The NFL draft is upon us again as the first round is set to begin Thursday night live from Kansas City. Rounds two and three will take place on Friday night, and the 2023 NFL draft will conclude on Saturday with rounds four through seven. The Carolina Panthers hold the first overall selection after trading with the Chicago Bears who originally held the first overall pick. A quarterback is the likely pick for the Panthers with Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Alabama’s Bryce Young are the two favorites to go first overall.
The Baltimore Ravens currently hold the 22nd overall selection in the first round. In total the Ravens have just five draft picks. With no conditional picks this year the Ravens are in unchartered territory with very little draft capital. With the uncertainty surrounding quarterback Lamar Jackson and a possible return to Baltimore in 2023, and the limited amount of draft picks, this makes the 2023 draft an important one for Ravens GM Eric DeCosta to select impact players that not only can play, but be big contributors early on. It would not be a surprise to see the Ravens move back in the first round in order to accumulate more draft picks if the player they are eyeing up is no longer there or they feel can be selected at a later time.
Team Needs: Cornerback, Wide Receiver, Guard, Defensive End, Interior Defensive Lineman, Offensive Tackle, Runningback
Round 1
Pick 22: Joey Porter Jr., Penn State, Cornerback, 6’2″, 193 Ibs
NFL.com Draft Grade: 6.42
Pro Football Focus Draft Rank: 18
Combine/Pro Day: 40-yard: 4.46, Vertical: 35″, Broad Jump: 10’9″, Bench : 17 reps
2022 Stats: PFF Grade: 73.2, played in 10 games, 27 total tackles, one sack, 11 pass deflections, Penn States Defensive MVP, First Team All-Big 10
The Ravens have had success drafting big corner i.e. Chris McAlister and Jimmy Smith. They add another big-bodied corner that can matchup against tight ends and is physical with receivers and in the run game.
Strengths: Physical, good recovery speed, smart with hands, can matchup against tight ends, can win in 50-50 ball situations
Weaknesses: Needs to improve feet, must be better with his eyes, struggles at times tackling in the open field, gets beat often on complex routes
Round 3
Pick 86: K.J. Henry, Clemson, Defensive End, 6’4″, 251 Ibs
NFL.com Draft Grade: 6.21
Pro Football Focus Draft Rank: 92
Combine/Pro Day: 40-yard: 4.63, Vertical: 31.5″, Broad Jump: 9’4″
2022 Stats: PFF Grade: 83.1, played in 13 games, 51 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, six pass deflections, Second Team All-ACC
The Ravens selected David Ojabo in last years draft and Odafe Oweh in the first round in 2021. But with the departure of Calais Campbell that leaves a spot open for a solid rotational defensive end. Henry has a high ceiling and is perfect to fill that void left by Campbell and provide solid production in year one.
Strengths: Does a good job reading quarterbacks and batting down balls, quick off the ball, good run defender, good flexibility, smooth through his pass rush moves
Weaknesses: Needs to improve hand fighting, needs to get stronger, needs to improve ability to set edge, must work on a go-to pass rush move
Round 4
Pick 124: Rakim Jarrett, Maryland, Wide Receiver, 6’0″, 192 Ibs
NFL.com Draft Grade: 5.69
Pro Football Focus Draft Rank: 201
Combine/Pro Day: 40-yard: 4.44, Vertical: 35.5″, 10’3″
2022 Stats: PFF Grade: 64.6, played in 11 games, 40 receptions, 471 yards, three touchdowns, Honorable Mention All-Big Ten
A home-town guy playing his high school ball at St. Johns College in Washington D.C. and his college ball at Maryland. The Terps have produced some great NFL receivers that the Ravens have missed on, but not this time, as they select Jarrett, a strong over the middle wide receiver.
Strengths: Great feet, good ability to release against the press, strong in the middle of the field, good run after the catch, ability to separate at the top of routes
Weaknesses: Not a great route runner, lacks elite double move, struggles with drops at time, needs to improve contested catches
Round 5
Pick 157: Kenny McIntosh, Georgia, Runningback, 6’0″, 204 Ibs
NFL.com Draft Grade: 6.12
Pro Football Focus Draft Rank: 189
Combine/Pro Day: 40-yard: 4.70, Vertical: 32.5″, Shuttle: 4.69
2022 Stats: PFF Grade: 85.3, played in all 15 games starting 14, 150 carries, 829 yards, 5.5 yards per carry, 10 touchdowns, 43 receptions, 504 yards, two touchdowns
With Todd Monken taking over the offensive play calling duties for the Ravens in 2023, the Ravens select the running back that helped lead Monken and the Georgia Bulldogs to a National Championship in 2022. McIntosh is a good change of pace compared to J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards who remain the Ravens every down backs.
Strengths: Good burst, finishes runs, good hands out of the backfield, strong ability to get to the edge, willingness to take on blitzers
Weaknesses: Needs to be more confident hitting the whole, not an elusive back in the open field, below average vision as a runner
Round 6
Pick 199: Byron Young, Alabama, Defensive line, 6’3″, 294 Ibs
NFL.com Draft Grade: 6.10
Pro Football Focus Draft Rank: 133
Combine/Pro Day: Vertical: 26″, Bench: 24 reps
2022 Stats: PFF Grade: 78.3, played in 13 games, 47 total tackles, five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, First Team All-SEC
The Ravens are no strangers to selecting Alabama players especially on the defensive side of the ball. They get an NFL ready interior defensive lineman that can help fill a hole left by the departure of Calais Campbell, and become a good rotational piece in the early going.
Strengths: NFL size, strong core, great in one-on-ones, good balance, good motor with the ability to be a three-down player
Weaknesses: Below average hips, lacks good bend, needs to improve moves to get off blocks, needs to improve lateral quickness as he lacks range
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