Ravens News 2/18: Free Agent Predictions and more

How much will Ravens use free agency to help NFL’s best bargain offense? - Jamison Hensley

Offensively, the Ravens have had the look of a Rolex at the cost of a Timex. In Lamar Jackson’s two full seasons as its starting quarterback, Baltimore has scored an NFL-best 31.2 points per game while committing the league’s third-fewest cap dollars to its offense

Is it finally time for the Ravens to spend in free agency to take the NFL’s best bargain offense to the next level? DeCosta projected that Baltimore will have between $15 million to $20 million in cap space in free agency. A chunk of that can go a long way in upgrading the supporting cast for Jackson, providing more experience at wide receiver, offensive line and tight end.

All of the significant free-agent additions Baltimore has made the past two seasons have been at a minimal price and are no longer on the team: running back Mark Ingram (cut), quarterback Robert Griffin III (cut), wide receivers Willie Snead (free agent), Dez Bryant (free agent) and Seth Roberts (free agent) and offensive lineman D.J. Fluker (free agent).

Right now, Baltimore’s starting offense is comprised of homegrown players with nine draft picks and two players originally signed as undrafted rookies. This is a reflection of the strong drafts by DeCosta and former GM Ozzie Newsome, but this shouldn’t overshadow the need to address offense in free agency.

2021 NFL Free Agency: Updated landing spots for PFF’s top 50 free agents - Anthony Treash

25. WR COREY DAVIS

Prediction: Baltimore Ravens — four years, $65 million ($32 million guaranteed)

Baltimore needs a true WR1. John Harbaugh has mentioned it, PFF has written about itcountless times and it seems inevitable that it will happen this offseason. Obviously, receivers like Allen Robinson II and Kenny Golladay would be the first preference, but if they get tagged as expected, four-year Titan Corey Davis might be the best option available. That would be a pretty good consolation prize for the Ravens considering they finished with one of the five lowest-graded receiving units in 2020 and Davis was a top-10-graded wide receiver. Against single coverage in particular, Davis sat at the 85th percentile in receiving grade in 2020.

NFL free agency 2021: Ranking the top 50 free agents, best players by position - Vinnie Iyer

29. Matthew Judon, EDGE, Ravens (age: 28)

Judon produced 6 sacks in 14 games, a little dropoff from 2019, but he remained an active tackler. He should help another 3-4 team as he’s likely too pricey to keep in Baltimore.

31. Yannick Ngakoue, EDGE, Ravens (age: 25)

The former Jaguars standout continued good production for both Minnesota and Baltimore in a split 2020 season but he best fits as a pure pass-rushing 4-3 end.

Edge rushers

Shaquil Barrett, Buccaneers

J.J. Watt, Texans

Melvin Ingram, Chargers

Bud Dupree, Steelers

Matthew Judon, Ravens

Yannick Ngakuoe, Ravens

Jadeveon Clowney, Titans

Carl Lawson, Bengals

Leonard Floyd, Rams

Trey Hendrickson, Saints

Haason Reddick, Cardinals

Justin Houston, Colts

Aldon Smith, Cowboys

Romeo Okwara, Lions

Takk McKinley, Falcons

Top five 2021 NFL Draft prospects by position 1.0 - Bucky Brooks

Interior blockers

1) Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC

2) Wyatt Davis, Ohio State

3) Trey Smith, Tennessee

4) Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma

5) Landon Dickerson, Alabama

A rock-solid collection of interior blockers could lead to an early run on offensive guards and centers on draft day. Vera-Tucker is a swing player with the potential to man four spots on the offensive line. He shined at offensive tackle for the Trojans, but could earn all-star accolades as an interior blocker at the next level if a team were to kick him inside.

Davis is a people mover at the point of attack with the combination of size, strength and power to overpower defenders on inside runs. He is a quick-setter in pass protection with the balance and body control to anchor against power rushers. Dickerson’s late-season knee injury will ding his draft stock, but the team that eventually pulls the trigger could land a longtime starter with a refined game that enables him to shine early in his career.

First Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft - Kent Platte

27. Baltimore Ravens: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

Orlando Brown’s request for a trade made this pick a bit of a difficult one. While Baltimore needs some receivers and could have used an edge rusher on defense, it’s difficult with a passer like Lamar Jackson to make the offense work without bookend tackles. As such, it leaped right up to the top of the team’s needs for me. Therefore, it made the choice between a speedy playmaking receiver and a brawler tackle much easier.

Alex Leatherwood is a strange one, as he was once considered the second-best tackle in the class. Yet, he has since slipped somewhat. The strange part is that it really isn’t through any action of his own but rather the strength of the class.

He reportedly had a poor showing during some of the Senior Bowl practices, but his tape is top-notch. Moving on from Orlando Brown to Alex Leatherwood ought to give Ravens fans something to be excited about.

2021 NFL Mock Draft: Texans take Ja’Marr Chase after trading Deshaun Watson; Trey Lance to 49ers - Chris Trapasso

Round 1 - Pick 27

Baltimore

Richie Grant S

UCF • JR • 6’0” / 194 LBS

Grant is a super-experienced, rangy safety with the athletic smoothness of a cornerback.