With the NFL combine wrapping up on Monday, Luke Easterling of Draft Wire took an updated look at the draft with a four-round mock. In Easterling’s mind, the Baltimore Ravens and new general manager Eric DeCosta should load up on offense early on in the draft.
No. 22: Kelvin Harmon, WR | North Carolina State
With Lamar Jackson now the quarterback in Baltimore, it only makes sense to build around him and give him choice weapons — something the team failed to do with outgoing QB Joe Flacco. Given the state of the Ravens’ receivers room and the poor free agent market at wide receiver this offseason, opting to take a wide receiver at No. 22 makes perfect sense for Baltimore.
At 6 feet 3 and 221 pounds, Harmon profiles as a prototypical possession receiver with exceptional hands. At the combine, Harmon confidently declared that his ball skills made him the best receiver in the draft, saying that “those 50/50 balls are 90/10 balls when they’re thrown my way.” However, concerns persist surrounding the North Carolina State product’s athleticism and ability to get separation, and a mediocre combine showing from Harmon that seems to legitimize those worries could nudge his draft stock well below pick No. 22.
No. 85: Beau Benzschawel, OL | Wisconsin
Starting in 49 consecutive games for the Badgers at right guard, the two-time All-American profiles as an adept run blocker who is otherwise rather unpolished. Kyle Crabbs of the Draft Network calls Benzschawel “a frustrating talent who clearly has traits that can make an impact,” but his lack of mobility will make him “very scheme-specific in a power run-heavy scheme.” While the Ravens don’t have any immediate issues on the right side of the line, with guard Marshal Yanda and tackle Orlando Brown Jr. holding down things quite well, Benzschawel could be an interesting developmental prospect who could eventually take over for Yanda or make the switch to left guard, where Baltimore has had struggles of late.
No. 102 (compensatory pick): Darrell Henderson, RB | Memphis
Following the arrest and subsequent release of running back Alex Collins, Gus Edwards and Kenneth Dixon are the only Ravens halfbacks under contract for 2019. While some believe that Baltimore could turn to big names like free agent Le’Veon Bell or likely first-round pick Josh Jacobs to fill the void, Henderson would be a much more practical, realistic option.
Though he doesn’t have the name brand of Bell or Jacobs, Henderson still brings plenty of intrigue and talent to the table. The Memphis standout posted a remarkable 8.9 yards per carry last season, rushing for 1,909 yards and 22 touchdowns on 214 carries. A blazing 4.37-second 40-yard dash time at the combine only further validates his immense ability.
No. 113 (from DEN): Porter Gustin, edge rusher | USC
There’s a sense that had it not been for a string of unfortunate injuries, Gustin could’ve been a real star. Before a fractured ankle ended his senior season, Gustin racked up seven sacks in just five-and-a-half games in 2018. Furthermore, Gustin’s physical prowess is uncontested, as his 31 bench press reps at the combine led all linebackers.
Nonetheless, after a collegiate career filled with injuries, selecting Gustin constitutes a reasonable risk for any team. Will the franchise that drafts him get that dominant, top-flight edge rusher? Or, will they get the one that suited up healthy in just 10 games over his final two seasons? With linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs potentially set to depart in free agency, that risk could be one worth taking for Baltimore.
No. 123: Daniel Wise, DL — Kansas
Having compiled 10 sacks over the past two seasons at Kansas, Wise profiles as an underappreciated, under-the-radar pass rusher who could be an early Day 3 gem at the draft. With five sacks in 2018, Wise ranked 10th among all NCAA defensive tackles in sacks last season. Wise was also very efficient, too, generating those sacks on just 18 total pressures. Wise also stood out early in the draft process, making his name known after an impressive showing during the East-West Shrine Game week. However, his 5.28-second 40-yard dash time at the combine — the slowest among all defenders — and his 22 reps on the bench press may raise questions from front offices about his athleticism.
