After doing some research, I have come up with a list of the players that make the most sense for the first round of the 2021 Baltimore Ravens draft.
Many of these players have appeared in Ravens mock drafts. However, some have not (at least from what I have seen). Keep in mind, these are players I believe will still be available (or could potentially be given the right circumstances). I would have included Rashod Bateman as an option, but I don’t see him making it to #27.
Teven Jenkins, OT:
Honestly, this pick may make the most sense the more I think about it. Orlando Brown Jr. probably won’t be traded. However, Jenkins could be his replacement when he inevitably leaves the next offseason. Furthermore, Jenkins has the versatility to play guard. I could see the Ravens drafting Jenkins and plugging him in at left guard. Then pushing Bradley Bozeman to his college position of center. That would be a pretty solid offensive line for the Baltimore Ravens to start next season. The Ravens actually met with him at the beginning of March too.
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Kadarius Toney, WR:
I could have put Terrace Marshall Jr. here as well, but I see more value for the Ravens in Toney. However, I don’t really personally feel the Ravens should draft a WR in round one. I personally believe in Sammy Watkins and think that signing will end up providing a lot more value to the offense than many other people. I have seen a lot of hate towards that signing. But I called it near the beginning of Ravens free agency and I agree with it. For the price, the potential upside is great.
Because of that signing and how deep the WR draft class is, I don’t think a round one wide receiver is necessary. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t. Nico Collins in the second-round or a wide receiver, such as Josh Palmer or Cornell Powell, in the later rounds, makes more sense to me.
Toney ran a 4.38 40-yard-dash at Florida’s pro day. He does need to work on his route-running and he isn’t the biggest receiver (5-foot-11). However, he is explosive after-the-catch and also has return ability. In fact, he had a 50-yard punt return touchdown in 2020. Toney had a breakout season a receiver in 2020 with 70 receptions for 984-yards and 10 touchdowns. He finished the 2020 season with 1,439-yards-from-scrimmage, 294 coming from kick and punt returns and161 rushing yards. Oh, and in 2018, he even threw a 20-yard passing touchdown.
In my opinion, Toney fits the Ravens offense better than the other options here. He can be used in the passing game, running game, and on special teams.
Gregory Rousseau, EDGE:
Rousseau is actually who I have the Ravens taking in my seven-round mock draft. I still think it is a solid pick, but it really all depends on who is available. Things change quickly when it comes to the NFL Draft, so keep that in mind. But Rousseau has been compared to Calais Campbell before. And Campbell is getting up there in age. Rousseau can come in and get sacks from the inside. He does need to work on his edge rushing, but I personally feel that he would be able to get sacks or tackles for loss from anywhere on the defensive line. I mean, the guy is 6-foot-7 and ran a 4.68 40-yard-dash during Miami’s pro day.
Jaelan Phillips, EDGE:
The other Miami Hurricane edge rusher. He actually started his college career at UCLA before transferring to Miami. But ankle, wrist, and concussion issues limited his time at UCLA. Phillips is a playmaker against the pass and the run. I do like him as a first-round pick for the Ravens. And his versatility makes this pick more likely. The Baltimore Ravens love versatile players on both sides of the ball.
Carlos Basham Jr., EDGE
Carlos Basham Jr. could immediately become a great force at the line of scrimmage for the Ravens. While I do like Joseph Ossai, an argument could be made that the Ravens have a similar versatile player in Tyus Bowser. Basham Jr. may very well be the better pass rusher.
In fact, if we take a look at the stats of his last 19 games, we can see just how good he is. In his last 19 games, he had 22.5 tackles for a loss, 15 sacks, and seven forced fumbles. This is a no-brainer for me if he is still available when the Ravens take their first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Caleb Farley, CB:
I know, I know, I said I would only include players that should be there. While I have been hearing lately that Farley may fall because of teams being worried about his injury history. The Ravens need to add coverage depth. They love to draft cornerbacks and they could benefit from having a ball-hawk-type player on the team. Plus, Farley is big enough to play as a safety too.
He reportedly ran a 4.28 40-yard dash, which is insane for a 6-foot-2, 207-pound player. Farley missed his Pro Day due to getting back surgery. So, some experts believe he could potentially fall to Day Two. I don’t see that happening, but I do see the potential of him making it to the ’20s of the first round. If he is there at #27, I don’t see the Ravens passing on him. He is extremely talented.
Jaycee Horn, CB:
Now, if Farley doesn’t fall, and Horn is still available, I could just as easily see the Ravens scoop up the son of former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn. I would have added a safety here, but I don’t see Trevon Moehrig being available, to be honest. There are probably like 7 or 8 teams that could benefit from drafting a safety. Moehrig is the best one available. And other safeties could be drafted in later rounds.
Horn is a natural football player and is great at preventing separation. Some evaluators have him rated as the top cornerback in the 2021 NFL Draft. I don’t necessarily think he is better than Patrick Surtain or Caleb Farley, but I could be wrong. If Farley and Surtain both go early, it is quite possible that Horn is available when the Ravens pick. You can’t go wrong with adding playmakers to your secondary. I’ll be honest, though, I don’t really expect either of these corners to be available, but it is possible, especially given how many teams may go quarterback, wide receiver, or offensive line in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.