We’re a little less than three weeks from the 2019 NFL Draft, which means mock draft season is fully underway. Fans and prognosticators alike will be trying to predict who the Baltimore Ravens will pick right until the draft begins on April 25th. I’m joining the fray with my own stab at the No. 22 overall selection.
Using Fanspeak’s mock draft generator, I ran a one-round simulation of the 2019 NFL Draft, placing myself in the shoes of general manager Eric DeCosta. And with the 22nd overall pick, I selected wide receiver A.J. Brown out of Ole Miss. I was pleasantly surprised to see Brown still be there, much like how I imagine fans and possibly even DeCosta would be should the draft play out like this.
In my scenario, DeCosta’s first draft would acknowledge one of Baltimore’s most pressing needs and attempt to give quarterback Lamar Jackson a playmaker in his first full season as a starter. It’s something the team failed to do adequately during Joe Flacco’s 11 seasons as the starter and something they’ve hopefully learned from.
Brown has drawn comparisons to Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Juju Smith-Schuster with his toughness and ability to create yards after the catch. He’s also one of those rough-and-tough receivers who can make a difference in the blocking game, which the Ravens have talked about looking for.
Admittedly, I did pass up Alabama running back Josh Jacobs, who was also available. But I didn’t want to take a chance and hope that there would either be a top receiver prospect left when the Ravens picked again at No. 85 or that the Ravens would be able to trade up to get a quality receiver prospect.
I don’t think that too many fans will be upset by Baltimore giving Jackson a quality weapon to grow with. But only time will tell if this is how it really goes.
