It’s that time of the offseason when draft experts come out of the woodwork to show off the results from months of watching tape and scouting prospects. While no draft expert will get it right 100% of the time, especially when it comes to mock drafts, there are some worth paying a little more attention to than others. That’s the case with ESPN’s Todd McShay, who is one of the biggest names in the business.
McShay recently put out his second mock draft of the offseason and followed in Mel Kiper’s footsteps, giving the Ravens LSU wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr.
If Marshall can put up similar production for Baltimore as he did last season at LSU, the Ravens would be plenty happy. Marshall caught 48 passes for 731 yards and 10 touchdowns over seven games. While that might not be the eye-popping stats we sometimes see from draft prospects at the position, the revolving door at quarterback didn’t provide Marshall any favors. As is the case every offseason, you have to look beyond the stat sheet when gauging how good a player is and how great they might become.
For Marshall, his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame is right up the Ravens’ alley. He has the size to play on the outside, right where Baltimore needs someone the most, but he also has the speed and after-the-catch ability to be a serious weapon from the slot. If a defender tries to press him off the line, Marshall has the size and strength to bully them and create separation. If they give Marshall a lot of cushion, he has the agility to make a quick cut underneath to take advantage of the separation and the acceleration to turn five yards into 50.
With Dez Bryant and Willie Snead expected to leave in free agency, there are holes both on the outside and inside that have to be filled. The Ravens will likely turn to James Proche and Devin Duvernay — last year’s draft picks — to play on the inside but have desperately needed a big-bodied, sure-handed possession receiver. While Marshall isn’t exactly the prototype for that role, he’s handled the responsibility well at LSU while showcasing his versatility in 2020, making him a really attractive option all over the field.
There’s still plenty of time left until the 2021 NFL draft kicks off and we’ll likely see quite a few more names get attached to the Ravens. But the fact Marshall has come up so frequently is intriguing.
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