Day one of the Ravens draft is signed, sealed, and delivered. Right out of the gate I’ll confess that my research on Nate Wiggins missed the most important fact behind my Wiggins conclusion. I failed to catch that Wiggins had put on ten pounds of weight, post-Combine. At 183 pounds, the conclusion changes. As I put it in my detailed Wiggins report: “If they [the Ravens] are convinced they can bulk Wiggins up (and he’s young enough to think he might naturally add eight to ten pounds anyway) then he’s worth the pick.”
Well, he put on those eight to ten pounds. Therefore, “he’s worth the pick!” Wiggins is a better selection than Kool-Aid McKinstry. He’s a better cover corner than Cooper DeJean. The Ravens made the clear – and easy – call with Wiggins.
Guyton Versus Wiggins
It was not surprising to see all of the offensive tackle first round prospects off the board before the Ravens selected. Some fans might have had some angst when the Cowboys selected Tyler Guyton right in front of the Ravens. But if I was Eric DeCosta (lucky for the Ravens I’m not), I still would have chosen Wiggins over Guyton. Guyton was really a round two grade in my mind. As I wrote “I’m not entirely convinced that Guyton is a first round talent at this point. He lands in the first round only because there aren’t 25 first round rated players by my book.” I stand by that. Wiggins was a first round talent. Guyton was not.
Ravens 2024 Draft, Day Two – What Now?
Offensive line is now the direct and immediate focus for Baltimore. The problem is that there are few starting tackle prospects still available. And I’ve downgraded one prospect after further film study: Kingsley Suamataia, where the more tape I watch, the more difficulties I saw for him as a run blocker.
At this point, the tackle candidate I most prefer is Kiran Amegadjie. I’d be willing on him in round two. After Amegadjie, we are looking at tackles with more warts. Patrick Paul is a boom or bust who, I think, will struggle with NFL speed and quickness. Suamataia has a lot of work to do in the run game. And further down from there.
That might send me towards guard. I don’t believe there is any chance of Jackson Powers-Johnson lasting past, say, the top ten players taken in round two. But Cooper Beebe and Domini Puni are good round two choices, though I suspect the Ravens would have to trade up to get either of them. Which, by the way, is not a bad idea this year.
There’s no need to look towards another corner until day three.
Wide receiver? There are some very talented wideouts on the Big Board in round two, but none of them will be available at the bottom of the round. The Ravens should go wide receiver in round four or lower.
And Now, Mozart Fans . . . A Little Night Music
I’d love to see the Ravens grab either Amegadjie or Beebe in round two. Then, in round three one of my favorite players, defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat. Austin Booker is also a bit of a favorite at the edge position for his upside, but I’d be surprised if he lasted towards the bottom of round three. There’s good talent on my Big Board, in round three, and I’d be fine with either guard. I hope to pen something tomorrow before round four.
