Last week we saw the Ravens upgrade their safety and offensive tackle positions. They acquired two very good players at fair prices. While they may not be done in free agency, it seems like they solidified three big needs ahead of the draft, freeing them up to be full steam ahead come April 28th.
Adding players like Marcus Williams and Morgan Moses allows the Ravens to take players they may not need but can help put them over the top and really revitalize their roster. Consider the Rams’ personnel strategy last year. Their pass rush had plenty of vigor, but they weren’t satisfied and went out and got Von Miller. That move was instrumental in helping them win Super Bowl LVI.
Here are four players the Ravens don’t need but would undoubtedly help them make a run for Phoenix and Super Bowl LVII.
NFL Draft Player Profile: Nakobe Dean, Linebacker, Georgia
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 225 pounds
2021 stats: 72 tackles, 10.5 tfl, 6.0 sacks, 6 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles
Key traits: Absolutely relentless. Alpha. Excellent tackler. Plays the pass well above average for linebackers. A leader. Fluid movements and apparent football IQ. Tenacious blitzer despite giving up 100 pounds at times. Some may see him playing on such an elite defense as a question mark, but I don’t. He was the leader of that defense.
Ideal position: Weak-side linebacker in a 3-4 system
Potential draft spot: Middle of Round 1
Why he’d be a good fit: Dean personifies playing like a Raven. With the uncertainty surrounding Josh Bynes and L.J. Fort, the Ravens need another inside linebacker. Even if Malik Harrison increases his productivity, they’ll still need depth. Dean is used to high-level performance every week and can fit in base, nickel, dime, whatever. If teams try to flex a back or receiver out wide and the Ravens have a man call on, they can stay in that call with Dean in the mix.
Cool side note: He won the Butkus Award this year (Best Defensive Player in College Football) & was named a 1st team All-American
Bottom line: The position isn’t a need in the 1st round, but the player is elite.
NFL Draft Player Profile: Zion Johnson, Offensive Lineman, Boston College
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 316 pounds
Key traits: Position versatility. Played a lot of left tackle and left guard in a zone scheme at Boston College. His football IQ is apparent. Understands angles and leverage. Against Clemson he was off-balance too many times for my liking, but perhaps he could be a better fit in a gap scheme. There’s clearly a very good player there, it’s just a matter of finding the best fit. One of my favorite things about him is his insistence to drive his opponent. He’s not satisfied with just making contact.
Ideal position: Guard
Potential draft spot: Middle of Round 2
Why he’d be a good fit: While guard is a solidified position on the Ravens today, Kevin Zeitler won’t be here forever, Tyre Phillips still has work to do, and Ben Cleveland is just in his second season. Therefore, adding a quality guard (who’s also played substantial snaps at left tackle) is something the Ravens are sure to consider. Johnson’s foundation is solid, and his technique will only improve under the direction of Baltimore’s exceptional Offensive Line Coach Joe D’Alessandris.
Cool side note: Played 783 of 785 snaps at left tackle in 2020.
Bottom line: In my opinion, Johnson is a solid investment for the Ravens and an eventual starter.
NFL Draft Player Profile: Drake London, Wide Receiver, Southern California
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 210 pounds
2021 stats: 88 receptions, 1,084 yards, 12.3 yards per reception, 7 TD
Key traits: Elite technician. Premier hand usage. Separates exceptionally well. At his peak, he was a man amongst boys. His releases are strategic and sudden. A true hands catcher. Tough. Won’t go down easily. As complete a receiver as there is in this draft. London is easily a Top 15 talent.
Ideal position: X receiver
Potential draft spot: Early to middle of Round 1
Why he’d be a good fit: The Ravens have cultivated a proverbial track team at the wide receiver position. While London isn’t slow by any means, his skillset would perfectly compliment that of the other receivers on the roster. He’s a tough matchup for any defensive player. If he, Mark Andrews, J.K. Dobbins, and Hollywood Brown could all be deployed in the end zone, defenses would be virtually helpless.
Cool side note: He averaged 155 yards and 1 TD receiving per game in 2021.
Bottom line: London is an elite player that, somehow, looks like he can get better. Receiver isn’t a need for the Ravens, but if they’re drafting the best player available and he’s on the board, I don’t see how they pass him up.
NFL Draft Player Profile: Lewis Cine, Safety, Georgia
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 200 pounds
2021 stats: 73 tackles, 2.0 tfl, 9 passes defensed, 1 interception
Key traits: Always around the ball. Has some pop when he hits you. Closes passing windows quickly. Coming from an advanced scheme where he oversaw the back end of the best defense in the nation. Only two interceptions in his career, but if he’s called upon to marshal the seams and play between the numbers, he will be a force. Smart player. While it’s not his forte, if he gets caught 1-on-1 defending a deep ball, he can do that. Plays with urgency, which is what any defensive coach will insist on.
Ideal position: Strong safety
Potential draft spot: Middle to late Round 2
Why he’d be a good fit: Although the Ravens safeties are locked up for the near future (Williams, Clark), drafting a player like Cine will ensure little to no drop off. I’d grade him as a B prospect now, with potential to improve to an A- within two years. He plays the style of defense the Ravens play and is used to elaborate blitzes and subsequent back-end rotations.
Cool side note: Cine was the Defensive MVP of the 2022 CFP Championship game
Bottom line: My first impression comp for Cine is former Ravens safety Dawan Landry. They’re virtually the same size (Landry was 6’1”, 212 pounds), and played the same position at colleges in the same state. If that’s who Cine turns out to be, he’d be a heck of a pick.
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.