2020 NFL Draft: 3 wildcard trade-up targets for Baltimore Ravens

With the 2020 NFL Draft kicking off tonight, who are some surprise players the Baltimore Ravens could trade up to select in the first round?

The NFL 2020 Draft officially kicks off tonight, and we know that means there will inevitably be some surprises. With so many pro days and team visits canceled, the reality is that teams likely have higher variance in their draft boards than ever this year, which could lead to some surprising players falling further than expected. For the Baltimore Ravens, that means there could be ample opportunity to swoop in and leverage draft capital to get a blue-chip prospect for a palatable price.

Even if players don’t fall further than expected, the Ravens sit in a good position to move up the board if they so choose, as they come in with five picks in the first three rounds. While it’s unlikely that they would part with more than two or three of those to make a move, Eric DeCosta has shown that the only thing predictable about him is how unpredictable he is.

With that being said, let’s take a look at three 2020 NFL Draft prospects the Ravens could move up to draft tonight.

Javon Kinlaw:

Defensive tackle is not the biggest need the Ravens have coming into the 2020 NFL Draft, but Kinlaw is both one of the best players and also one of the top candidates to potentially fall into the late teens or early 20s based on if a run starts at tackle, receiver, or corner.

More from Ebony Bird

Eric DeCosta made a big point to address the defensive line this winter when he added Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe, but he’s also not one who is ever known to sit back and be content with what he’s done. In a 2020 NFL Draft that’s considered light on high-end edge rushers, perhaps the Ravens could decide to turn to Kinlaw to generate pass rush instead. That certainly wouldn’t preclude them from also taking an edge later on, but it would also put Baltimore in a position where they didn’t have to lean as heavily on a rookie edge rusher that they don’t think will be able to provide quality Day one production.

Justin Jefferson:

Seeing the Ravens move up for a receiver wouldn’t necessarily be stunning, but most discussions surrounding a trade-up scenario have centered on CeeDee Lamb or Jerry Jeudy. But if Baltimore is high on Jefferson, might they consider parting with a third-round pick to go get him?

While he hasn’t gotten the same attention as the “Big Three” of Lamb, Jeudy, or Henry Ruggs, Jefferson is effective on all three levels of the passing game and could make an excellent complement to Marquise Brown in his own right. He plays tough, is versatile, and could likely be had for much less draft capital than it would take to move up further and grab one of the other aforementioned receivers. DeCosta has shown he’s willing to be aggressive, so don’t be surprised if the Rave

Isaiah Simmons:

I’ve already made the case for why the Ravens should move into the back part of the Top 10 to grab Simmons, but there’s a small chance that the Clemson star could fall somewhere into the teens just based on team needs and roster fits. If he’s sitting there in the early teens, would Baltimore go get him?

In some ways, he’d be a luxury pick, but Simmons would also be a perfect fit in the Ravens defense and would be a far more justifiable acquisition if Baltimore only had to move into the middle of the first round, rather than into the seven-to-nine range.

dark. Next. 10 Ravens Draft alternatives for Kenneth Murray and Patrick Queen

It’s unlikely that Simmons falls past Jacksonville at nine, but given how many teams need tackles, quarterbacks, receivers, and corners, it’s also not out of the question. Simmons would quickly become Don Martindale’s favorite toy, and he would be sure to get Eric DeCosta a nice Christmas present this year if the general manager went out and brought the former National Champion to the Ravens.

Home/Ravens Draft