For the most part, you know the usual suspects that end up being mocked to the Baltimore Ravens. While the Ravens could easily take one of the players that most people assume they will, and their needs are pretty defined, there are still some names that you do not see as often.
Who would be a bit of a difference from the usual suspects in round one?
3. Could Baltimore Ravens draft Emmanuel Forbes round one?
You see the Baltimore Ravens get mocked a cornerback a decent amount. However, the usual suspects are Joey Porter Jr. and Deonte Banks. Every once and a while you will hear about Kelee Ringo and Cam Smith. Then, there is Emmanuel Forbes. Yes, you hear about it here and there, but most Ravens fans would be surprised by Emmanuel Forbes being the pick.
What is interesting is that almost no one mentions his tape when saying he is not a logical option. On video, he was solid against SEC competition and has the best ball production in the draft class. However, it is obvious that one thing holding him back from being a lock to be the 22nd pick would be his weight.
Forbes came in at 166 pounds at the NFL Combine. He ran in the 4.3 range, but he had to when you consider that size. When you compare it to Deonte Banks, who ran 4.3 but was over 200 pounds, it does feel different. Beyond that, Forbes is tall, so it is not that is just short and cannot put on the weight.
However, most scouts and sources believe that this is not because Forbes avoids the weight room, but rather that his body type does not put on weight. There is a real question about Forbes being in play because while his weight is a real issue, it almost never shows up on tape. He plays physically for his position and does not back down from hard hits. Forbes checks a lot of boxes, and if the Ravens can get over his one question he will be in play.
2. Is Nolan Smith a great fit for Baltimore Ravens
There are a couple of questions with Nolan Smith when it comes to him and the Baltimore Ravens. The first question is whether he will be there. ESPN projects Nolan Smith to get selected between picks 10 and 15. However, they also have a 10% chance that Smith will be there, and they note that the tail end of his fall could be the Baltimore Ravens.
The next question is if they would pass up on a wide receiver and cornerback for an edge rusher. Nolan Smith would be a perfect fit but would be best in the SAM role, which is where Tyus Bowser plays. At the same time, with Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Houston gone, there is a role out there for a hand-down rusher. The Baltimore Ravens can go the Kyle Hamilton route of putting Smith into a smaller role as a rookie.
Then, they can let Tyus Bowser go, and they can push Nolan Smith into that role. The ability to play off of the ball, put his hand down, and rush with speed off of the edge has to have the Baltimore Ravens intrigued. He is a nice scheme fit, and the questions are now directed toward if they want to address other needs, or if he has not been drafted.
1. Would Keion White be a reach for the Baltimore Ravens?
There is a little bit of smoke pointing to Keion White being drafted in the first round. White was invited to the NFL draft, so the league has some idea that he is respected higher than some mock drafts do. Beyond that, the Baltimore Ravens brought White in for a visit. White has a much higher chance of being on the board when the Ravens pick.
So, the last time Nolan Smith may get picked is 22nd, and the first time that White may get picked is 22nd. White is another player who is a great fit for the Baltimore Ravens. White is 6'5", and 285 pounds. He is basically in the Pernell McPhee size of being an edge rusher, but having the size to be an interior defensive lineman.
However, some of the best work that White does is off of the ball and his ability to drop into coverage. The Baltimore Ravens could line up White with his hand down and drop him and then have Tyus Bowser rush from a standing point. This would be surprising because it would not be a cornerback or wide receiver. It also would veer off of consensus. However, it is a fit, the interest is there, and he may end up going round one.