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Baltimore Ravens Seven-Round Mock Draft

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Baltimore Ravens Mock Draft

The Baltimore Ravens face some tough decisions this offseason. Lamar Jackson’s future remains a top priority, although the team could be tempted to tag and trade him if the right offer comes along. Aside from Jackson, the team is also losing some older contributors at cornerback and edge. How the Ravens manage re-signings and free agency will undoubtedly impact how the Baltimore Ravens choose to approach this mock draft.

After a disappointing end to the regular season, the Ravens’ deficiencies were glaringly obvious to all who watched the team. With a new offensive coordinator coming soon, the hope is that the Ravens can change their fortunes next season. The team has decent talent on the roster, but some depth and youth could be injected to some positions.

This mock draft was made on the assumption that Jackson will be with the team for 2023 (at the very least). Should Baltimore lose Jackson, their draft strategy will be vastly different.

Seven-Round Baltimore Ravens Mock Draft Post-Super Bowl

Round 1, Pick 22: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver, Ohio State

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a slam-dunk selection in this Baltimore Ravens mock draft. He is a silky route runner with great ball skills and excellent athleticism. In a similar mold to Rashod Bateman, the two would serve as Baltimore’s top receivers. Jackson has been in dire need of more effective receiver play for many years now and Smith-Njigba would provide both quality and stability at the position. His stock has fallen a little of late but do not question his quality. Both Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave have made their case for why Smith-Njigba is a certified first-rounder.

As it stands, the Ravens have Bateman, Devin Duvernay, James Proche, and Tylan Wallace on the roster. Both Demarcus Robinson and Sammy Watkins are impending free agents. With a lack of real quality and depth, Baltimore must prioritize acquiring a high-quality receiver.

Round 3, Pick 86: Isaiah Foskey, Edge, Notre Dame

The Ravens have some questions at edge rusher. David Ojabo returned from an Achilles injury to participate in his rookie year and looked impressive in the season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. Opposite him, the team has Odafe Oweh and Tyus Bowser. Both Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul are scheduled to be free agents. While both have been effective, the team needs more youth and consistent production.

In comes Isaiah Foskey. In this scenario, Foskey falls to the Ravens at pick 86, despite boasting first-round talent early in the process. Foskey is Notre Dame’s all-time sack leader. Primarily a speed rusher, Foskey has excellent explosiveness and good spring. He can beat his opposite tackles with a good first step but sometimes struggles to detach from blocks. What makes him a particularly appealing pick for Baltimore is his special teams contributions and high character. These are both things that John Harbaugh and the Ravens value highly. Foskey struggles in run defense at times but, when you have Roquan Smith in your linebacking corps, you have more flexibility.

Round 4, Pick 125: Marvin Mims, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma

Given Baltimore’s lack of depth and quality at receiver, why not double down on the position? Since 2018, the Ravens have drafted two receivers every year aside from 2022. In fairness, it has had mixed results. However, the Ravens are in desperate need of playmakers more than ever.

Marvin Mims is a 5’11” 177lbs receiver who has excelled at Oklahoma. The last time the Ravens drafted a small receiver from Oklahoma? Marquise Brown. While Brown was divisive, he is the only wide receiver in recent history to eclipse 1,000 yards for the Ravens. Mims offers a solid deep threat but what sets him apart is his physicality. The small receiver plays hard and fast. He is a yards-after-catch machine as well as a very solid blocker. He also boasts good instincts when a play has broken down and the quarterback is improvising. Given his different skillset to Smith-Njigba, selecting both would be an excellent haul for Baltimore.

Round 5, Pick 159: Chandler Zavala, Guard, North Carolina State

Chandler Zavala is a smart and powerful guard who would be a good depth selection in the fifth round. Zavala shows good strength and power in the run game but can sometimes struggle with his feet and hands in pass protection. He is, however, a very smart player who can identify different stunts and blitzes quickly.

With Ben Powers scheduled to be a free agent and Kevin Zeitler getting up in age, the Ravens could certainly use some younger depth at guard. Zavala would be a good second or third choice left guard, who could step up in a pinch given his starting experience at college.

Round 6, Pick 200: DeMarcco Hellams, Safety, Alabama

In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Ravens selected Kyle Hamilton in the first round. To wrap up this mock draft, the Baltimore Ravens add yet another safety. Despite some early struggles, Hamilton finished the season excellently. He was among the best defensive rookies in the league and was deployed in various roles for Baltimore. With Hamilton and Marcus Williams as the two starting safeties, Chuck Clark is a primary cut candidate. If re-signed, Geno Stone would be the team’s first backup safety, leaving room for one more, cheap depth piece.

DeMarcco Hellams would be a very characteristic pick for Eric DeCosta. A defensive back coming out of Alabama, Hellams shows good playmaking ability in coverage and is a very effective tackler. Despite being labeled as a traditional strong safety, Hellams boasts very good versatility and could play in the slot as well as in a safety role. This could be an attractive trait given Baltimore’s need for a long-term fix at slot corner.

Main Photo: Joshua A. Bickel – USA Today Sports

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