Baltimore Ravens Full 2020 NFL Mock Draft: Getting Creative on Offense
Nov 25, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown (left) and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (right) celebrate their first quarter touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
With draft week ongoing, this is my final seven-round 2020 NFL Mock Draft for Baltimore. The Ravens have nine selections, as this does not include trades.
Free agency has come and gone; enter in the NFL Draft. The Baltimore Ravens have been busy in March and filled some bigs needs on the roster. They still have some work to do, as the nine selections will give them enough ammunition to upgrade the team drastically. Draft week is finally here as the Cincinnati Bengals and the top pick will officially be on the clock within the next 24 hours.
General manager Eric DeCosta will certainly trade down at some point during the 2020 NFL Draft. Keeping a tight-knit circle with the team and the scouts, DeCosta can further expand on his drafting resume tomorrow and he could surprise with his picks. With this mock draft not predicting trades, I made my last and final attempt at mocking each selection for the Baltimore Ravens.
Round 1- Pick 28: Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan
Although I would love either Patrick Queen or Kenneth Murray to fill the middle linebacker position, I just do not envision it happening without a trade up. My pipe dream pick would be edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson but I highly doubt he would fall this far, let alone out of the top 20 picks. With the top three receivers most likely gone by the time the Ravens pick, I do not think a receiver is in play unless they trade down for one. But if they stay pat, I think Cesar Ruiz is the safest bet to upgrade the interior offensive line that lost Marshal Yanda to retirement and center Matt Skura to a season-ending injury. Improving the trenches in front of Lamar Jackson should be a high priority in this draft and the Michigan center/guard is the perfect fit.
Round 2- Pick 55: Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
I think the Ravens target a receiver with one of their two 2nd round picks and pairing someone with Marquise Brown will be the key to evolving their passing game. Laviska Shenault falls here due to injury concerns but I would not be surprised if he is taken before this pick. The receiver from Colorado has the size/speed combination and even though he will need development in his route tree, most receivers coming out of the draft do. A creative offensive coordinator like Greg Roman has many options in their offense with a guy like Shenault and he can score from anywhere on the field.
Pick 60: Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
As of now, the biggest hole on defense is at linebacker. Their will linebacker is currently L.J. Fort but their true middle linebacker is C.J. Board. I have them targeting the tackling machine from Texas Tech if he is still here. Jordyn Brooks has gotten some first-round hype but he is likely a day two-player. Although he is not the best coverage linebacker, he has above average instincts and can be a thumper in the middle of the defense. The improvements on the defensive line with Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe will allow Brooks to shoot the gaps freely within his assignments as a run and chase defender.
Round 3- Pick 92: Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee
This Tennessee edge rusher has gotten some hype for round two but if he is still available, Darrell Taylor would be a good understudy to Matthew Judon. He has experience rushing at defensive end and outside linebacker. Taylor will need development in his pass rush moves but he explodes off the line and has the potential to more than a backup. The rotation with those two edge rushers along with Tyus Bowser and Jaylon Ferguson (in his 2nd year) should be an improvement from last year.
Pick 106: Antonio Gibson, RB, Memphis
If the Ravens want versatile chess pieces on offense, here there are. We start with Antonio Gibson, the running back out of Memphis. He did much more than just play behind the backfield, as Gibson ran routes out of the slot and has return value on special teams. An emergency running back to Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill that will be pretty involved catching passes. The athletic runner can be a mismatch on passing downs but he has the strength to break tackles and take it to the house. Along with Shenault, the various type of plays you can run with those two is ridiculous. The addition of the next pick would further expand their creative offense as well.
Round 4- Pick 129: Lynn Bowden, WR, Kentucky
The final piece to the trio of weapons that bring more than just catching passes. The Kentucky receiver played some quarterback last year but he is mostly a slot or gadget type receiver like the other two receivers the Ravens drafted. Lynn Bowden also has return value on special teams and can run out of the backfield, maximizing the versatility of the Baltimore offense. He is very elusive with the ball in his hands but whether it is Shenault, Gibson, or Bowden; they will find a way to score if they get the ball in their hands. The offensive talent group on the Ravens would certainly get a boost in the run and pass game with the addition of each of these prospects.
Pick 134: K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson
The Ravens secondary is loaded, why draft a defensive back? Well, getting one that can play near the line of scrimmage and cover as a big nickel is nice. With Earl Thomas at free safety and Chuck Clark at strong safety, safety K’Von Wallace can back up Clark and was a frequent blitzer at Clemson. He may not have the range to play single high but fear not, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale can use a versatile player like this. Wallace brings depth to the safety position, has special team value, and is insurance for Tavon Young in the slot. 
Jan 13, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers tight end Thaddeus Moss (81) makes a catch against Clemson Tigers safety Tanner Muse (19) in the fourth quarter in the College Football Playoff national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Round 5-170: Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU
The undersized, hybrid tight end/H-back could be taken this late but I would not be shocked if family lineage gets him drafted earlier. The son of Randy Moss, Thaddeus Moss would be a great 3rd option at tight end for the Ravens after they traded away Hayden Hurst. He is good enough blocker himself and showcases his ball skills on sideline catches. Although Moss is limited athletically and is recovering from an injury, he would play a nice role between Mark Andrews as the main starter and Nick Boyle as the blocker.
Round 7- Pick 225: Yasir Durant, OT, Missouri
The Ravens could use more depth at guard and tackle. Yasir Durant has experience playing both and with the lack of tackle depth other than Andre Smith, he would be a good flyer pick this late in the draft. The Missouri offensive lineman has great size and is a better pass protector than run blocker. Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown Jr. are the starters at bookend tackle spots but depth at either position would not hurt. His versatility and experience as a starter would make Durant a good selection with this pick.
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