My Top 5 Players the Ravens Should Take With Their First Pick
The NFL Combine starts this Tuesday February 27th, meaning soon we will see a change in all these mock drafts. Someone projected in the top 10 now, could be projected to fall out of the first round altogether. As of right now, there is no consensus player the Baltimore Ravens would take in the first round. With that in mind, here are the top five players I think the Ravens should choose from come draft day.
*In order from worst to best*
5.) Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
Arguably the best tight end in this year’s draft, Goerdert (pronounced GOD-ert) is a play-making tight end similar to the likes of Kansas City’s Travis Kelce and Philadelphia’s Zach Ertz. A finalist for the Walter Payton award this past season, Goedert racked up 1293 yards on 92 catches with 11 touchdowns. With how great a pass catcher Goedert is, he tends to lean into his routes, giving them away. Goedert also has an issue in showing his effort while blocking.
Goedert has been projected to be drafted somewhere from the 16th pick with the Ravens, to in the early third round. The Ravens need a tight end bad with the departure of Benjamin Watson, the position change of Crockett Gillmore, and the instability of both Nick Boyle and Maxx Williams. I believe the Ravens will be able to snag Goedert up in the second round without having to move up, but I gave him consideration for the first round just in case the other prospects the Ravens like are drafted already.
4.) Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
Tremaine Edmunds, son of former Miami Dolphin tight end, Ferrell Edmunds, is being considered as the best linebacker in this year’s draft. Consistently projected in the top 10, there is still a possibility he falls based on what teams need. At 6’5, 250 lbs, Edmunds is being compared to recent Hall of Fame inductee, Brian Urlacher.
Edmunds, who was a third team All-American and first team All-ACC, had 109 tackles this past season, while also notching 14 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Edmunds is unique player with his already imposing frame and catch down speed. With excellent footwork and coverage skills, he can lock down most of the field, but can also shed blocks and be used as a dominant pass rusher.
Although Edmunds is a great physical football player, he is lacking on the mental side. He races ahead of the play instead of using patience, relies on his athleticism to cover his average instincts, and needs an extra second to process moving pieces,
Edmunds would be a fantastic companion piece to CJ Mosley at inside linebacker. He’s just going to get stronger, and will have tons of mentors that will help him understand the mental parts of the game.
3.) Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama
I know, it’s insane that I have the best receiver on the board as third on my list. Especially since this is the Ravens’ biggest need. But I believe there is another receiver that would be a better fit in Baltimore than Ridley, who’s a projected top 10 pick.
First team All-SEC this past season, Ridley grabbed 63 receptions for 967 yards and five touchdowns. Being compared to the legendary receiver Marvin Harrison, Ridley is a great route runner with top notch separation speed. He manipulates safeties and causes defensive backs to retreat early. Ridley can go up and down to catch the ball and knows how to get open when the quarterback is scrambling around.
Even though Ridley is a dominant receiver, his frame needs more strength and long press corners make him hesitate during his release. Ridley needs to use his hands as a press counter. He’s easily affected by contact. His routes will be affected by some bump and run and struggles catching the ball when a hitter is nearby.
Yes, Ridley has the ability to be a day one starter and could produce big numbers, he has the skills to do so. But the Ravens are going to be hesitant going after a receiver with a drop issue. Especially after the failed Breshad Perriman project.
2.) Orlando Brown, OT Oklahoma
Son of the former Ravens’ offensive lineman, the late Orlando “Zeus” Brown, this new Orlando is just like his father. He is huge (6’8, 360 lbs) and fierce. An Outland trophy finalist and first team All-American and All-Big 12, Brown locked down the blindside for the Heisman winner, Baker Mayfield.
Brown is everything you could want in an offensive tackle. His frame makes him near impossible to go around. Brown will intimidate and overwhelm whoever is across of him. His pure power makes sure nobody will bull rush him and linebackers on the second level will be destroyed.
With as big and as intimidating as Brown is, he has leverage issues due to a high center of gravity. He overshoots linebackers sometimes and his aggressive drive could lead to more holding calls. Brown is not a natural knee bender and is slow coming off the snap laterally.
Brown is consistently projected to the Ravens at 16, which would be both a smart pick and a great story. He would replace Austin Howard at right tackle, cementing the edges with Ronnie Stanley. Plus, it would be fitting for Ozzie Newsome’s last first round pick at GM would be the son of a former player.
1.) Courtland Sutton, WR Southern Methodist University
Easily my favorite choice for the Ravens, Courtland Sutton is the type of receiver needed to bring quarterback Joe Flacco back to greatness. Sutton grabbed 68 receptions for 1085 yards and a whopping 12 touchdowns. Projected to go from the middle of the first round to the middle of the second round, Sutton is your typical big bodied receiver at 6’4, 218 lbs.
Sutton is like a big man in basketball, keeps the defender on his hip and keeps him there. Willing to go across the middle and is unfazed by an oncoming defender. Sutton can go up and grab any ball and will usually maintain the process of the catch. Sutton is also a dominant blocker.
Although Sutton is a big bruising receiver, he lacks in speed and route running. He relies on his size and scheme rather than technique and would rather body smaller corners instead of working for a better window. Sutton also lacks breakaway speed.
With some work in the route running department, Sutton has the tools needed to be the Ravens’ dream receiver. He is the perfect complimentary piece to all the speedy receivers already on the roster. The lack of breakaway speed is not as big of a problem to me. As long as Sutton can go up and come down with the ball, the Ravens will be good. Yards after the catch is just the icing on the cake. Joe Flacco has always played his best when he had a possession receiver.
Final Thoughts
I will be happy if the Ravens go after any of these players. I will be even happier if they can grab more than one of them. If I had a dream situation, I think it would be to draft Brown at 16 and then somehow make a trade to take both Sutton and Goedert in the second round.
