7-Round Mock Draft: Baltimore Ravens fill needs, help the offense

Yes, the Ravens just signed Mark Ingram to a 3-year contract. They also have Gus Edwards and Kenneth Dixon, so running back isn’t a huge need for 2019. However, the Ravens need play-makers on offense, no matter what the position. Also, fast forwarding to 2020, both Edwards and Dixon will be free agents and Ingram will turn 31 years old later that year. Enter in Darrell Henderson, who can provide some juice to the backfield as a rookie and years to come. He was a 2018 1st-team AP All-American selection, while amassing 1,909 yards and 22 touchdowns. Henderson is exactly the type of running back that Ravens are missing. A guy who can break off big runs and take it to the end zone at anytime. In 2018 he averaged 8.9 yards per carry and produced an insane 11 touchdown runs of at least 54 yards.

Henderson would add a “home-run hitting” type element to a ground game that would also feature Lamar Jackson’s quickness, Mark Ingram’s versatility and Gus Edwards’ power. Add in Willie Snead, Mark Andrews, Hayden Hurst, and a rookie receiver like N’Keal Harry, the Ravens offense could be cooking with some serious firepower.

What’s the best way to replace a young furious pass rusher like Za’Darius Smith? Draft a guy with eerily similar size, athleticism and upside, Miami’s Joe Jackson fits that bill. At 6’4″ 275 pounds, Jackson has the prototype built teams look for in and edge rusher. NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein’s player comparison for Jackson is in fact former Raven Za’Darius Smith. Jackson’s production at Miami was just as impressive as his physical tools. In just 3 seasons, Jackson made his presence felt in opponent’s backfields by amassing 22.5 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss.

With Matthew Judon already in place on one side, adding Jackson to rotation with Tim Williams and Tyus Bowser would give the defense versatility and would keep the bodies fresh. Jackson might not be a double-digit sack guy right out the gate as a rookie but neither was Smith. It may take a year or two of development, but with the right coaching Jackson’s ceiling as a pass rusher is sky-high.