Heading into the offseason, the Baltimore Ravens have several free agents that need new contracts. Furthermore, the Ravens need to work on extensions for Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews. However, Baltimore is one of the better teams when it comes to hitting on their draft picks. The Ravens don’t have their third-round pick after sending it to Minnesota to acquire Yannick Ngakoue during the season. However, they will receive a compensatory third-round pick after the Houston Texans hired David Culley as their new head coach. With a Super Bowl contending roster, let’s take a look at how the Ravens could attack the 2021 NFL Draft in this seven-round mock draft.
To help with this mock draft, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Team Mock Drafts.
Round 1, Pick 27: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
In a few weeks, the Ravens’ top for pass rushers, Ngakoue, Matt Judon, Pernell McPhee, and Tyus Bowser, are all scheduled to hit the open market. While Baltimore will likely re-sign one of them, their depth at the position is going to take a massive hit. After two seasons at UCLA, Phillips transferred to Miami and had a breakout season in 2020. He had a career-high 15.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks to go along with his only career interception. Phillips was part of an excellent pass rush duo at Miami and should enjoy similar success in the NFL.
Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche combine for a sack. Phillips forces it out and Roche recovers. Huge for Miami. pic.twitter.com/B9UPJVKbxT
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) October 17, 2020
Round 2, Pick 58: Trevon Moehrig, SAF, TCU
Last season, the duo of DeShon Elliott and Chuck Clark played great for Baltimore. However, Elliott is a free agent after the 2021 season and will likely end up elsewhere as the Ravens need to use their cap space to extend Jackson and Andrews. Furthermore, top reserve safety, Anthony Levine, is a free agent and will turn 34 years old in a few weeks. Moehrig was a three-year starter for TCU, totaling 124 tackles and seven interceptions. Many consider Moehrig the top safety in the draft class, and if the Ravens land him with this pick, it would be the steal of the draft.
For more on Moehrig, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 3, Pick 104: Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami
Why break up the Hurricane tandem if you don’t have to? With four pass rushers hitting the open market, the Ravens need to add at least two replacements early in the draft. Furthermore, 2019 third-round pick Jaylon Ferguson has struggled so far in his career, totaling only nine quarterback hurries and 4.5 sacks. Much like Phillips, Roche transferred to Miami in 2020 and had a career-high three fumble recoveries in 2020. Furthermore, over his career, Roche averaged over 7.5 sacks per season. If they had success together in Miami, keeping them together in the pros is an option the Ravens should exploit.
For more on Roche, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 4, Pick 131: Walker Little, OT, Stanford
If the Ravens end up trading Orlando Brown, they will need to address the right tackle spot. However, even if Brown is in Baltimore next season, the Ravens have a hole at backup tackle. Veteran D.J. Fluker is a free agent, and at soon to be 30 years old, he likely won’t be offered a new contract. 2020 third-round pick Tyre Phillips can play offensive tackle but is better suited at guard. Meanwhile, Little opted out of the 2020 season but had a stellar career at Stanford. While his pass blocking needs work, Little should develop into a solid replacement for Brown at right tackle.
Round 5, Pick 169: Tedarrell Slaton, NT, Florida
Starting nose tackle Brandon Williams could be a cap casualty as the Ravens can save $7.5 million in cap space by releasing the veteran. Even if they don’t, Williams is entering the final year of his contract in 2021. Williams recently turned 32 years old, and likely won’t be with the Ravens past this season. Meanwhile, Slaton is a raw prospect but has plenty of upside. During his final season at Florida, Slaton had a career-high 38 tackles, including seven for a loss over the past two seasons. It might take a year, but Slaton could be the Ravens’ long-term replacement for Williams.
Round 5, Pick 184: Cornell Powell, WR, Clemson
Many believe a wide receiver is Baltimore’s top need, but it isn’t. They have invested three top 100 picks in wide receivers over the last two drafts. Furthermore, they will likely target a veteran in free agency. However, adding some depth on day three is a move the Ravens will make. Powell had a breakout 2020 season in part due to the season-ending injury to Justyn Ross. He finished tied for first on the team with seven touchdowns and second with 882 receiving yards. Powell then had a good performance during Senior Bowl week. While Powell lacks upside, the Ravens can count on him as a rotational receiver as a rookie.
#Clemson WR Cornell Powell with an absolutely beautiful release to connect with #TAMU QB Kellen Mond at the #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/9vgDhej9rm
— Brandon Olsen (@WNS_Brandon) January 27, 2021
Round 6, Pick 211: Josh Sills, iOL, Oklahoma State
Outside of the trade request made by Brown, Baltimore has other offensive line issues. Two of their top backups, Fluker and Matt Skura, are free agents in a few weeks. Furthermore, it never hurts to have too much depth on the offensive line. After spending the early part of his career at West Virginia, Sills transferred to Oklahoma State for his senior year. While he may never turn into anything more than a backup guard, using two day three picks on the offensive line is a move the Ravens will likely make.
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @ptsportstalk
Follow Mike Fanelli on Twitter @Mike_NFL2
Main Image Credit:
Embed from Getty Images
