Every year, the NFL Draft brings a variety of storylines to the table. From franchise-altering picks to prospects taking shocking falls to the trade market heating up come draft night, there’s always something surprising about April’s draft.
With such an unpredictable nature, it’s never easy to pinpoint what exactly will happen for each team, especially ones like the Baltimore Ravens sitting late in the draft. Eric DeCosta and the Ravens always come prepared though, so let’s look at three best-case scenarios for the team when their time on the clock comes.
3 best-case scenarios for the Ravens
James Pearce Jr. is still on the board
Barring an asinine fall of one of the other draft’s lucrative prospects, James Pearce Jr. could be the steal of the draft for Baltimore at 27. Viewed as a coveted prospect, Pearce has slipped as far as out of the first round in recent mock drafts. This is due to apparent character concerns, but you can’t teach talent.
Pearce had a productive career at Tennessee, finishing with 19 sacks across three seasons, and he has the measurables and athleticism for that to translate to the next level. He has outstanding first-step quickness, and that burst carries into the pads, allowing him to convert speed to power. He matches his speed with a strong lower body which can make him a nuisance for linemen to try and discard.
With Kyle Van Noy nearing the end of his career and Odafe Oweh in a contract year, the future along the edge could be a question mark that Pearce can answer.
Ravens trade back with QB-needy team
Everyone knows that this draft isn’t the strongest. There’s some solid depth, but it’s very top-heavy. Once the Ravens pick rolls around, the talent on the board could be slim. DeCosta and co. are known for trading down and acquiring more picks, and with the landscape of this quarterback class, that could be a possibility.
Miami's Cam Ward seems to be the only sure thing at quarterback to go in the top 10, likely heading to the Tennessee Titans at number one. The rest—a board that includes Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, and Jalen Milroe—could find homes anywhere from the middle of the first round to the late stages of Day 2. If the Ravens play their cards right, they could cash in and acquire a big-time haul from a team that desperately needs their quarterback of the future.
Suitors that could come calling include the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, and New Orleans Saints, among others. The Browns might be unlikely due to the division rivalry, but with the Deshaun Watson deal looking like a bust, the door could be open for the foes to swing a deal. The Giants and Saints have older quarterbacks at the helm, so pick 27, assuming some of the top signal callers are still there, could be a chance for the NFC franchises to bring in a youth movement.
Of course, if one of the Ravens’ top prospects is available, it’s unlikely they’ll trade out, but they could continue to stockpile picks if not.
Ravens steal Jahdae Barron out of the hands of division rival
This is a pipe dream. The Ravens don’t trade up. However, if a player like Jahdae Barron is slipping into the late teens, there could be a case for Baltimore to make the move. With a treasure trove of draft picks and the cornerback-needy Pittsburgh Steelers sitting at 21, the dream could become a reality.
Stealing a coveted prospect out of the hands of a division rival would make picking a player like Barron all the sweeter. The Texas product would slot in perfectly with the rest of the Ravens' secondary. Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey already bring a ton of versatility to Zach Orr’s defense, but Barron could amp up that versatility significantly. Like Hamilton, Barron could play anywhere Orr needs him.
The 23-year-old is a height-weight-speed prospect with a playmaking ability to flip the field. He is a physical force through routes and has the awareness to match receivers’ routes. He’s got a high motor, a willingness to get his nose dirty against the run, and has all the intangibles to become a successful NFL player. Whatever position he plays, there’s a role for Barron in Baltimore, and trading up with a team like the Minnesota Vikings could be the perfect opportunity to make him a Raven.
Whatever the draft has in store, it’s sure to bring a load of surprises and can change the future of franchises across the league.