The 2023 NFL Draft is now less than three weeks away. The Baltimore Ravens hold the No. 22 overall pick. Their team needs include wide receiver, offensive line, cornerback, EDGE and possibly running back.
As we get closer to draft day, more and more mock drafts are made available to us. Let’s take a look at what direction some of the various draft analysts have the Ravens going.
Todd McShay, ESPN
Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
I like the idea of the big 6-3 receiver in new coordinator Todd Monken’s offense. Johnston is still refining his route running, but he has a big catch radius, can make plays in the vertical pass game and will pick up chunks of yardage after the catch. The Ravens averaged 12.2 yards per catch on throws to wideouts last season (23rd in the NFL), so having a player like Johnston on the outside could take the offense to another level.
Daniel Jeremiah, FL Network
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
How fun would this be? Joey Porter to the Ravens. That just sounds amazing. He would be a tremendous value at a position of need for Baltimore.
Mike Tannenbaum, ESPN
Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
Mark Andrews led the Ravens in receiving last season with 848 yards. The next closest player? Demarcus Robinson at 458 yards. No Ravens wide receiver scored more than three times and the only addition this offseason has been Nelson Agholor. Rashod Bateman, a 2021 first-rounder, has missed 16 games over the past two seasons, too. Long story short, the Ravens desperately need a difference-making wideout. Flowers has game-breaking speed and quickness, and he posted tremendous numbers last season with 78 catches for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Bucky Brooks, NFL Network
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Perhaps new offensive coordinator Todd Monken can create a scheme that maximizes pass catchers on the perimeter while retaining the physicality of Baltimore’s running game. Smith-Njigba is a polished pass catcher with the route-running skills and hands to thrive against one-on-one coverage at the next level.
The Draft Network
Jordan Addison, WR, USC
Let’s assume Lamar Jackson remains a Raven in 2023. If so, adding wide receiver talent is important. Jordan Addison would be a nice complement to Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay at the wide receiver position. His route-running and ability to find soft spots in zone as a quick passing option would benefit this offense.
USA Today Sports
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Darius Slay revealed this weekend on his podcast that he was “this close” to linking up with Baltimore before returning to the Eagles. That pursuit should make clear that a team that has been otherwise nearly motionless in free agency is on the hunt for a cornerback opposite Marlon Humphrey. In this scenario, the Ravens follow up last year’s Kyle Hamilton selection by again landing another dynamic playmaker in coverage who drops further in the first round than many expected.
The Sporting News
Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
The rise of the other corners means the Ravens can benefit by getting Smith, the former consensus No. 1 prospect at the position. Smith did look pretty smooth in the positional drills to think he will be a solid plug-and-playmaking starter replacing Marcus Peters.
Pro Football Network
Bryan Bresee, DL, Clemson
As football becomes more and more positionless, writing about the game becomes as frustrating as it is rewarding. Yes, Bryan Bresee was a defensive tackle for Clemson. However, some of his best tape actually came from him playing as a 5-technique, and he has the length, strength and athletic ability to blur the line between EDGE and DT. Injuries and personal tragedy harmed his production in 2022, but that could mean Baltimore gets him at a discount. BT