The 2020 NFL Combine has come and gone, leaving only free agency remaining before the 2020 NFL Draft. The Baltimore Ravens, like the rest of the league, will likely begin finetuning their draft boards with all the main measurements figured out. But which players impressed at the 2020 NFL Combine enough to have Baltimore potentially fall in love with them in the first round?
These eight players showed up on the field and could have raised their stock enough to see the Ravens select them with the No. 28 pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
There really wasn’t a consensus top running back in this draft class, meaning the 2020 NFL Combine could be the deciding factor. Taylor apparently understood that and showed up in a big way.
At 5-foot-10 and 226 pounds, Taylor put up the fastest 40-yard dash among the running backs, finishing in just 4.39 seconds. Taylor also posted the fourth-fastest 3-cone drill and sixth-fastest 20-yard shuttle from the running backs. He also put up a respectable 36-inch vertical jump and 123-inch broad jump as well.
Taylor has frequently been mocked to Baltimore in the first round and after his 2020 NFL Combine results, the Ravens could very well be swayed to make him their pick.
WR Chase Claypool, Notre Dame
Claypool had been considered a second- or third-round pick before the 2020 NFL Combine. But Claypool’s performance earned him comparisons to Calvin Johnson, which could see him drive his draft stock all the way up into the first round.
Baltimore needs a big-bodied possession receiver that can win in multiple ways. Claypool’s combine results point to him fitting that role perfectly.
In spite of being 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, Claypool posted the seventh-fastest 40-yard dash in this group at 4.42 seconds. He had the fifth-most reps on the bench press and the fifth-best vertical jump. He consistently tested close to other first-round prospects like Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy, which has to be intriguing to Baltimore considering they undoubtedly won’t be in the running for either of those players barring a costly trade up in the first round.
WR Justin Jefferson, LSU
Much like Claypool, Jefferson only helped his draft stock at the 2020 NFL Combine by shocking people.
Jefferson is known as a physical receiver with great hands and an ability to catch passes in traffic, exactly what the Ravens need to find this offseason. But he surprised everyone by running a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, showing he has deep speed as well. He confirmed how good his hands are in the gauntlet and endzone fade drill.
Jefferson should have pushed himself firmly into the first round with his performance. And Baltimore could be licking their lips at the idea of him being around at No. 28.
DL Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma
Defensive lineman isn’t a major need for the Ravens this offseason but they’ve never been one to chase outright needs early in the draft. With some question marks in the very near future on the defensive line, Gallimore might have done enough to have Baltimore interested in him at the end of the first round.
First and foremost was Gallimore’s 40-yard dash. While defensive linemen shouldn’t be running 40 yards, his 4.79-second performance was blistering considering he weighs over 300 pounds. That combined with his motor is exciting.
According to NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zeirlein’s scouting report, Gallimore is a little hot and cold. But he certainly has the athleticism to be an interesting defensive lineman that could play all over the line in Baltimore.
OLB Zack Baun, Wisconsin
Baun didn’t necessarily help or hurt his draft stock but confirmed what everyone saw on his game film. He came into the 2020 NFL Combine without a real role. While some want to consider him a pass rusher, others view him more as an inside linebacker. Though his combine results didn’t necessarily make that choice for any teams, they proved he’s athletic and strong enough to fit just about anywhere.
Baun’s 4.65-second 40-yard dash isn’t crazy in either direction but respectable considering his size. His 32.5-inch vertical jump and 115-inch broad jump are very much in the same category as well. It makes him an intriguing hybrid prospect who can potentially line up outside and go after the quarterback, drop back into coverage or even play a little inside and stuff the run.
Baltimore loves those types of hybrid players and has a need for someone to fill those roles this offseason. Baun in defensive coordinator Don Martindale’s scheme is something the Ravens could get behind.
LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
Murray already won the 2020 NFL Combine by declaring Ray Lewis as his favorite player, so as long as he didn’t completely mess up in any drills, he was going to do well for Baltimore. But Murray impressed quite a bit on the Lucas Oil Stadium field.
His 4.52-second 40-yard dash and 38-inch vertical jump were good enough for sixth-best among the linebackers. Murray’s 129-inch broad jump was third-best at linebacker. It all proves Murray is plenty athletic and explosive enough to warrant a first-round pick.
LB Patrick Queen, LSU
Queen had been considered the third linebacker on most mock drafts, falling behind Isaiah Simmons and Murray. But Queen put together a pretty impressive showing at the 2020 NFL combine and should have cemented himself into that spot.
Queen put up a slightly better 40-yard dash than Murray, beating him with a 4.5-second time. He fell just short at bench press (18 reps), vertical jump (35 inches) and broad jump (125 inches), but still put up very respectable numbers.
If there’s both Simmons and Murray go early in the first round, Queen might be a guy the Ravens target as their third option.
WR Denzel Mims, Baylor
I feel like Mims was forgotten about by quite a lot of people already. With big names like Henry Ruggs III, Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb all drawing the biggest praise ahead of the 2020 NFL Combine, Mims had to impress to even be remembered. And he did exactly that.
Mims had the third-fastest time in the 40-yard dash among wide receivers at 4.38 seconds, was tied for the eighth-best vertical jump and tied for the fourth-best broad jump. But it was Mims’ combine-leading 6.66-second three-cone drill that really proved how explosive and dynamic he could be with the ball in his hands.
I think Mims projects into a specific type of role early on but he has plenty of upside. Where he winds up being taken likely depends on and where he winds up being taken will depend on whether teams need that specific role in 2020. The Ravens already have a dynamic wide receiver like that in Marquise Brown but if the Kansas City Chiefs proved anything last season, it’s that you can never have too many fast and explosive playmakers on offense.
