We have 2020 NFL Draft mocks a plenty to get your fix. Here’s Mike Reid‘s final, seven-round mock draft for the Baltimore Ravens.
We have made it Baltimore Ravens fans, the long-awaited NFL Draft week has finally arrived. The film has been watched, the players have been “virtually” met with, the rumors have been speculated, and countless mock drafts have been constructed. In what should be the most interesting and unpredictable draft in recent memory, it is now time for myself to give my best guess of what the Ravens will be doing from Thursday night to the end of day Saturday.
To keep things simple and not to get out of whack, I did not make any trades for this mock. I kept the 9 draft picks the Ravens currently have and selected for those spots accordingly. Depending on how the board ends up falling, I would be very surprised if Eric DeCosta does not make a trade or two over the course of the draft. The talent in this draft is just so deep, and the heart of it is really on day two. The Ravens are in a great spot already with two second-rounders and two third-rounders. This gives them plenty of ammo to move up and down if need be.
The Ravens come into this draft with four key areas of need: interior offensive line, wide receiver, inside linebacker, edge. Anyone can make a case which of those positions is top priority, as all need to be address this draft. They have secondary positional depth needs: interior defensive line, safety, tight end, offensive tackle, slot corner, running back. Historically, the Ravens are a “best player available” over need-based drafting team. If a falling potential stud player from one of their secondary needs falls to them, I will not be surprised if the Ravens pounce.
This is a Super Bowl contending team with one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. With five picks between 28-106, I think the Ravens can get a few starters and up to five impact rookie contributors this draft. Now, let’s get to my final mock!
At 28, the Ravens are in a position to go so many different ways with this pick. They are in a wait and see how the board falls mode here. They could be hoping an inside linebacker like Patrick Queen or Kenneth Murray falls to them. edge rusher A.J. Epenesa should also be in consideration as a nice fit to the Ravens front-seven. In my opinion, with arguably the deepest wide receiver class ever, the Ravens would be smart to wait until day two to select one.
So, that leaves a “best player available”, plus fills a huge need pick: center/guard Cesar Ruiz. This would be a slam-dunk pick for the Ravens at 28. After losing Hall of Famer, and O-Line staple Marshal Yanda to retirement this off-season. A plug-and-play interior offensive lineman is a huge priority this draft, the Ravens get one here with Ruiz. The former Wolverine has position flexibility, with 26 games at center and five at right guard. He is athletic, mobile, and has a super high football IQ. Also, I’m sure he has the Harbaugh stamp of approval from John’s brother Jim at Michigan. Ruiz won’t turn 21 until June, he has the makings of a long-time pro bowl C or G that will protect the franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson for years to come.