3 Prospects the Ravens Should Target Round-By-Round for this Year’s Draft

The 2019 NFL Draft is quickly approaching. With key pre-draft events coming to an end such as the NFL Combine, Free Agency, and soon, Pro Days, we will have a clearer picture about which prospects each team may target. Here are three prospects I can see the Ravens targeting each round during this year’s draft.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

Round 1

1) ILB, Devin Bush, Michigan

It would be a miracle and a grand-slam if Devin Bush fell to the Ravens at 22. He is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker and would be a more than viable replacement for former Raven C.J. Mosley, who departed to the Jets during free agency after signing a lucrative deal. Bush had an outstanding combine. He had a 40 time of 4.43 seconds, a 40.5 inch vertical, and also looked very smooth in drills. He is already stout as a run defender and will only improve in pass coverage.

2) WR, A.J. Brown, Ole Miss

A.J. Brown is personally my favorite wide receiver prospect in this draft class. He is a very skilled route runner, a strong blocker, separates well, and has very good hands both in and out of traffic, which is something the Ravens have not consistently had from a wide receiver since Anquan Boldin. Questions about his speed were eliminated after he ran a 4.49 40-yard dash. To me, he is a surefire prospect who may not have the All-Pro potential like D.K. Metcalf but will make an impact for whoever drafts him for years to come.

3) OG/OT, Cody Ford, Oklahoma

If both Cody Ford and A.J. Brown were on the board at 22, I would be very torn on who to pick. Cody Ford may be one of the safest picks in this class and would immediately be a plug and play at left guard for the Ravens. Ford excels at run blocking, which would fit perfectly under the Ravens’ run-heavy offensive system. The Ravens offensive line is one of the team’s biggest uncertainties; drafting Ford would eliminate many questions critics have regarding the offensive line.

Additional prospect worth considering: Edge Rusher, Brian Burns, Florida State

Round 2 (If the Ravens obtain a draft pick here, they currently have no 2^nd round pick)

1) DE/Edge Rusher Jaylen Ferguson, Louisiana Tech

Jaylen Ferguson is a very interesting prospect. Despite breaking the NCAAF Division 1 career sack record with 45 (17.5 this year), he was uninvited from the Combine due to a battery conviction from when he was 18. Despite the charge, Ferguson is still a very prolific prospect who may even end up being taken in the late 1^st round. He has a great first punch and a vicious bull rush. Concerns lie around his level of competition as well as his potential scheme fit with the Ravens (he may fit better in a 4-3 system more than a 3-4 due to his size). Nonetheless, if he is available and the Ravens acquire a 2^nd round pick, drafting Ferguson will definitely be considered.

2) WR, Parris Campbell, Ohio State

Like Ferguson, Campbell may also wind up being a late 1^st round pick. If he falls to the 2^nd, the Ravens will definitely take a long look at him. Campbell proved himself as a speedster at the combine when he ran a 4.31 second 40-yard dash. He also caught the ball very well and ran smooth routes. Many draft pundits have suggested building a track team like offense around Ravens starting quarterback, Lamar Jackson. Campbell would be a very interesting toy to play with for new offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Concerns surround Campbell regarding his hands (though he caught well at the combine) and his raw route running ability. He ran mainly screens and go’s at Ohio State. He may not be immediately impactful, but he has a very high upside.

3) C, Garrett Bradbury, North Carolina State

Bradbury would solidify the recently inconsistent center spot for many years to come. Bradbury had arguably one of the best combines among offensive linemen. He has above-average athleticism and quick feet, which will allow him to effectively pull on run plays. Some teams may be concerned about his lack of weight at 306 lbs. (Matt Skura was 313 to compare), but, once drafted, bulking up should be expected (depending on his frame).

Additional prospect worth considering: WR, Riley Ridley, Georgia

Round 3

1) Edge Rusher, Jachai Polite, Florida

There no argument that Jachai Polite had one of the worst combines in NFL history. He did not show any promising athleticism as he ran slowly and jumped poorly. According to some teams, he also interviewed very poorly. Similar things were said for the Ravens current starting right tackle, Orlando Brown Jr., who turned out to be one of the better right tackles in the NFL. That being said, Jachai Polite’s film is 1^st round pick worthy. He has tremendous burst off the snap, great closing speed, and a well-refined spin move that you very infrequently see with college edge rushers. If he is available in the 3^rd, I would not at all be opposed to taking a flier on Polite, especially after losing both Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith, last year’s team sack leaders.

2) OG, Chris Lindstrom, Boston College

Lindstrom is another solid interior offensive line option. He had a very fine career at Boston College and would immediately compete for the starting left guard job. He is also very versatile, which may allow him to also compete for the starting center job.

3) WR, Andy Isabella, UMass

Isabella was one of the most productive college receivers this past year. Despite going to UMass, not known to be a strong football school, he still torched Power Five Conference schools such as Georgia with a stat line of 15 catches, 219 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Isabella also performed very well at this year’s Senior Bowl. He excels by operating in tight areas where he can use his 4.31 second (40-yard dash time) speed to evade tacklers and pick up extra yardage. Isabella would be used mainly as a slot receiver in the NFL. Though the Ravens have a reliable slot in Willie Snead, Isabella’s versatility and playmaking ability would allow him to earn snaps and make an impact in the offense.

Additional prospect worth considering: Edge Rusher, Chase Winovich, Michigan

Round 4

1) WR, David Sills V, West Virginia

David Sills V is an absolute touchdown machine with 15 this year. By being 6’4, he serves as a potential red-zone threat. Though he is a bit raw with concerns about his play strength, he has the potential to carve himself a solid role in the offense down the road.

2) OG, Connor McGovern, Penn State

Connor McGovern is a diamond in the rough prospect. He has started both at guard and center at Penn State and has admirable run blocking ability. His pass blocking is less refined and will need to become more consistent and skilled in that facet of his game.

3) CB, Kris Boyd, Texas

You can never have too many cornerbacks in the NFL. Boyd is a tough corner who gets physical at the line of scrimmage. He is also a strong tackler, something that the Ravens covet with their cornerbacks. Despite his physicality, Boyd did struggle with quicker receivers in college who exposed his lack of quickness. Regardless, drafting Boyd in the 4^th would be a value pick, much like Anthony Averett last season, and would add indispensable cornerback depth.

Additional prospect worth considering: OG, Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin

Round 5

1) WR, Jaylon Ferguson, Northwestern State
2) WR, Terry McLaurin, Ohio State
3) OLB, Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois

Additional prospect worth considering: RB, Mike Weber, Ohio State

Round 6

1) ILB, Dakota Allen, Texas Tech
2) OG, Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
3) RB, Rodney Anderson, Oklahoma

Additional prospect worth considering: WR, Demarcus Lodge, Ole Miss

Round 7 (If the Ravens obtain a draft pick here, they currently have no 7^th round pick)

1) ILB, Te’Veon Coney, Notre Dame
2) C, Lamont Gaillard, Georgia
3) C, Nick Linder, Indiana

Additional prospect worth considering: DE, Renell Wren, Arizona State