As we get nearer to the 2020 NFL Draft, mock drafts are becoming a bit predictable for the Baltimore Ravens. With the Ravens having done nothing to address inside linebacker this offseason and few good options remaining, most mock drafts have sent Patrick Queen or Kenneth Murray Baltimore’s way in the first round.
ESPN’s Todd McShay noted that in his two-round mock draft, giving the Ravens TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock at No. 28 instead.
We’ve all been handing either Queen or Murray to Baltimore in this spot, and if either were available, one would still be the pick. But with no inside linebackers on the board within range, I’m instead turning my attention to the defensive front. Trading for Calais Campbell and bringing Matthew Judon back on the franchise tag do wonders for the edge rush, and new signee Derek Wolfe helps the interior a bit, but Blacklock’s quick hands and burst fit what the Ravens want up the middle.
It’s an interesting decision to have Baltimore draft a defensive lineman after they brought in Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe while re-signing Jihad Ward and Justin Ellis this offseason too. Right now, the Ravens’ defensive line might be one of their deepest position groups.
There’s a case to be made for Baltimore still drafting defensive linemen this year since half of their depth chart is only under contract for the 2020 season and the rest are only signed through 2021. But it’s hard to see them doing it in the first round with so many more pressing needs remaining. While the Ravens have certainly stuck to the BPA model, Blacklock seems like a stretch at the end of the first round anyway considering Luke Easterling of Draft Wire ranks him the 11th best interior defensive lineman in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, wide receiver Tee Higgins, cornerback A.J. Terrell, center Cesar Ruiz, and running back D’Andre Swift were all still on the board when the Ravens picked and all look to be better options for Baltimore given their most pressing needs. But the Ravens have proven before they’ll take the player they love if he’s the highest rated on their board.
Click on the next page to see who McShay gave the Ravens with their two second-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.
While McShay made a head-scratching pick for Baltimore in the first round, he filled one of their biggest needs in the middle of the second round. McShay has the Ravens grabbing Fresno State guard Netane Muti at No. 55.
“The Ravens need to make sure 2019 MVP Lamar Jackson is well-protected. The Ravens still have to fill Marshal Yanda’s spot at guard, and Muti is my top-ranked one in the class.”
With Marshal Yanda retiring this offseason, finding his eventual heir is a wise move. While, just like Orlando Brown Jr. in his rookie season, there are no guarantees Muti gets the starting job in 2020, he’d be thrown into a competition for the role. The more players Baltimore can get fighting for the job, the better.
McShay continued to address the Ravens’ offense with the 60th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, giving Baltimore Texas wide receiver Devin Duvernay.
“Marquise Brown broke big plays for Baltimore last season, and Mark Andrews is a reliable target, but the Ravens could use another possession receiver for Lamar Jackson. Duvernay caught 106 passes last season for Texas.”
At 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, Duvernay is a compact but fierce slot receiver that can earn extra yards after the catch thanks to his speed and toughness. While the second round might be a bit high for him (I picked him late in the third round in one of my mock drafts), his strong hands, speed and toughness would make him a good possession receiver and likely see him get plenty of playing time as a rookie as a compliment to Marquise Brown.
