Ravens News 4/28: Post-draft questions and more

Which team won the 2020 NFL Draft? Ravens, Cowboys, Fins make waves

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta hits this draft out of the park

The Baltimore Ravens won this year’s draft, hands down. They moved up and down the board, ultimately making 10 picks and drafting almost every position. The biggest thing that caught my eye was that they didn’t reach early on but let the draft come to them when selecting linebacker Patrick Queen (No. 28 overall) and running back J.K. Dobbins (No. 55 overall). General manager Eric DeCosta did a masterful job finding good value and addressing needs from top to bottom. - Brian Baldinger

Two of NFL’s best teams got even better over the weekend

There were two teams that really stood out to me — the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. Both of these teams were exceptional last season, so it’s hard to believe that they got better over the last week. But they did. I loved what Ravens GM Eric DeCosta did on Day 2 when he selected RB J.K. Dobbins and WR Devin Duvernay to boost an already dynamic offense and added depth to the defensive front seven. By the look of John Harbaugh’s ecstatic reactions, he loved it, too. - David Carr

2020 NFL Draft Grades For All 32 Teams - Mike Tagliere

BALTIMORE RAVENS

The fit of Queen to the Ravens was a favorite of mock drafts, and for good reason. The Ravens desperately needed a full-time linebacker and it had to be a nail-biter on whether or not he’d fall to them. Dobbins was a bit of a head-scratcher for me considering they still have Mark Ingram, drafted Justice Hill last year, and then tendered Gus Edwards this offseason. He’ll fit their offense well, but it’s not a pick that’ll boost them into the Super Bowl or anything. Madubuike was getting some first-round buzz, so that was a nice value to see in the third round, while Harrison went right where he was expected to. The wide receiver additions of Duvernay and Proche add more speed to the team, though they’re probably “just guys” on a mediocre depth chart. I loved both the Bredeson and Stone picks on Day 3, as both were tremendous values on my big board. This felt like a solid draft for the Ravens, though it was somewhat puzzling to see them not snag any edge rushers.

DRAFT GRADE: B-

BALTIMORE RAVENS 2020 NFL DRAFT CLASS RECAP - Kyle Crabbs

DAY 3 SLEEPER: JAMES PROCHE

The Ravens were pretty excited about securing Duvernay late on Day 2, but for my money, Proche is a sneaky good addition who could thrive. Despite his size, Proche is experienced with adjusting late to the football in one-on-one scenarios. He’s well versed in route running from SMU’s wide-open passing attack. Proche will complement the team’s speed on the outside well and has a fair chance to unseat Willie Snead for his role and reps.

X-FACTOR: JUSTIN MADUBUIKE

Madubuike is a penetration interior defensive lineman who is going to have a golden opportunity to learn behind Campbell and Wolfe this season. If Madubuike grows into his potential, he has the ability to become one of the more disruptive interior defensive linemen in this entire class; he’s in a perfect scheme fit to make that happen. Ravens fans should be tickled with the entirety of their haul, but this one has a chance to burst.

2020 NFL draft: Biggest post-draft questions for all 32 teams - Jamison Hensley

Baltimore Ravens

How will the Ravens divvy up the touches in their backfield?

The Ravens drafted Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins in the second round even though they return the three running backs that helped them set the NFL record for most rushing yards in a season. Mark Ingram, who is coming off a Pro Bowl season, remains the starter, but everything is up in the air after that. How will Baltimore incorporate Dobbins, the top-ranked running back on its board? What are the roles for Gus Edwards (5.3-yard career average) and Justice Hill (the fastest running back at the 2019 combine)? All in all, dealing with the most loaded backfield in the league is an enviable position for offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

Devin Duvernay Draws Comparisons to Steve Smith, Other Past ‘Tough Guy’ Ravens Receivers - Clifton Brown

“He’s a tough guy,” DeCosta said, after the Ravens drafted the Texas wide receiver in the third round. “He reminds me of a few guys that we’ve had here in Baltimore, and I’ll reference guys like Anquan [Boldin], Derrick Mason, and of course Steve Smith [Sr]. Those guys all had a competitive spirit about them that made them really stand out.”

“I don’t think Devin is the biggest guy by any stretch, but he’s very tough, very physical, catches the ball really well, and he’s really tough with the football. So, I like those competitive guys who don’t go down, and he kind of has that style to him. He’s almost like a running back with the football.”

“In his career, he had over 160 catches with one drop,” Harbaugh said. I didn’t see a drop on tape this last year. He’s only 5-10, [but he’s a] strong, tough, real competitive guy. He has a little chip on his shoulder. When we talked to him on the phone, he was excited, but he was a little miffed, too, that he was still there, which I love when guys feel that way, especially in the third round. I think he feels like he has something to prove.”

Meet the new Ravens offensive lineman whose nickname is ‘Big Country’ - Andrew Gillis

“I’m the true definition of a Mississippian,” [Tyre] Phillips said. “We don’t usually leave Mississippi, and when we leave Mississippi, we go to Memphis. So, just going and seeing other places and just competing and doing something that I love — it’s going to be amazing just getting to adventure the world with great guys and players, elite players, and just doing as much as I can for the fans.”

“My style of play is tough, aggressive and just mean, just nasty, just good-old-down-south, Mississippi-style football.”