Ravens Insider: NFL mock draft (Version 4.0): How free agency changes the first round

[ExtremeRavens]

There’s nothing like the first day of NFL free agency.

The sheer volume of moves can be overwhelming — unless, of course, you’re the Ravens. Then it’s more about how many players Baltimore needs to replace and how long it can wait out the market to scoop up some bargains. It’s hard to argue with that approach.

Of course, the lifeblood of the Ravens’ success has always been the draft. They enter this year with a projected 11 picks, including No. 27 overall in the first round. How the first wave of free agency changes the picture for the Ravens and the teams picking ahead of them is a worthwhile study, even with more moves coming over the next several days.

But there has been enough significant player movement thus far to get a clearer picture of team needs as the draft approaches, beginning April 24. Here are The Baltimore Sun’s latest projections for the first round:

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.)

Sam Darnold (Seahawks) and Justin Fields (Jets) quickly found new homes, and Aaron Rodgers is likely headed to Pittsburgh. That leaves Tennessee with an easy choice here – unless they don’t like any of the top quarterbacks available or are blown away by a trade package from a desperate team. By all accounts, Ward has a high enough ceiling to take with the No. 1 selection.

2. Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Trading for Kenny Pickett doesn’t solve the Browns’ quarterback problem. While Sanders has been questioned for his lack of arm strength and brash personality, Cleveland was reportedly impressed with him at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January. With Myles Garrett re-signed, the Browns can keep building some excitement by taking the college superstar.

3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Is Russell Wilson the consolation prize for the Giants? This would be a tough scenario for a team that only has Tommy DeVito under contract at quarterback. Carter might seem redundant with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the edge, but the Super Bowl champion Eagles just proved that you can’t have too many pass rushers. Plus, New York re-signed wide receiver Darius Slayton and added cornerback Paulson Adebo to kick off free agency, perhaps ruling out Travis Hunter.

Could Travis Hunter be the No. 1 wide receiver the Patriots are searching for? (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

4. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

This would be a dream scenario for the Patriots, who used their cap space to target their biggest needs but have yet to land an impact wide receiver. If New England feels comfortable making Hunter a primary wide receiver with some cornerback snaps mixed in, he could become the No. 1 target for budding young star Drake Maye.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

So far, the Jaguars’ spending spree has not included an interior defensive lineman despite that being a glaring need. At this point, if Graham is still on the board when they make this pick, it would be surprising if they pass on him.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Well, cross quarterback off the Raiders’ wish list. Geno Smith is reunited with Pete Carroll after a surprising trade from the Seahawks, giving Las Vegas the freedom to improve a dreadful rushing attack. Jeanty is well worth a top-10 selection after having one of the best seasons for a running back in NCAA history.

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7. New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT/G, Missouri

With Morgan Moses going to the Patriots, the Jets have a hole at right tackle. Protecting new quarterback Fields should be a priority, so why not take the top offensive lineman available? With his length, size and movement skills, Membou can be a starter from Day 1.

8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia

After beefing up the defense in free agency, highlighted by safety Tre’von Moehrig and defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton, the Panthers should keep taking big swings to improve that side of the ball. Walker is a versatile chess piece who might be best suited as a full-time pass rusher.

9. New Orleans Saints: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

As evidenced by Tee Higgins and Chris Godwin staying with their respective teams, it’s hard to find elite wide receivers in free agency. Given long-term concerns about Chris Olave’s health following multiple concussions, the Saints should be thinking about targeting a wide receiver early in the draft. McMillan could blossom into a true No. 1 target.

10. Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

With the Bears aggressively overhauling their offensive line through a series of trades and free agent signings, they now have plenty of options with this pick. Tight end is a sneaky big need. Last season, only two other teams ran more plays out of 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) than the Lions when new coach Ben Johnson was the offensive coordinator. Warren could team up with Cole Kmet to give Caleb Williams some big targets over the middle.

11. San Francisco 49ers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

With cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Talanoa Hufanga departing in free agency, the 49ers need to restock their secondary. Barron lined up outside, in the slot and in the box for the Longhorns and has the potential to be a difference-making defender with his instincts and ability to break on the ball.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

With Javonte Williams signing as a free agent and the overall depth at the position in the draft, the Cowboys don’t need to force a running back selection here. Campbell can step into the same role Dallas envisioned for DeMarvion Overshown before he suffered a serious knee injury.

Michigan tight end Colston Loveland would be a perfect fit for the Broncos. (Al Goldis/AP Photo)

13. PROJECTED TRADE: Denver Broncos (via Miami Dolphins): Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

With linebacker Dre Greenlaw joining his former 49ers teammate Hufanga in Denver, the Broncos can be aggressive in targeting offensive playmakers. Loveland feels like a natural fit in the “joker” position for coach Sean Payton and has the potential to become the focal point of the passing attack.

14. Indianapolis Colts: Will Campbell, OT/G, LSU

Maybe it’s unrealistic to expect Campbell to fall out of the top 10, but that’s just an example of how things can change because of free agency. By signing Ward and safety Cam Bynum, the Colts addressed their leaky secondary. Now they can fix the interior of their offensive line or perhaps upgrade at right tackle with a starting-caliber player who can line up anywhere.

15. Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

The Falcons already had one of the worst defensive lines in the league, and then they cut longtime cornerstone Grady Jarrett. Stewart never had more than two sacks in a season in college, but he crushed the combine with athletic testing scores on par with Garrett. That’s the type of bet Atlanta needs to make to find an impact pass rusher.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

The Cardinals signed Josh Sweat and brought back Baron Browning to bolster their pass rush, but why stop there? Arizona reportedly made a big push for Milton Williams before he signed with New England, so the appetite for an interior defender is clear. Grant would be an outstanding Plan B.

17. PROJECTED TRADE: Houston Texans (via Cincinnati Bengals): Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

After trading five-time Pro Bowl selection Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders for a package of draft picks, the Texans should use some of that capital to find his replacement. In this scenario, they trade up from No. 25 to pick Banks, who has a high ceiling and is just 20 years old. The drop-off behind him at tackle might be steep enough to push Houston to make this move.

18. Seattle Seahawks: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

It’s been a wild couple of days for the Seahawks, who traded Smith and wide receiver DK Metcalf before signing Darnold to be their franchise quarterback. Jaxon Smith-Njigba needs a running mate for Klint Kubiak’s offense to excel, and Golden fits the bill as a reliable, smooth target who can help make things easier for Darnold.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

The Buccaneers have quietly become one of the league’s most steady franchises, as evidenced by Godwin, linebacker Lavonte David and guard Ben Bredeson choosing to re-sign. A one-year deal for Haason Reddick should not preclude Tampa Bay from adding more pass-rush help, so drafting Ezeiruaku as a long-term play at outside linebacker in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 defense makes sense.

20. PROJECTED TRADE: Miami Dolphins (via Denver Broncos): Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Whether it’s safety, interior offensive line or defensive tackle, the Dolphins have clear needs that they have thus far neglected to address in free agency. Cornerback is near the top, too, and if Johnson is still available, they shouldn’t hesitate to take him. Outside of Jalen Ramsey, who just turned 30, there’s not much depth there on the roster.

Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka would be a great complement to DK Metcalf in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

The big trade for Metcalf perhaps signals that George Pickens’ time in Pittsburgh is coming to an end. Egbuka has drawn comparisons to his former Buckeyes teammate Smith-Njigba, who excelled in the slot next to Metcalf in Seattle. Egbuka is a savvy, experienced player who could also thrive with the demanding Rodgers if he ends up being their quarterback.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Khalil Mack is back on a one-year deal, but the Chargers have a hole at edge rusher after cutting Joey Bosa. Williams’ size (6-5, 265 pounds), ability to crush the pocket and strength as a run defender should be appealing to coach Jim Harbaugh.

23. Green Bay Packers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

By signing guard Aaron Banks and cornerback Nate Hobbs, the Packers addressed two of their biggest needs. Can they find their No. 1 wide receiver in the draft? Maybe. According to NFL.com scout Lance Zierlein, Burden “checks several priority boxes that typically foreshadow an impressive NFL career.”

24. PROJECTED TRADE: Buffalo Bills (via Minnesota Vikings): Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

The signing of Josh Palmer doesn’t rule out a first-round wide receiver for Buffalo, but it certainly isn’t a huge priority anymore. Pairing Nolen with Ed Oliver is an enticing idea for a defense that needs to improve against the run, so much so that it would be worth a small trade up. The former five-star recruit has the tools to be an every-down menace.

25. PROJECTED TRADE: Cincinnati Bengals (via Houston Texans): Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

Given how deep this draft is at defensive line, it would make sense for the Bengals to entertain trading down. After re-signing B.J. Hill and adding T.J. Slayton, adding an edge rusher should be a priority, especially if Trey Hendrickson is traded. Green is a disruptive player who offers more upside than their previous high draft picks Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai.

26. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

The Rams seemingly have their starting five set after re-signing left tackle Alaric Jackson, but right tackle Rob Havenstein is 32 and entering the final year of his deal. Los Angeles can bring along Simmons slowly after he suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee last season. The Davante Adams signing probably rules out a wide receiver, even with Cooper Kupp expected to depart.

Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr. would be a worthwhile bet to improve the Ravens’ pass rush. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

27. Ravens: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

As is typical for the Ravens, they said goodbye to a handful of players at the onset of free agency in offensive lineman Patrick Mekari, cornerback Brandon Stephens, and linebackers Malik Harrison and Chris Board. But they brought back left tackle Ronnie Stanley, answering their biggest offseason question. At this point, the defensive line or secondary feel like the two areas to target early in the draft. There’s a good argument to be made for Pearce, an explosive player who can perhaps even exceed Odafe Oweh’s ceiling. Only the Ravens can decide whether any reported “character concerns” with Pearce are a real issue.

28. Detroit Lions: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M

The Lions brought back Marcus Davenport on a one-year deal and signed cornerback D.J. Reed, but the defensive upgrades shouldn’t stop there. Scourton has the size and pass-rush repertoire to be a worthy pairing alongside Aidan Hutchinson to help fill out an imposing defensive line.

29. Washington Commanders: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

With the additions of Tunsil, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, and the re-signings of tight ends Zach Ertz and John Bates and linebacker Bobby Wagner, the Commanders won’t be painted into a corner come draft time. Replacing versatile safety Jeremy Chinn with Emmanwori, an alluring package of size and speed, would be a savvy move.

30. PROJECTED TRADE: Minnesota Vikings (via Buffalo Bills): Grey Zabel, OT/G, North Dakota State

With just four total selections, it’s likely that Minnesota looks to trade down and recuperate some assets. After signing center Ryan Kelly, the Vikings can upgrade one of their guard spots with Zabel, who dominated the Senior Bowl to prove he belongs in the first-round conversation.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

By franchise-tagging guard Trey Smith, signing left tackle Jaylon Moore and re-signing wide receiver Marquise Brown, the Chiefs have stabilized their offense. With Wharton leaving and Derrick Nnadi, Mike Pennel and Charles Omenihu now free agents, addressing the defensive line with a promising prospect like Harmon might be a necessary move.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

Although the Eagles have the dynamite young pair of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean at corner, losing Darius Slay, Isaiah Rodgers and Avonte Maddox raises some concerns about the No. 3 spot. Offensive line might be a bigger priority for that front office, though, especially If Mekhi Becton doesn’t re-sign. Booker feels like a natural fit to take over at right guard.

Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon.

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