Baltimore Ravens Draft Blitz: Third Round
The Ravens have so many needs that they can not cover them in just two rounds. Luckily the Ravens have plenty of picks and will likely trade down for more. This piece is the third installment of the Baltimore Ravens Draft Blitz series where we analyze round by round who the Ravens could and should take.
In the third round the Ravens have two picks. Their first pick in the third round is at 10 and the second is at 14.
In the first round we said the Ravens should draft offensive lineman Forrest Lamp.
In the second round we said the Ravens should draft wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Ravens Team Needs
The Ravens still have needs left over from the previous two rounds. Though the Lamp pick helps bolster the offensive line, the team could still use a replacement right tackle. A running back would be a wise addition considering the question marks in the back rotation.
Defensively, the Ravens still need a playmaker in the secondary, particularly at corner. They will eventually need to replace Terrell Suggs as the main edge rusher. Also, after Zach Orr’s retirement, a hole has presumably opened up for one lucky draft pick next to C.J. Mosley at inside linebacker.
Player Fits
Alabama product Ryan Anderson has the looks of a likely long time starter as a 3-4 SAM linebacker. Though not receiving recognition from coaches, the media voted him first-team all-conference. Anderson had a very productive 2016 with 61 tackles, 19 TFL, nine sacks, three pass breakups, and one interception for a touchdown.
Antonio Garcia, a left tackle from Troy, could continue to bolster the offensive line. Though he posted solid tape, mass and functional strength are concerns for many scouts. Garcia also still needs to improve his technical proficiency. Despite the concerns Baltimore would be well served by drafting and stashing him and hoping on his upside.
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Western Michigan’s Taylor Moton was a four-year starter for the MAC powerhouse. With the size and potential to dominate the point of attack, Moton has become a coveted guard and tackle prospect. If the Ravens nab a guard earlier in the draft, Moton may not be a great fit as his movement and footwork is slow for tackle. Though he might need additional work before he is ready, Moton would be an affordable option in the third round.
Florida product Alex Anzalone’s college productivity and draft stock have been hampered by injuries. His size, speed, and athleticism will still be tempting for teams looking for a linebacker who can play every spot. If he stays healthy Anzalone has the talent to become a solid three-down starter in the league. Sidney Jones was supposed to be one of the first cornerbacks taken on draft day. After tearing his achilles at his pro day however, that is no longer the case. The injury is expected to sideline him for four to six months and puts him in real danger of not being ready for training camp. It even is possible that Jones could miss a couple of games or his entire rookie season. With the depth at corner in the first three rounds, teams could end up erring on the side of caution and taking healthy players with less upside. If Jones had stayed healthy he would have likely been a first-round pick. In the wake of his injury however, the Ravens have a chance at a huge steal.
The Best Pick(s)
There will be two picks in the third round for the Ravens. The first paragraph represents the third round’s tenth overall selection and the second paragraph represents the third round’s fourteenth overall selection. With the tenth pick in the third round the Ravens should select Ryan Anderson. The Alabama product is a perfect fit for the Ravens hybrid 3-4 defense and could eventually replace Terrell Suggs as the teams best pass rusher. Anderson will make an immediate impact on day one. With the fourteenth pick in the third round the Ravens should select Sidney Jones. If all goes well the Ravens will get one of the best corners in the draft at huge discount. This would not even be the Ravens first dealings with such an injury as Terrell Suggs was back on the field after five and half months earlier in his career.
— Patrick Backlas covers the Baltimore Ravens as a managing editor for cover32 Ravens. Connect and follow on Twitter @PatrickBacklas and @Cover32_bal
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