The Baltimore Ravens are looking at players like Garrett Bradbury and N’Keal Harry right? Well here are three potential surprises at the 22nd overall pick.
1. Christian Wilkins:
You’re probably thinking that there is no way Christian Wilkins could fall to the 22nd overall pick. On NFL.com’s Mock Draft Central, they have four mock drafts. Charley Casserly has Wilkins dropping to the 17th pick, while Charles Davis has him going 19th overall. This may be evidence that Wilkins, who is arguably a top 5 player, could possibly slip down to the 22nd overall pick. The Ravens would suddenly be in a bit of a conundrum if this happens. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Wilkins is available and he’s not the best player on the board.
Wilkins is a very solid prospect, but this draft class is going to be ruled by front seven players. Quinnen Williams may be the top player on the board. With Ed Oliver having the freak of nature kind of athleticism and a good group of edge rushers, Wilkins could be overlooked. Wilkins is a big bodied defensive tackle, who looks the part and was one of the best players on Clemson’s defense. Wilkins enters the NFL having 16 sacks in his collegiate career. In 2018 he had 5.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss. Wilkins is a space eater who can provide pass rush as a defensive tackle; that is incredibly valuable in the NFL.
The Ravens don’t need Wilkins, but they would boost the defensive front with this pick. Imagining Michael Pierce and Wilkins on the same defensive line is a scary thought for the rest of the AFC North. This would also make Brandon Williams expendable, and a trade wouldn’t be unheard of. Wilkins has the potential to be better than any of the Ravens’ defensive linemen, including Pierce. That would be hard to turn down. It may be a long-shot that he will be available but it is a possibility.