Ravens Mock Draft: 5 first-round targets for Baltimore

1. Ravens draft target: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

Perhaps the most disappointing position group for the Ravens this year has been linebacker. The Ravens hoped to see young players like Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison take that next step in 2021 after up-and-down rookie campaigns.

Instead, they’ve been treated to mostly more of the same.

Queen still struggles with the same issues that plagued him last season while Harrison has essentially been benched in favor of the returning Josh Bynes.

The Ravens will likely look to upgrade at the position, even if Queen shows improvements down the stretch. And one of the more exciting linebacker prospects in this year’s draft class is Utah’s Devin Lloyd.

Lloyd fits the mold of a modern-day NFL linebacker. He’s fast, rangy, and has the above-average coverage ability teams look for in early-round players at his position.

At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, Lloyd projects as either a MIKE or WILL linebacker at the next level and is honestly a little reminiscent of Queen coming out of LSU.

His instincts aren’t elite yet, but his physical traits and coverage ability give him a higher floor than some of the other linebackers in this class.

Would the Ravens really use another first-round pick on an inside linebacker after drafting Queen just two years ago? They might have no other choice if the former LSU star doesn’t improve over the second half of the season.

Devin Lloyd is making a case to be LB1 in this class, and the Ravens certainly have to be keeping a close eye on him.