The Baltimore Ravens mopped up at the 2020 NFL Draft, adding 10 new players and getting heaps of praise thrown on them for the value they picked and the needs they filled. But if you take a step back and look at what type of players the Ravens drafted, you’ll get a better idea of their strategy moving forward.
Not every team in the NFL is as good as Baltimore when it comes to scouting, drafting and developing players. The Ravens certainly have a history of greatness even though they’re one of the newer franchises in the league, respectively speaking. Baltimore has drafted Hall of Famers like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Jonathan Ogden, as well as future Hall of Famers Terrell Suggs and Marshal Yanda. While that level of greatness might not extend to their 2020 NFL Draft class, they’re sure to have added a bunch of impact players nonetheless.
But where the Ravens were really able to separate themselves this year was in establishing their strategy and building upon it. Baltimore honed in on a few key factors they wanted all their players to have while building up specific portions of their roster in order the further strengthen what they do best.
Finding winners:
“I think we just want winners,” general manager Eric DeCosta said in the post-draft press conference.
DeCosta was transparent here. After every night of the 2020 NFL Draft, DeCosta reiterated they were looking for players that performed well in the biggest games. He said the focus was to find players who knew how to step up when the level of competition increased, with the hopes that those guys would better be able to transition into the NFL.
“We want guys that are mature, that are fully developed, in terms of preparation, work ethic, approach and discipline,” DeCosta continued. “[With] some of the big schools, you get guys that … They come in and their process is close to being the same, and the adjustment is not quite as severe as it could be. Playing in big games – whatever level of football it really is – playing in big games matters.”
When you look at some of the guys the Ravens drafted, it’s clear they paid extra attention to film from their big games.
Baltimore’s first-round pick, linebacker Patrick Queen, was fresh off a national championship against Clemson in which he had eight total tackles including 2.5 for a loss, and a half sack.
Running back J.K. Dobbins also found another level when playing against Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl. Dobbins put up a 9.7 yards-per-carry average, rushing for 174 yards and a touchdown while adding another 47 yards on six receptions.
The transition to the NFL can be a rough one for every player, regardless of where they were selected. And that’s expected to be even worse this year with the coronavirus pandemic potentially shortening the in-person time these rookies will get with the coaching staff. Finding guys who already know how to get the job done might make them better prepared for facing the best of the best every single week in the NFL.