One of the Baltimore Ravens’ biggest needs entering the 2020 NFL Draft is at inside linebacker. After decades of having great play at linebacker with guys like Ray Lewis and C.J. Mosley, Baltimore has been trying to find their next star at the position with no luck. After revamping their defensive line this offseason and having a stacked secondary, inside linebacker remains one of the only positions keeping the Ravens from having a truly legendary unit.
Though all the attention will go to prospects in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Baltimore could find key contributors throughout the entire draft. While typical three-down linebackers will go in the first round, the Ravens can find players for niche roles (playing the run or dropping into coverage) all the way to the seventh round if they wish.
With that in mind, I wanted to identify who would be the top target at linebacker in each round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Some of these players might fall into Baltimore’s lap when they pick and others will require the Ravens to trade up to go get them. But these are the best of the best of each round in the 2020 NFL Draft.
1st round: LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
You don’t get any better than Simmons in this draft, which is why he’s widely considered the top linebacker prospect and expected to go in the top 10. However, there is a little contention over where Simmons ends up playing in the NFL. As a more athletic player with insane speed (4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine), Simmons might be better suited to playing safety than a traditional three-down linebacker role.
The Ravens love that type of versatility and would be able to do so many things with a player of Simmons’ caliber. Just imagining defensive coordinator Don Martindale moving Simmons all over the field likely has Baltimore drooling. With a ton of upside, Simmons could be a star in the right scheme and it’s easy to see how the Ravens would be the exact right fit for him.
The problem here is that Baltimore is going to have to absolutely love Simmons for him to be even considered an option. In order to have a shot at drafting Simmons, the Ravens will have to move up pretty far. Even if Simmons falls a little bit, the amount Baltimore would have to give up in a trade to go get him makes it extremely unlikely it happens. Still, for an article pointing to the best in each round, Simmons is that guy in the 2020 NFL Draft.