Stock up, stock down from Ravens’ 17-14 preseason win over Saints

Stock up, stock down from Ravens’ 17-14 preseason win over Saints

The Baltimore Ravens took down the New Orleans Saints in their opening game of the 2021 preseason by the score of 17-14. There were a lot of takeaways from the game on all three sides of the ball for Baltimore, both good and bad.

Plenty of players either increased or decreased their stock based off of their performance on Saturday night. Many showed why they deserved a roster spot, while other faltered in live game action.

We take a look at which Ravens made their stock go up and who saw their stock fall in the preseason opener.

Ravens sign 6 of 10 draft picks, including RB J.K. Dobbins

The Baltimore Ravens are quickly getting their massive draft class under contract, officially signing six of their 10 2020 NFL Draft picks.

The Baltimore Ravens aren’t messing around when it comes to getting their 10-man 2020 NFL Draft class signed. The Ravens have been making quick work of the paperwork, officially having six of their 10 picks now signed.

The Ravens announced they’ve signed the following of their draft picks to rookie contracts:

RB J.K. Dobbins – 2nd round

DT Justin Madubuike – 3rd round

OL Ben Bredeson – 5th round

WR James Proche – 6th round

S Geno Stone – 7th round

Baltimore was the first team in the NFL to sign one of their draft picks, getting fifth-round defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr. under contract on Tuesday. With six of their draft picks under contract, the Ravens have just four players remaining, including first-round pick Patrick Queen.

Though the rookie pay scale makes getting contracts ironed out a lot easier than a decade ago, it’s still not a done deal from the moment the phone rings on draft day. In recent years, we’ve seen picks get signed just before training camp begins and even players hold out into the regular season over intricacies in their contracts. The Ravens getting so many of their draft picks signed this early eliminates just one hurdle in what has already been a tumultuous offseason.

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Ravens earn ‘C’ grade for DT Broderick Washington pick in 5th round

Whether or not Washington becomes a considerable force on the defensive front will take some time discern.

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Eric DeCosta continues to make revamping and building up the defensive front-seven a top priority this offseason for the Baltimore Ravens, selecting Texas Tech DT Broderick Washington with pick No. 170 in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Draft Grade: C

Washington is considered undersized for a defensive tackle but makes up for that with aggressive hands and upper-body power. He does bring a solid work ethic, as well as instincts and leadership qualities with him to the Ravens, something that Baltimore brass both admire and covet.

While this pick certainly adds depth to the defensive line that has gone through a bit of an overhaul, it just doesn’t feel like it addresses a need, which the Ravens haven’t done enough of thus far in this draft. Aside from selecting Patrick Queen in the first round, many of the early picks felt like “best available” choices, having completely ignored their need at edge rusher.

Whether or not Washington becomes a considerable force on the defensive front will take some time to discern. Until then, I’m not sure depth trumps need at this point in the draft.

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Instant analysis of Ravens selecting Texas Tech DT Broderick Washington

The Ravens have taken their second defensive tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft, adding another big body to a crowded defensive line room.

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The Ravens have used the 170th pick to select their second defensive tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft, taking Texas Tech’s Broderick Washington Jr. The selection adds another big body to their already frightening rotation of defensive linemen.

A little undersized for a typical defensive tackle, Washington gets the job done as a run-stuffing interior defensive lineman. Washington utilized his great strength and a bulldog mentality that matches the mean streaks of his opposition to disrupt offensive game plans. He’s a leader, earning team-captain status at Texas Tech.

After looking at some of his plays, he reminds me a bit of Ravens defensive tackle Brandon Williams. He relies primarily on brute force to make his way into the backfield. Washington is a little stiff and inconsistent in both shedding blocks and leverage, which limits his ability to get upfield as a pass rusher.

As a fifth-round pick, it should be pretty obvious that Washington is a developmental depth option. He does some things well and he could polish up into a rotational piece but in a crowded defensive line group, it’ll be difficult seeing him get much playing time early on.

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Report: Texans meet virtually with Texas Tech DL Broderick Washington

The Houston Texans had a virtual meeting with Texas Tech defensive lineman Broderick Washington, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

The Houston Texans continue their due diligence to find help along the defensive line in the 2020 NFL Draft.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans had a virtual meeting with former Texas Tech defensive tackle Broderick Washington.

The 6-2, 305-pound interior defensive lineman had a chance to showcase his talents until the COVID-19 derailed the typical NFL offseason. The Longview High School product had was selected to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, was added to the Senior Bowl roster, and had an impressive showing at the NFL Scouting Combine with 23 reps, even though he partially tore his pectoral on the seventh rep.

The Texans aren’t the only team interested in the three-time honorable All-Big 12 selection. Washington has meetings setup with the Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, and Washington.

If the Texans were to add Washington, he would help retool a defensive tackle position that lost D.J. Reader in free agency and is counting on returning Brandon Dunn and free agent Timmy Jernigan to fill the void.

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Texas Tech’s Broderick Washington says Patrick Mahomes is the toughest QB he’s faced

Texas Tech’s Broderick Washington sat down with Chiefs Wire Contributor Ed Easton Jr regarding his battles in practice with Patrick Mahomes and his character as a teammate. 

The legend of Patrick Mahomes grows exponentially with every new story from the people that have crossed paths with him over the years. The reigning Super Bowl MVP’s name continues to make it’s way around the 2020 NFL Combine as former opponents and teammates share their thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback.

The latest opinion comes from a defensive lineman and former Texas Tech teammate, Broderick Washington. Washington sat down with Chiefs Wire contributor Ed Easton Jr and when asked the toughest QB he’s ever faced, he immediately answered: “Mahomes.”

“The way he played the game,” Washington began. “It’d be times at practice when you think you got him, but right before you get there, somebody ends up being open or he throws a receiver open. And it’s just really difficult because he really sneaky fast and he’s a great player overall. I feel like he’s the hardest quarterback that I’ve had to face.”

Washington played one season with Mahomes and had plenty of positive feedback from his interactions with the future league MVP.

“He’s pretty much a cool laid back guy,” Washington said. “He was always working, always trying to find ways to get better himself, and he was just an all-around pro pretty much.”

Washington revealed he had an informal conversation with Chiefs personnel staff. He’s looking forward to improving his value through the on-field workouts at the combine. Perhaps with a solid performance, he could find himself in Kansas City, playing with his former teammate once again.