NFL Mock Draft: Lamar Jackson to the Baltimore Ravens

rn rn Ebony Bird site experts Chris Schisler and Joe Schiller combine to bring you a full first-round mock draft. Chris starts things off with the Cleveland Browns. rn[mockdraft order="1" firstname="Sam" lastname="Darnold" position="QB" from="USC" league="nfl" teamlogo="browns"]Sam Darnold is the most interesting player in this draft because he has been the front runner for the number one overall pick since the Rose Bowl in 2016. The problem is that Darnold had a shaky 2017 season and has proven to be a turnover prone passer. When you balance the obvious concerns with the obvious talent and the elite physical traits, how do you grade Darnold? I tend to be low on Darnold, but the Browns are probably going to take him. The Browns have to get this right. They're going with the big AFC North kind of quarterback and hoping that going with the presumptive number one pick pays off for them. Darnold had some magical moments at USC. He performed well in clutch situations and when he's on, it's fun to watch. The Browns are hoping for the magic to be a little more consistent in the NFL, with this pick.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The New York Giants are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="2" firstname="Josh" lastname="Rosen" position="QB" from="UCLA" league="nfl" teamlogo="giants"]The Giants miss out on Sam Darnold but get the next best option. Josh Rosen is arguably the most pro-ready quarterback in this class and while some teams are concerned about his character, the talent is too much to pass up on. Rosen belongs in the bright lights of the Big Apple and the Giants need to find Eli Manning's successor sooner rather than later. This pick would ultimately fill that need and set Dave Gettleman and Pat Shurmur up for the future. [/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The New York Jets are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="3" firstname="Baker" lastname="Mayfield" position="QB" from="OU" league="nfl" teamlogo="jets"]The Jets needed to go with a quarterback. They traded up to get the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. That is not something you do to attack any old need. The Jets are taking a quarterback and the best one left happens to be Baker Mayfield. Mayfield has great anticipation. I think that is what makes him so intriguing. The arm talent is obvious, the improvisational skills are a nice bonus, but it's his regularly on time throws that excite me. With all the talk about how smart Josh Rosen is, we forget how far ahead Mayfield is in football IQ. Mayfield is a confident leader with the talent to make it work. Mayfield has an almost Joe Namath like swagger and just like the Jets Hall of Fame quarterback, he can back it up on the field.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Cleveland Browns are on the clock" slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="4" firstname="Bradley" lastname="Chubb" position="DE/OLB" from="NCST" league="nfl" teamlogo="browns"]As tempting as it would be for the Browns to select Saqoun Barkley, pairing Myles Garrett with a pure pass rusher like Bradley Chubb would give the front-seven elite status. Chubb is an incredible athlete and showed those skills during his four years at NC State. This is a safe pick for the Browns and they'll be able to reap the benefits from Week 1.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Denver Broncos are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="5" firstname="Saquan" lastname="Barkley" position="RB" from="Penn St." league="nfl" teamlogo="broncos"]Do you force getting the quarterback here? If I'm John Elway, the answer to that question is no. Why is that? Well, I can get the best offensive play-maker in the NFL Draft. Saquan Barkley is more than good, and Case Keenum is good enough for now. Barkley is going to be one of the best running backs in the NFL. He is going to be a workhorse for the Broncos offense. Barkley is great out of the backfield as a receiver. The reason Barkley is so highly valued is that there isn't a lot to be worried about. He's an unbelievable athlete who makes plays that make highlight reels and change games. Keenum can man the fort for now. The Broncos need to build an overall great team so when they find the quarterback of the future they can get back to the promise land.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Indianapolis Colts are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="6" firstname="Quenton" lastname="Nelson" position="OG" from="Notre Dame" league="nfl" teamlogo="colts"]Andrew Luck is still the center of the Colts' franchise. He's set to return after missing the entire 2017 season and keeping him upright is the main priority. There's no better player to do that with than Quenton Nelson. Dubbed as one of the safest prospects in this draft, it's hard to find negatives of Nelson's play. He's an absolute beast on the interior of the offensive line and would pair perfectly alongside Ryan Kelly. Luck can feel confident in the pocket knowing he's got ample protection up front.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="7" firstname="Derwin" lastname="James" position="S" from="FSU" league="nfl" teamlogo="buccaneers"]Derwin James is a special athlete. He has the ability to be a ball-hawking free safety. He hits like he is a strong safety and he has a high football IQ. James is a dependable safety who is his one man legion of boom. He has the football smarts of Richard Sherman, the range and ball skills of Earl Thomas and the physicality of Kam Chancellor. The Buccaneers need help in their secondary. This pick is as easy as it gets for the Buccaneers. If it weren't for the quarterback craze, James could easily be a top three pick. I have James ranked as my sixth best player in the entire draft class.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Chicago Bears are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="8" firstname="Denzel" lastname="Ward" position="CB" from="Ohio State" league="nfl" teamlogo="bears"]The Bears retained Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara, but a team can never have enough depth at cornerback. It's a position that can thin very quickly with injuries and inconsistent play. Denzel Ward is the top cornerback in this class and he comes off the board at pick No. 8. Ward was one of the Big 10's best corners last season at Ohio State and locked down almost every receiver that came his way. He has elite speed and will be able to keep up with the top receivers in the NFL.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The San Francisco 49ers are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="9" firstname="Roquan" lastname="Smith" position="LB" from="Georgia" league="nfl" teamlogo="49ers"]Instincts make great athletes, great players. I'm not sure if that's an expression but it should be, because it tells the story of Roquan Smith. Smith is the most complete linebacker in the entire draft class. He has the ability to make plays sideline to sideline. He reminds me of Ray Lewis. I think Smith has the chance to be unbelievable. I have him ranked third overall, and for an inside linebacker that's pretty good. The only players ahead of Smith for me, are Josh Rosen and Bradley Chubb (a passer and a pass rusher). Smith is going to be a leader and he's going to be the quarterback of the defense. The 49ers just got an absolute steal. Smith should have been taken higher than this.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Oakland Raiders are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="10" firstname="Tremaine" lastname="Edmunds" position="LB" from="VT" league="nfl" teamlogo="raiders"]Back-to-back linebackers are taken off the board and Tremaine Edmunds is the perfect fit for Jon Gruden's new-look team. At just 19 years old, Edmunds possesses a ton of raw talent that the Raiders can mold into their own. Aside from Khalil Mack, the defense lacks any other sufficient pass rush. Edmunds gives the Raiders just that in an AFC West division with talented quarterbacks across the board. [/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Miami Dolphins are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="11" firstname="Josh" lastname="Allen" position="QB" from="Wyoming" league="nfl" teamlogo="dolphins"]A lot of people have Allen going number one overall, however if the Browns go with Darnold, I can see him slipping like he did in this mock draft. Allen has the best arm talent in the draft. The concern with Allen is his accuracy and his low completion percentage. The Dolphins would be shocked if he was available with the 11th pick. They wouldn't be able to pass him up. The Dolphins going quarterback should not be surprising. Ryan Tannehill has had an up and down career. Tannehill missed the 2017 season after a less than spectacular 2016. If the Dolphins want to hit the reset button, this is the best time to do it.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Buffalo Bills are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="12" firstname="Minkah" lastname="Fitzpatrick" position="S" from="Alabama" league="nfl" teamlogo="bills"]It seems like only a month ago that Minkah Fitzpatrick was considered a top-five player in this draft. But because of positional value and the run on quarterbacks, he finds himself to the Bills at No. 12. This is fantastic value for the Bills and while they need a signal caller, Fitzpatrick is a versatile secondary player that can start at either cornerback or safety. Tre'Davious White proved to be a solid first-round pick last season and the Bills add to that with Fitzpatrick.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Washington Redskins are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="13" firstname="Derrius" lastname="Guice" position="RB" from="LSU" league="nfl" teamlogo="redskins"]Look at the Redskins roster and tell me this pick doesn't make sense. This pick as you can see makes too much sense. Guice is a north and south runner who has power and elusiveness. He is the best running back in this draft not named Barkley and if he was a better receiver out of the backfield, he would be completely comparable to Barkley. Washington needs another flashy component to their offense. Their wide receiver position could use an upgrade but it is very respectable. Jordan Reed is one of the best tight ends in the game. Guice however would be a huge upgrade for Washington and he would give them something they flat out don't have.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Green Bay Packers are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="14" firstname="Marcus" lastname="Davenport" position="OLB" from="UTSA" league="nfl" teamlogo="packers"]The Packers went out and signed Mo Wilkerson in free agency and now they slot in yet another talented pass rusher to the front seven. Marcus Davenport comes from a lesser-known school in UTSA but that hasn't hindered his talent one bit. Davenport showed out at the Senior Bowl earlier this year and proved he can play among the top-tier prospects in this draft. The Packers desperately need help in pass rush and Davenport brings that to the table.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Arizona Cardinals are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="15" firstname="Calvin" lastname="Ridley" position="WR" from="Alabama" league="nfl" teamlogo="cardinals"]Sorry, Ravens fans it's not happening in this mock draft. Calvin Ridley is going to get a team to take a shot on him somewhere in the middle of the first round. There are many fans in Baltimore who have been waiting to hear him be announced for the 16th pick but the Cardinals are eyeing life after Larry Fitzgerald. The Cardinals legendary wide receiver isn't going to last forever and they need talent to maximize his final year or two. Fitzgerald had 109 receptions in 2017 while no other Cardinals player had more than 33 grabs on the year. The Cardinals need receiver help now and a number one receiver of the future. They're hoping that both of these things will be accomplished here. While Ridley is a bit undersized, he is the most NFL polished wide receiver. He is a good route runner and if he operates out of the slot he is going to be a play-maker.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="THE BALTIMORE RAVENS ARE ON THE CLOCK" slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="16" firstname="Lamar" lastname="Jackson" position="QB" from="Louisville" league="nfl" teamlogo="ravens"]All signs point to Calvin Ridley but in this mock draft, he was taken one pick before to the Arizona Cardinals. In an ideal situation the Ravens would be able to trade back and potentially draft an offensive tackle but because we aren't doing trades in this situation, they pull off the surprise and select Lamar Jackson. Joe Flacco isn't getting any older and frankly isn't playing any better. Jackson brings a dynamic talent that the Ravens' offense has lacked under center. He's not forced to start right away and can hone his skills behind Flacco for a year or two. You want excitement Baltimore? Well, you got it.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The San Diego Chargers are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="17" firstname="Da'Ron" lastname="Payne" position="DT" from="Alabama" league="nfl" teamlogo="chargers"]Da'Ron Payne is a beast. He is a combination of the different types of defensive tackles. Payne is a space eating nose guard like Brandon Williams and a backfield destroyer like Aaron Donald. Payne solves two problems at once for the Chargers. The Chargers are also becoming a dominant defensive team with this pick. There are five offensive lineman and Payne joining Melvin Engram and Joey Bosa is more than formidable. Payne is going to make the Chargers run defense better, which is the most important thing to note here. The Chargers linebackers will get better every time Payne is on the field. Payne can be a play-maker but he is best doing the dirty work in the trenches.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Seattle Seahawks are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="18" firstname="Josh" lastname="Jackson" position="CB" from="Iowa" league="nfl" teamlogo="seahawks"]This pick makes almost too much sense for the Seahawks. After a weird offseason that's seen the departures of Richard Sherman and Jeremy Lane, the Legion of Boom is no longer. However, Josh Jackson brings that back into fruition. The Iowa product has some of the best ball skills in this cornerback class. While his speed doesn't compare to the likes of Ward, Jackson has the physicality to battle top receivers and make plays. If John Schneider and the front office don't take Jackson, they're kidding themselves.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Dallas Cowboys are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="19" firstname="Harold" lastname="Landry" position="OLB" from="Boston College" league="nfl" teamlogo="cowboys"]The Cowboys are adding to there defense with this pick. Harold Landry has a lot of potential suitors in this draft class, but his best fit is in Dallas. With Marcus Davenport being off the board the Cowboys are going to take Landry off the board to help their pass rush. 2018 could be an exiting year for the Cowboys. Reigniting the offense with Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott will be huge for the Cowboys. If Dallas can make big plays on the defensive side of the football, then they could be the most dominant team in the NFC East. Landry is an outstanding athlete and he is an all around weapon for the defense. Dallas is adding him for his pass rush ability but he's solid against the run as well.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Detroit Lions are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="20" firstname="Billy" lastname="Price" position="OG/C" from="Ohio State" league="nfl" teamlogo="lions"]The Lions signed center Wesley Johnson in free agency but that shouldn't stop Matt Patricia from adding more depth to the offensive line. It starts from the inside out and Billy Price would be a great addition to Detroit. He tore his pec during the bench press at the NFL Combine but is expected to be ready for the regular season. Price can play at guard or center and that versatility makes him a first-round lock.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="21" firstname="Connor" lastname="Williams" position="OT" from="Texas" league="nfl" teamlogo="bengals"]Connor Williams is a big get for the Bengals. He is arguably the best offensive tackle in this draft class and he is a player they desperately needed. This is a value pick, I have Williams as the 23rd best player in the draft. Williams doesn't seem overly impressive, but he is incredibly solid. There aren't many times on tape where he gives a lot to be worried about. Williams looks the part, with the size and strength not being an issue. He has good footwork and he should be an instant starter at left tackle for the Bengals. The Bengals offensive line was their biggest weakness last season. To be honest, it makes the three man rush on 4th and 12 even more annoying to think about.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Bills are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="22" firstname="Isaiah" lastname="Wynn" position="OG" from="Georgia" league="nfl" teamlogo="bills"]The Bills are up again in the first round and no quarterbacks make sense. The next best option is addressing the offensive line after the retirements of Eric Wood and Richie Incognito. That's where Georgia's Isaiah Wynn comes in. He's a plug-and-play starter on the interior and also has the option to play on the outside if needed. This could turn out to be a fantastic pick for the Bills if Wynn pans out.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The New England Patriots are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="23" firstname="Kolton" lastname="Miller" position="OT" from="UCLA" league="nfl" teamlogo="patriots"]I love me some Kolton Miller, and I don't exactly love me some Patriots. This is easily the most annoying pick of the draft because it is so good and such a steal. Miller has the best combination of strength, balance and footwork and he was the most impressive tackle I watched. I think Williams will get his name called first, but I think Miller is the better player, in fact I have him ranked 11th overall. Miller might actually be the most underrated player in this draft class. I'm not seeing the buzz that he should be getting. That just makes him a perfect pick for the Patriots. They always get what they want.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Carolina Panthers are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="24" firstname="Courtland" lastname="Sutton" position="WR" from="SMU" league="nfl" teamlogo="panthers"]Cam Newton loves big-bodied receiver targets and that's exactly what Courtland Sutton brings to the table. He was an absolute beast at SMU and has Alshon Jeffery-like potential. Sutton's ability to go up and grab the ball is unlike most receiver prospects in 2018. He arguably has a higher ceiling than Calvin Ridley and could pan out to be an extremely talented receiver, possibly the best in this draft.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Tennessee Titans are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="25" firstname="Leighton" lastname="Vander Esch" position="LB" from="Boise St." league="nfl" teamlogo="titans"]Leighton Vander Esch is one of the most athletic inside linebackers that has ever entered the NFL Draft. I think he is one of the most excited players to watch because he zooms around the football field like a sports car. Vander Esch is a victim of his draft class. Roquan Smith and Tremaine Edmunds aren't found every year and they got picked before him. Most years a player like Vander Esch would be the undisputed number one linebacker. Vander Esch is a linebacker for the pass happy NFL that we have now. He has the ability to be just as good as Luke Kuechly, if not better. That shows you how special this group of linebackers is.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Atlanta Falcons are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="26" firstname="Vita" lastname="Vea" position="DT" from="Washington" league="nfl" teamlogo="falcons"]Taven Bryan has regularly been linked to the Falcons but in this mock draft, they select Vita Vea. The Washington product is an absolute monster up front an immediate gap plugger. He shows shades of Haloti Nagata, which would bode well for the Falcons' front-seven. As Dan Quinn has tried to create his Seattle defense, Vea is the perfect addition. He'll open up plenty of holes for the rest of the defense, no questions asked.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The New Orleans Saints are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="27" firstname="Mike" lastname="Hughes" position="CB" from="UCF" league="nfl" teamlogo="saints"]Mike Hughes is a really pesky cornerback and I mean that in a flattering light. He is one of the most aggressive cornerbacks in this draft class and he is often in a position to make a play because of it. Pairing Hughes with Marshone Lattimore is an unbelievable accomplishment for the Saints, who might have the first great defense they've ever really had. The Saints have the offensive fire power. They have the running game. The defense is stingier than it used to be. Now the Saints will have two shutdown cornerbacks on top of it all. Hughes would come in right away and be a starter. The Saints had an incredible 2016 draft, this would keep the hot streak alive.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Pittsburgh Steelers are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="28" firstname="Rashaan" lastname="Evans" position="LB" from="Alabama" league="nfl" teamlogo="steelers"]As unfortunate as it is, Ryan Shazier will likely never step foot on the gridiron again. That leaves a huge hole for the Steelers to fill at the inside linebacker spot and they can address it in the first round with Rashaan Evans. Much like Josh Jackson to the Seahawks, this pick makes perfect sense for the Steelers. Evans was one of the unquestioned leaders of the Alabama defense last season and provides plenty production in the middle as well as in pass rush. His physical nature fits perfectly in the AFC North.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="29" firstname="Taven" lastname="Bryan" position="DT" from="Miami" league="nfl" teamlogo="jaguars"]The Jaguars don't need to focus on their defense. They can however, make their defense incredibly fierce. Adding to their pass rush would make the Jaguars defense that much better and it could inch the team closer to the Super Bowl. Bryan is raw, but he is perhaps the most explosive defensive tackle in the NFL Draft this year. Bryan is going to have to get some on the job training but he would add some beef to the Jaguars front seven. Bryan will demand double teams, that is a promise.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Minnesota Vikings are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="30" firstname="Jaire" lastname="Alexander" position="CB" from="Louisville" league="nfl" teamlogo="vikings"]The Vikings are one of the NFL's most complete teams heading into the 2018 season, especially after adding Kirk Cousins under center. They go "best player available" during the first round and select Louisville cornerback Jaire Alexander. He was limited to just six games in 2017 due to injury but was a stud in his three years as a Cardinal. Alexander is a scrappy player who provides an option in the slot and gives depth to an already stacked cornerback depth chart led by Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The New England Patriots are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="31" firstname="Lorenzo" lastname="Carter" position="OLB" from="Georgia" league="nfl" teamlogo="patriots"]Believe me when I tell you that the NFL will be sorry if Lorenzo Carter goes to the Patriots. That is because Carter is the best outside linebacker that nobody seems to be talking about. He is clearly a first round talent. He's lanky, explosive and strong. The Patriots have to get back to being a dominant team on the defensive side of the football. Carter could be the missing piece to the puzzle on their defense. Carter is underrated and that is shocking. His upside is everything and possibly more than that of Harold Landry. Carter is going to be good and the Patriots defense will get better because of it, if this is the pick.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn[nextslide teaser="The Super Bowl Champions are on the clock " slider="true" /]rnrn rnrn rnrn[mockdraft order="32" firstname="Ronnie" lastname="Harrison" position="S" from="Alabama" league="nfl" teamlogo="eagles"]The reigning Super Bowl champs are finally on the clock and they add to the safety position with Ronnie Harrison out of Alabama. Howie Roseman's team is hard to predict after they added plenty of pieces during free agency. Malcolm Jenkins is getting older and it's smart to start planning for the future. Harrison is the fourth Crimson Tide player selected off the board and one of the top safeties in this class. You can have enough depth in the secondary and Harrison provides a young and talented option on the backend.rnrn[/mockdraft]rnrn rnrn rnrn rnrn rnrn rnrn rnrn rnrn rnrn rnrn rnrn rnrn

Ebony Bird

NFL Mock Draft: Lamar Jackson to the Baltimore Ravens

Ebony Bird site experts Chris Schisler and Joe Schiller combine to bring you a full first-round mock draft. Chris starts things off with the Cleveland Browns.

Sam Darnold

QB, USC

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