Ravens based NFL Draft positional rankings

I’m not a huge fan of positional rankings or big boards myself, but they’re a fun way to stack prospects. I’ll be rating these prospects by fit with Baltimore considering grade and best utilization. It’s also important to value their three to four year trajectory, considering Baltimore currently has only 29 players under contract for 2022.

If you don’t see a player, it’s because I don’t think the Ravens can touch them without an uncharacteristic non-QB first round trade up happening.

I won’t be addressing quarterback. I have spent marginal time on inside linebacker types and running backs, mainly picking up on them in passing while focusing on positions of need.

Wide receiver

1. Rashod Bateman: Bateman is arguably the most intelligent route runner in the entire class with a polished, three level game. Might struggle with press early due to a false step in his release on most reps. Checks all the boxes. Shades of Reggie Wayne.
2. Elijah Moore: Moore I have graded neck and neck with Bateman. Plays bigger than he is, excels beating man, intelligent against zone and is unfazed by contact at the catch point. Small, plays big. Shades of Antonio Brown. If Moore is leading the league in receptions elsewhere relatively soon, don’t color me surprised.
3. Dyami Brown: Underrated physicality in his game. Subtle, full speed route runner who blocks his tail off and can stack almost any corner. His stop start is special. Shades of Nelson Agholor, including untimely drops.
4. Kadarius Toney: Underrated nuance as a receiver. Putting him on an offense with Lamar Jackson and J.K. Dobbins would be absolutely lethal. Shades of Curtis Samuel.
5. Terrace Marshall Jr.: TMJ has all the tools to be successful, especially if he increases his functional strength. With his explosive release package, late ball adjustments and speed after the catch, he’s a weapon. However, Baltimore is not the ideal destination to bring out the best in the uber-talented Tiger. Shades of DJ Chark.
6. Amon-Ra St: Well rounded, tough, versatile receiver. Lacks explosive speed, but does everything else well with impressive body control and versatility. Shades of Golden Tate.
7. Rondale Moore: I don’t love the continuous hamstring issues or the fit, I’m strictly putting him here so I don’t end up on Freezing Cold Takes because his athleticism and open field ability are bananas. Underrated slot ability and played in a limited offense. Would’ve loved to see him at an exhibition like the Senior Bowl. Shades of Santana Moss.
8. Cornell Powell: I’m higher on Powell than anyone else I’ve seen. Alpha mentality, fluid mover, blocks, YAC threat. Will be 24. Is he capable of thriving on the white board and practice field? If not, I’m dead wrong and he struggles to find playing time. Hello, Freezing Cold Takes. Elite special teams ability at worst. Shades of AJ Brown.
9. Nico Collins: I want to be higher on him. Big, athletic, dunks on DBs. Has speed with a runway. Can he be a consistent chain mover over the middle of the field? Does Lamar Jackson want to throw jump balls? Needs refinement in his footwork to be more efficient through the stem. Seems to be only a vertical thread for now with big time potential. Shades of Brandon Marshall.
10. Dwayne Eskridge: Another older prospect, polished route runner with lethal speed. Returner like explosion and decisiveness. Tore up the Senior Bowl. His plucky hands and ability to go up and get it give me shades of Steve Smith Sr.
11. Amari Rodgers: Tee Martin’s son is an absolute weapon after the catch with big time explosive speed. He’s strong enough to play on the outside, but lacks the length. I’m probably underrating him. Shades of Jarvis Landry.
12. Tylan Wallace: Matt Walman makes an interesting point— only a year out from an ACL injury, can Wallace recover even more explosiveness shown prior? Wallace plays bigger than his size and will be a successful long term pro if he stays healthy. Shades of Marvin Jones.
13. Josh Palmer: Abhorrent QB play forces some projection. Stacks extremely well and Tee Martin’s former pupil checks most boxes aside from runaway speed. Lit up the Senior Bowl. Goldilocks type of size, athleticism, technical awareness. If he has elite mental makeup, he will thrive. Shades of Joe Horn.
14. Seth Williams: Ultra competitor at the catch point who needs to unlock more physicality in his release and general game. Has the “want to” and talent. Doesn’t separate enough. Shades of Kenny Golladay.
15. Sage Surratt: Big body who can dunk. Physical at the stem to establish leverage. Tested horribly. Wins in contested situations. Showed some ability to work the middle of the field in Mobile. Has to be the Anquan Boldin level outlier. Shades of Alshon Jeffrey.
16. Trevon Grimes: Refined with size. High floor. Releases are sound. Five star who tested well and looks like a pro. Reliable receiver in a rotation who has a perfect fit somewhere besides Baltimore.
17. Jaelon Darden/Tutu Atwell: Would be higher on both for other teams. A second Hollywood type receiver is intriguing, but these guys don’t round out the room. Shades of Marquise Brown and Darnell Mooney.
18. Anthony Schwartz: Meep meep.
19. Josh Imathorbhebhe/Simi Fehoko: Each player is a long shot to become a dominant NFL wide receiver. Fit is crucial. Neither have a wealth of experience or production, but incredible physical tools and enough refinement to work with. Shades of Hercules, Jason Mamoa and a literal Clydesdale.
20. Dez Fitzpatrick: Had a nice showing at the Senior Bowl. Balanced body type and release who can be a solid WR4 as he continues developing.

Edge

1. Kwity Paye: VERY unlikely he’s there. Elite run defender. Elite change of direction. Elite human being. Michigan limited his pass rushing ability with 4i alignments out of a squatty stance. Has all the tools and work ethic to be elite. He’s not nearly as “raw” as advertised.
2. Jaelan Phillips: The best pass rusher in this draft class. Side scissors, long arm and inside counters with elite athletic ability and length remind me of Joey Bosa. Solid, yet unspectacular run defender. Pursuit skills are strong. No experience in coverage, but has the athleticism for shallow and flat duty.
3. Joe Tryon: Matt Judon? Is that you? He doesn’t have true bend to corner and run the hoola hoop perfectly, but he’s not stiff. Experienced in shallow coverage with great pursuit, effort and get off. He gave Penei Sewell trouble.
4. Payton Turner: Length, technical refinement, explosiveness, strong change of direction, advanced hand fighting, strong pursuit skills, trustworthy edge setter. Check, check, check, check, check, check. Inside versatility as well, but I’d like to see him settle in at RUSH to perfect one role before using him as a sub-package pass rusher.
5. Azeez Ojulari: Ojulari is a tough evaluation. Get off without real bend, length without stabs, outside hand usage without inside counters. Leading the SEC in sacks with 34-inch arms, edge setting ability and explosion on stunts is a good starting point for one of the draft’s youngest prospects.
6. Jayson Oweh: You’re betting on Oweh being a “force player” because of his otherworldly testing. His 4.3s 40, 11-foot broad jump and 35-inch arms give him all the potential in the world. He’s a better run defender than advertised, but lacks refinement. He’s a more disruptive pass rusher than the zero sacks he logged across seven games in 2020. The Ravens value production, however, and he doesn’t have it.
7. Gregory Rousseau: Rousseau has production and length, which the Ravens value over all else. He can also rush from interior alignments and overwhelms guards and centers with quick hands and long arms. His get off is. . . not good. He’s been training at the position for just three years and will sink or swim in the NFL. Rousseau has some violence and strength in his lock outs, with gaining inside hand placement regularly. Generated 15.5 sacks in ACC play in 2019 while clearly still being in the infancy of his understanding of the position. How much has he improved without playing? Charles Omenihu comes to mind. Calais Campbell is banging on the table, and his ceiling might look something like Campbell’s game.
8. Carlos Basham Jr.: I wanted so badly to be a bigger fan of Basham. Elite movement skill at over 280-pounds. He plays a much less physical brand of football than he should. He tries to use the arm over practically every other play. Needs more diversity. Doesn’t have great length. If he can channel his inner Pernell McPhee and attack with consistent violence, he’s a perfect fit at RUSH. He tested out of this world but had an extremely disappointing showing at the Senior Bowl. There’s a realistic outcome where he ends up similar to Za’Darius Smith.
9. William Bradley-King: I’m higher on him than anyone in the media. I want to put him a lot higher on this list. Production, length, RAS, technique and consistency all in one. WBK took the Senior Bowl by storm with his onslaught of pass rushing combinations that he can string together in rhythm. A disruptive run defender with violent hands. I will be pretty shocked if he doesn’t turn out to be a relatively successful pro. Nice fit at RUSH.
10. Joseph Ossai: Like Oweh, Ossai is an out of this world tester, but he found slightly more production. He plays with maybe the best hustle of any player I’ve seen in the last three draft classes, consistently chasing down ball carriers he has no business finding 20+ yards downfield. Teven Jenkins manhandled him for four quarters. He’s spent one year at outside linebacker.
11. Janarius Robinson: Robinson sets a mean edge and has really exciting stretches of football. He has sweet length and processes the run well. If he can speed up his pass rushing combinations, he will make a much bigger impact at the pro level than in college. Tested quite well. Mekhi Becton baptized him for four quarters.
12. Cameron Sample: Probably better suited to play a 4-3 base end, Sample crushed the Senior Bowl with polished violence and quick twitch pass rushing ability.
13. Rashad Weaver: Solid run defender with pass rushing intelligence. Doesn’t fit a hybrid or odd-front team like Baltimore. Better player elsewhere.
14. Ronnie Perkins: Perkins is better suited as a traditional base end. Violent hands to rush the passer is his MO. He’s undisciplined chasing pullers against the run and would be better suited in a different defensive system.
15. Elerson Smith: Smith had incredible production to match incredible testing. He might be better suited as a true defensive end, where he could turn out as the most productive one in this class.
16. Quincy Roche: Roche is upside-down world Ojulari. He’s polished and has endless counters, but no length. He’s a solid run defender who can get after the passer, but it feels like he has a limited ceiling. He’s competent spot dropping into space and would be a nice rotational piece for Wink Martindale.
17. Dayo Odeyingo: Terrific, versatile, disruptive piece who could play RUSH. Unfortunately, he tore his Achilles’ tendon which throws a wrench into his evaluation.
18. Daelin Hayes: Hayes is a glove like fit at SAM. He’s older and has had trouble staying on the field, but his bull rush/coverage/edge setting trifecta would work nicely behind Tyus Bowser.
19. Hamilcar Rashed Jr.: the tape is fun, the testing is confusing the fit is solid. He beat up on some low level PAC-12 tackles before opting out after a strong year. Special teams value and off-ball versatility.
20. Jordan Smith: Insane pursuit skills with length and finesse, but lacks any semblance of power to his game. Intriguing developmental RUSH defender who can also play SAM in a pinch down the road.
21. Chris Rumph: Rumph bulked up to 245 pounds for his pro day, but didn’t test, which leads me to believe that isn’t functional weight. He’s an explosive with length and gives offensive tackles tons of problems with a runway. Fun chess piece for Wink Martindale’s hybrid front defense with 34-inch arms and movement skills.

I haven’t watched enough Patrick Johnson, Jonathan Cooper, Malcolm Koonce, Shaka Toney, Charles Snowden or Joshua Kaindoh among others to have a ranking.

Offensive Tackle

The Ravens haven’t drafted a tackle with under 34-inch arms since Ramon Harewood. Assuming that continues.

1. Teven Jenkins: Might not be there, length isn’t great, but everything else is perfect. Tenacious.
2. Stone Forsythe: Similar height and length to Orlando Brown. Outstanding mirror skills and clean feet. Angles and bend in the run game need work. Came from a different offense.
3. Dillon Radunz: Radunz meets the length and height that the Ravens like. He’s light, but plays with technical prowess and athleticism. His pass pro is quite sound. Better zone fit?
4. Alex Leatherwood: Fix his hands/strikes and he’s a stud. Thor Nystrom made a Cam Robinson comp. I like that. Stud run blocker.
5. Spencer Brown: The best testing offensive tackle since 1987. Brown needs to knock off some rust, but he held his own at the Senior Bowl against higher-level competition and has some killer finishing on tape. Boom or bust?
6. Dan Moore Jr.: Awesome grip, fighter, not a fluid enough mover yet and his most realistic outcome is a swing tackle who spot starts.

I haven’t watched enough Walker Little, Samuel Cosmi or Laurnel Coleman to rank them.

Guard

1. Alijah Vera-Tucker: Played well at left tackle despite poor length. One of the safest players in the draft? Better zone fit, but might be gone before 27 anyway.
2. Liam Eichenberg: Left tackle with 32-inch arms. Not always the kiss of death, but would be against Baltimore’s MO at the bookend. Safer than Mayfield. Fits a power scheme well.
3. Jackson Carman: His length is unknown, which makes us assume it’s not great. He was a left tackle at Clemson who struggled with pacing and closing against speed. At guard, he’s a mobile mauler. Another great fit.
4. Jalen Mayfield: Absolute brawler. Moves well in space. “Run behind me.” Man/gap scheme fit. Tons of upside. Needs work with his strikes.
5. Deonte Brown: Many expect the 360 pound guard’s tape to be pancake-city. It’s not. When you remove bias, he’s a graceful puller who moves his feet well to mirror in pass protection. He needs work refitting off of initial stalemate’s, but he never allowed a sack at Bama.
6. Wyatt Davis: Better fit in a zone scheme. Boxy frame. Sacrifices technique to maul. Will start quickly and could be special.
7. Ben Cleveland: As strong as they come. Anchor against bull rushes pass rushers look like children trying to wrestle their Dad. He has strong awareness against games and can create creases early in power scheme. His feet aren’t quick enough, but he can gash a hole in a front. If not for a late day-one injury in Mobile, I suspect he would’ve turned even more heads.
8. Trey Smith: His medical situation explains a lot of his struggles. He was unable to practice for an entire season and still can’t practice on a full schedule. That makes transitioning to the NFL quite tough. He’s tough as nails and could become one of the better guards in the NFL if he keeps his medical situation under control.
9. Robert Hainsey: Tackle convert who impressed in pass pro in Mobile. Has the pedigree, hand placement and refinement to be successful. Provides some tackle depth while not having the best drive, a zone scheme may suit him better.
10. Aaron Banks: Banks doesn’t have foot quickness, but is a well versed gap scheme guard who will compete for a starting job early.

Centers

1. Landon Dickerson: Unicorn. Perfect scheme fit. Perfect attitude. Medical concerns. The fact that he’s already rebounded from injury to play at a high level is assuring. If he gets the Ravens medical green light, I’m sure he’s their top guy.
2. Creed Humphrey: Neck and neck with Dickerson. Best top-two center combination in a draft in at least three years. 10-year starter. Best ever tester at center. Zone/gap versatile.
3. Quinn Meinerz: Lit up Mobile and flew up draft boards. Ass-kicker. Center is new. Drive off the ball is nuts. Finisher.
4. David Moore Jr.: Mean, nasty 6-foot-1 center with 34-inch arms at 350-pounds. Insane grip strength and functional strength. Man fit.
5. Kendrick Green: Better zone fit, but a freak. Guard/center experience.
6. Josh Myers: Sturdy in the A-gap but not the best in space.
7. Trey Hill: Lacking in mobility, but sturdy in a phone-booth.

Safety

1. Trevon Moehrig: Outstanding in off-man. Highly intelligent leading to elite ball production. Fluid change of direction. Steady run defender. Versatile between quarters and single high coverages.
2. Jevon Holland: Versatility, ball production, length and solid open field tackler. Not sure about single high ability or covering productive slot-receivers.
3. Richie Grant: Can play press, or single high. Seems to wear out late in games. Shut down man coverage at the Senior Bowl. Doesn’t seem to carry quarters well.
4. Hamsah Nisirildeen: Perfect tight end matchup player. Dime backer aficionado who isn’t inept in split safety coverage. If you can’t find a place for him, you can’t coach.
5. Ar’Darius Washington: Plays with maximum effort, possesses good ball skills and timing. Good player. Don’t see the Ravens drafting a safety at his size.
6. Jamar Johnson: Great range and size, explosive blitzer, intelligent in deep zones. Dreadful open field tackler.
7. Andre Cisco: Checks every box as a single high playmaker, but scared to risk an early pick while he is recovering from an ACL injury.
8. Divine Deablo: Sweet name, better positional versatility. Similar to Hamsah. Prolific special teams player.
9. James Wiggins: “The Freak” is elite when they play is in front of him and above average when he has to turn his back. Hitter. Smart angles to close and break up passes. Had worrisome injury issues over the past two years.
10. Darrick Forrest: Not dissimilar from his teammate Wiggins in many ways. Outstanding tester. Awesome in quarters. Plays the run. Split safety is best utilization.
11. Joshua Bledsoe: Slot defender who can play in the post or box is best usage. Strong man coverage skills.

I’m not versed to rank the other safeties.

Cornerbacks

1. Jaycee Horn
2. Patrick Surtain
3. Greg Newsome
4. Eric Stokes
5. Asante Samuel Jr.
6. Tyson Campbell
7. Ifeatu Melifonwu
8. Paulson Adebo
9. Benjamin St. Juste
10. Ambry Thomas
11. Thomas Graham Jr.
12. Keith Taylor Jr.
13. Kelvin Joseph
14. Israel Mukuamu

Slot defenders

1. Elijah Molden: One of my favorite players in the draft. Intense, intelligent slot with incredible anticipation and strong ball skills. Claws for every tackle and pass breakup. Would bring incredible dynamism as a blitzer in Wink Martindale’s defense.
2. Jeremiah Owusu-Koarmoah
3. Aaron Robinson
4. Shakur Brown
5. Trill Williams
6. Tre Brown

Inside Linebacker

1. Micah Parsons
2. Zaven Collins
3. Jamin Davis
4. Nick Bolton
5. Monty Rice. Rice is a well rounded, intelligent linebacker who would be a strong addition into the Ravens defense if he slips into the fourth round.
6. Baron Browning
7. Peter Werner
8. Derrick Barnes
9. Cameron McGrone
10. Dylan Moses

Tight end

1. Pat Freiermuth: Disappointing tape as a run blocker, but has a functional development easily in sight. Ball vacuum over the middle of the field. A human-moose in the open field.
2. Brevin Jordan: More receiver than tight end. Unique movement skills. Disappointing in testing. Dangerous after the catch.
3. Hunter Long: a nice marriage between Nick Boyle and Mark Andrews. Needs significantly more functional strength to become a true TE1, but is a well rounded receiver and produces in the clutch. Tested almost identically to Mark Andrews.
4. Tommy Tremble: Greg Roman would love Tremble, I’m sure. Proficient blocker who could be used in a hybrid role with the athleticism to become a Delanie Walker type with some development.
5. Tre McKitty: Sound pass catcher with a balanced game. Soft hands, but lacks explosiveness or drive in the run game.
6. Kenny Yeboah: Inconsistent, but fun. Can be trusted in the run game. Some explosiveness.

Interior Defensive Line

1. Christian Barmore: Young and inexperienced against the run. Dynamic pass rusher who started to figure it out when Bama needed it most. Baltimore is an ideal organization to bring out the best in Barmore, who brings similar juice as Chris Jones when he’s firing on all cylinders. His run defending prowess will come in due time.
2. Alim McNeill: Not sure who is higher on “Godzilla”. If you want a nose guard, I don’t know how it gets much better than McNeill. He melts double teams, penetrates consistently and gets stronger in the 4th quarter. He can rush the passer more effectively than most nose guards.
3. Daviyon Nixon: Rare mover as an interior pass rusher who is best suited as a three technique in a penetrating style front.
4. Jay Tufele: Can two gap or play as a penetrating style lineman with get off. Explosive, disruptive, versatile. Needs fine tuning with his processing.
5. Levi Onwuzurike: Like the player, not the fit. Onwuzurike is best suited as a 3-tech in a gap-shooting defense. High motor, plays too high. Had some awesome battles with Creed Humphrey in Mobile.
6. Khyiris Tonga: Brings height and length to the nose tackle without sacrificing leverage or double team ability. Absolute bull. Good feel for batting passes.
7. Tyler Shelvin: If you want a run stuffer, you have one. That’s all you get. Has had trouble keeping his weight down.
8. Milton Williams: I’m not sure what to do with the athletic freak. I’m sure Wink could figure something out. He really struggled with NFL-level OL that had high levels of functional strength.
9. Tommy Togiai: Tough to put a finger on his fit in the Ravens defense. Awesome run stuffer with some quickness, but too small to play nose and a strange build for an NFL 3-tech.
10. Marvin Wilson: Extremely disappointing in 2020. Has the tools to be great. Florida State has been a mess lately, perhaps the Ravens can rehab his game.
11. Jonathan Marshall: Tall, explosive 1-tech who gets washed out too much, but gets you excited with his penetration and athleticism. Consistency is the name of the game.