NFL Free Agency Frenzy is right around the corner, but it’s never too early to talk NFL Draft. Here are a few mid-round targets for the Baltimore Ravens.
With NFL free agency approaching, the NFL Draft 2021 isn’t too far behind. This year the NFL draft starts April 29th and ends on May first.
Barring any trades, the following are the current draft selections for the Baltimore Ravens.
- 1st-round – #27
- 2nd-round – #58
- 3rd-round – #105 (compensatory pick for losing David Culley to the Texans)
- 4th-round – #132
- 5th-round – #169
- 5th-round – #184
- 6th-round – #211
We know that the Baltimore Ravens love draft picks. They will probably try to get more. In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Ravens had 10 picks, with four in the third-round alone. I don’t see us ending up with only seven. With that being said, I have found a few players that the Ravens could draft in the 3rd-round and beyond to help out with voids.
Tylan Wallace, WR – Oklahoma State Cowboys
Tylan Wallace finished his college career with about 3,400 receiving yards, 26 touchdowns, and 199 catches. While it is possible that he goes in the second-round of the draft, the wide receiver class is very deep and competitive this year.
I know that Wallace isn’t the fastest (4.39 40-yard dash) or the biggest (6’0″, 190 lbs.) receiver out there. But he has some great hands and he is very physical. We have some young guys we want to develop on our roster already. However, I think adding Wallace would diversify the talent pool. Lamar Jackson would benefit from having a guy like Wallace, who will just go up and get the ball.
Shaka Toney, DE/EDGE – Penn State Nittany Lions
Toney outperformed his counterpart Jayson Oweh in 2020. Oweh had 0 sacks, but Toney had 5 sacks. Throughout his four years at Penn State, he accumulated 20.5 sacks. Toney was very consistent as an edge rusher. He may not be the best or the most explosive, but his experience and consistency make him worth a late day two or early day three draft pick in the NFL Draft 2021.
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Now, Toney is a little bit smaller for a defensive end at 6’2″ and 238-lbs. But he is athletic and explosive. Plus, as I mentioned above, he has consistency, which to me is what the Ravens are lacking at edge rusher. He is not the best at stopping the run, but I believe he would be worth bringing in as an extra fill-in edge rusher.
Walker Little, T – Stanford Cardinals
Walker Little is 6’7″, 320-lbs. He would be a great replacement to coach up if we are to trade Orlando Brown Jr. He is not quite as big, but he comes close. He actually entered the 2019 season as one of the hottest potential tackle prospects for the NFL draft 2021. His season was cut short by an injury. Then he opted out of the 2020 season.
Because he has only played one game in two seasons, he will probably fall from his original projected 1st or 2nd-round status. Pro Football Network’s A.J. Schulte has him going in the third round to the Los Angeles Rams, #101 overall pick. I’d say he is also worth a look for a third-round pick.
Matt Bushman, TE – BYU Cougars
Matt Bushman was actually one of BYU’s most consistent players on offense throughout his career. From 2017 to 2019, he had 500 or more yards in each season. His best season came in 2019 with 47 receptions for 688 yards and four touchdowns.
However, Bushman suffered a terrible injury (Achilles tear) in 2020. With the injury does come risk in drafting him, but he would be a solid day three option. At 6’5″, 245-lbs, he has good size and a solid catch radius. The Ravens have a great blocking tight end in Nick Boyle and a great receiving tight end in Mark Andrews. But remember we went 14-2 with three solid tight ends in 2019. Bushman could be that other tight end.
Tedarrell Slayton, DT – Florida Gators
This would be more of a luxury pick. It really all depends on if we add draft picks or whether he falls in the draft. Ideally, we would want to try and get him in the 4th round if possible. But we do need to add cheap depth at defensive tackle. Brandon Williams is not getting any younger.
Slaton is 6’5″, 340-lbs. He could come in and really help with the run defense, especially if we are unable to bring Derek Wolfe back.
Trey Hill, C – Georgia Bulldogs
Trey Hill is another option in the third or fourth round of the NFL Draft 2021. Our line has been struggling ever since Marshall Yanda retired. Matt Skura played terribly after he got injured. I don’t see us resigning him. Mekari had snap issues in the playoffs as well.
This would be a great value pick in the fourth round. Chad Reuter of NFL.com actually has us drafting him in his mock draft.