The Baltimore Ravens enter the 2023 NFL Draft with some uncertainty, and to go along with it, the team only has five picks to work with.
Baltimore has no idea whether or not they will have Lamar Jackson under center for the coming season, which makes the draft that much harder. Game-planning gets difficult as it is, but not knowing if you have a former MVP as your starting quarterback only amplifies that further.
The Ravens added Odell Beckham Jr., who is a friend of Jackson's, and could still use a couple more big-time players around Jackson, should they get him back. In the draft, Baltimore has an opportunity to start out hot, in the first round, by going after one of a few key prospects to help keep Jackson happy and potentially entice him to play out the season.
Baltimore Ravens First Round targets to keep Lamar Jackson around: O'Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
One of the bigger needs for the Ravens in this draft is on the interior offensive line, and if they wanted to get a Day 1 starter to help protect Jackson and further give the run game a lift, they could go after Florida's O'Cyrus Torrence.
At 6-foot-5, 330 pounds, Torrence is a gigantic human being. He definitely wins because of his mass and strength. He's able to absorb opposing defensive linemen and disallow them from breaking free. Just because of his mass and broad frame, alone, Torrence makes it nearly impossible for defenders to get by him. He's a wide load, that's for certain.
Beyond his mass, though, Torrence wins with his hands, too. He has strong hands and a strong base, allowing him to not get moved off his mark.
In addition, Torrence is a smart player. Last season, he was not called for a single penalty, which is maybe the most impressive aspect of his game, considering he was a full-time starter and played plenty of snaps.