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Corey Meihls’ final 2020 NFL Draft mock for Baltimore Ravens

By Corey Meihls

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text "ON THE CLOCK" for 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text "ON THE CLOCK" for 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 30: Cesar Ruiz #51 prepares to snap the ball during the second half of a college football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium on November 30, 2019, in Ann Arbor, MI. The Ohio State Buckeyes won the game 56-27 over the Michigan Wolverines. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 30: Cesar Ruiz #51 prepares to snap the ball during the second half of a college football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium on November 30, 2019, in Ann Arbor, MI. The Ohio State Buckeyes won the game 56-27 over the Michigan Wolverines. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

Round 1:

This was difficult. In the two mock drafts that I utilized to try to find common picks and trends to get my definitive list, I was left with picking between Cesar Ruiz (IOL), A.J. Epenesa (EDGE), and Kenneth Murray (LB). Tough decision. I can’t really fault anyone, including Eric DeCosta, for taking any of the three of them, but this kind of lands in the realm of “best player available.” Epenesa is a really close second, but Ruiz is transcendent. There won’t be any questions about Ruiz’s work-ethic, on-field play, or character. There will be no question if Ruiz can start day one, fit the Ravens mold, and elevate the Ravens’ offense. With Epenesa and Murray, I have some questions about fit or polish; I don’t have those concerns with Ruiz.

light. Related Story. Baltimore Ravens scouting reports: Cesar Ruiz plug-and-play IOL

Besides, I personally have a “balance” mentality that I feel DeCosta shares. This means, that after looking after the defense to an immense degree in the early stages of Free Agency, I feel the Ravens have a defense that’s ready to play today and be a Top 3 defense in the NFL. On the other side, the offense has been ignored thus far in the off-season and the Ravens need a Marshall Yanda replacement, while also questioning how ready Matt Skura will be after a gruesome knee injury. Maybe Matt Skura will be fine, and second-year Right Guard Ben Powers will fill in nicely. It doesn’t really matter. Cesar Ruiz is by most accounts a cut above those two players, and Offensive Line depth is never a bad thing; especially from a player that can play Center or Right Guard.

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