Shaun Wade has the potential to do big things with the Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens feel like they were able to secure a phenominal 2021 draft class. Headlined by players like Rashod Bateman and Odafe Oweh, the team drafted for need while also taking talented players in the process.
One player who has the potential to be an absolute steal for Baltimore is cornerback Shaun Wade. The former Ohio State defensive back was selected by the Ravens with the 171st overall pick in the draft. He suffered a massive fall in the 2021 draft as opposed to where he would have gone in 2020 due to an interesting story.
Wade originally decided to return to Ohio State after having a fabulous 2019 season from the slot. Many slotted him in as a first or second round selection in the 2020 draft. However, he wanted to play for his school and hoped to improve his draft stock in the process. After the Coronavirus pandemic swept over the world, he opted out of the 2020 college football season, only to reverse that decision a few months later. The choices he made did not go as planned.
The former Buckeye struggled immensely during the 2020 season after moving from the slot to the outside. He effectively tanked his draft in doing so, which put Baltimore in the position to select him in the fifth round of the 2021 draft instead of potentially much higher just one year ago.
Despite losing out on being a Day 1 or even a Day 2 selection, Wade’s fall might have been a blessing in a disguise for all parties. It’s believed that the cornerback is viewed as a slot option by the Ravens, which is where Wade is at his strongest. He also will have the opportunity to learn from some of the best cornerbacks in the league including Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Jimmy Smith, and even Tavon Young. That should help him be able to hone in on his skills while not being pressured by playing significant snaps early unless there are a plethora of injuries.
Being selected in the fifth round will most likely motivate Wade to prove the teams that passed on him wrong. He’ll work to be the best cornerback he can be, and it’s arguable that he couldn’t have landed in a better spot than Baltimore. There’s no denying his ability, and with him most likely moving back inside, he has the potential to be one of the biggest steals of the 2021 draft.
