Ebony Bird
FanSided

A few nuggets of reality to chew on as Ravens prepare for 2021 NFL Draft

By Darin McCann

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 25: Executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Eric DeCosta
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 25: Executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Eric DeCosta /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 11: Linebacker Tyus Bowser #54 of the Baltimore Ravens kneels next to executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta during the playing of the national anthem before the start of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2020, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 11: Linebacker Tyus Bowser #54 of the Baltimore Ravens kneels next to executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta during the playing of the national anthem before the start of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2020, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Ravens not loaded with draft capital:

As of now, the Ravens have the 27th, 58th, 104th, 131st, 171st, 184th, and 210th picks in the draft. Seven picks. That’s it.

A good number of Ravens fans believe the team needs to improve through the draft at receiver, interior offensive line, a swing tackle (at least, pending the Orlando Brown Jr. situation), a tight end, one or two EDGE players, a ball-hawking safety, a slot corner, some youth at defensive line and a partridge in a pear tree.

Do that math. Not everything on that list is happening, without simply tossing aside any pretense of drafting the “Best Player Available” and instead just picking with a “paint-by-numbers” model that, well, is not ideal. That’s what bad teams do. Like, really, really, bad teams.

The Ravens are not getting Kyle Pitts, either. They don’t have the capital to trade up that far (no, he will not slide to 27). They are not getting Ja’Marr Chase or Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith, either. Miracles happen, sure. But be logical.

Do not be surprised if the Ravens trade back, and probably a couple of times. You are not going to hit on every pick you make, so it behooves you to make more picks, right? I’m not suggesting you have to move back in the first round if a guy you love is sitting there, either. Just don’t reach for someone if you have the availability to move back, pick up more capital and get a player at a value you are more comfortable with whenever possible.

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