The countdown to the NFL draft is underway.
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 beneath the $32.4 million nonexclusive franchise tag. If he will get his want, the Ravens’ draft may look loads 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 dimensions of that haul, however the Ravens are assured no less than one extra first-rounder this 12 months if Jackson indicators a proposal 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, large receiver, cornerback, line of defense, edge rusher and offensive line) could possibly be obtainable within the early, center and late rounds when the Ravens are on the clock.
With the return of Ronnie Stanley and the addition of Morgan Moses and Tyler Linderbaum final 12 months, the Ravens’ offensive line as soon as once more turned a power. But with the departure of Ben Powers in free company, there shall be one more competitors at left guard. While there are promising candidates already on the roster, the Ravens may look to the draft to search out not solely a possible starter, however maybe a younger constructing block to finally take over at deal with.
Here’s a take a look at among the prospects:
Early: Ohio State’s Dawand Jones
With respect to Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence, who’s broadly considered the highest guard prospect on this draft, it could be a little bit of a attain for the Ravens to pick an inside lineman with the No. 22 general choose. Taking an intriguing deal with prospect like Jones could be extra prudent.
At 6 toes 8 and 374 kilos with 36 3/8-inch arms and a Senior Bowl-record 7-foot-6 wingspan, Jones would instantly be some of the imposing gamers within the NFL as a rookie. A former Division I basketball recruit, the Indianapolis native turned a two-year starter at proper deal with for the Buckeyes, incomes second-team All-America honors as a senior. A dominant run blocker, Jones has additionally proven the potential to be a top-notch cross protector, permitting solely 5 pressures on 419 pass-blocking snaps final season, in keeping with Pro Football Focus.
Of course, that dimension comes with its limitations. Analysts say Jones performs with sluggish toes and has problem sustaining his stability and redirecting his weight when blocking. He’s additionally been known as for 16 penalties over the previous two seasons, together with 5 false begins in 2022. His fast units have helped him acquire a head begin in cross safety, however he can sometimes soar too early. Speedy cross rushers and twisting stunts — by which defenders change assignments or gaps after the snap to confuse the offensive line and create mismatches — may be capable to benefit from Jones’ athletic limitations.
The 21-year-old is taken into account a piece in progress, however after the collection of the 6-9, 380-pound Daniel Faalele and 6-6, 357-pound Ben Cleveland in latest drafts, the Ravens are clearly all for molding a participant with uncommon dimension. Jones has additionally drawn comparisons to Orlando Brown Jr., who turned a two-time Pro Bowl choice in Baltimore earlier than being traded. With lingering questions on Stanley’s sturdiness and Moses having turned 32 final month, it could be time to start out planning for the longer term at deal with.
Middle: Utah’s Braeden Daniels
The Ravens possible received’t be asking their middle- or late-round draft picks to play instantly, barring an unexpected damage to one among their starters. That ought to give them time to develop an rising participant like Daniels, who may develop into their proper deal with of the longer term.
As a three-year starter at Utah, Daniels performed 17 video games at left guard, 14 at left deal with and 12 at proper deal with, incomes first-team All-Pac 12 honors as a senior defending the blind facet. He was remarkably constant in any respect three spots, permitting simply 5 sacks in almost 1,400 pass-blocking snaps throughout his faculty profession, in keeping with PFF. Utah coaches advised The Athletic’s Dane Brugler that Daniels has additionally snapped the ball at heart in follow and was the vocal chief of the offensive line. He didn’t miss a recreation throughout his 4 faculty seasons.
While the 6-3 Daniels weighed in at a slight 294 kilos on the NFL scouting mix, he bulked as much as 307 kilos for his professional day. He carried out properly in athletic testing, rating within the eightieth percentile or higher amongst offensive linemen since 1999 within the 40-yard sprint, 20-yard shuttle, three-cone drill, vertical soar and broad soar, however he may stand so as to add extra mass and power on the subsequent degree. His footwork and method additionally want extra refinement, analysts say, and his small fingers (9 3/8 inches) are a downside in the case of punching and sustaining blocks.
With the right teaching and power coaching, Daniels may emerge as a dependable swing deal with with the flexibility to play all 5 positions. If he reaches his improvement targets, he may take over a beginning spot within the close to future.
Late: Michigan’s Ryan Hayes
It wouldn’t be a correct Ravens draft with out a Michigan participant, proper?
The 6-6, 298-pound Hayes was a two-year starter at left deal with for Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines, incomes second-team All-Big Ten honors for a unit that received consecutive Joe Moore Awards as the very best offensive line in faculty soccer. The former highschool tight finish is famous for his spotless method, having been known as for under six profession penalties over the previous 4 seasons, together with one as a senior.
What makes him a Day 3 choose is an absence of desired size and weight, particularly for his top. He ranks within the fifth percentile in weight amongst offensive line prospects since 1999, in keeping with MockDraftable, and within the sixth percentile in arm size (32 1/2 inches). While he carried out above common in athletic testing — together with an elite 7.39-second three-cone drill that ranked third amongst offensive linemen on the scouting mix — he’s been criticized for an absence of play power. NFL-caliber cross rushers may overwhelm Hayes on the level of assault.
Still, there’s loads to love concerning the 23-year-old Michigan native as a possible late-round flier. His expertise on the offensive line’s premier place for one of many nation’s prime packages is notable, and analysts reward his effectivity of motion and talent to get into the second degree within the operating recreation. Powers grew from a fourth-round afterthought right into a extremely sought-after free agent throughout his time in Baltimore. Maybe Hayes may observe an identical path.
NFL draft
Thursday, April 27, to Saturday, April 29
TV: ESPN, NFL Network
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Source: www.bostonherald.com