Leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft, I will look at possible scenarios for the Ravens in Round 1 and how a selection would change the look of the second and third rounds. This exercise assumes the Ravens make no trades in the first round and make the 14th overall pick. The top needs for the Ravens are edge rusher, cornerback, interior defensive line and offensive line.
Here is Scenario 2. (See Also: Scenario 1)
The Ravens select an edge rusher with the 14th pick. With Tyus Bowser coming off an Achilles tear and Jaylon Ferguson yet to make an impact, the Ravens are very thin on the edge outside of Odafe Oweh.
Who could it be?
• George Karlaftis, Purdue
• Jermaine Johnson, Florida State
• Boye Mafe, Minnesota
So, who would the second-round targets be?
The Ravens could target an offensive lineman, cornerback or interior defensive lineman in Round 2. Here are some options for each position of need in the second round.
Interior Defensive Line:
• Travis Jones, Connecticut
• Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma
• Logan Hall, Houston
Offensive Line:
• Tyler Smith OT/OG, Tulsa
• Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
• Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
• Dylan Parham, OG, Memphis
Cornerback:
• Tariq Woolen, Texas-San Antonio
• Roger McCreary, Auburn
• Kyler Gordon, Washington
Offensive tackle gets thin fast in this draft. Yes, there are players who could develop, but the middle of Round 2 is where surefire starters stop in 2022. Cornerback depth is strong in this year’s draft, so if the Ravens decide to go this route, they could double up at the cornerback position in this year’s draft. Defensive line has solid prospects through Round 5, just not a ton of Day 3 talent. EDGE is one of the deepest positions in 2022.
In the third round, the Ravens’ options are:
Interior Defensive Line:
• John Ridgeway, Arkansas
• Zachary Carter, Florida
• Phidarian Mathis, Alabama
Cornerback:
• Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska
• Alontae Taylor, Tennessee
• Coby Bryant, Cincinnati
EDGE:
• Drake Jackson, Southern Cal
• Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati
• Sam Williams, Ole Miss
Offensive Line:
• Abraham Lucas, Washington State
• Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State
• Cole Strange, Chattanooga
• Jamaree Salyer, Georgia
What if the draft went like this?
14th pick: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
45th pick: Perrion Winfrey, DL, Oklahoma
76th pick: Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
100th pick: Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
In addition, the Ravens would still have six Day 3 picks left to address the other needs! Would this start to the draft be a solid start? As a Ravens fan, would you be satisfied going into Day 3?
Photo Credit: FSU Sports Information