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 lots to determine. Most notably, their contract stalemate with star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has requested a commerce whereas underneath the $32.4 million nonexclusive franchise tag. If he will get his want, the Ravens’ draft might look lots completely 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 dimensions of that haul, however the Ravens are assured not less than one extra first-rounder this 12 months if Jackson indicators a suggestion with one other crew earlier than the draft and Baltimore declines to match it.
As we get nearer to the draft, The Baltimore Sun will look at which gamers at every place of want (quarterback, huge receiver, cornerback, defensive position, edge rusher and offensive line) may very well be out there within the early, center and late rounds when the Ravens are on the clock.
With starter Marcus Peters nonetheless a free agent and final 12 months’s rookies struggling to seek out their kind, cornerback is on the prime of the listing. Luckily for Baltimore, this class of prospects is heralded as one of many deepest within the draft.
Early: Georgia’s Kelee Ringo
After his pick-six to clinch the 2021 nationwide championship, Ringo was anticipated to be a top-10 decide when he entered the draft. However, a considerably disappointing redshirt sophomore season, by which he allowed 13 catches of 15-plus yards, in response to Pro Football Focus, triggered him to slide down the media consensus draft board.
His fall may very well be the Ravens’ achieve. The 6-foot-2, 207-pound Ringo is likely one of the quickest gamers in all the draft, working the 40-yard sprint in a blistering 4.36 seconds. According to PFF, he had an approximate pace of 23.5 mph throughout one among his predraft exercises, sooner than any ball provider within the NFL this previous season. His explosion and agility metrics usually are not practically as excellent, however when it comes to straight-line pace, Ringo is unmatched.
Where he struggles, analysts say, is anticipating routes and maintaining with shiftier receivers. He additionally dedicated 9 penalties in 2022, in response to PFF, and had bother monitoring the ball within the air. He merely hasn’t proven a capability to blanket receivers; PFF notes that Ringo obtained a hand on fewer than 10% of the passes thrown his approach.
Where he may enchantment to the Ravens is apparent. Besides the uncommon mixture of measurement and pace, Ringo is just 20 years outdated, has two years of expertise on the prime degree of school soccer and is superb at combating by blocks and defending the run. That physicality could be a welcome addition to any protection, significantly in Baltimore.
If the Ravens belief their teaching employees to repair Ringo’s deficiencies, he has the traits to develop right into a standout participant.
Middle: Maryland’s Jakorian Bennett
After practically quitting soccer in highschool, Bennett constructed himself right into a authentic professional prospect with the Terps. A standout efficiency on the NFL scouting mix was the end result of all that tough work.
The 5-11, 188-pound Bennett ranked second on the mix within the 40-yard sprint with a time of 4.30 and in addition ranked prime 10 within the vertical (40.5 inches) and broad bounce (11 toes, 1 inch). He and Deonte Banks, a projected first-round decide, turned the primary teammates on the similar place to publish 95-plus athleticism scores on the similar mix over the previous 20 years, displaying simply how far the Terps have come underneath coach Mike Locksley.
Bennett is greater than only a feel-good story, although. He allowed solely 24 catches for 309 yards on 54 targets final season and earned Duke’s Mayo Bowl Most Valuable Player honors after intercepting a go and breaking apart one other. He’s been praised for his skill to problem receivers on the catch level, recording 27 passes defended over the previous two seasons.
Where Bennett struggles is with drops and penalties. He dropped three would-be interceptions in 2022 and was penalized 13 instances over the previous two seasons, in response to PFF. Analysts additionally knock his anticipation and skill to stay with receivers in press protection.
Late: Virginia’s Anthony Johnson
Johnson has reportedly taken a predraft go to with the Ravens, which speaks to the crew’s curiosity in him.
After 4 years at Louisville, the 6-2, 205-pound Johnson transferred to Virginia, the place he turned a two-year starter. He broke out in 2022, recording 51 tackles, 14 passes defended and two interceptions to earn first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. Johnson’s 1.4 passes defended per sport ranked seventh nationally final season, and he graded because the Fortieth-best cornerback within the nation, in response to PFF.
Johnson earned reward for his efficiency each on and off the sector on the Senior Bowl, impressing scouts and coaches along with his optimistic perspective and veteran acumen. He performed for six defensive coordinators and 6 place coaches all through his school profession, exposing him to completely different schemes and ideas. According to The Daily Progress, Johnson mentioned NFL scouts and coaches he’s talked to have in contrast his measurement and taking part in habits to that of former Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman.
Despite his high quality resume, Johnson is taken into account a late-round prospect due to his lackluster athletic testing numbers and inconsistency in protection. Analysts say he struggles with change of route and maintaining with deep targets and lacks the specified physicality and tackling skill in run assist.
NFL draft
Thursday, April 27, to Saturday, April 29
TV: ESPN, NFL Network
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Source: www.bostonherald.com