Ravens News 1/24: All-AFC North team, Senior Bowl matches and more

All-AFC North Team - Rob Weintraub

TE: Mark Andrews, BAL

Andrews was a better player than Ravens first-round pick Hayden Hurst: then again, so were Baltimore’s Nick Boyle and Maxx Williams. Jesse James of Pittsburgh was third in DVOA to Andrews’ second, and the James/Vance McDonald combo was more than half has effective as the Ravens quartet. Cincy had no healthy players at the position, while David Njoku of Cleveland had a grim -63 DYAR and -15.1% DVOA on 88 targets.

Ronnie Stanley, Marshal Yanda, Terrell Suggs, C.J. Mosley, Marlon Humphrey, Eric Weddle and Justin Tucker were also selected to this 2018 All-AFC North team.

The big names and under-the-radar players to know at the 2019 Senior Bowl - Dan Kadar

The other standout blocker to know this week is Dalton Risner of Kansas State. A four-year starter, Risner will not blow people away with his athleticism or style. But more than anything, he’s an aggressive blocker who just knows how to beat a defender. He’s versatile too, and teams will look at him at just about every line spot.

Delaware safety Nasir Adderley is the top small-school player at this year’s Senior Bowl, and he’s getting some first-round buzz. Still, this may not be a great week for him. Immediately people will see his weigh-in size at 5’11 and 195 pounds and not think much of it. The Senior Bowl also isn’t the best showcase for safeties like Adderley. He’s not a safety who will star coming into the box and stopping the run. Safeties also don’t get tested much during practices. But watch out if Adderley gets to show his range and ball-tracking skills. That’s where he excels, and why he’s getting top-32 consideration.

The first player like this who comes to mind is Ohio State wide receiver Terry McLaurin. He had his best season in 2018 with 35 catches for 701 yards and 11 touchdowns. The touchdown number is impressive, but the rest is just kind of decent because Ohio State had a number of good receivers last season. McLaurin is a nice route runner and he’s just a little bit fast...

Nasir Adderley has recently skyrocketed up to the top safety spot on many draft boards. Terry McLaurin could receive Day 2 consideration if he builds on his impressive start at the Senior Bowl.

Baltimore Ravens at 2019 Senior Bowl: 7 offensive players who could draw interest - Aaron Kasinitz

WR Jaylen Smith (Louisville)

While the Ravens won’t draft Smith solely because he played with quarterback Lamar Jackson in college, the connection can’t hurt his chances. Smith racked up 1,579 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns during Jackson’s two seasons as Louisville’s full-time starter, and his 6-foot-4, 223-pound frame could intrigue a Baltimore team that’s yearned to add a physical playmaker on the outside. Smith couples that size with big-play ability, too; he averaged 16.5 yards per catch in college and would make sense for the Ravens in the middle rounds of April’s draft.

C Elgton Jenkins (Mississippi State)

Much like Benzschawel, Jenkins could cement his place as the best 2019 draft prospect at his position with a strong Senior Bowl week. Ravens coaches praised center Matt Skura for his play last season, but a player like Jenkins would infuse more talent onto Baltimore’s offensive line.

Jenkins check in at 6’4 314 pounds. He is known as a heady center with the ability to reach blocks at the second level and to anchor in pass protection.