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NFL Mock Draft: Baltimore Ravens trade out of first round

By Darin McCann

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 27: A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates after being named the defensive player of the game after defeating the USC Trojans 49-24 in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 27, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 27: A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates after being named the defensive player of the game after defeating the USC Trojans 49-24 in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 27, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Baltimore Ravens during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Baltimore Ravens during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

It’s officially NFL Draft week. Here is another Ravens mock draft:

In a world largely devoid of live sports, it is understandable that the excitement is palpable for this year’s NFL Draft, scheduled to kick off on Thursday, April 23. And it’s obviously a big deal. But of even greater import, both to Ravens fans and admirers of all things brilliant across these fruited plains, this stands as my final mock draft of the 2020 NFL Mock Draft Season.

Yeah, I probably didn’t have to capitalize all those words. I just felt like it would give me greater credibility if I made it look like I’m part of some recognized organization that would give me a little more legitimacy. Looking back, it did not.

And I’m sorry.

But, back to the matter at hand. This will be my third and final mock draft before the true professionals take over Thursday night. Once again, I used The Draft Network’s mock-draft whirley-a-doo (officially not its official title) to make the selections for the Baltimore Ravens. There is one trade-back I orchestrated at the top of the draft, and a few attempts I tried later did not yield me enough of a return to pull the metaphorical trigger. The Ravens, in this scenario, traded the 28th and 106th picks of the draft to the Indianapolis Colts for the 34th and 75th selections.

So, let’s get to it.

Round 2, pick 34

Edge. Hawkeyes . A.J. Epenesa. 34. player. 878.

Epenesa plays with power and effort, sets a solid edge against the run and notched 22 sacks over the past two seasons. He didn’t have a great Combine, and he had a slow start to the 2019 season, but Epenesa appears to be a guy with a very high floor, potential to become a very good pass-rusher with more tutelage and will combine with newcomers Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe to stop what was a sometime-leaky run defense last year. I like Epenesa for the Ravens. I really like getting him at 34.

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