Dueling Ravens mock drafts: A lot of picks, a few trades and two very different first-round choices

The NFL draft kicks off Thursday, which can mean only one thing: 2023 first-round mock drafts are right around the corner.

Until then, seven-round projections for this week’s draft will have to do. The Ravens have a bounty of picks, starting at No. 14 overall, and a handful of pressing needs. Thursday night’s first round will set their course in a hugely important draft.

How could it unfold? Ravens officials always try to have contingency plans prepared, but in a draft this big, it’s impossible to consider every last possibility. Mock drafts are a good reminder of that reality. Using Pro Football Focus’ simulator, Baltimore Sun reporter Jonas Shaffer and editor C.J. Doon tried to draft and trade their way to their own respectable rookie class. Here’s whom they took.

Jonas Shaffer’s picks:

Round 1

No. 14 overall: Georgia DT Jordan Davis

After a relatively unsurprising first 13 picks — the top three tackles, top four edge rushers and top three cornerbacks were all taken — the Ravens end up with “Godzilla.” Davis, the top defender on the country’s top defense last season, is one of the most athletic prospects in draft history. At 341 pounds, he’s heavier than Brandon Williams and faster over 10 yards (1.68 seconds) than wide receiver Jamison Crowder were coming into the draft. According to MockDraftable, only one interior defensive line prospect has ever recorded a better broad jump than Davis — and he weighed 37 pounds less.

Everything about Davis is big, including his potential impact in Baltimore. He’s versatile enough to line up next to Michael Pierce on early downs, chase down running backs in zone schemes and shake off double teams in power schemes. With Davis anchoring their run defense, the Ravens could line up more often with two high safeties, strengthening their pass defense. If Davis can harness his strength as a pass rusher, he’s an All-Pro-level talent.

Round 2

Trade: No. 45 to Green Bay Packers for Nos. 53, 92

No. 53: Kentucky EDGE Josh Paschal

It’s not really a Ravens draft until there’s a trade back. This deal gives DeCosta another third-round pick without sacrificing a good shot at an intriguing group of Day 2 pass rushers. Oklahoma’s Nik Bonitto would’ve been considered here. So would’ve Southern California’s Drake Jackson.

But with both off the board, Paschal is the pick. The Prince George’s County native checks a lot of boxes: three-time team captain, highly rated edge defender, productive on special teams. He had 5 1/2 sacks, 15 1/2 tackles for loss and 38 pressures in 12 starts last year, according to PFF, and his experience as an interior pass rusher would free up Odafe Oweh and Tyus Bowser outside on third down.

Round 3

No. 76: Wyoming ILB Chad Muma

The Ravens don’t have a lot of starting-level cornerbacks or healthy offensive tackles. You know what else they lack? Inside linebackers. Besides returning starters Patrick Queen and Josh Bynes, there’s just Kristian Welch, more of a special teams contributor, and Malik Harrison, who’s cross-training at outside linebacker this offseason.

Muma’s a good enough prospect to be linked to teams early in the second round. He finished third in the country last year in solo tackles per game (6.5) and ended his college career with a missed-tackle rate of just 8%, according to PFF. Athletic, instinctive and competitive, Muma could emerge as a three-down linebacker. According to Sports Info Solutions, he was targeted just 16 times in his 329 coverage snaps last season, giving up 13 catches for 180 yards and grabbing three interceptions.

No. 92: Houston CB Marcus Jones

Finally, some help for the secondary. Jones’ size (5-8, 177 pounds) means he’ll be mostly limited to a role in the slot, where he thrived in occasional duty last year. With Tavon Young moving on and Marlon Humphrey needed, for now, on the outside, the Ravens have a hole at nickel back.

Jones had 10 interceptions over his career at Troy and Houston, including five last season. According to SIS, he allowed a passer rating of just 47.9 in coverage when targeted in 2022. And he’s an elite kickoff returner, bringing two back for scores last season. If Devin Duvernay’s unavailable, Jones could be just as menacing a punt returner.

No. 100: Cincinnati EDGE Myjai Sanders

If the Ravens are going to double-dip at edge rusher, why not complement the edge-setting Paschal with the speed-rushing Sanders? He had 10 quarterback pressures against Alabama in their College Football Playoff matchup last season, according to PFF, and his 54 hurries were the third most in the country.

Sanders (2 1/2 sacks in 2021) needs to fill out physically, which should help his tackling woes, and cut down on his bad penalty habit. But he could contribute immediately as a pass-rush specialist.

Round 4

No. 110: Clemson WR Justyn Ross

If the Ravens are going to take a swing at wide receiver in this year’s draft, it should be a big one. Ross looked like a first-round pick after his freshman season, when he had 46 catches for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. But his production dipped in 2019, he missed all of 2020 after undergoing spinal surgery, and he sat out Clemson’s final three games last season with a broken foot.

On a team filled with leaner, shorter wideouts, Ross would offer quarterback Lamar Jackson something different. He has all the makings of a promising possession receiver: a filled-out 6-foot-4 frame, which he uses well as a blocker; an impressive catch radius; and solid route-running and after-the-catch ability.

No. 119: Cincinnati CB Coby Bryant

For a mid-round prospect, Bryant looks like a prototypical Ravens cornerback: 6-1, 193 pounds, with ample experience in press and man-to-man coverage. Bryant, who was named after the NBA legend, was responsible for 15 forced turnovers (10 interceptions, five forced fumbles) and 45 passes defended in his Cincinnati career, making the most of his role opposite projected first-round pick Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. Bryant’s not an elite athlete, nor is he especially long, but he would likely hold up well as a rotational outside corner in Baltimore.

No. 128: Texas-San Antonio OT Spencer Burford

At this point in the draft, the Ravens would be happy to find a tackle who projects not only as a rookie reserve but perhaps a starter by 2023 or 2024 as well. Burford, a two-year starter at left guard and a two-year starter at left tackle, has a good frame and impressive wingspan for a 6-4 lineman. He’s coordinated enough to handle a range of pass-rush moves and quick enough to connect on second-level blocks in the run game. But at 304 pounds, and with his technique still undeveloped in some areas, he could struggle with NFL-level play strength.

No. 139: Brigham Young RB Tyler Allgeier

Allgeier, who finished third in the country last year in rushing yards (1,606), would be a good insurance policy for the Ravens’ rehabilitating running back room. His powerful running style more closely resembles Gus Edwards’ than J.K. Dobbins’, but he has a nice blend of skills. According to PFF, Allgeier forced 76 missed tackles and averaged 4.2 yards after contact last season, both top-10 marks among running backs. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry over his BYU career, added 23 catches for 199 yards last season and showed a knack for pass blocking.

No. 141: LSU DT Neil Farrell Jr.

Given Michael Pierce’s recent injury history and the uncertainty around Jordan Davis’ Year 1 workload, adding another rotational nose tackle makes sense. The 330-pound Farrell had a strong 2021, finishing with 9 1/2 tackles for loss and defending well when lined up in both the “A” gap (between a guard and center) and the “B” gap (between a tackle and guard). He has the first-step quickness to bother linemen and the strength to shed them, though his aggressiveness can get him into trouble.

Round 5

Trade: No. 196 and 2023 sixth-round pick to New York Jets for No. 163

No. 163: San Diego State TE Daniel Bellinger

Bellinger’s not a splashy prospect, but there’s enough potential and production to suggest he could pair well with Mark Andrews. Bellinger has the kind of frame (6-5, 253 pounds), mentality and experience as an in-line blocker that translates well from college to the NFL. He also didn’t drop a pass last season, finishing his career with a drop rate of just 4.2%, according to PFF. While Bellinger’s impressive times in the 40-yard dash (4.63 seconds) and three-cone drill didn’t create a lot of chunk plays in college — he had a career-high 353 receiving yards last season — the Ravens can’t be too picky here. Nick Boyle’s injury history and Josh Oliver’s limited production have left room for a challenger.

C.J. Doon’s picks:

Round 1

Trade: No. 14 to Tennessee Titans for No. 26 and No. 90 and 2023 second-round pick

No. 26 overall: Boston College G Zion Johnson

With the top tackles, cornerbacks and edge rushers already off the board, a trade down seemed like the best option. The 6-3, 312-pound Johnson, an Upper Marlboro native, can be a Day 1 starter at left guard and could even take over at center. At the Senior Bowl, where he was named Practice Player of the Week, Johnson was one of the first players on the field and one of the last to leave, taking extra reps with the quarterbacks and practicing his snaps. He’s just what the Ravens need to fortify their offensive line.

Round 2

No. 45: Minnesota EDGE Boye Mafe

The Ravens’ selection of Oweh last year shows how much the Ravens value athleticism off the edge, and Mafe has it in spades. The 6-3, 261-pound pass rusher ranked in the 90th percentile or better in the 40-yard dash (4.53 seconds), vertical jump (38 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, 5 inches), according to scouting database MockDraftable. He put those tools to good use at the Senior Bowl, where he earned the highest pass-rushing grade of any edge rusher in attendance, according to Pro Football Focus. He’ll turn 24 his rookie year, but his explosiveness and athletic traits are worth betting on to bolster the Ravens’ pass rush.

Round 3

No. 76: Wake Forest G/T Zach Tom

The Ravens need to come away with at least one long-term option at tackle, and the 6-4, 304-pound Tom fits the bill. While some analysts project him as a guard at the next level, he’s proven he can hold his own at tackle, earning the highest pass-blocking grade in the FBS last year, according to PFF. Even if he doesn’t add enough strength to become a reliable pass protector, the former center prospect can bolster the interior of the offensive line.

No. 90: Houston CB Marcus Jones

A slot cornerback who doubles as a kick and punt returner? Sounds like a Ravens pick. The 5-8, 174-pound Jones is a smooth athlete who isn’t afraid to get dirty as a run defender, a must for any Ravens pick. He could immediately fill Tavon Young’s role while helping out on special teams, where he averaged 14.4 yards per punt return and 34.2 yards per kick return last season. He has game-changing ability as a returner, as evidenced by his six career return touchdowns.

No. 100: Florida RB Dameon Pierce

I know, I know. With J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards expected to be healthy, the last thing the Ravens need is another running back. But we said that last year, and then Dobbins and Edwards were lost to season-ending injuries before Week 1.

The 5-10, 218-pound Pierce is as tough to bring down as any player in this draft class, breaking 39 tackles on 100 attempts last season, according to PFF. After splitting carries at Florida, he’d understand his role with the Ravens while earning more snaps. He’d be a worthy investment for a team that prides itself on running the ball.

Round 4

No. 110: Western Kentucky EDGE DeAngelo Malone

I’m doubling up on edge rushers early, and I suspect DeCosta will do the same. The 6-4, 223-pound Malone returned for a fifth season in 2021 and was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year after tying for ninth in the FBS with 17 1/2 tackles for loss. That experience has helped refine his pass-rushing technique, which has been described as “unorthodox” and “savvy.” He can also be an immediate contributor on special teams.

No. 119: Boise State WR Khalil Shakir

There’s a good chance Shakir doesn’t make it to the fourth round, but he’d be a great fit in Baltimore. The 6-foot, 196-pound Boise State star is one of the most exciting contested-catch receivers in this class and does most of his damage from the slot, an area the Ravens could use some help. His instincts in open space and ability to break tackles would pair well with Lamar Jackson when the quarterback breaks the pocket and extends plays.

No. 128: Fayetteville State CB Joshua Williams

Projecting Division II production to the NFL is never easy, but Williams’ athletic profile suggests he can hold his own against bigger and better receivers. The 6-2, 195-pound corner posted a 9.41 Relative Athletic Score on a 0 to 10 scale, which ranked 115 out of 1,923 cornerback prospects tested since 1987. He has the traits worth betting on to develop behind Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters.

No. 139: Tennessee DT Matthew Butler

The Ravens need to get younger on the defensive line, which means they might not wait this long to pick an interior defender. But the class is deep enough that a talented player like Butler might still be available in the fourth round. The 6-4, 297-pound Butler is a solid three-technique (positioned on the outside shoulder of the guard) who has the athleticism and bend to be a disruptive presence up front.

No. 141: Oklahoma State LB Malcolm Rodriguez

This is one of my favorite picks of this whole exercise. Rodriguez is only 5-11 and 232 pounds, but he flies around the field and plays with an edge. The team captain is an instinctive tackling machine who wraps up ball carriers with ease thanks to his wrestling background. He might not have the length, size or coverage ability to be a starting linebacker, but there’s no questioning his nose for the ball. He finished third in the FBS with 66 defensive stops last season, according to PFF.

Round 6

No. 196: Mercer G/FB Jason Poe

You know about “Project Pat.” It’s time for “Project Poe.” The 6-1, 300-pound Mercer star is training as both a guard and a fullback and recently showed off his route-running and pass-catching ability on Twitter. Needless to say, he has rare movement skills for a player of his size. Just turn on his senior year highlights and imagine what he could do for the Ravens as a pulling guard. At Georgia’s pro day, he tested in the 89th percentile or better in the bench press (34 reps), 40-yard dash (4.89 seconds), vertical jump (31.5 inches) and broad jump (9 feet, 3 inches). I’m willing to bet on those traits.