for a guy that’s only going to play a max of 15 plays a game
I think he's on the field more than 15 plays, but the offense is very predictable when he's on the field.
The 2024 Baltimore Ravens thread
- Thread starter STAN JONES
- Start date
I think he's on the field more than 15 plays, but the offense is very predictable when he's on the field.
mr heyzel
All Star
This team don’t want to win
They don’t want Lamar win
They don’t want Lamar win
mr heyzel
All Star
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its2late2hate
Rookie
in fairness, the 49ers are a run dominant and have made the NFC title game twice in the last 3 seasons. If Jimmy G was even 5% better, there is a world where a run dominant team is holding up the trophy. Lamar is easily better than Jimmy G.
mr heyzel
All Star
Have you seen the killers in this afc division Being run dominant will only get you one and done in the playoffs
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Football is still about time of possession and the strength of the offensive and defensive lines. Mahomes, Allen, Watson, Barrow...etc., can't do shyt if they're not on the field because the opposing team is running the ball down their defenses throat and controlling the clock.
If Ravens got the ball last and Harbaugh isn't making any headass decisions, they can keep those dangerous QBs on ice and win games.
Forgot to mention the rhythm and timing aspects that would be affected because they can't sustain drives due to long periods of not being on the field.
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Mock Draft 4.0
One of my better drafts so far this season IMO. I used a different simulator and they graded players different from what I've been using.
Anyway, the Ravens addressed some serious weaknesses of this roster IMO and built depth in this draft. They got some insurance policies just in case Stanley, Peters, JK, Gus and Marlon aren't ready to go. They also doubled up on DE/OLB just in case Ojabo isn't ready, but don't sleep on Bonitto. If MacDonald doesn't show Ojabo favoritism, Bonitto is more than capable of being an every down defender on any defense.
Pick 14
Charles Cross - OT - Mississippi State
Charles Cross is a redshirt sophomore that has started the past two seasons for Mississippi State. Cross has logged more than 20 starts at LT for the Bulldogs. Cross is an exceptional athlete with a great initial first step that makes it difficult for edge rushers to beat him around the edge. He is a fluid athlete in the open field, making it easy to redirect and match defenders' counter moves. In the NFL, Cross' best position will be as a left tackle who can athletically match up with some of the best edge rushers in the NFL. Cross lacks the true strength at the point of attack to be a dominant run defender, but in the right offense, he will be a great pass protector.
Ideal Role: Starting left tackle (primary role to pass protect).
Scheme Fit: Zone-blocking scheme where his primary role is to cut off the backside of plays.
Pick 45
David Ojabo - DE/OLB - Michigan
Michigan EDGE defender David Ojabo is sure to elicit excitement from NFL decision-makers and coaches alike given his raw tools and the bright flashes of high-level understanding of the game that peek through on film. Ojabo is very green in the grand scheme of things; he didn’t play organized football until his junior year of high school after being born in Nigeria and moving to Scotland at the age of 7. And yet, Ojabo is still very much a high-impact defender and shows surreal natural feel and instincts for the game despite the lack of experience—his nose for the football and brilliant rush counters are awesome to take in. And with a high school background in track (he won a prep state title in the 100m dash in 2018 with a 10.93s time), Ojabo has freakish burst and range as an athlete to help make an impact on the perimeter as both a pass rusher and in pursuit. Ojabo isn’t a perfect prospect, but his ceiling may be as high as any 2022 pass rusher not named Kayvon Thibodeaux, and prospects with these kinds of physical gifts don’t last very long in April. Teams that implement wide-angled rushers will find great temptation in Ojabo’s game and will be best positioned to find an every-down role for him early in his NFL career as he continues to add seasoning and better understanding of the snap-by-snap workings of the game. The only thing standing between him and dominance as an EDGE rusher is more experience—finding a secure path to getting that experience will depend on his pro landing spot. I would consider that variable to be the biggest, most serious threat that could contribute to any variance in outcomes he’ll see as a pro player.
Pick 76
Nik Bonitto - DE/OLB - Oklahoma
I think he's covered in another mock draft, but Bonitto is everything the Ravens want their DE/OLBs to be and more.
Pick 100
Coby Bryant - CB - Cincinnati
Coby Bryant is a former 3-star recruit out of Glenville High school in Cleveland, Ohio. According to 247 Sports, Bryant was the No. 1644 player in the nation, the No. 170 cornerback, and No. 66 player in Ohio. He played two sports in high school: baseball and football. As a junior, he played cornerback and safety. He was coached by Ted Ginn Sr. His brother, Christian, played defensive back at Ohio State (2010-14) and is a member of the Arizona Cardinals. Bryant is a competitive cover man with man and zone versatility. He has great ball skills and tracking abilities. He has a quick trigger to sit and break on shorter routes. Bryant is a solid athlete but twitchy receivers can force him to panic early in the stem. Poor tackling form has plagued him. He’d rather dive at the ball-carrier's feet as an ankle-biter—improvement is needed in this area.
Pick 110
Rachaad White - RB - Arizona State
Rachaad White's stock has risen quicker than any other running back in this year's class - coming from being a virtual unknown to one of the top prospects in the group.
He has the best receiving skills of any back in the class and could quite easily be used as a wideout at a pinch. He has good speed, a nice feel for the game with great vision as a running back, and crucially has been injury-free his entire career. White's only major downside is his poor blocking technique and his lack of dominance as a power runner.
We are pretty high on White and think he's worthy of second-round selection who possesses the talent to be a game-changer at the next level, however, expect him to be picked in the third/fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft due to his relative obscurity.
Pick 119
Chris Hinton - DT - Michigan
Christopher Hinton is a fundamentally-sound defensive tackle who may not have the athletic traits to become an impact player in the pros.
At 6'4" and 310 pounds, Hinton was primarily a B-gap player, but he moonlighted a bit at both 1-technique and 5-technique in certain formations. His NFL usage should be about the same, perhaps with a few more reps as a 1-technique.
Hinton wins with good fundamentals and technique. Despite a taller frame, Hinton comes off the ball with good leverage and does a great job maintaining that leverage throughout the play. He also plays with a strong, consistent strike in the run game. Hinton regularly gets the first punch and maintains control of blocks effectively from there thanks to his impressive strength. Likewise, Hinton can shed blockers off of him when he needs to and help make tackles in the hole.
Pick 128
Leo Chenal - MLB - Wisconsin (doesn't offer much in coverage, but would excel in blitz packages with the Ravens)
Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal developed into one of the most fearsome enforcers in the Big Ten in 2021, offering overwhelming hitting power with very good straight-line acceleration to play in attack mode as a blitz-heavy defender in Jim Leonhard’s defensive system with the Badgers. Wisconsin touted one of the fiercest, stingiest defenses in the country last season with Chenal and fellow linebacker Jack Sanborn serving in starring roles on the second level as the straws that stirred the drink. There’s a rare level of production here with Chenal, who led the Badgers in both sacks and tackles for loss in both 2020 and the 2021 regular season (plus in total tackles in 2021). He’s featured in an abnormally high role as a pressure player, showcasing some alignment versatility to play mugged up in interior gaps or firing off the second level as a green-dog pressure add-on later in reps. Chenal gets high marks for his football character and is a visible catalyst of energy for his teammates. With a rocked-up frame and some level of potential on passing downs, Chenal will have the opportunity to swoon an NFL franchise about his potential to become a more dynamic player in all phases. At the very least, he’s got a visible passion for the game and can be an early-down enforcer in a defensive system that puts “bumpers” around him and charges him with triggering downhill into the teeth of the point of attack to shoot gaps and attack lead blockers.
Ideal role: Early-down ILB in an odd-front defense
Scheme tendencies: Blitz heavy, aggressive defense with quality coverage options in the secondary (including the safeties)
Pick 139
Cole Strange - OG - Chattanooga
Cole Strange started 44 games during his time at Chattanooga with 41 of those coming at left guard, two at left tackle, and one at center. He does offer positional flexibility but I like him best at guard where his run blocking and football IQ are best on display. Strange is an aggressive but controlled blocker that has a nasty demeanor with good power. He’s a good athlete that showcases the ability to work laterally and hit blocks in space. He’s a people-mover in the run game and his motor always runs hot. In pass protection, his punch is firm and he has a stout anchor. He has terrific awareness and understands body positioning. He showcased himself very well against Kentucky in 2021 which helps ease any concerns about the quality of competition he played against at Chattanooga and will have the opportunity to compete at the Senior Bowl. When it comes to concerns, Strange can be tardy to refit his hands and keep his feet engaged in pass protection. This leads to issues with opponents working to his edges and those edges being slippery. He will also turn 24 before the start of his rookie season. Overall, Strange can provide versatility as a reserve but has the traits needed to develop into a quality starter.
Ideal Role: Developmental starting guard
Pick 141
Nick Cross - FS - Maryland
Cross operated as the bouncer of the Maryland defense, playing with the aggression and explosiveness to throw opponents out of the club. He is a chase player who seeks to make a statement upon impact and has impressive stopping power near the line or as an open-field tackler. He's a tight-hipped, linear mover, so flipping and flying are not his strong suit. He's capable of matching with most flavors of tight end and will be most comfortable in coverages that allow him to play with a downhill trigger. He has the temperament, size and toughness to become an eventual starter in the league.
Strengths
Pick 196
Josh Paschal - DE/OLB - Kentucky
Covered in other mock drafts.
One of my better drafts so far this season IMO. I used a different simulator and they graded players different from what I've been using.
Anyway, the Ravens addressed some serious weaknesses of this roster IMO and built depth in this draft. They got some insurance policies just in case Stanley, Peters, JK, Gus and Marlon aren't ready to go. They also doubled up on DE/OLB just in case Ojabo isn't ready, but don't sleep on Bonitto. If MacDonald doesn't show Ojabo favoritism, Bonitto is more than capable of being an every down defender on any defense.
Pick 14
Charles Cross - OT - Mississippi State
Charles Cross is a redshirt sophomore that has started the past two seasons for Mississippi State. Cross has logged more than 20 starts at LT for the Bulldogs. Cross is an exceptional athlete with a great initial first step that makes it difficult for edge rushers to beat him around the edge. He is a fluid athlete in the open field, making it easy to redirect and match defenders' counter moves. In the NFL, Cross' best position will be as a left tackle who can athletically match up with some of the best edge rushers in the NFL. Cross lacks the true strength at the point of attack to be a dominant run defender, but in the right offense, he will be a great pass protector.
Ideal Role: Starting left tackle (primary role to pass protect).
Scheme Fit: Zone-blocking scheme where his primary role is to cut off the backside of plays.
Pick 45
David Ojabo - DE/OLB - Michigan
Michigan EDGE defender David Ojabo is sure to elicit excitement from NFL decision-makers and coaches alike given his raw tools and the bright flashes of high-level understanding of the game that peek through on film. Ojabo is very green in the grand scheme of things; he didn’t play organized football until his junior year of high school after being born in Nigeria and moving to Scotland at the age of 7. And yet, Ojabo is still very much a high-impact defender and shows surreal natural feel and instincts for the game despite the lack of experience—his nose for the football and brilliant rush counters are awesome to take in. And with a high school background in track (he won a prep state title in the 100m dash in 2018 with a 10.93s time), Ojabo has freakish burst and range as an athlete to help make an impact on the perimeter as both a pass rusher and in pursuit. Ojabo isn’t a perfect prospect, but his ceiling may be as high as any 2022 pass rusher not named Kayvon Thibodeaux, and prospects with these kinds of physical gifts don’t last very long in April. Teams that implement wide-angled rushers will find great temptation in Ojabo’s game and will be best positioned to find an every-down role for him early in his NFL career as he continues to add seasoning and better understanding of the snap-by-snap workings of the game. The only thing standing between him and dominance as an EDGE rusher is more experience—finding a secure path to getting that experience will depend on his pro landing spot. I would consider that variable to be the biggest, most serious threat that could contribute to any variance in outcomes he’ll see as a pro player.
Pick 76
Nik Bonitto - DE/OLB - Oklahoma
I think he's covered in another mock draft, but Bonitto is everything the Ravens want their DE/OLBs to be and more.
Pick 100
Coby Bryant - CB - Cincinnati
Coby Bryant is a former 3-star recruit out of Glenville High school in Cleveland, Ohio. According to 247 Sports, Bryant was the No. 1644 player in the nation, the No. 170 cornerback, and No. 66 player in Ohio. He played two sports in high school: baseball and football. As a junior, he played cornerback and safety. He was coached by Ted Ginn Sr. His brother, Christian, played defensive back at Ohio State (2010-14) and is a member of the Arizona Cardinals. Bryant is a competitive cover man with man and zone versatility. He has great ball skills and tracking abilities. He has a quick trigger to sit and break on shorter routes. Bryant is a solid athlete but twitchy receivers can force him to panic early in the stem. Poor tackling form has plagued him. He’d rather dive at the ball-carrier's feet as an ankle-biter—improvement is needed in this area.
Pick 110
Rachaad White - RB - Arizona State
Rachaad White's stock has risen quicker than any other running back in this year's class - coming from being a virtual unknown to one of the top prospects in the group.
He has the best receiving skills of any back in the class and could quite easily be used as a wideout at a pinch. He has good speed, a nice feel for the game with great vision as a running back, and crucially has been injury-free his entire career. White's only major downside is his poor blocking technique and his lack of dominance as a power runner.
We are pretty high on White and think he's worthy of second-round selection who possesses the talent to be a game-changer at the next level, however, expect him to be picked in the third/fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft due to his relative obscurity.
Pick 119
Chris Hinton - DT - Michigan
Christopher Hinton is a fundamentally-sound defensive tackle who may not have the athletic traits to become an impact player in the pros.
At 6'4" and 310 pounds, Hinton was primarily a B-gap player, but he moonlighted a bit at both 1-technique and 5-technique in certain formations. His NFL usage should be about the same, perhaps with a few more reps as a 1-technique.
Hinton wins with good fundamentals and technique. Despite a taller frame, Hinton comes off the ball with good leverage and does a great job maintaining that leverage throughout the play. He also plays with a strong, consistent strike in the run game. Hinton regularly gets the first punch and maintains control of blocks effectively from there thanks to his impressive strength. Likewise, Hinton can shed blockers off of him when he needs to and help make tackles in the hole.
Pick 128
Leo Chenal - MLB - Wisconsin (doesn't offer much in coverage, but would excel in blitz packages with the Ravens)
Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal developed into one of the most fearsome enforcers in the Big Ten in 2021, offering overwhelming hitting power with very good straight-line acceleration to play in attack mode as a blitz-heavy defender in Jim Leonhard’s defensive system with the Badgers. Wisconsin touted one of the fiercest, stingiest defenses in the country last season with Chenal and fellow linebacker Jack Sanborn serving in starring roles on the second level as the straws that stirred the drink. There’s a rare level of production here with Chenal, who led the Badgers in both sacks and tackles for loss in both 2020 and the 2021 regular season (plus in total tackles in 2021). He’s featured in an abnormally high role as a pressure player, showcasing some alignment versatility to play mugged up in interior gaps or firing off the second level as a green-dog pressure add-on later in reps. Chenal gets high marks for his football character and is a visible catalyst of energy for his teammates. With a rocked-up frame and some level of potential on passing downs, Chenal will have the opportunity to swoon an NFL franchise about his potential to become a more dynamic player in all phases. At the very least, he’s got a visible passion for the game and can be an early-down enforcer in a defensive system that puts “bumpers” around him and charges him with triggering downhill into the teeth of the point of attack to shoot gaps and attack lead blockers.
Ideal role: Early-down ILB in an odd-front defense
Scheme tendencies: Blitz heavy, aggressive defense with quality coverage options in the secondary (including the safeties)
Pick 139
Cole Strange - OG - Chattanooga
Cole Strange started 44 games during his time at Chattanooga with 41 of those coming at left guard, two at left tackle, and one at center. He does offer positional flexibility but I like him best at guard where his run blocking and football IQ are best on display. Strange is an aggressive but controlled blocker that has a nasty demeanor with good power. He’s a good athlete that showcases the ability to work laterally and hit blocks in space. He’s a people-mover in the run game and his motor always runs hot. In pass protection, his punch is firm and he has a stout anchor. He has terrific awareness and understands body positioning. He showcased himself very well against Kentucky in 2021 which helps ease any concerns about the quality of competition he played against at Chattanooga and will have the opportunity to compete at the Senior Bowl. When it comes to concerns, Strange can be tardy to refit his hands and keep his feet engaged in pass protection. This leads to issues with opponents working to his edges and those edges being slippery. He will also turn 24 before the start of his rookie season. Overall, Strange can provide versatility as a reserve but has the traits needed to develop into a quality starter.
Ideal Role: Developmental starting guard
Pick 141
Nick Cross - FS - Maryland
Cross operated as the bouncer of the Maryland defense, playing with the aggression and explosiveness to throw opponents out of the club. He is a chase player who seeks to make a statement upon impact and has impressive stopping power near the line or as an open-field tackler. He's a tight-hipped, linear mover, so flipping and flying are not his strong suit. He's capable of matching with most flavors of tight end and will be most comfortable in coverages that allow him to play with a downhill trigger. He has the temperament, size and toughness to become an eventual starter in the league.
Strengths
- Thickly muscled with a broad frame.
- Plays role of enforcer in the middle of the field.
- Races forward and explodes into receivers.
- Straight-line burst to close on recover.
- Good ball focus and tracking over the top.
- Size and strength to stay tight to tight ends inside the route.
- Very quick to pounce and tackle in space.
- Can be tardy triggering downhill in run support.
- Needs to keep feet active when gathering to tackle.
- Becomes drag-down tackler at times.
- Linear movements limit his back-end impact.
- Hip tightness limits agility laterally.
- Unable to open up and range quickly off the hash.
- Doesn't drive in with playmaking angles on in-breaking routes.
Pick 196
Josh Paschal - DE/OLB - Kentucky
Covered in other mock drafts.
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mr heyzel
All Star
In this new era of football that style is irrelevant we have qbs getting down the field in 30 and 15 seconds, the ravens will only beat mediocre teams playing like this it’s not 2000 any more this league is officially 7 on 7
BmoreGorilla
Veteran
At the end of the day none of these moves matter if they still can’t generate a pass rush
mr heyzel
All Star
At the end of the day none of these moves matter if they still can’t generate a pass rush
Exactly no pass rush no championship it’s that simple
BmoreGorilla
Veteran
I’m still holding out hope on Smith since no one seems to be beating down the door for him. But tbh I think it was Wink’s scheme more than anything else. Hopefully this new DC has more success with the pass rush
mr heyzel
All Star
Yeah wink scheme was way too elaborate at this point I’m just hoping decosta can make something happen
Vikings signing former Packers OLB Za'Darius Smith to three-year, $42M deal
All that for a bad back
Then again it’s the Vikings after all
All that for a bad back
Then again it’s the Vikings after all
Vikings signing former Packers OLB Za'Darius Smith to three-year, $42M deal
All that for a bad back
Then again it’s the Vikings after all
I bet the Vikings guaranteed more money. Plus, he'd be playing alongside another effective pass rusher.
Ravens don't look to be as desirable of a location and they've always done shady shyt with their contracts or paid people a little less than the market.
