ExtremeRavens Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 The beauty of the NFL draft is in the uncertainty. Less than three weeks before the first round begins April 25 in Detroit, there’s no consensus on how the first round will play out. The Chicago Bears drafting Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick is just about the only selection set in stone. But for as hard as the team and player pairings are to predict in mock drafts, there’s a much clearer picture of who the first-round caliber prospects are at this point of the calendar. With that in mind, let’s take a look at which players at positions of need could be available for the Ravens when they’re on the clock at No. 30 overall: Offensive line Amarius Mims, Georgia: There might not be a prospect with a wider range on the first night of the draft. At 6 feet, 8 inches tall and a lean (yes, lean) 340 pounds, Mims looks the part of an elite tackle, but he only made eight starts in his three-year career at Georgia. Questions about his lack of experience and durability could push him down the board to the Ravens, who might be thrilled to take a chance on the 21-year-old’s incredible potential. Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma: Guyton is the most popular pick for the Ravens in recent mock drafts, and it’s easy to see why. At 6-8 and 322 pounds, the former H-back has the size and athleticism to be a cornerstone tackle on the left or right side. But he’s still raw, which means he might not be ready to play right away for a team in need of a starting right tackle. Jordan Morgan, Arizona: Along with Guyton, Morgan has been a popular pairing for the Ravens. Baltimore might be interested too, having reportedly met with the lineman ahead of his pro day. The 6-5, 311-pound Morgan has the size and skill set to play tackle, but some analysts project him to be more successful at guard. Either way, he’ll need to get stronger to hold up at the next level. BYU right tackle Kingsley Suamataia waits for the snap during the Senior Bowl on Feb. 3 in Mobile, Alabama. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) Kingsley Suamataia, BYU: Ranked No. 39 overall on the media consensus big board, Suamataia might be a reach late in the first round, but he has the profile of a prospect worth betting on. A former five-star recruit, the 6-5, 322-pound Suamataia is an explosive athlete with long arms and an aggressive mentality. Although he could need some time to develop and refine his technique, the Ravens’ patience could pay off in a high-end starter. Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon: The Ravens have their franchise center in Pro Bowl selection Tyler Linderbaum, but what if they want a potential Pro Bowl-caliber guard, too? The 6-3, 328-pound Powers-Johnson is considered by far the best interior offensive lineman in the draft after dominating the Senior Bowl and could step in immediately at one of the Ravens’ two vacant guard spots. Positional value suggests drafting interior linemen early is a poor use of resources, but there’s no doubt “JPJ” would bolster a group at the core of the Ravens’ identity. Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, Texas: A player who has drawn comparisons with George Pickens and Tee Higgins would certainly bring a different flavor to the Ravens’ receiver room. But for as enticing as Mitchell’s size, speed and catch radius are, the 6-2, 205-pound Georgia transfer also comes with plenty of question marks, notably inconsistent effort and some wasted movement in his route running. Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey catches a touchdown pass against TCU during the College Football Playoff national championship game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Jan. 9, 2023. (Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Ladd McConkey, Georgia: Behind star tight end Brock Bowers, McConkey was the second-leading receiver (762 yards, seven touchdowns) for offensive coordinator Todd Monken when the Bulldogs won a second straight national title in 2022. Might Monken want to bring his former pupil to Baltimore? The 6-foot, 186-pound McConkey can win both on the outside and from the slot, though he could struggle to beat press coverage because of his lack of size and strength. Xavier Worthy, Texas: Worthy turned heads with an NFL scouting combine-record time of 4.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash, but speed alone does not make a good wide receiver. He is only 5-11 and 165 pounds (first percentile among players drafted since 1999), so physical coverage can neutralize his elusiveness and prevent him from making contested catches. Any offense would like to add an elite vertical threat, but the first round might be too rich for Worthy. Keon Coleman, Florida State: A former basketball player at Michigan State, the 6-3, 213-pound Coleman brings an “above the rim” mentality to the receiver position with his ability to win jump balls and make contested catches. Although he ran the 40-yard dash in a disappointing 4.61 seconds and can struggle to separate from defenders, his combination of size, strength and reliable hands is enticing for a Ravens team in need of a big outside target. Edge rusher Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson rushes the passer against Rutgers on Nov. 18, 2023, in State College, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger) Chop Robinson, Penn State: The Gaithersburg native and Maryland transfer has been one of the draft’s rising stars after posting strong athletic testing numbers at the combine, including a blazing 4.48-second 40-yard dash at 254 pounds. What might drop him to the Ravens’ range is a lack of production at Penn State (9 1/2 combined sacks in the past two seasons), less-than-ideal size and subpar technique outside of an elite first step off the line of scrimmage. Darius Robinson, Missouri: If the Ravens are looking for someone to fill Jadeveon Clowney’s big shoes as an edge setter and a pass rusher, this could be the choice. The 6-5, 285-pound Robinson has the size, strength and length (34 1/2-inch arms) to line up all over the defensive front and offers plenty of potential after leading the Tigers in tackles for loss (14) and sacks (8 1/2) as a fifth-year senior. He needs to refine his game, but giving pass-rush guru Chuck Smith a tool kit like Robinson’s to work with could produce a star. Cornerback Cooper DeJean, Iowa: Some evaluators are split on whether DeJean is best at cornerback or safety after he started at both spots in college, but he has the tools to be an impact player in either role. An explosive athlete, the 6-foot, 203-pound DeJean is also a standout punt returner, but there are questions about his ability to play press and man-to-man coverage after excelling as a zone defender at Iowa. Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry celebrates during the Rose Bowl against Michigan on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, California. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama: Top players often fall into the Ravens’ lap during the draft, and McKinstry could be next in line. While more explosive athletes have jumped him in the rankings, his body of work as a three-year starter for coach Nick Saban’s excellent and demanding defense speaks for itself. Though McKinstry only recorded two interceptions in college, his awareness, length and poise fit the profile of a longtime NFL starter. Kamari Lassiter, Georgia: It’s unlikely the Ravens reach for a prospect but they could be tempted by the former Bulldogs standout. The 5-11, 186-pound Lassiter is aggressive, versatile and savvy, and he’s drawn rave reviews for his leadership and competitiveness inside one of the nation’s top programs. His size, speed and athleticism might be lacking for the position, but his intangibles could catch the Ravens’ attention. View the full article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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