In a group mock draft I did on Facebook over the weekend, I took control of the Baltimore Ravens for seven rounds with other users online.
The Raven’s biggest needs are at guard, tackle, wide receiver, cornerback, and edge rusher. For Baltimore, I addressed all their needs and even double-dipped at a few positions while getting depth for their less dire positions.
In this Ravens draft, I decided to trade down with the New York Giants, who wanted to trade up for Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. By getting out of the 30th selection, Baltimore got more draft capital on day two, where there were plenty of talented options at their biggest positions of need.
Draft: Trade Down Out of the First Round with Giants
To start the Ravens draft on Walk the Mock, I accepted the Giant’s trade for their second-rounder and 4th-rounder to move down from 30th overall. This gave me ten selections in the 2024 NFL Draft to fill as many holes on the roster as possible.
On day two of the draft, I addressed wide receiver to then follow that pick with back-to-back selections on the offensive line.
In round two at 47th overall, I selected South Carolina’s Xavier Legette to complement Zay Flowers as a versatile weapon for Todd Monken. He has the size and speed to threaten defenses on all levels of the field and would give Lamar Jackson a bigger body to throw at the position.
With the Ravens’ second-rounder at 62 overall, Baltimore gets an athletic but big mauler at guard with Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe. Beebe has experience at left guard, left tackle, and right tackle to fit wherever Baltimore needs him to help protect Jackson on the offensive line.
In round three, I have the Ravens getting a solid experienced right tackle starter in Washington’s Roger Rosengarten, who was Michael Penix Jr.‘s blindside as a lefty. Both these selections would give Baltimore a solid offensive line.
Ravens: Giants Trade Gives Baltimore More Picks
In the fourth round, the Ravens draft had three picks in this range, addressing edge rusher, cornerback, and running back.
Baltimore gets an undersized, but productive pass rusher in Colorado State’s Mohamed Kamara with the 107th pick. They have picked players either productive or more toolsy in past drafts so it could go either way.
At pick 113, the Ravens get their slot defensive back in Auburn’s DJ James, a smaller but athletic instinctive nickel corner. Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens can play outside while James learns from veteran Arthur Maulet.
While I think both those needs could be addressed earlier, they just need depth and to get younger at both spots.
With the 130th overall pick, it auto-drafted Marshawn Lloyd to back up Derrick Henry. Even though I am not sure of the fit, the USC running back offers speed at the position as opposed to someone like Notre Dame’s Audric Estime, who I did want at that pick.
Lloyd does bring an element like Justice Hill as a one-cut zone run speed back but isn’t as good of a blocker or as a special teamer. He would offer something as a receiving back with good size to the offense with the juice as a big play threat.
Ravens: Doubling Up on OL and WR to Finish Draft
From rounds five to seven, the Ravens draft covers depth needs like defensive line, safety, and linebacker.
At pick 165 in round five, Baltimore selects Texas Tech’s Myles Cole, someone who could step in at 3-4 defensive end with his height and weight despite his lack of production. Cole has had flashes of disruptiveness on the line and has the physical tools to become a better pro for the Ravens if he can become consistent.
In round six with the 218th pick, the Ravens get a potential free safety backup to Marcus Williams in Evan Williams from Oregon. Williams can also play in the box as well as a strong safety behind Kyle Hamilton.
Baltimore rounds out the seventh round with pick 228, taking Temple’s Jordan Magee. He is a value pick in this range falling to round seven and would be another athletic backup linebacker to Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson.
To double up at receiver, the Ravens select Pittsburgh’s Bub Means at pick 250 for depth. Means has a good frame to play on the outside with a wide radius but can accelerate after the catch on underneath routes.
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