Ravens Hold the Sixteenth Pick In The 2018 NFL Draft
After yesterday’s heartbreaking loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens learned they hold the sixteenth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
2018 NFL draft order, non-playoff teams.
1. CLE
2. NYG
3. IND
4. CLE (Via HOU)
5. DEN
6. NYJ
7. TB
8. CHI
9/10. OAK/SF (coin flip)
11. MIA
12. CIN
13. WAS
14. GB
15. ARI
16. BAL
17. LAC
18. SEA
19. DAL
20. DET— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 1, 2018
(via @FieldYates, Twitter)
The Ravens have many holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball, so there is no question in what direction they should go with their selection. Now what they choose to improve on, on that side of the ball is still very much up in the air. The offensive line needs to be infused with some young talent, the wide receiving core is the most obvious area in need, and an argument could be made that a quarterback should be selected as Flacco’s successor. No matter where they choose to go, the Ravens need to acquire an impact player for the offense.
In ESPN’s, Todd McShay’s first way-to-early mock draft, he has the Ravens selecting Southern Methodist University’s standout wide receiver, Courtland Sutton. Sutton finished this season with sixty-eight receptions, 1,085 yards, and twelve touchdowns. Sutton is a big bodied receiver that can go up and snag the ball away from defenders, exactly what this offense has lacked in recent years. Although the Ravens have very rarely had success in drafting and developing receivers, you have to think that eventually Baltimore’s scouting department will hit the nail on the head and find themselves a stud for Flacco.
The last time the Ravens held the sixteenth pick was back in 2014 where they selected Pro Bowl linebacker CJ Mosley. That just goes to show that there will still be a lot of talent left by the time the Ravens are on the clock.
It is only January, so General Manager Ozzie Newsome and the rest of the Ravens scouting department will have a lot of time to examine their options and make the best selection come April.
