Perfect Picks: Baltimore Ravens
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
Round 1 - Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Positional value has a lot to answer for. Linderbaum is likely to be drafted lower than everybody’s big board has him. He is an elite prospect at a position teams simply don’t want to spend early draft capital on.
The Ravens likely don’t pay Bradley Bozeman and therefore can use a slam dunk pick on the o-line. Linderbaum has a unique combination of power and speed. He can barrel over defenders as well as pull and reach the second level. Teams picking before the Ravens could live to regret letting him fall.
Round 2 - Sean Rhyan, OL, UCLA
Sean Rhyan had an excellent career for UCLA as a left tackle. He is technically sound and difficult to beat at the position. The drawback will be length. Rhyan’s tape shows he can succeed at tackle, NFL teams might see him more as a guard. Either way the Ravens need to improve the position and that’s why I have them spending their two early picks on a glaring weakness. Ronnie Stanley has injury concerns, Ja’Waun James plenty to prove. Rhyan gives them cover along the line.
Mid Round Gem - Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
Coby Bryant may be the lesser heralded Cincinnati cornerback but he is still a top 100 player in this draft class. He landed an 85.0 pass coverage grade from PFF in 2021, with 10 career interceptions and 37 pass breakups. The Ravens lack of secondary depth was highlighted last year when injuries piled up. With Tavon Young and Marcus Peters entering their final contract year, cornerback should be firmly on the Ravens radar.
Late Round Sleeper - Amare Barno, Edge, Virginia Tech
The Ravens are likely to lose experienced heads at the edge rusher spot. Both Justin Houston and Pernell McPhee are out of contract and that depth must be replenished. Odafe Oweh and Jaylon Ferguson will be expected to step up but a player like Barno offers late round upside. At 6’6, 245lbs, Barno likely needs to add more bulk and refinement but as a destination the Ravens would be a good fit to begin life as a pro.
Draft In Full:
14. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
45. Sean Rhyan, OL, UCLA
76. Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
99. Chris Hinton, DT, Michigan
109. Terrel Bernard, LB, Baylor
118. Zachary Carter, DT, Florida
127. Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois
139. Myron Cunningham, OT, Arkansas
141. Amare Barno, Edge, Virginia Tech
141. Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor
