ExtremeRavens Posted 14 hours ago Posted 14 hours ago The NFL draft kicks off Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and with the Ravens holding 11 selections this year, general manager Eric DeCosta will be busy. Baltimore’s first-round pick won’t come until No. 27, and with just three picks among the first 128 this year, it will be imperative that they find at least one or two immediate contributors in the middle rounds to round out a roster that is otherwise expected to contend for a Super Bowl. The most buzz-worthy pick, though, could come on Day 3 if the Ravens select a kicker with the status of Justin Tucker uncertain as he is investigated for sexual misconduct allegations by several massage therapists. There are also plenty of other needs, including at edge rusher, cornerback, safety, offensive and defensive line and linebacker. Using draft rankings and projections, Pro Football Focus’ simulator and taking into consideration Baltimore’s needs, Baltimore Sun Ravens reporter Brian Wacker and editor C.J. Doon played the role of general manager and picked their own rookie class. Here’s who they took: Brian Wacker’s picks No. 27 (Round 1): Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M The Ravens’ biggest needs are at edge rusher, cornerback, safety and offensive line. Even though Stewart had only 4 1/2 career sacks for the Aggies, the belief is the talent is there to be an impactful player, and the Ravens catch a break with the Senior Bowl and scouting combine standout falling to them. Also considered: Oregon DT Derrick Harmon, Alabama G Tyler Booker, Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell No. 59 (Round 2): Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina A likely first-round pick if not for a torn ACL last September, Revel would give Baltimore a much-needed player who could contribute immediately at a position that has little in the way of depth. At 6-2, 220 pounds, he is the type of athletic, physical cornerback the Ravens covet and can step in on the outside opposite Nate Wiggins. Also considered: Notre Dame S Xavier Watts, Ohio State EDGE JT Tuimoloau, Texas DT Alfred Collins No. 91 (Round 3): Emery Jones, G/T, LSU Though Baltimore re-signed left tackle Ronnie Stanley and Andrew Vorhees is likely to regain his starting spot at left guard, there’s a need to add depth. Jones was a three-year starter at right tackle but could project inside and is the kind of raw prospect with a wide frame and long arms the Ravens would love to develop. Also considered: Kansas State CB Jacob Parrish, William & Mary OT Charles Grant, Oklahoma ILB Danny Stutsman Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon lines up against Alabama in 2024. Despite his size, he could develop into a starter for Baltimore. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) No. 129 (Round 4): Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia Though John Harbaugh said that he expects Trenton Simpson to start alongside Roquan Smith, there’s also a lack of depth with the free agent departures of Malik Harrison, Chris Board and Kristian Welch. Mondon, a former safety, is small (6-2, 224 pounds) but fast and athletic and projects as a “cleanup and cover” weak side linebacker, one AFC scout said in his NFL draft profile. Also considered: Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa, Mississippi LB Chris Paul Jr., Ohio State S Lathan Ransom No. 136 (Round 4): Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State With a deep defensive line class, the Ravens bolster their front with much-needed depth. The 6-3, 299-pound Hamilton is undersized for the interior but quick off the line, which should allow him to disrupt the gaps. Also considered: Maryland WR Tai Felton, Penn State S Jaylen Reed, Virginia Tech DT Aeneas Peebles No. 176 (Round 5): Malachi Moore, S, Alabama Moore played deep safety, in the box and in the slot for the Crimson Tide. The Ravens love that kind of versatility, and while he’s on the smaller side at 5-11, 196 pounds, Moore led Alabama in pass breakups (eight) and was a captain each of the past two seasons. With only starters Kyle Hamilton and Ar’Darius Washington and second-year players Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade on the roster, there’s also a need. Also considered: Virginia S Jonas Sanker, Central Arkansas EDGE David Walker, Michigan OT Myles Hinton No. 183 (Round 6): Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, OT, Florida At 6-7 and 316 pounds with long arms, Crenshaw-Dickson has the requisite size. He also has experience (46 starts), played both tackle spots for the Gators, and with some polish could go from solid backup to potential starter one day. Also considered: Virginia Tech WR Jaylin Lane, Illinois WR Pat Bryant, Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser No. 203 (Round 6): Ryan Fitzgerald, K, Florida State The Ravens have never drafted a kicker, but with the uncertainty surrounding Tucker and the NFL’s investigation, senior special teams coach Randy Brown has been checking out kickers. Fitzgerald, who worked out for the Ravens, made 32 of 34 field goal attempts the past two seasons and has a strong leg. Also considered: Clemson TE Jake Briningstool, Tennessee DT Elijah Simmons, UCLA LB Kain Medrano The bench celebrates as North Carolina defensive back Alijah Huzzie returns a punt for a touchdown against Georgia Tech in 2024. Huzzie could contribute on special teams and in the slot. (AP Photo/Chris Seward) No. 210 (Round 6): Alijah Huzzie, CB, North Carolina DeCosta is fond of saying that he can never have enough cornerbacks, so don’t be surprised if the Ravens add a couple via the draft this year. Huzzie played six years, first at East Tennessee State then for the Tar Heels, and is the kind of physical, athletic player who could contribute on special teams (two punt return touchdowns) and in the slot after leading North Carolina in pass breakups (eight) and racking up 5 1/2 tackles for loss. Also considered: Miami K Andres Borregales, Florida LB Shemar James, Texas Tech TE Jalin Conyers No. 212 (Round 6): Max Brosmer, QB, Minnesota Last year’s sixth-round pick Devin Leary hasn’t yet shown that he can be a potential backup, so he gets some competition with Brosmer, who doesn’t have a big arm but showed decent accuracy in setting a school record with 268 completions on 403 attempts (66.5%). Also considered: Pittsburgh OT Branson Taylor, Boston College DT Cam Horsley, Miami EDGE Tyler Baron No. 243 (Round 7): Efton Chism III, WR, Eastern Washington Chism is small (5-10, 195 pounds) and comes from a small school. But he was also productive, broke Cooper Kupp’s FCS record for most consecutive games with a catch with 53 and was the team’s main returner, something Harbaugh said he would like to add. Chism checks off a lot of boxes as a late flier or priority free agent. Also considered: Navy S Rayuan Lane III, North Carolina G Willie Lampkin, Miami DT Simeon Barrow Jr. C.J. Doon’s picks No. 27 (Round 1): Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M With Kyle Van Noy having just turned 34 and Odafe Oweh mentioned as a possible trade candidate entering the final year of his rookie deal, edge rusher is perhaps the weakest spot on an otherwise stacked roster. Scourton has been overlooked in this draft class despite productive seasons against Big Ten (10 sacks at Purdue in 2023) and SEC competition (team-leading 14 tackles for loss, five sacks in 2024). The 6-3, 257-pound prospect plays with force, has a deep bag of moves and won’t turn 21 until August. Also considered: South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori, Ohio State G/T Donovan Jackson, Ole Miss CB Trey Amos South Carolina defensive lineman T.J. Sanders runs a drill during the Senior Bowl in January. Sanders would provide needed depth for Baltimore. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) No. 59 (Round 2): T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina Nnamdi Madubuike is a star and Travis Jones has blossomed into a reliable starter, but Jones is entering a contract year and there is little depth behind him. The 6-4, 305-pound Sanders has promising length, explosiveness and twitch and can immediately push Broderick Washington for snaps while developing into a more well-rounded player. Also considered: Minnesota OT Aireontae Ersery, Miami TE Elijah Arroyo, Iowa State CB Darien Porter No. 91 (Round 3): Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State The 5-10, 191-pound Parrish is on the smaller side for the position (8th percentile height, 27th percentile weight, per MockDraftable), but he plays a big game. The former high school running back and track star (4.35-second 40-yard dash) has experience at slot and outside corner and the athletic tools to get on the field quickly in Baltimore. Also considered: Ohio State S Lathan Ransom, William & Mary OT Charles Grant, TCU WR Savion Williams TRADE: No. 125 (Round 4, via LA Chargers): Miles Frazier, G/T, LSU It’s happening, folks. In this mock scenario, the Ravens trade tight end Mark Andrews to the Chargers for a fourth-round pick, reuniting the franchise’s all-time touchdowns leader with his former offensive coordinator Greg Roman. With Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar also playing on the last year of their deals, this fake GM made the tough decision to get something in return for Andrews now before he hits free agency. With the pick, the Ravens add a potential starting guard in Frazier, who also has experience at left tackle dating to his time at Florida International. He did not allow a sack in the final 20 games of his career, according to PFF. Also considered: Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon WR Tez Johnson, Virginia Tech DT Aeneas Peebles No. 129 (Round 4): Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State With Washington officially back on the roster after signing his restricted free agent tender, the need for a safety is lessened. But Washington will hit unrestricted free agency next year, and backups Brade and Kane are still unproven. The 6-foot, 211-pound Reed led the Nittany Lions in tackles (98) and interceptions (three) this past season, but he’ll have to improve his coverage skills and cut down on mistakes to become a starter. Also considered: Georgia G Dylan Fairchild, Clemson LB Barrett Carter, Georgia LB Smael Mondon Jr. Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans carries the ball during the College Football Playoff national championship game against Ohio State in January. Evans has the tools to become a potential Mark Andrews replacement. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) No. 136 (Round 4): Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame With Andrews gone, the Ravens need another young tight end to develop. The 6-5, 253-pound Evans has strong hands, which he flashed on some acrobatic catches and is effective at finding soft spots in zone coverage. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2023 and isn’t an explosive athlete, but his reliability as a pass catcher and in-line blocker gives him a high floor. Also considered: Virginia Tech EDGE Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Illinois WR Pat Bryant, Western Michigan CB Bilhal Kone No. 176 (Round 5): Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State Adding depth at linebacker is a must, and there are some good options on Day 3. The 6-2, 232-pound Simon emerged as a leader for the national champion Buckeyes, receiving the “Block O” jersey and being voted team captain. He led the team with 112 tackles in 2024 and stepped up in big games, earning defensive Most Valuable Player honors of the Rose Bowl and national championship game. Also considered: Oregon OT Ajani Cornelius, Alabama DT Tim Smith, Florida WR Elijhah Badger No. 183 (Round 6): Rylie Mills, DT, Notre Dame The Ravens would be smart to double-dip on the defensive line in this draft. Baltimore will have to be comfortable with Mills’ medicals after he suffered a season-ending right knee injury in the College Football Playoff, but the 6-5, 296-pound lineman has the size, heavy hands and high motor to compete for snaps when healthy. He led the Fighting Irish in sacks (7 1/2) and tackles for loss (8 1/2) in 2024. Also considered: South Carolina DT Tonka Hemingway, Kansas OT Bryce Cabeldue, Florida CB Jason Marshall Jr. TRADE No. 188 (Round 6, via Tennessee): Zah Frazier, CB, UTSA With the Ravens having few glaring needs to fill on their roster, it seems unlikely that they’ll make all of their late-round selections. In this scenario, they trade pick Nos. 203 and 210 to Tennessee to move up and select Frazier, a 25-year-old with only one season of starting experience in the FBS who has intriguing tools. His combination of length (80 1/8-inch wingspan, 95th percentile), speed (4.36-second 40-yard dash) and production (six interceptions in 2024) is worth betting on. Also considered: South Carolina CB O’Donnell Fortune, Auburn WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Rutgers RB Kyle Monangai No. 212 (Round 6): Jimmy Horn Jr., WR/KR, Colorado Harbaugh gets his returner. The 5-8, 174-pound Horn has the speed (ran a combine-best 19.81 mph during the gauntlet drill) and shiftiness to earn touches on offense and provide some juice in the return game. He lacks size and strength, but the South Florida transfer averaged 21.1 yards as a kick returner and 6.4 yards as a punt returner in his career. Also considered: North Dakota State QB Cam Miller, Texas C Jake Majors, Georgia S Dan Jackson No. 243 (Round 7): Maddux Trujillo, K, Temple If the Ravens decide to take a kicker, this feels like the spot to do it. Trujillo (pronounced TRUH-hee-YO) became just the third player in NCAA history to record two 60-plus-yard field goals in the same season, including a 64-yarder that set the Lincoln Financial Field record. The Austin Peay transfer went 16-for-22 (72.7%) with the Owls. Also considered: Cincinnati RB Corey Kiner, UNLV WR Ricky White, Fresno State S Dean Clark Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article Quote
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