We are officially at the halfway point of our 2018 Daily Norseman Community Mock Draft, and a fifth quarterback has gone off the board within the first fifteen picks. Let’s take a look at how the past few picks have gone.
11. Miami Dolphins - Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
12. Buffalo Bills (from Cincinnati Bengals) - Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
13. Washington Redskins - Derwin James, S, Florida State
14. Green Bay Packers - Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida
15. Arizona Cardinals - Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
That means that we are moving on to pick #16, and as of right now that belongs to the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens had a playoff berth snatched from their grasp at the last possible second this season, and have plenty of questions that they need to answer in this year’s draft. Let’s take a look at them now.
Baltimore Ravens
2017 record: 9-7 (2nd place, AFC North)
Offseason acquisitions
WR John Brown (free agent signing), WR Michael Crabtree (free agent signing)
Offseason losses
C Luke Bowanko (signed with New England), C Ryan Jensen (signed with Tampa Bay), WR Jeremy Maclin (free agent), WR Mike Wallace (signed with Philadelphia), TE Ben Watson (signed with New Orleans), CB Ladarius Webb (free agent), RB Danny Woodhead (released/retired)
Team needs
Interior offensive line - The Ravens have lost both their starting center from last year (Jensen) and his primary backup (Bowanko). That leaves a pretty significant hole in the middle of their offensive line, and one that they can fill quite easily in this draft, as this group of centers is pretty solid. They also have a need at guard, as left guard Marshall Yanda isn’t getting any younger and the right guard spot isn’t exactly set, either.
Outside linebacker - I’m sure that the Ravens are going to eventually have to replace Terrell Suggs. He keeps fending off Father Time, but as we all know, that guy is undefeated, and they need to be prepared. Matt Judon had a breakout season at the other outside linebacker spot across from Suggs, but they could stand to look to the future at the position.
Quarterback - Joe Flacco is not good. We’ve all made the jokes about being “elite,” but he’s not even good. This could very well end up being the last year of the Flacco era in Baltimore, as next year it would no longer be a ridiculous burden for the Ravens salary cap-wise to release him. However, with the way our board has fallen, there probably isn’t a quarterback worth this pick.
Wide receiver - The Ravens have a pretty significant need at wide receiver, even with the signing of Michael Crabtree. They lost both Jeremy Maclin and Mike Wallace, and Breshad Perriman has been disappointing, to put it mildly. The wide receiver position needs a lot of attention.
Options
James Daniels, C/G, Iowa - With the injury that Billy Price suffered at this year’s Scouting Combine, Daniels is probably the best center available in this year’s draft class. He’s being viewed by some as a possibility at guard, which is a transition that he could probably make with ease. That sort of flexibility could really be useful to the Ravens, who need help along the interior of their offensive line.
Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio - Davenport is a player that is definitely going to need some time to develop, as he played his college ball at a smaller school. Still, he has as much physical talent as any other defensive end in this year’s draft. He mostly played standing up during his time at UT-SA, and if they choose to bring him in, he’d have every opportunity to take over for Terrell Suggs whenever he decides to hang it up.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama - Yep, Ridley is still on the board, and he’s starting to get to the point where he might be a steal for whoever grabs him. As we’ve detailed on numerous occasions, he’s more of a slot weapon at this point, but could certainly develop into something more down the track.
Connor Williams, OL, Texas - Depending on what teams think of Williams’ medical situation, he could be the best overall offensive lineman remaining. He has the ability to play either guard or tackle at the next level, though the Ravens would almost certainly want to try him on the inside first.
Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia - If the Ravens want a true interior lineman, however, Wynn could be their choice. Though he played tackle for the Bulldogs, he projects to be a guard at the next level, and might be the most athletic interior lineman left at this point.
That probably just about does it for potential Ravens options here. I don’t think Mason Rudolph is worth this pick, though quarterback is certainly an option for Ozzie Newsome and company. Since there are no trades in our scenario, these appear to be the best potential options available for Baltimore to choose from.
Tomorrow, we start the second half of our 2018 Community Mock Draft, keeping it in the AFC with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Poll
With the sixteenth pick in the 2018 Daily Norseman Community Mock Draft, the Baltimore Ravens (should) select ____________
This poll is closed
-
28%
James Daniels, C/G, Iowa
-
8%
Marcus Davenport, DE, UT-SA
-
45%
Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
-
6%
Connor Williams, OL, Texas
-
11%
Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia