In this edition of my Baltimore Ravens 2021 NFL Draft mock we see the team add some major firepower to the offense and some new pass rushers.
Round one: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami FL.
There was once a time where Gregory Rousseau was the consensus EDGE1 in the 2021 NFL Draft. After he opted out of the 2020 season, however, he’s become a victim of overthinking and is slipping in the draft quickly. The Baltimore Ravens will gladly be the beneficiary of his fall.
Rousseau was a bit of a raw prospect entering 2020 after a dynamite 2019 season that saw him pace the ACC in sacks with 15.5. The production isn’t the only thing attractive about Rousseau, as he’s also a mammoth of a being at 6’5″ 260-lbs. and arms longer than most people’s legs. There’s a lot of potential to become something absolutely amazing if given the opportunity to develop. Baltimore has been one of the best teams in the league at developing pass-rushing talent, so taking Rousseau is a no-brainer pick.
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With his massive frame and upside to be something special, it’s mind-blowing that Rousseau would even be available this late on day one. If it were up to me he’d be picked a lot sooner. Instead, group think will push Rousseau down the board and right into the waiting Ravens’ laps where he can be molded into one of the league’s best pass-rushing weapons.
Round two: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC
I’m not the biggest advocate in the world that the Ravens need to add a wide receiver early in the 2021 NFL Draft, especially if they add someone in Free Agency, but Amon-Ra St. Brown’s value is too good to pass up. Passing up St. Brown would be a mistake similar to the one the team made a few years back with (ironically) another USC wide receiver, JuJu Smith-Schuster.
ARSB is a big-bodied receiver at 6’1″ 195-lbs. with natural hands and the upside to be a very good starting receiver. St. Brown would give Baltimore a sure-handed weapon across the middle of the field who can create yards after the catch. St. Brown is a very crafty receiver in that sense.
Adding weapons for Lamar Jackson is a must and adding St. Brown at the end of round one would be a good move. Adding him in round two would be a steal.
Round three: Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami FL.
Similar to adding a receiver early, I am not a huge advocate for adding a tight end early considering the team already has a Pro Bowler in Mark Andrews and will see Nick Boyle return from injury in 2021. With that being said, Brevin Jordan is a difference-maker and a day one impact.
Jordan is a RAC machine and one of the best playmakers at the tight end position in the entire 2021 NFL Draft. Jordan has also demonstrated a willingness to be a blocker, which we all know the Baltimore Ravens will value. More than anything though, Jordan is a big-play waiting to happen.
Considering Andrews will be looking at Free Agency following the 2021 season, Jordan gives the Ravens an option for the future if they decided to move on from Andrews. At worst, Jordan gives Baltimore three tight ends, something the team certainly missed having in 2020, and some major difference-makers at the position. Jordan is as exciting a pick as you’ll see.
Round four: Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State
This is the ultimate luxury pick and I couldn’t resist but to give this run game another bruising runner. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce you to Trey Sermon.
If you’re a fan of Gus Edwards then you’re going to love Sermon. Sermon is a no-nonsense, downhill runner whose mindset is built around punishing any defender who gets in his way. Sermon won’t out-run many defenders, but he’s certainly not going down to anyone on first contact/
His running style is so hard that he ends up getting himself banged up, which is why he’s available on day three of the draft. Nonetheless, Sermon is a terrific fit for this run-heavy offense and gives the Ravens flexibility to not have to worry about paying Gus Edwards after the 2021 season.
Round five: Malcolm Koonce, EDGE, Buffalo
Michael Koonce is a bit of a raw talent at edge rusher but he can be molded into a more than capable starter with the right coaching staff. Like we mentioned with Gregory Rousseau, this is an area that the Baltimore Ravens are intimately familiar with. Koonce would be a great stash-and-develop guy for Baltimore and feels like someone they can turn into a stud a couple of years down the road. This just feels like a classic Ravens pick.
Round five: Adrian Ealy, OT, Oklahoma
Another raw talent on day three, Adrian Ealy could become a replacement for Orlando Brown Jr. down the road. Ealy is a product of Oklahoma like Brown Jr., so he’s already a good run blocking tackle with some nasty hands to match. Ealy’s potential is starting-caliber and he’s available later in the draft because he’s a bit of a project. Similar to edge rushers, Baltimore is good at developing late-round offensive linemen. I like the chances of the Ravens being able to develop Ealy into something special.
Round six: Alaric Jackson, IOL, Iowa
Alaric Jackson played tackle in college but he’s much better suited to be a guard at the next level. If one thing is for certain though, it’s that he has the potential to be a road-grader. Iowa has a great track record for developing offensive line talent and the Baltimore Ravens haven’t been shy about their trench players. Jackson could wind up being the all-important swing tackle and sixth offensive lineman for the team and any fan of the team can tell you how pivotal that position is to the offense. Jackson is the absolute best-case scenario for drafting an offensive lineman in round six or later.