Baltimore Ravens: Two-round mock draft 4.0
By Joe Schiller
With less one month away from the NFL draft, here’s a look at my two-round mock draft 4.0 for the Baltimore Ravens.
Time continues to tick and we are just 23 days away from the start of the NFL draft. The Baltimore Ravens have limited moves left to make in free agency, making the draft crucial for filling significant holes on the roster.
The first two rounds of the draft provide the opportunity for Ozzie Newsome and the front office to find franchise-changing talent. That hasn’t necessarily been the Ravens’ forte in recent years and the bulk of criticism directed toward Newsome has been because of major major misses in these rounds. In his curtain call as the team’s general manager, it’s more important now than ever for the Ravens to hit on their first two picks in the draft.
Using FanSpeak’s draft simulator, here’s a look at my latest two-round mock for the Ravens. For this draft, I used Matt Miller’s big board along with FanSpeak’s team needs. My last draft had the Ravens addressing the wide receiver position in the first round but I shy away from that need and address the offensive line instead.
No. 16: Mike McGlinchey OT, Notre Dame
Players also considered:
Austin Howard was never a franchise right tackle but a consistent starter for the Ravens last season. For cap purposes, it’s understandable why the Ravens released Howard but by doing so, they’ve created a hole at right tackle. Until it’s proved otherwise, the idea of James Hurst as a replacement doesn’t bode well for future success.
Calvin Ridley is the tempting option given the need for a wide receiver but the depth on Day 2 provides plenty of realistic options for offensive skill position players. Selecting Mike McGlinchey at No. 16 plugs a leaking hole and gives stability to an offensive line that’s facing plenty of question marks heading into the season. Newsome selected Ronnie Stanley two years ago and now pairs him with a former teammate to secure the outside edge for Joe Flacco.
Harry Hiestand has produced pro-ready offensive lineman like it’s a factory in South Bend. Quenton Nelson is a top 10 lock at guard but let’s not forget the talent McGlinchey possesses. Much like Stanley, he brings a wealth of experience from his playing days at Notre Dame.
I understand fans will clamor to select an offensive playmaker but the big plays and touchdowns don’t occur until there’s protection up front. Marshal Yanda is entering the finals years of his career, while Alex Lewis and Nico Siragusa are coming off season-ending injuries.
As cliché as it may be, McGlinchey is a plug-and-play starter Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season and yes, he’s an upgrade over what we’ve seen from Hurst at tackle.