Ebony Bird Round Table: The ideal pick for Baltimore Ravens at 22
Welcome to the Ebony Bird Round Table. Today’s topic is the dream pick for the Ravens.
Chris Schisler (Site Expert): Clelin Ferrell, Edge (Clemson)
This boils down to value. Ferrell is a player I value as a borderline top 10 prospect and the Ravens have the 22nd pick. He’s the best player that Eric DeCosta can reasonably expect to fall to his drafting position. In the last three years with Clemson’s top-tier defense, Ferrell has put up 27 sacks and 50.5 tackles for a loss. In 2018 he had 11.5 sacks and forced three fumbles. This is a productive player the Ravens can plug in right away opposite of Matt Judon.
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It’s something I keep pointing out, but Ferrell reminds me of a young Terrell Suggs. He’s a freak athlete off the edge, with a thick frame. He plays a tough and physical style that knocks offensive linemen off balance. He can win with speed off the edge but he does his best work when he’s bullying offensive tackles. Ferrell could be the next great defensive player in Baltimore. There may never be another Suggs but Ferrell would be his natural replacement. It would be a perfect transition from a Hall of Fame talent to a young star.
The biggest reason for this pick is value, but it’s also what moves the needle the most. Ferrell and Judon could be an explosive pairing of outside linebackers which would add to a defense with an elite secondary. The Ravens need Lamar Jackson to show growth in his second year, and he’s putting in the work to make that happen. The offense is a priority that should be addressed in the draft but solidifying a dominant defense will be the move that gives the purple and black a chance at winning the AFC North again.