The calendar has formally flipped to April, which might solely imply one factor: It’s time to prepare for the NFL draft.
The first spherical begins April 27 in Kansas City, however till then, the Ravens have loads to determine. Most notably, their contract stalemate with star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has requested a commerce whereas beneath the $32.4 million nonexclusive franchise tag. If he will get his want, the Ravens’ draft might look lots totally different.
Baltimore owns 5 picks: Nos. 22 (first spherical), 86 (third spherical), 124 (fourth spherical), 157 (fifth spherical) and 199 (sixth spherical). A blockbuster deal for Jackson would considerably enhance the scale of that haul, however the Ravens are assured a minimum of one further first-rounder this yr if Jackson indicators a proposal with one other workforce earlier than the draft and Baltimore declines to match it.
As we get nearer to the draft, The Baltimore Sun will study which gamers at every place of want (quarterback, huge receiver, cornerback, edge rusher, offensive line and defensive position) might be out there within the early, center and late rounds when the Ravens are on the clock. We’ll begin on the sport’s most necessary place.
Early: Florida’s Anthony Richardson
Richardson is a projected top-10 choose after placing up the most effective athletic testing numbers of any quarterback within the historical past of the NFL scouting mix, however the Ravens might discover themselves with such a primary choice in the event that they commerce Jackson. The Indianapolis Colts, for instance, must give Baltimore their No. 4 general choose in the event that they signal Jackson to a proposal sheet earlier than the draft and the Ravens decline to match it.
For the Ravens, it’s simple to see why Richardson could be a cosy match. Like Jackson, he’s a dynamic athlete who can spearhead a quarterback-based speeding assault and use his arm power to assault downfield. At 6 ft 4 and 244 kilos, he’s additionally thicker than the 6-2, 212-pound Jackson and is perhaps extra superior as a pocket passer than the previous Heisman Trophy winner was when he entered the league in 2018.
The greatest query is, why didn’t the elite traits result in higher manufacturing? In his lone season because the Gators’ full-time starter, Richardson accomplished simply 53% of his passes for two,553 yards with 17 touchdowns and 9 interceptions whereas speeding for 654 yards and 9 scores. A poor group of receivers is partly in charge, however there have been sufficient errors and erratic throws which may make groups assume twice earlier than deciding to make Richardson their franchise quarterback.
The Ravens could be betting on Richardson’s traits and new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s means to get the 21-year-old in control shortly over a unanimous league Most Valuable Player nonetheless in his prime, nevertheless it is perhaps price it for the associated fee financial savings alone. By including one other quarterback on an affordable rookie deal, the Ravens would have more cash to spend to fill out the remainder of their roster, a process made far more tough with the kind of contract Jackson reportedly seeks.
Middle: Georgia’s Stetson Bennett IV
The 5-11, 192-pound Bennett has the resume of a first-rounder however the physique of a follow squad fill-in. He received back-to-back nationwide championships with Monken calling the performs, making him an apparent candidate to come back to Baltimore and on the very least assist the beginning quarterback study Monken’s system.
Should Bennett discover himself taking significant snaps, it helps that he’s an above-average athlete, working the 40-yard sprint in 4.67 seconds and recording a 33.5-inch vertical soar. He’s proven a knack for avoiding strain, too, taking simply 24 sacks over the previous two seasons, in keeping with Pro Football Focus.
His age, nevertheless, is perhaps the most important concern. Bennett will flip 26 his rookie season, making him as previous as Jackson, who’s getting into his sixth season within the league. That veteran savvy helped him rise from junior school to Division I walk-on to Georgia legend, nevertheless it’s exhausting to examine a state of affairs wherein he turns into an elite NFL starter. There are additionally some potential off-the-field issues after he was arrested Jan. 29 in Dallas on a public intoxication cost.
Late: Louisville’s Malik Cunningham
Another dual-threat Louisville quarterback? The Ravens may not need to go down that street once more in the event that they transfer on from Jackson, however Cunningham is worthy of a glance within the NFL.
At 6 ft, 192 kilos, Cunningham is even slighter than Jackson, however he’s proven an identical burst as a ball service and an uncanny means to make defenders miss within the open discipline. At Louisville, he executed run-pass choices and zone reads, performs that might be staples of Monken’s offense in Baltimore. If the Ravens need one other quarterback who can stress defenses along with his speeding means, Cunningham could be a pleasant match.
There’s no doubting the Montgomery, Alabama, native’s school manufacturing: In 2021, he led all Football Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks with 1,031 speeding yards and 20 touchdowns and later broke Jackson’s college report by accounting for 120 profession touchdowns. Even whereas lacking time with a shoulder damage final season, he nonetheless led the Cardinals with 12 speeding scores.
The essential concern is Cunningham’s accuracy, notably downfield. He accomplished simply 31% of his deep throws in 2022, in keeping with Pro Football Focus, and obtained a well-below-average 41.4 grade whereas throwing beneath strain. He’s additionally getting into the league at age 24 after spending six seasons in school. Still, his athletic traits alone are worthy of a late-round flier.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com