We hope you enjoyed our Baltimore Ravens Comprehensive Draft Guide for 2020. Now, it’s on to taking a look at our favorite prospects for the Baltimore Ravens draft, given their needs. Then, we take a look at who we would like to see the Ravens nab under the two main scenarios which we believe could play out.
Our Favorite Players for the Baltimore Ravens Draft at Each Position:
Here’s our order of favorite prospects for each position for the Ravens, assuming they will be available starting at the Ravens 28th pick in the first round. We’ve added a little video, too:
Running Back:
- Antonio Gibson –
- Cam Akers
- Darrynton Evans
Wide Receiver:
- Henry Ruggs (but probably unreachable)
- Jalen Reagor
- Laviska Shenault
- Brandon Aiyuk
Tight End:
- Adam Trautman
- Devin Asiasi
Guard:
- Robert Hunt
- Josh Jones
- Lucas Niang
Center:
- Cesar Ruiz
- Matt Hennesey
Interior Defensive Line:
- Davon Hamilton
- Leki Fotu
- Jordan Elliott
Edge:
- Zack Baun
- Darrell Taylor
Interior Linebacker:
- Patrick Queen
- Logan Wilson
- Jordyn Brooks
Defensive Backs:
- Damon Arnette
- Amik Robertson
- Ashtyn Davis
Who We’d Like to See the Baltimore Ravens Draft:
We think the Ravens will be faced with two primary scenarios. Either they stand pat in the first round and use pick 28. Or, they trade down out of the first round and acquire additional picks in each of the second and third rounds. Let’s take a look at each scenario.
First Scenario: Ravens Stand Pat in the First Round and Pick at 28
Round 1: Patrick Queen, three-down inside linebacker.
Round 2A: Jalen Reagor, wide receiver.
Round 2B: Robert Hunt, guard.
Round 2 alternatives: Zack Baun, edge; Cesar Ruiz, center; Josh Jones, guard.
Round 3A: Davon Hamilton, nose tackle.
Round 3B: Logan Wilson, inside linebacker.
Round 3 alternatives: Darrell Taylor, edge (because he could go higher); Ashtyn Davis, safety; Damon Arnette, cornerback; Amik Robertson, nickel back; Antonio Gibson, running back.
Round 4A: Darrell Taylor, edge linebacker.
Round 4B: Darrynton Evans, running back.
Round 4 alternatives: Ben Bartch, guard, Jordan Elliott, defensive tackle; Alex Highsmith, edge.
Round 5: Joshua DeGuara, tight end.
Round 5 alternative: Devin Asiasi, tight end.
Round 7: Devin Duvernay, wide receiver.
Analysis of Scenario 1
The Ravens fill their top three needs. On defense, they secure a three-down inside linebacker in Patrick Queen. They pair Queen with a tremendous partner in Logan Wilson, giving them an interior linebacker foundation for years to come. Darrell Taylor gives them an edge linebacker with a lot of upside. They add a run-stuffing nose tackle in Davon Hamilton who provides needed depth and a successor to Brandon Williams.
On offense, they add an electrifying wide receiver to put opposite Marquise Brown and a running back in Darrynton Evans who can hit the home run and catch some passes too. We would be even happier if they added Antonio Gibson in lieu of Evans. But either way, this makes their offense that much more unstoppable.
Then, they add that nasty, power guard in Robert Hunt to replace Marshal Yanda. Joshua DeGaura gives them a third tight end to provide needed depth in their tight-end heavy packages, and Duvernay gives them another wide receiver candidate.
Second Scenario: Ravens Trade Back
In our second scenario we assume Baltimore Ravens GM Eric (Let’s Make a Deal) Decosta trades back out of the first round and winds up with three second round picks and three third round picks. Given the depth in the draft, unless Patrick Queen is available at 28, trading back and picking up an extra player makes the most sense:
Round 2A: Zack Baun, edge linebacker. Alternative: Cesar Ruiz, center
Round 2B: Jalen Reagor, wide receiver
Round 2C: Robert Hunt, guard
Round 3A: Davon Hamilton, nose tackle
Round 3B: Logan Wilson, inside linebacker
Round 3C: Ashtyn Davis, safety
Round 4A: Darrell Taylor, edge linebacker
Round 4B: Darrynton Evans, running back
Round 5: Joshua DeGuara, tight end
Round 7: Devin Duvernay, wide receiver
Analysis of Scenario Two (Assuming They Take Baun Over Ruiz)
On offense, this scenario nets them the same players we assumed in the first scenario. However, the defensive outcome looks quite different.
Instead of landing Queen as their three down inside linebacker, they come away with Zack Baun, the swiss army knife edge linebacker who’ll be moved all over the field by defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. Then, they add Ashtyn Davis at safety, a guy they can both get on the field in nickel and dime packages, and groom as Earl Thomas’ eventual replacement. But by not getting Queen, Logan Wilson (or perhaps Jordyn Brooks) becomes the inside linebacker who starts on day one, and the Ravens look to add another inside linebacker from remaining (or newly cut) free agents. Or, they try to add Brooks’ as well in this draft.
Let’s see what happens!
