Given recent trades for big-name quarterbacks, it’s normal to think that teams like the Ravens who don’t need a quarterback may miss out on a top player in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft. However, I still contend Baltimore is in great shape to draft an elite talent.
The two positions the Ravens need most are edge rusher and offensive lineman. Thankfully, those positions are deep among this draft class. Other positions, like defensive back and wide receiver, may not be immediate needs for Baltimore but are still going to have plenty of options in early rounds from which the Ravens can pick.
If a couple of quarterbacks are taken in the Top 10 or not, it’s almost inevitable that a couple of teams will make “reach” picks which in turn will present the Ravens with three or four picks they feel can really help their team in a big way. In other words, be ready for the Ravens to trade back anywhere from 4-10 spots in the first round.
But when they do make their first pick, whenever that ends up being, they will get a stud. Here are four players that I think are worthy of being the first player taken in Baltimore’s 2022 class.
NFL Draft Player Profile: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 262 pounds
2021 stats: 70 tackles, 18.0 tfl, 12.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 passes defensed
Key traits: 1st team All-American. ACC Defensive Player of the Year. A terror off the edge, against both the run and the pass. Relentless motor. Converts speed to power seamlessly. Never static. “Slippery” hands…offensive tackles have a very hard time sustaining any kind of block on him. Plenty physical. Rushed from the 3-technique at times but is primarily a defensive end in a 40 front.
Ideal position: RUSH linebacker (3-4) or weak-side 5-technique (4-3)
Potential draft spot: Middle of Round 1
Why he’d be a good fit: Johnson would give the Ravens a dynamic burst off the edge, when, combined with that of Odafe Oweh, would be comparable to the vaunted pass rush of the Rams, Browns, and Steelers. Regardless of holes those teams had, when their pass rush was on, they were very hard to beat. The Ravens know that and I’m sure will want to duplicate such a model of pressure.
Even if the addition of Johnson wouldn’t generate turnovers, it would surely generate pressure so consistently that the Ravens would have leads more times than not. Playing against a Ravens team with a lead is dangerous because of how they can bludgeon you with their ground game.
Cool side note: Recorded 7.5 sacks in four starts as a Georgia Bulldog before transferring to FSU.
Bottom line: Drafting Johnson would finally complete the pass rush they’ve been trying to fix for years.
NFL Draft Player Profile: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 200 pounds
2021 stats: 40 tackles, 5.0 tfl, 4 passes defensed, 3.0 sacks, 3 interceptions
Key traits: Consensus 1st team All-American. Mirrors really well. Good speed. Blitzes well. His best attribute, in my opinion, is his ability to re-accelerate when defending double moves. Not the best tackler, but he is willing. Good length to force quarterbacks to be very accurate on any given throw.
Ideal position: Outside cornerback
Potential draft spot: Top 10
Why he’d be a good fit: The Ravens face their fair share of big receivers with long speed every year, and Gardner would be the perfect compliment to defend those kinds of players. He used to a very high standard of defense. As good as he is, it looks like there’s room for him to grow, physically and as a player. With Baltimore not retaining Chris Westry, Gardner’s frame would almost be a like for like replacement.
Cool side note: Never allowed a touchdown in college despite playing over 1,000 snaps.
Bottom line: Gardner is an absolute stud that will compete for a starting spot on any NFL roster.
NFL Draft Player Profile: Daxton Hill, Safety, Michigan
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 192 pounds
2021 stats: 69 tackles, 8 passes defensed, 4.5 tfl, 2 interceptions
Key traits: Excellent form tackler. Closes in a flash. Is a blur when blitzing. Good reaction skills. Mostly a box safety but can hold his own against the pass. Smart player. Knows what angles to take against different blocking schemes.
Ideal position: Strong Safety
Potential draft spot: Late Round 1
Why he’d be a good fit: Hill would be a fit on the Ravens because of multiple reasons. First and foremost, he’s a tough, physical football player. Secondly, he is coming into the exact same defensive system he just left at Michigan. Thirdly, he fills a need at reserve safety. Even if the Ravens don’t retain DeShon Elliott, they’ll need a solid backup. They tendered Geno Stone last Wednesday, which creates the possibility for the team to be without two of its key defensive backs next year. Hill would help with those losses.
Cool side note: He’s the younger brother of Ravens running back Justice Hill.
Bottom line: Hill is a good pick in Round 1, but a great pick in Round 2.
NFL Draft Player Profile: Tyquan Thornton, Wide Receiver, Baylor
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 182 pounds
2021 stats: 62 receptions, 948 yards, 15.3 yards per reception, 10 touchdowns
Key traits: Big frame and big speed. Separates really well, whether off the line or right before the catch. Knows how to move in tight spaces. Despite weighing less than many receivers, he’s tough to bring down. If he catches the ball in space, Thornton possesses breakaway speed. Sometimes it seems like the routes he runs and catches he makes are simple, but that speaks to his talent. He tracks the ball nicely, whether on deep balls or red zone jump balls.
Ideal position: X receiver
Potential draft spot: Middle to late Round 2
Why he’d be a good fit: Thornton fits the Ravens profile because he’s a speedster that has produced at a high level. Between Devin Duvernay, Hollywood Brown, and James Proche, it’s clear Baltimore values elite speed at the wide receiver position. Thornton can win 1-on-1’s and can also find the holes in zone. His explosion would only enhance that of Baltimore’s other offensive stars.
Cool side note: He ran a 10.50-second 100-meter dash in high school.
Bottom line: He’s not a need from a position standpoint, but his talent and production would undoubtedly cause a lot of problems for opposing defensive coaches, who already have their hands full with trying to figure out Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews, and J.K. Dobbins.
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.