The Ravens have been one of the best teams at maximising draft value in recent years and it will be interesting to see how they approach things in 2021. The most obvious areas of need are offensive line and wide receiver and this feels like an offseason to surround Lamar Jackson with talent. Getting some more depth on defense and adding a potential starter at edge will also be in the mix. This mock draft was done using PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator.
Round 1, Pick 27 – Teven Jenkins | OT, Oklahoma State
It might be tempting to take a receiver at this spot, but with Rashod Bateman off the board I felt it made sense to wait until later. Instead the Ravens can look to address one of their other big needs. With Orlando Brown requesting a trade there is a gaping hole at right tackle and Teven Jenkins would be the perfect answer. There really aren’t many better fits in this year’s draft than Jenkins to Baltimore. He is an animal in the running game, with excellent power at the point of attack. His 93.6 PFF run blocking grade ranked third in the FBS in 2020 and he’d help to build on an already successful ground game in Baltimore. He’s a solid pass protector too, having allowed just 11 pressures across 623 pass blocking snaps since 2019.
Round 2, Pick 58 – Landon Dickerson | IOL, Alabama
Back-to-back offensive line picks might not be the sexiest move, but it would be a smart one for the Ravens to make. Their running game took a noticeable step backwards in 2020, falling from 3rd to 8th in Adjusted Line Yards. Dickerson would immediately remedy that and give them a quality starter at center from Week 1. He is coming off a career year that saw him voted Unanimous First Team-All American and the winner of the Rimington Trophy for the best center in college football. Dickerson is a mauler in the running game and led the nation with 14 big-time blocks. He did everything that was asked of him in a versatile Alabama blocking scheme and would be the perfect player for Baltimore’s power running game. There will be questions about his durability, but at 58 he is a steal.
Round 3, Pick 104 – Josh Palmer | WR, Tennessee
Baltimore have added Sammy Watkins in free agency, but they need a long-term answer at the position. They need a big-bodied boundary receiver who is comfortable with contested catches, and Palmer ticks those boxes. He was used primarily as a deep threat in Tennessee and had an average depth of target of 17.3 yards. He held his own against the best in SEC and caused Patrick Surtain a tonne of problems earlier this year. His college production was pretty lacklustre, but this was mainly down to poor quarterback play. Just 56.3 per cent of Palmer’s career targets were catchable. His combination of size and route running ability would be a welcome addition in Baltimore.
Round 4, Pick 131 – Cameron Sample | EDGE, Tulane
The Ravens have never invested much draft capital at edge rusher. Over the past five years they have drafted one edge before the third round. Their blitz-heavy scheme is fantastic at creating one-on-one opportunities and Sample is the kind of player who fits their mould. He looked excellent in 2020, racking up 48 pressures and five sacks on just 316 pass rushing snaps. He is a really powerful rusher and plays with exceptional leverage for his size. Sample also offers the versatility to kick inside on obvious passing downs.
Round 5, Pick 171 – Tre Brown | CB, Oklahoma
The Ravens have a really talented cornerback pairing in Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, but adding more depth at a position of value is never a bad idea. At 5’9″ and 185 lbs, Brown is smaller than your typical NFL corner, but he showed that he could hold his own against much bigger receivers. He has plenty of experience playing in press coverage, which would set him up well in Baltimore. In 2020, Brown allowed a completion percentage of just 47.7 per cent and gave up a passer rating of 46.2. He is a ball hawk too, with his 33 career forced incompletions the most in the draft class. Although he played primarily as a boundary corner in college, Brown would likely kick inside to the slot in the NFL.
Round 5, Pick 184 – Christian Uphoff | S, Illinois State
Chuck Clark and DeShon Elliott are solid players, but they both profile best as strong safeties. The Ravens never replaced Earl Thomas after his one season with the team and could benefit from having a true free safety. Uphoff is still a little raw, but has all of the traits to fill that role in the NFL. He has the range to play as a single-high safety and the movement skills you would expect from a cornerback. He was one of the biggest winners from this year’s Senior Bowl and proved he is capable of holding his own against FBS competition. Uphoff is still developing the mental side of the game and the Ravens are in the positive spot of not having to rush him onto the field. He also brings special teams value as a kick and punt returner.
Round 6, Pick 210 – John Bates | TE, Boise State
No team loves their tight ends as much as Baltimore, and they are a key component of the team’s run-heavy offense. In 2020 they played in 22 personnel (two backs, two tight ends) on 16 per cent of their snaps. This was by far the highest rate in the NFL. They already have Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle but after that there isn’t much to write home about. Bates would be an excellent third option and has the tools to develop into a starter in the NFL. He was mainly used as a blocking tight end in college and is comfortable getting to work in the trenches. He is a good athlete too, and would be another weapon for Lamar Jackson in the passing game.
