It’s only the middle of the 2020 NFL season and so much is likely to change over the next few months, not only for the Baltimore Ravens but the rest of the league as well. But that’s not going to stop us from taking a peek ahead to the 2021 NFL Draft and what Baltimore could be looking to do to improve their team for another Super Bowl run.
Using The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator, I acted as Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta and made Baltimore’s first-round selection. With the No. 30 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, I had the Ravens select Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth.
With so many more pressing needs, like at outside linebacker and the offensive line, you’d be right to question why I took a tight end in the first round. But with few interior offensive linemen available and Baltimore bolstering its pass rush by trading for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, adding another capable blocker and pass catcher for quarterback Lamar Jackson seemed like the wisest decision. And when you see what Freiermuth can do on the field and hear what pundits are calling him, it makes even more sense.
Frequently called “baby Gronk” for how similar he plays to former New England Patriots and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski, Freiermuth is the perfect fit for what the Ravens like to do. In Baltimore’s offense, they love big-bodied tight ends capable of acting as an extra tackle when blocking and fast enough to create problems as a pass-catching threat. Both Gronkowski and Freiermuth are adept at both phases of the game.
Draft analyst Kyle Crabbs is high on Freiermuth, helping put him 14th on The Draft Network’s big board. Just take a glance at some of the positives he saw in Freiermuth’s game.
“For a true sophomore, his polish is pretty stellar. He’s got a clear and firm grasp on the little things that can lie to defenders — whether that is stalk blocking into a delayed release to leak into space as a pass catcher, how to step around jams at the line of scrimmage with his hand in the dirt or how to attack the football in the air and dominate at the catch point. Nickname is “Baby Gronk” — and while the comparison is ambitious, you can see clearly where it came from.”
In just one game this season, Freiermuth caught seven passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. Over the last two years, Freiermuth has caught 69 passes for 875 yards and 15 touchdowns — an average of 4.6 receptions, 58 yards, and one touchdown per game at Penn State. When you see some of his college highlights, it’s easy to see how he’s so prolific.
Granted, the Ravens do have both Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle at tight end. However, Andrews’ rookie deal will wrap up following the 2021 season and he very likely will be too expensive to keep around. Likewise, Boyle’s contract has him set to hit free agency following the 2021 season. He too could be too expensive given his limited role as a receiver in Baltimore’s scheme. Drafting Freiermuth would give the Ravens a year with all three tight ends in the lineup and a chance to groom their rookie into a star before potentially having to move on from Andrews and Boyle.
Baltimore has frequently drafted players before they’re actually needed as it plays the long game in terms of acquiring and grooming top talent. Getting Freiermuth might not make as much sense as selecting a pass rusher, wide receiver, or interior offensive lineman; but it would pay off quickly to keep Baltimore’s offense flowing with Jackson under center.
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