The Baltimore Ravens playoff prospects took a major hit on Sunday. They were unable to pull off a comeback in Tennessee. It was a true team loss, complete with poor decision making from the franchise quarterback, a special teams gaffe that led to points and defensive breakdowns during a crucial fourth quarter drive.
With a bye week on the schedule before a Week 11 trip to Green Bay, we turn our attention to the 2018 NFL draft. The Ravens defense is well stocked for the future, with weak side linebacker and free safety as the only immediate needs. On the offensive side, the team could use reinforcements at basically all eleven positions.
Who are the ‘experts’ mocking to the Ravens?
Matt Miller/Bleacher Report :
16. Baltimore: WR Courtland Sutton, SMU The defense and offensive line look set for the future in Baltimore, but the skill positions on offense need rejuvenation. Courtland Sutton would give the Ravens a big target (6'4", 216 lbs) with the ability to post up defenders in the red zone.
Luke Easterling/USA Today:
16. Baltimore Ravens | James Washington | WR | Oklahoma State After loading up on defense early last year, it’s time for the Ravens to invest in some young playmakers for Joe Flacco. Washington is a big-play machine who averages over 20 yards per catch on a yearly basis.
Chris Trapasso/CBS Sports :
16. Baltimore Ravens Bryce Love , RB, Stanford . I've made this connection before, and it probably won't be the last time I do. Like Detroit, Baltimore needs a run-game identity. They get that with Love, who can pair with Alex Collins to form an interesting duo of contrasting running strengths and weaknesses. Love is a true home-run hitter.
Eric Galko/Sporting News :
16. Baltimore Ravens: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson After three straight years of remarkably strong drafts, the Ravens are loaded with core talent on both sides of the ball. Without glaring needs, Baltimore adding another pass-rusher seems like something GM Ozzie Newsome values.
Drafttek :
14. Baltimore Christian Wilkins Clemson DL3T Running back has often been the selection in our mocks, but Alex Collins looks like a real steal. Given that, Ozzie may leap at an elite talent like Christian Wilkins. Baltimore will always be a defense-centric team, and its 10th-ranked defense could always be improved. The most glaring area of weakness there is a severe lack of playmakers along the defensive line. While that is not the primary role in this D, it would still be beneficial to have some penetrators up front. That said, Joe Flacco ranks right there with DeShone Kizer at the bottom of the league in many categories (lowest passing yards per game, 31st in QBR and YPA). I'm just not sure if the Ravens will move on just yet.
Steve Palazzolo/PFF :
7. BALTIMORE RAVENS WR James Washington, Oklahoma State The quarterback run slows down for a bit as the Ravens look to add some juice to their offense with Washington who leads the nation with 464 yards on deep (20-plus yard) passes this season. He has the speed to get behind the defense and improved ball skills have allowed him to make plays in contested situations, a good fit for getting QB Joe Flacco’s career back on track.
Walter Cherepinsky/Walter Football :
16. Baltimore Ravens: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama It's the best Alabama player available, right? That might just be Ronnie Harrison, who would help Baltimore's secondary. Eric Weddle has been a huge disappointment this season, so the Ravens may decide to go younger and cheaper at safety.
Charlie Campbell/Walter Football :
16. Baltimore Ravens: Courtland Sutton , WR, SMU The Ravens could use more weapons at receiver. If Baltimore takes a wideout early, the organization could target offensive line help on Day 2. Thus far in 2017, Sutton has 43 catches for 706 yards with nine touchdowns. He totaled 76 receptions in 2016 for 1,246 yards - a 16.5-yard average - with 10 touchdowns last season. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder has size to him, and in 2015, he showed big-play ability by averaging 17.6 yards per catch. For the year, the redshirt freshman totaled 862 yards and nine touchdowns on 49 receptions. Scouting sources really like Sutton and think he is a mismatch weapon. One playoff general manager said they loved Sutton and thought he could end up becoming the best receiver from his draft class. Another scouting director told WalterFootball.com that, in studying up on players before hitting the road for college training camps before the 2016 season, Sutton's tape really stood out, and he continued to impress them in 2016. Sutton is a long-strider, and sources say his speed is comparable to TCU's Josh Docton, who the Redskins took in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.