Baltimore Ravens: The case for drafting offensive line help first

Garrett Bradbury, Cody Ford and Chris Lindstrom are names to keep an eye on as the Baltimore Ravens prepare for their selection with the 22nd overall pick:

The Baltimore Ravens need to improve upon the foundation of their offense, the offensive line. The Ravens are protecting a young quarterback in Lamar Jackson and figure to be the most aggressive team when it comes to sticking to their rushing attack. The offensive line is not a flashy position but it is however a premium ingredient for NFL victories. Could an offensive lineman make sense?

The first thing Eric DeCosta has to do is to assess what the purple and black need. For the offensive line that’s fairly simple. Baltimore needs a stronger and more reliable presence in the middle of their big offensive line. Three names that are receiving some first round buzz are Garrett Bradbury, Cody Ford and Chris Lindstrom. There should be at least one of these players on the board when the Ravens are on the clock.

The case for Bradbury is that he is a polished center who doesn’t give you much to worry about. He is a player that the Ravens can draft and see an immediate upgrade over the likes of Matt Skura and Bradley Bozeman. Bradbury has quick feet and he is such a smooth athlete. Some prefer quicker offensive linemen to the big bruising types but Bradbury’s traits would give Greg Roman the best of both worlds.

The case for Cody Ford would be versatility. Here you see a right tackle who looks more like an NFL guard. Think James Hurst just with the potential to be so much better. Ford could be a great pick in the long-term. If the Ravens end up losing Ronnie Stanley to free agency,  Orlando Brown Jr. may be able to move to left tackle. Ford could have a future at right tackle. Ford is a 6’4″ 329 pound human plow and he can move.

Arguing for Chris Lindstrom at 22 may be a bit of a reach, but the Ravens currently don’t have a 2nd round selection and Lindstrom is a stud. Lindstrom would fit into the Ravens offensive line because he may be the best pulling guard in this draft class. His upside is being an Alan Faneca like player, which would make him a mainstay for the offensive line.

Perhaps the best reason to go with offensive line help is because it is the one need the Ravens have in which the talent drops off the most after the first couple rounds. In this draft class there quality receivers will bleed into the third day of the NFL Draft. Pass rushers are incredibly prevalent through the first four rounds. If the Ravens pass on a player like Bradbury or Ford, they may not get another chance to really solve their problem up front.

Baltimore needs to be the toughest team in the AFC North. They have to play with a brand of football that is physical first and tough second. They want to open up the offense and do things a little more traditionally, but they are inevitably going to be a ground and pound team. Pass rush help would be exciting. A star at wide receiver would be a fascinating breath of fresh air, but a dominant offensive line may be what the Ravens have to prioritize.