Baltimore Ravens: Two-round mock draft 2.0
By Joe Schiller
As the NFL Combine begins this week, here’s a look at my second version of a two-round mock draft for the Baltimore Ravens.
It’s been well over a month since my first two-round mock draft for the Baltimore Ravens but we’re back. The next stage of the NFL offseason takes place this week as the Scouting Combine kicks off. All 32-teams are in attendance at Lucas Oil Stadium to interview and scout over 300 of college football’s top prospects.
Using Fanspeak’s mock draft simulator, I simulated a two-round mock draft heading into the combine. It’s a fantastic tool that allowed me to select for the Ravens, knowing who’s still left on the board. After seeing how this draft turned out, I think the Ravens and fans would be happy with the outcome.
Let’s start with pick No. 16
Round 1: Mike McGlinchey OT, Notre Dame
No Calvin Ridley in this situation. He was quickly snatched off the board by the Bears with pick No. 8. That’s a realistic possibility and there’s no guarantee Ridley falls outside the top-10 on draft night. What do the Ravens do in this scenario? Go with the next best option and address a need on the offensive line. Ozzie Newsome finds Ronnie Stanley’s counterpart and selects Notre Dame offensive tackle, Mike McGlinchey.
It’s not a sexy pick but offensive lineman never are. Fans complained about Ronnie Stanley’s selection in the 2016 draft. No seems to be complaining now that the Ravens have found their franchise left tackle. McGlinchey could provide that same kind of value 10 picks later.
McGlinchey has a wealth of experience as a three-year starter at Notre Dame. He played primarily right tackle his first two seasons before moving to left tackle his senior year. That kind of versatility gives McGlinchey the ability to be a plug-and-play starter for the Ravens. Based on his combine measures McGlinchey is a towering 6-7. His frame could use bulking but that’s something an NFL strength coach can fix.
Drafting McGlinchey would mean Austin Howard becomes a logical cap casualty. Howard was signed as a bridge-gap player for the Ravens to eventually find a younger replacement. Releasing Howard would save Baltimore around $2.5 million in the process.