Tyus Bowser – Page 20 – Syndication Server

5 winners and 4 losers from the Ravens’ 2020 draft

With all the 2020 NFL Draft picks in, which Baltimore Ravens have to look over their shoulders and who can breathe a sigh of relief?

The 2020 NFL Draft came and went, and Baltimore Ravens once again were able to secure another impressive draft class. The team had 10 total draft picks and were able to capitalize on each of them by either taking the best player available on the board or getting great positional value.

Baltimore filled a lot of holes on their roster, got new weapons on both sides of the ball, and continued to stock up not only for the upcoming season but for the future as well. The long-term view by general manager Eric DeCosta and company is a big reason why the franchise has stayed so successful for years.

Although the Ravens got a great haul in the draft, 10 draft picks is a lot to house on a roster that is already so deep and went 14-2 just a season ago. For all the excitement a new draft class brings, it also means a few players have to look over their shoulders as their role on the team could be reduced or their roster spot will go elsewhere entirely.

Let’s take a look at four winners and three losers for Baltimore based on their 2020 draft.

Winner: QB Lamar Jackson

Jackson already led the Ravens to their best regular-season record in franchise history, won the league MVP and set a ton of franchise and NFL records in the process. While his second year was magical, a third-year ascension could be in play thanks to all the work DeCosta and the front office put into the 2020 NFL Draft.

While the team addressed defense in the first round, they selected running back J.K. Dobbins with the 55th overall selection. Dobbins was considered one of the best, if not the best, running back in the class. His selection proves that the Ravens are committed to building up the system that fits Jackson so well.

In the third round, the Ravens selected Devin Duvernay, the wide receiver out of Texas. In the sixth round, the team traded up and selected SMU wide receiver James Proche. The two wide receivers come to Baltimore known for their great hands and they’ll help Jackson by catching everything he throws while being versatile enough to be moved around to create mismatches. They’re a great fit with what offense the Ravens currently run.

The addition of extra offensive linemen are always welcome, and Tyre Phillips and Ben Bredeson should immediately compete for a starting job with Ben Powers and D.J. Fluker.

Jackson might have been sitting around watching the draft this year but he automatically becomes a winner in this process. The Ravens built around him, giving him weapons and protection for the next few years, clearly believing that he can grow even more as a quarterback in his third year.

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4 players the Ravens could try to trade at the 2020 NFL Draft

The Baltimore Ravens could look to add more picks in the 2020 NFL Draft or move up for a player they love, trading one of their own to do so

The Baltimore Ravens are scheduled to have nine picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, including seven in the first four rounds. With so many early-round picks, you might not think the Ravens have much of a need for even more. But with Baltimore’s love of stockpiling picks by trading back and some opportunities to move up for great prospects, the Ravens might be eager to pull off some trades in the 2020 NFL Draft.

But Baltimore doesn’t have to just use their nine picks to make moves. The Ravens have a handful of players currently on the roster that could garner some attention from other teams. Under general manager Eric DeCosta, Baltimore hasn’t been afraid to send a player packing and could look to do so on draft day for the right price.

With wheelin’ and dealin’ in mind, let’s take a look at four players who could be on the trading block during the 2020 NFL Draft.

OLB Matthew Judon

The most obvious and likely candidate to be traded on draft day is Judon. The Ravens used the franchise tag on him, which set them back $15.83 million on their salary cap. If Baltimore thinks they can replace him reasonably enough in the 2020 NFL Draft or in free agency following and they get the right package of picks presented to them, I think the Ravens would be willing to part with their leading sack producer from last season.

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2017 NFL Draft has been boom or bust for Ravens

Of the Baltimore Ravens’ seven picks in the 2017 NFL Draft, four are now no longer on the team while two have turned into stars.

The Baltimore Ravens are one of the best teams at scouting and drafting talent. They’ve been able to find stars and key contributors in pretty much every round over the last two decades. From guys like Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis in the first round to star outside linebacker Matthew Judon in the fifth round, you can usually count on Baltimore making the most of each draft.

However, the 2017 NFL Draft apparently ran hot or cold for the Ravens. With news that Baltimore is trading defensive end Chris Wormley to the Pittsburgh Steelers, it marks yet another 2017 draft pick that is no longer on the team.

Of the Ravens’ seven selections in that draft, four are now with different teams, with Wormley being the highest-drafted of the group. Offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor and Wormley have both been traded, guard Nico Siragusa was cut and eventually signed off Baltimore’s practice squad and outside linebacker Tim Williams was outright cut after struggling for four games last season.

On the flip side, when Baltimore hit, they hit hard. The Ravens’ first-round pick was Marlon Humphrey, who has turned into one of the best cornerbacks in the league. Safety Chuck Clark was Baltimore’s sixth-round pick and their final of the 2017 NFL Draft. Though he might not be well known around the league, the Ravens clearly think highly of him, signing him to a three-year contract extension early.

The only player remaining that hasn’t situated himself in the hot or cold category is former second-round pick outside linebacker Tyus Bowser. Prior to last season, it seemed as though Bowser could be on his way out as a failed project but he stepped up his game over the course of the 2019 season. Bowser finished with five sacks, 14 pressures and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. As Bowser enters his final year, this is his make-or-break season and the last chance for Baltimore to ring everything out of the 2017 NFL Draft.

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