4, 196-pound Mitchell could be the steal of the first round after flashing some highlight-reel plays in college. 29. Detroit Lions: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri The Lions’ secondary struggled to overcome injuries this past season, particularly at outside corner. The 6-foot, 188-pound Rakestraw is tough and physical and a perfect fit for what Detroit wants to build on defense. 30. Ravens: Darius Robinson, DL/EDGE, Missouri With several pending free agents on defense, including Justin Madubuike, Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy, the Ravens need plenty of help to reach the heights of their league-best unit under Macdonald. The Athletic’s draft guru Dane Brugler labeled Robinson a player the Ravens would love because of his size, skill set and versatility. At 6-5 and 295 pounds, he’s an imposing presence who can hold the edge against the run and also rush the passer from the interior. A standout week at the Senior Bowl has pushed him into the first-round conversation. 31. San Francisco 49ers: Graham Barton, OT/G, Duke With experience at both left tackle and center, where he’s projected to play at the next level, the 6-5, 314-pound Barton provides valuable depth at perhaps the only weak spot on the 49ers’ roster. 32. Kansas City Chiefs: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona Everyone wants to give the Chiefs a wide receiver in the first round, but there are more important positions to address with several starters entering free agency. The 6-6, 320-pound Morgan could be the long-term answer at left tackle. Second round 33. Carolina Panthers: Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina 34. New England Patriots: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington 35. Arizona Cardinals: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama 36. Washington Commanders: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State 37. Los Angeles Chargers: Junior Colson, LB, Michigan 38. Tennessee Titans: T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas 39. New York Giants: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon 40. Washington Commanders (via Chicago): Zach Frazier, G/C, West Virginia 41. Green Bay Packers (via N.Y. Jets): Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU 42. Minnesota Vikings: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia 43. Atlanta Falcons: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon 44. Las Vegas Raiders: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington 45. New Orleans Saints (via Denver): Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan 46. Indianapolis Colts: Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington 47. New York Giants (via Seattle): Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama 48. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota 49. Cincinnati Bengals: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia 50. Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans): T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State 51. Pittsburgh Steelers: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston 52. Los Angeles Rams: Calen Bullock, S, USC 53. Philadelphia Eagles: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M 54. Cleveland Browns: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas 55. Miami Dolphins: Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas 56. Dallas Cowboys: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami 57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Payton Wilson, LB, NC State 58. Green Bay Packers: Javon Bullard, S, Georgia 59. Houston Texans: Dominick Puni, OT/G, Kansas 60. Buffalo Bills: Jonah Elliss, EDGE, Utah 61. Detroit Lions: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan 62. Ravens: Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale 63. San Francisco 49ers: Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn State 64. Kansas City Chiefs: Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky View the full article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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