With the 2022 NFL draft under one week away, the Baltimore Ravens are gearing up to select their next class of rookies. It’s important that the team has a great three days where they hit on multiple prospects that can contribute both now and in the future. With 10 draft picks, they can do just that, drafting for both need while taking the best player available.
In his latest 2022 seven-round mock draft, Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports has Baltimore stopping the fall of a star in the first round, then trading down twice in the later rounds. At No. 14 he has the team selecting offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu out of NC State, who is projected by many to be long gone before the Ravens are on the clock. Trapasso said that Ekwonu would be an “exquisite fit”.
“Hello, exquisite fit. Ekwonu’s run-blocking prowess will be a welcomed addition in Baltimore.”
On Day 2 of the draft, Trapasso has Baltimore trading down in the second round, acquiring picks No. 60 and No. 91 from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for No. 45. He then selects Texas A&M defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal at No. 60, Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith at No. 76, Oregon safety Verone McKinley III at No. 91 and Missouri running back Tyler Badie at No. 100.
Trapasso features another trade down for the Ravens on Day 3, but first he picks cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis out of Alabama at No. 110, offensive lineman Marquis Hayes out of Oklahoma at No. 119, running back Pierre Strong out of South Dakota State No. 128 and running back Dameon Pierce out of Florida at No. 130. Then, he has the team trading No. 139 to the Denver Broncos in exchange for No. 152 and No. 206.
After the second trade down, Baltimore selects Ole Miss wide receiver Dontario Drummond at No. 141, Ole Miss linebacker Chase Campbell at No. 152, Auburn linebacker Zakoby McClain at No. 196, and Washington State cornerback Jaylen Watson at No. 206.
The combination of Ekwonu and Leal is a great way for the Ravens to improve their play in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Trapasso also has plenty of value picks, including Pierce at No. 130. However, taking 13 players in this class might be a bit too many, and instead of two trade downs the team could look to make one trade down then trade up with some of the capital they acquired.