The Baltimore Ravens have their share of needs entering the 2023 NFL Draft, but they will have to restock the talent pool with just five picks, compared to 11 picks total and six in the fourth round alone last year.
Baltimore does have good reason for missing a couple of those picks, as the Ravens do not have their second-round selection (No. 56) following the midseason trade for linebacker Roquan Smith. He was well worth the lost draft pick, as Smith was a perfect fit in the Ravens’ defense. The organization rewarded him with a hefty new contract that will keep him in purple and black for the foreseeable future. Baltimore sent its fifth-round pick to the Chicago Bears in the trade for Smith as well.
The Ravens also do not own their seventh-round choice as part of a trade package in the 2022 draft. They do own the Patriots fifth-round selection from the Shaun Wade trade a couple years ago.
Eric DeCosta and his predecessor Ozzie Newsome have been huge advocates of gaining extra selections through compensatory picks, but the Ravens don’t have that at their disposal this offseason. Barring any trades, they will enter the draft weekend with just those five picks.
As of this writing, Lamar Jackson is still a Raven. It remains to be seen if that’s the case come draft day, but for this exercise we will assume Baltimore has its franchise quarterback.
Let’s predict three players at each draft position that could be in a Ravens uniform following the 2023 NFL Draft this weekend.
Round 1, No. 22
Option 1: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
Option 2: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
Option 3: Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
Round 3, No. 86:
Option 1: Jonathan Mingo, WR, Mississippi
Option 2: Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami
Option 3: Byron Young, EDGE, Tennessee
Round 4, No. 125
Option 1: YaYa Diaby, EDGE, Louisville
Option 2: Moro Ojomo, DL, Texas
Option 3: Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford
Round 5, No. 159 — via New England Patriots:
Option 1: Byron Young, DL, Alabama
Option 2: Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford
Option 3: Warren McClendon, OT, Georgia
Round 6, No. 200:
Option 1: Sidy Sow, OL, Eastern Michigan
Option 2: Keondre Coburn, DL, Texas
Option 3: Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia
Notes:
Don’t be surprised if Baltimore trades back if the board doesn’t fall its way in the first round. It shouldn’t shock anyone if Eric DeCosta trades down to stockpile an additional second- or third-round selection.
The Ravens’ top needs are cornerback, receiver, pass rusher and defensive lineman. Most of these picks reflect those needs. Secondary needs are interior offensive line (left guard), developmental offensive lineman and running back depth.
Emmanuel Forbes is small in stature, but he was a big playmaker in college. I expect there to be a quick run on cornerbacks in the middle of the first round, but Forbes will be a nice addition to the Ravens’ secondary. He ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash, played against top-tier competition in the SEC and has a knack for getting into the end zone when getting his hands on the ball. Forbes is often overlooked because of his size, but Ravens fans should be happy with the pick.
Baltimore added Odell Beckham Jr. but still adds another receiver to the group with Jonathan Mingo in this mock. Mingo is physical with or without the ball in his hands and has the ability to make defenders miss. He doesn’t have to be thrust into much action early on with Beckham, Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay on the roster, giving offensive coordinator Todd Monken some time to groom him to be a good outside receiver.
YaYa Diaby needs some seasoning in run situations, but should be able to contribute as a pass rusher early in his career. He has room to grow which makes him an intriguing option in a rotation with Tyus Bowser, Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo.
Byron Young (Alabama) — there are two players with the same name in this draft from the SEC — would be added depth on a defensive line that just lost Calais Campbell to free agency. The Ravens have a history of taking players from the Crimson Tide, and Young would be a natural fit up front.
Sidy Sow is a developmental guard prospect who could compete for a spot along the offensive line. Stetson Bennett’s familiarity with Monken’s offense would make him an ideal fit if Baltimore does decide to move on from Lamar Jackson during the draft.
What do you think of this Ravens mock draft?
Photo Credit: Walt Middleton/EMU Athletics