The Baltimore Ravens will have plenty of tough decisions to make in a few weeks once draft weekend officially commences. The team has 10 draft picks including nine in the first four rounds, so they’ll have no shortage of opportunities to make the team better.
In a full seven-round 2022 mock draft, Jordan Reid of ESPN laid out each of the 262 picks slated to happen over the course of the draft’s three days. He selected a plethora of talented players for Baltimore, starting in the first round at pick No. 14, where he had them take edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II out of Florida State. Reid explained that his versatility as a pass rusher and a run defender would fit well on the Ravens’ defense.
“He is a ready-made run defender as well as a mature pass-rusher. Johnson is firm at the point of attack and has a determined mentality throughout games and a playing style that would fit well in Baltimore.”
At pick No. 45, Reid gave Baltimore cornerback depth in Tariq Woolen out of UTSA. He talked about how Woolen is as physically gifted of a cornerback as many have seen.
“The 6-foot-4 Woolen is one of the most physically gifted corners we’ve seen in the past decade. In need of depth on the perimeter, the Ravens could take a liking to him as a developmental player behind Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters and Iman Marshall.”
In the third round, Reid first took offensive tackle Rasheed Walker out of Penn State at pick No. 76 for Baltimore, discussing how he could be a nice developmental piece.
“After signing Morgan Moses, the Ravens still need developmental depth. Walker makes sense, as he has spurts of positive play, but his technique leaves him still far away from being ready to step in and play meaningful snap”
At pick No. 100, Reid has former Florida star defensive lineman Zach Carter being added to the Ravens, who he crowns a great run defender with starter potential if he can improve his pass rushing skills.
“A stout and consistent player at the point of attack, Carter is a 3-4 base end who is ready to play early as a run defender. If he becomes a more consistent pass-rusher, he could be a starter. He fits well in the Ravens’ odd defensive front.”
On Day 3 for Baltimore, in the fourth round Reid picks Cincinnati inside linebacker Darrian Beavers at No. 110, edge rusher Jesse Luketa out of Penn State at No. 119, wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. from Notre Dame at No. 128, edge rusher Sam Williams from USC at No. 139 and inside linebacker Damone Clark out of LSU at No. 141. In the sixth round, Reid rounded out the Ravens’ draft with guard Leticus Smith out of Virginia Tech.
Reid picked a balanced group of talented playmakers for Baltimore headlined by Johnson and Woolen, both of which could immediately fill in and take on big roles at positions of need. The other players taken in the mid/late rounds solidify multiple other areas of need, which is key as the team looks to build up their roster.