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.
Baltimore Ravens First Round targets to keep Lamar Jackson around: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Beyond going after offensive line, the Ravens could use another wide receiver. DeAndre Hopkins' name has been in plenty of rumors lately, which would give the Bills two big-name veterans in Beckham and Hopkins to entice Jackson to stick around.
But, the team still has to plan for the future, and neither Beckham nor Hopkins are going to be around for very long, assuming the latter is traded.
That's why targeting a guy like USC wide receiver Jordan Addison would be a phenomenal idea. Addison reminds many scouts of Tyler Lockett. He's smooth in his breaks and can find himself open more often than not, which is a great skill to have when working with a mobile quarterback like Jackson.
His play style would mesh well with Beckham, and Addison would learn a lot from the veteran. Beckham is the type who can work every level of the field, too, and helping groom and mentor Addison would be a huge benefit to the rookie.
Addison is sure-handed, works every level of the field naturally and would come in and make an impact immediately. He's a first-round talent, without a doubt. At no. 22, he'd be a sure thing.
Baltimore Ravens First Round targets to keep Lamar Jackson around:
Lastly, the Ravens could look at another first-round wide receiver in TCU's Quentin Johnston. The 6-foot-3 Johnston is, by far, the biggest top-tier wideout in the class. He's a true alpha, in size, and also possesses a 40.5-inch vertical leap with an 11-foot-2 broad jump.
Johnston is an outside receiver, through and through. He wins down the sideline. He wins with his body. He's a physical, strong and imposing player. Johnston is a big play waiting to happen, at any given point, because of how easily he can get down field. Those long strides are deceiving, but Johnston has plenty of speed.
Baltimore doesn't have a true, alpha, outside receiver like Johnston. Giving the offense a player like that would not only entice Jackson to play this season, but give the quarterback some long-term stability with a legitimate security blanket.
Over his three seasons in college, Johnston averaged 19.0 yards per reception, further proving that he's going to be a guy you can count on to move the chains and provide highlight-reel type moments.
If Baltimore is able to secure any one of these three players in the first round, the odds of Jackson being under center in 2023 increases. From here, it's just a waiting game.