NFL Network, CBS Sports Analyst Charles Davis Impressed By Ravens’ Draft Haul
Hayden Sweeney, PressBox
Wiggins has the coverage skills and height teams look for in an outside corner, but he weighed just 173 pounds at the Combine, raising concerns about his tackling and his ability to match up with big, physical NFL receivers.
But Davis doesn’t think Wiggins’ weight will be an issue, especially as he matures and spends every day in an NFL weight room.
“The weight thing is a big deal in certain situations, certain big people you’re taking on,” Davis said. “Maybe some bigger-sized receivers who might be able to body you off, but there’s a lot of times your quickness is going to win those battles, too.”
Under John Harbaugh, the Ravens have always played a physical brand of defense with an emphasis on strong tackling. If the Baltimore brass felt that would be an issue with Wiggins, Davis doesn’t think he would be a Raven.
“Obviously Eric DeCosta and his scouting group said, ‘We believe he will be a willing tackler for us,’” Davis said. “Because you can’t play in Baltimore if that person is not going to do that. The rest of the defensive back room will take issue to that, so he better come ready to go.”
Originally thought to be a potential first-round selection, Walker was plagued by drops at the Senior Bowl and saw his draft stock slip. But Davis doesn’t see many drops on his college tape and believes Walker’s size and athleticism make him a favorable target for Lamar Jackson.
“Bigger guys, bigger catch radius, all those things help a quarterback like Lamar who’s constantly on the move,” Davis said. “… I think there’s a big part of that with getting Tez Walker in the fourth round. [He] can run. Big, big target, and probably is better than where he got drafted. I like that pick for Baltimore.”
Ravens Questions Answered (And Unanswered) Following the Draft
Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com
Unanswered: Who will be the Ravens’ starting guards?
Even though the Ravens have two open starting guard spots, they didn’t draft a guard. Center Nick Samac will get reps at guard, but it would be quite surprising for a seventh-round pick to break into the starting rotation immediately.
However, the Ravens fed the pipeline of young interior offensive linemen last year, taking Sala Aumavae-Laulu in the sixth round and Andrew Vorhees in the seventh. They join rising fourth-year guard Ben Cleveland as the top contenders to start, with veteran Patrick Mekari always capable of stepping in wherever needed.
The way the board fell was not favorable for Baltimore to draft a guard on the first two days. Instead of forcing it, the Ravens addressed their more glaring offensive line need by grabbing Roger Rosengarten in Round 2 and showed their faith in their internal guard options. The Ravens still retain the possibility of adding a veteran guard (either via free agency or trade) at some point this summer if they feel there’s a need after watching practice.
The competition at right tackle will be between Rosengarten and Daniel Faalele. Asked if there’s a chance Rosengarten could start immediately, Head Coach John Harbaugh said, “Oh, yes, absolutely. I mean, we drafted him with that idea – that he’ll compete for that.”
Dalton Risner? Michael Thomas? Here are 5 free agents the Ravens could still target.
Jonas Shaffer, The Baltimore Banner
G Dalton Risner
News flash: The Ravens don’t have a sure thing at left guard. Andrew Vorhees hasn’t played in a game in 17 months, Sala Aumavae-Laulu hasn’t played since an unimpressive preseason last year, and Josh Jones hasn’t lined up at guard since Week 1.
Risner, 29, is the best option remaining in a depleted guard class. He finished ninth among interior linemen in ESPN’s pass block win rate in 2023 and has started 73 games over the past five seasons. In 11 starts at left guard for the Minnesota Vikings last year, he graded out poorly as a run blocker on Pro Football Focus. According to Sports Info Solutions, the 6-foot-5, 312-pound Risner fared far better as a blocker on gap runs (1.7% blown-block rate) than zone runs (3.9%).
He’s used to waiting for a deal, too. Risner didn’t sign his one-year, $3 million deal with Minnesota until mid-September last season. According to PFF, he entered free agency projected to earn a contract worth $5.5 million annually.
“Just In case anyone was wondering… I’ve started 73 games over 5 years in the league… missing only 4 games due to injury… earning the starting spot amongst 3 different coaching staffs,” Risner wrote in March. “I’ve never asked for a bag, simply just a starting guard contract.”
2024 NFL best UDFA fits: One undrafted prospect to watch on each roster
Nick Baumgardner & Scott Dochterman
Baltimore Ravens: Joe Evans, Edge, Iowa
If Evans (6-1, 246) stood 2 inches taller or weighed 25 pounds more, a team would have grabbed him by the fourth round. At his pro day, Evans posted a 41.5-inch vertical, and his shuttle and three-cone times were faster than any edge at the combine. He finished his Iowa career with 29 sacks, including four in the Citrus Bowl. He’s a John Harbaugh type of player, as is fellow Ravens UDFA Beau Brade.
2025 NFL Draft: Compensatory pick projections for every team
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
TEAMS PROJECTED TO RECEIVE 4 PICKS
Projected compensatory picks: One in Round 4; one in Round 5; two in Round 6.
Key free-agent losses: Patrick Queen (Steelers), Jadeveon Clowney (Panthers), Geno Stone (Bengals), John Simpson (Jets), Kevin Zeitler (Lions), Devin Duvernay (Jaguars), Gus Edwards (Chargers).
Key free-agent addition: Derrick Henry.
It is a rare year that the Ravens aren’t adding to their draft capital with at least one compensatory pick. In 2025, they’ll load up with the maximum of four selections after losing key members of the roster in 2024, including Queen, Clowney and both starting guards (Zeitler and Simpson). In total, Baltimore said goodbye to a whopping seven qualifying free agents while only signing Henry as a qualifier. Henry’s modest salary canceled out one of their sixth-round qualifiers (Stone or Zeitler).