The 2019 NFL draft is only a few days away. Though the Baltimore Ravens should be looking to trade back in the first round to acquire some more selections, we took a look at the draft as it stands now. The staff here at Ravens Wire put together a dueling four-round mock draft to see what names might be called for Baltimore.
We used FanSpeak’s mock draft simulator with the Bleacher Report big board and FanSpeak’s team needs. That was done in an effort to make each mock draft as similar and realistic as possible.
Let’s take a look at the players we’ve chosen while playing GM for the Ravens:
First round – No. 22:
Matthew Stevens: DL, Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
If you’re evaluating pure talent, Simmons is a top-5 pick all day long. However, a video showing Simmons punching a woman in 2016 and a torn ACL suffered this offseason will likely push him down the board. But Simmons has the talent to play all along the defensive line, both as a run stuffer and pass rusher. He’s been compared to Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Heyward — both great examples of how big of a steal Simmons could be at No. 22 if he can hit his ceiling. Simmons is the “BPA” here that I just can’t pass up.
Chuck Mills: WR, A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
The Ravens get Lamar Jackson a weapon here. Brown is a receiver that wins at the catch point and knows how to gain those yards after catch. He can also help as a blocker in the run game.
Kevin Oestreicher: WR, D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss
Metcalf has the potential to be a true No. 1 receiver for the Ravens. His 4.33-second 40-yard dash blew away every single scout in Indianapolis, and he has all of the tools to be a top-10 pick. If Metcalf slips to the Ravens at 22, expect him to be the pick.
Nathan Beaucage: RB, Josh Jacobs, Alabama
Though running back isn’t an area of dire need for the Ravens, Jacobs presents too much value to pass up at this point as the undisputed best player available. A three-headed backfield with Gus Edwards, Mark Ingram and Jacobs would pose a logistical nightmare for opposing defenses, and once Ingram’s time is up in Baltimore, Jacobs could potentially take the reins of the Ravens’ backfield as one of the league’s top feature backs.
Third round – No. 85:
Matthew Stevens: EDGE, Christian Miller, Alabama
It wouldn’t be a Ravens draft without an Alabama player getting grabbed, right? Miller was once again my “BPA” thanks to a run on wide receivers in the second and third rounds. While two running backs were higher rated on my board, finding a pass rusher is a far bigger priority here. I felt there would still be solid prospects at running back and wide receiver at Baltimore’s next pick: 102.
Miller is still pretty raw technically and physically but the Ravens are perhaps the best spot for him. He’ll initially be asked to chase down quarterbacks but with a little more development, Miller could reasonably become Terrell Suggs’ replacement as a three-down linebacker.
Chuck Mills: WR, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Stanford
The Ravens double down at receiver, taking Arcega-Whiteside out of Stanford. Arcega is deceptively fast and has the size and catch ability to serve as a reliable target on third down and in the red zone.
Kevin Oestreicher: DE, Jachai Polite, Florida
Polite took a nosedive down draft boards after putting up less than stellar combine numbers and bombing his pro day workout. However, he had 11 sacks in 2018, which was good for sixth in all of college football last year. The Ravens could make him a low-risk/high-reward pick just like Orlando Brown Jr, who also tanked his combine and fell down draft boards in the 2018 NFL draft but had a great season with Baltimore.
Nathan Beaucage: C, Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
Center isn’t exactly a strong spot for Baltimore, as incumbent starter Matt Skura received a measly 56.5 season grade from Pro Football Focus in 2018. Center woes aside, the team will likely have a vacancy at left guard in the near future with 34-year-old Marshal Yanda entering the twilight of his career. With McCoy — a four-year collegiate starter — having experience at both of those positions, his flexibility could make him a unique and much-needed asset for the Ravens offensive line.
Third round – No. 102:
Matthew Stevens: WR, Jalen Hurd, Baylor
The past has shown the Ravens can’t really develop talent at wide receiver, which doesn’t exactly favor Hurd here. The former running back at Tennessee has spent only one year at wide receiver at Baylor but was impressive there. Even if Hurd never develops further as a wide receiver, he’s an intriguing option Baltimore can put all over the field in order to create mismatches. However, Hurd’s ceiling is pretty high if the Ravens can coach him up.
Chuck Mills: G/C, Connor McGovern, Penn State
The Ravens continue to help out Lamar with McGovern, who can contribute this year as either a Guard or a Center. Even if he doesn’t contribute and the Ravens decide to put him on the bench this year, he could eventually fill a hole next year, should Marshal Yanda decide to retire.
Kevin Oestreicher: C, Michael Jordan, Ohio State
We aren’t talking about basketball great Michael Jordon here. But after seeing a down year from Matt Skura, the Ravens could stand to upgrade at center.
Nathan Beaucage: WR, Jalen Hurd, Baylor
A former running back with only one year of collegiate experience at wide receiver, Hurd is an intriguing prospect whose unique skill set could align perfectly with Baltimore’s new offensive philosophy.
Fourth round – No. 113:
Matthew Stevens: RB, Darrell Henderson, Memphis
Here’s where the running back depth really takes off for the Ravens and they can find a change-of-pace back to fit in the current depth chart. The decision for me was between Henderson and Justice Hill.
While Hill had a better 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL scouting combine, Henderson tied his 10-yard split and had a better 20-yard split, which matters more to running backs. Henderson was also far more prolific as a receiver out of the backfield, a role the Ravens don’t really have filled currently.
Henderson is a homerun hitter both on the ground and through the air. He averaged 8.2 yards-per-carry and 12 yards-per-reception while at Memphis, with 44 total touchdowns. That slashing skill set will be a great counterpoint to Gus Edwards and Mark Ingram immediately.
Chuck Mills: LB, Emeke Egbule, Houston
The Ravens address a defensive need here, taking Egbule to add some more depth at outside linebacker.
Kevin Oestreicher: RB, Damien Harris, Alabama
The Ravens already signed Mark Ingram, but Harris is a bruiser who has a similar style to his Alabama counterpart.
Nathan Beaucage: DE, Anthony Nelson, Iowa
Though not one of this class’s marquee pass rushers, Nelson presents excellent value here in the fourth round. With 23 sacks over three seasons with the Hawkeyes, Nelson has great physical intangibles and projects as a future rotational rusher for the Ravens.
Fourth round – No. 123:
Matthew Stevens: WR, Anthony Johnson, Buffalo
Johnson has enough speed to be dangerous but is pretty slow to ramp up to it. That’s apparently enough to push him down the draft boards in spite of solid production and good traits elsewhere.
Johnson has strong hands, can run routes well, knows how to use his body to protect passes, is physical, a willing blocker and can make things happen after the catch. Even though he might not be explosive, Johnson is the type of wide receiver Baltimore could count on to give 100% on each snap and catch what comes his way — two things they haven’t had great luck with in recent years.
Chuck Mills: RB, Elijah Holyfield, Georgia
With Holyfield, the Ravens gain another running back who can help in this offense and potentially replace Kenneth Dixon should the team decide not to bring him back
Kevin Oestreicher: DE, Shareef Miller, Penn State
Miller worked out for the Ravens at their local pro day and visited with the team as well. He is a rangy defender who amassed 14.5 sacks in his three years at Penn State
Nathan Beaucage: WR, Darius Slayton, Auburn
Slayton has incredible speed and size that, if developed properly, could make him a productive receiver at the next level. However, concerns about his largely one-dimensional use at Auburn have teams wondering if he can be much more than a deep threat. Nonetheless, his pure potential makes him an alluring selection at this point in the proceedings.
