What follows are a few Ravens 2021 post-draft takeaways.
Major Observation
The Ravens 2021 draft selections tip their hand a bit, in my view, regarding the shape of the offensive strategy for the 2021 season. For one, the obvious. The Ravens just allocated a lot of draft capital to the passing game. Rashod Bateman in the first round, Ben Cleveland in the third round (see below) and Tylan Wallace in the fourth round tells us a great deal about the Ravens’ thinking. Diversification is coming. More balance in the attack without eschewing the run.
Ben Cleveland – Pass Blocking Stonewall
To me, the selection of guard Ben Cleveland reveals a great deal. Let me start by admitting that I had spent no time watching his game tape before the draft and my evaluation of him was just off. Post-draft, I watched three complete games, including the critical Georgia-Alabama game where he squared off largely against Christian Barmore, drafted by the Patriots with pick 38 on the second night of the draft.
By consensus, Barmore was seen as the best defensive tackle in the draft. But he was completely stonewalled by Cleveland when rushing the quarterback. Barmore didn’t win a single battle trying to penetrate in the pass rush. In all three games, including against Barmore, Cleveland exhibited excellent hand usage. The man delivers a real punch without lurching or reaching. He consistently maintained his balance. Barmore had no luck getting under him or in pushing Cleveland back. Further, Cleveland feasted on smaller blitzers, who were unable to get around him and found themselves on the ground on more than one occasion.
I’ll leave you with this. Cleveland had 706 pass block snaps in his three-year career at Georgia. In total, he gave up zero sacks, one hit and 12 hurries (according to Pro Football Focus). And it showed clearly – and unequivocally – on tape.
Ben Cleveland – Run Game Still Growing
In the run game, Cleveland was a bit of a surprise. Now, he could use a little more bend at the initial point of attack. When lined up against a defensive lineman (including Barmore), I found a little more hand battling and arm wrestling simply because Cleveland, with his massive size, was unable to bend just enough. With that said, I did not see him lose any battles, occasionally stalling out. He didn’t sustain his blocks on a regular basis as much as he should, which seemingly was an issue with him turning his massive base while maintaining his movement. Cleveland turned out to be a little more mobile with his feet than I expected. He was able to get to the second level on numerous occasions. Although he was not asked to pull against Alabama, against a lesser Missouri squad he pulled four times to good effect. I now believe he has sufficient mobility to pull at least to the inside of the opposite tackle.
Overall Effect
I see Cleveland as a dominant pass protector, something the Ravens sorely lacked last year from Ben Powers, Tyre Phillips, and Pat Mekari. Pairing Cleveland on the left side with a presumably healthy Ronnie Stanley should provide Lamar Jackson with stonewall protection. No more guards yelling “look out” at the snap. His run blocking, which is certainly adequate at this point, should improve, but the point of emphasis here is clearly pass protect. I have no doubt – Cleveland offers far more than Powers, Phillips, Mekari and Ben Bredeson (who is he?) and it would be a great shock if he is not starting on day one.
Now you combine the addition of a dominant pass blocking guard with the additions of Bateman and Wallace and the Ravens are screaming that they are going to be far more diversified. This year, Lamar will have plenty of time (future injuries aside) to throw the ball. It will be a shock – a real shock – with this much more draft capital invested in the pass game if the Ravens don’t move way up the league board with their passing attack. I expect a lot more diversity.
Wide Receiver Room
Post-draft, the Ravens now have seven men in their wide receiver room. Rest assured there will not be seven wide receivers on the roster on opening day. Just looking at the skill sets of the group members, James Proche is probably in a real uphill battle to make the squad. I don’t see how he can. He is nowhere near as athletic as Duverney or Wallace, which is a real problem for him. At this point, I would expect Proche to wind up as a cut casualty and potential practice squad member.
Some fans may expect (or hope) that the casualty will be Miles Boykin, but I don’t expect it. Boykin remains an outstanding blocker and the Ravens still haven’t challenged him enough to exploit his full skill set. This year, we will see, but I have a hard time believing he won’t be in a group of six wide receivers. But if the Ravens go with five . . .
Ravens 2021 Post-Draft: Fourth Round Trade
The Ravens trade with Arizona yielding them a fourth rounder next year was fully anticipated. As noted in the Ravens 2021 Comprehensive Draft Guide, there just aren’t enough open spots on this year’s roster, combined with a relative lack of talent in the draft at the Ravens’ positions of need. Next year is an entirely different story, where more picks are needed for more roster spots that will definitely be open. Eric DeCosta and gang now head into 2022 with an extra third and three extra fourths, and ten picks overall. Very smart move.
The Pass Rush – Signing a Veteran (or two) is Now Essential
The selection of Odafe Oweh at the bottom of the first round was reasonable. But at this point, Oweh is a traits selection, and we are counting on the Ravens coaches to develop Oweh towards his traits-potential. For 2021, as I write this today, it is hard to see Oweh as anything more than a rotational addition. He just has too far to go.
Now, if you want to beat Kansas City, you have to be able to pressure Mahomes without blitzing. And in the Ravens’ losses to Mahomes, Wink Martindale has been forced to blitz to great negative effect. Yes, I know the Chiefs lacked elite tackles in the Super Bowl which allowed constant pressure by the Buccaneers rushing only four. But that really is the formula to compete with Mahomes. Drop seven into coverage as often as you can; take away Tyreek Hill, and see what happens.
I’m afraid that, as we sit here, the addition of Oweh means that Martindale’s blitzkrieg will have to continue. The Ravens desperately need one (or even two) edge rushers who each could generate ten sacks. To me, this means signing Justin Houston is a must. And perhaps adding either Ryan Kerrigan or Melvin Ingram (injury issues) too. This positional hole is what could prevent the Ravens from getting – and winning – a Super Bowl in 2021-2022.
The lower round pick of Daelin Hayes does not change that dynamic. Hayes has some talent but is a developmental prospect for 2021. That’s it. So, we should all be watching closely on May 4th to see which veteran free agents the Ravens sign. And sign they must.
Right Tackle
Of course, the Ravens did not address this position in the draft. So, should they go get Alejandro Villaneuva? Yes. I would rather see him start at right tackle with Tyre Phillips as a swing backup tackle, then go with Phillips as the starter. Indeed, the Ravens just don’t have a third offensive tackle on the team. And Villaneuva, to me, is by far the best choice out there at this point, what with injuries to Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz.
Ravens 2021 Post-Draft: Other Draftees
Shaun Wade is truly a boom or bust candidate. He has the traits and will head back to the slot, but he just hasn’t put it together consistently against better receivers. Ben Mason? He’ll have trouble making the team if Boyle is healthy. He’s a blocker, not much of a receiver to this point.
Brandon Stephens offers some versatility and will undoubtedly wind up on the back end. The Ravens really lack a true third safety, and Stephens, though inexperienced there, will offer needed insurance until next year, when I expect more draft capital to be allocated to the position.
There’s a lot to look forward to this year’s Ravens. And a little more work to be done bringing in talent to fill a few more slots.
