• Welcome to PurpleFlock! Be sure to sign up here so that you can chat with your fellow Ravens fans.

Simba's One and Only Mock Draft

Simba

Staff Member
Moderator
I've been a little slow on the gun this year with draft prospects, so this isn't going to be as detailed or thought out as it usually is. I'd also typically post this on Thursday, but I have a long week ahead of me so let's post it a little early. Skipping the entirety of the 1st round and just doing a Ravens mock this year as well.

Round 1, Pick 28:
usatsi_9527408.jpg

Josh Jones | OT | Houston
I've been saying for awhile that a "sliding" T that projects at G as well could be the pick, so let's mock it. Jones needs some work, but this is the exact type of guy that Joe D and the Ravens have done so well with over the years - all of the physical stuff but just a boost needed in the technique. Bonus points for being able to be a swing T as well.

Round 2, Pick 55:
elliott-feature.jpg

Jordan Elliott | DT | Missouri
To preface this, I think this might be more of a trade up scenario, but I'm not projecting that here. Regardless, the DL overhaul continues, and this time, we get a true 3T. I think we're done with this idea of always 2-gapping. Get a guy that has some explosion off the line and let him eat.

Round 2, Pick 60:

ZunigaJabari_160917_0000469_JayMetz.jpg

Jabari Zuniga | OLB | Florida
I know this is earlier than most people will probably have him, but Zuniga has moments of being an absolute standout pass rusher and I think team will have him ranked higher than most. The upside is huge but he's going to need some work. At the very least, I think you have a sub-package rusher in year 1.

Round 3, Pick 92:

usatsi_10262691-e1586451949254.jpg

Malik Harrison | ILB | Ohio State
I'm taking the FO at their word when they say they think there are ILB's in all rounds that can help. Harrison isn't the perfect fleet of foot coverage guy that most people would like to see, but that's okay. He's a downhill thumper and should be able to eat behind the DL we've been building.

Round 3, Pick 106:

van-jefferson-michael-wade-icon-sportswire_orig.jpg

Van Jefferson | WR | Florida
Finally, a WR, and let's double dip at Florida. Most people are probably looking for an outside WR, and I don't disagree. But when is the last time we've had a true route runner operating out of the slot? Enter Jefferson, who runs some of these cleanest routes I've seen in this draft. Not super fast, but has that twitch in his game and should work well in the middle of the field that Lamar has been dominating.

Round 4, Pick 129:


1077809718.jpg.0.jpg


John Reid | CB | Penn State

The Ravens love to draft CBs and we have a lot with length. This time, we get some insurance for the slot with Tavon's injury history. Reid isn't the sexiest pick, but is a pesky player and has that mentality I like out of the slot. Long speed is a question mark, but should be a solid contributor on D and on ST.


Round 4, Pick 134:

FB_Web.jpg

Kevin Dotson | G | Louisiana
The OL needs some depth, so let's double dip with a somewhat smaller school guy that dominated the competition. He's not a big name, but with his nasty streak, I wouldn't want to fight him. Like the Jones pick, he's going to need some work on technique, but has so many of the physical attributes.

Round 5, Pick 170:

usatsi_13864225.jpg

Josiah Deguara | TE | Cincinnati
Deguara isn't really a true TE, but I could see us targeting a guy like him that can play in multiple roles and add a few more wrinkles to the offense. He's a willing blocker, good catcher, and should do a variety of things to help. Not the truest TE we've ever had but a nice little chess piece.


Round 7, Pick 225:

09212019_FB_UNA_MR_129.jpg

Josh Pearson | WR | Jacksonville State
It's a deep WR class, so let's add another. Pearson burst onto the scene last year and put up some impressive athletic numbers. I'm a sucker for late round/UDFA types of WRs so this one is a no brainer for a Simba mock.
 

rossihunter2

Staff Member
Moderator
Love Dotson as a late pickup - great lead blocker through the hole, frequently looked like he was a bodyguard escorting LBs out of the club all over his tape - really dominant and physical with huge upside

Don't love Josh Jones - I get wanting one of the top tackles to slide inside but ironically i think Josh Jones is one of the few tackles where I wouldn't really want to do that... in that sort of range I'd rather have Isaiah Wilson (or Robert Hunt) as a tackle-to-guard prospect

I really love Zuniga, 60 might be a bit too rich for my taste but he's a great fit in Baltimore and fits that mould we have for EDGE guys who can rush from all over the DL from a standup role - Mcphee to ZDS back to Mcphee and maybe on to Zuniga? Would be great if we could get him with the 106th pick because then he's literally got with the 3rd round comp pick we got from CJ (but basically also ZDS)

in my mock i took him with the 92nd pick but yeah he would be a great addition

Elliott is my least favourite of that group of 5 DL in tier 2 - as such he's the one i think most realistically could slide to our pick in round 2 and would be great value

Malik Harrison would be a great fit I think for what we need in a LB right now - first and foremost they have to be able to read, react and come downhill and get off blocks - you can have all the athletic talent in the world but if you cant read and make good choices you wont last in Wink's defence as we saw last year with Bynes and Fort coming in - add onto that Harrison isnt a brilliant athlete but he's also not limited athletically - just doesnt compare to some of the rangy athletes elsewhere in this LB class - but he does add length to the position which helped him in senior bowl practices when dropping into zone - his pass coverage is an underated aspect of his game - he would be a really nice pickup in the 3rd round and a good fit to come in and make an impact as the Mike on this defence straight away

Van Jefferson is someone I go back and forth on just because he's going to struggle potentially with better corners just sitting down on his underneath routes because they dont think he can beat them over the top - he's crafty but unless he can prove he can threaten CBs behind them he's not going to have a lot of space to operate in - that remains to be seen whether he can do that and he's got some wiggle - it's certainly a good sign that he was effective against Derek Stingley last year and the senior bowl did a lot for him

A big problem for Reid is that he's not a contributor on special teams and I dont love him vs some of the other slot options who might be available - josiah scott, darnay holmes if he falls, essang bassey among others - but the idea of getting a nickel in round 4 is something i like

Congratulations on Josh Pearson - you've found a player I'd not even heard of before lol

but i'll say it again - would be absolutely pumped about the Dotson pick
 

Simba

Staff Member
Moderator
Love Dotson as a late pickup - great lead blocker through the hole, frequently looked like he was a bodyguard escorting LBs out of the club all over his tape - really dominant and physical with huge upside

Don't love Josh Jones - I get wanting one of the top tackles to slide inside but ironically i think Josh Jones is one of the few tackles where I wouldn't really want to do that... in that sort of range I'd rather have Isaiah Wilson (or Robert Hunt) as a tackle-to-guard prospect

I really love Zuniga, 60 might be a bit too rich for my taste but he's a great fit in Baltimore and fits that mould we have for EDGE guys who can rush from all over the DL from a standup role - Mcphee to ZDS back to Mcphee and maybe on to Zuniga? Would be great if we could get him with the 106th pick because then he's literally got with the 3rd round comp pick we got from CJ (but basically also ZDS)

in my mock i took him with the 92nd pick but yeah he would be a great addition

Elliott is my least favourite of that group of 5 DL in tier 2 - as such he's the one i think most realistically could slide to our pick in round 2 and would be great value

Malik Harrison would be a great fit I think for what we need in a LB right now - first and foremost they have to be able to read, react and come downhill and get off blocks - you can have all the athletic talent in the world but if you cant read and make good choices you wont last in Wink's defence as we saw last year with Bynes and Fort coming in - add onto that Harrison isnt a brilliant athlete but he's also not limited athletically - just doesnt compare to some of the rangy athletes elsewhere in this LB class - but he does add length to the position which helped him in senior bowl practices when dropping into zone - his pass coverage is an underated aspect of his game - he would be a really nice pickup in the 3rd round and a good fit to come in and make an impact as the Mike on this defence straight away

Van Jefferson is someone I go back and forth on just because he's going to struggle potentially with better corners just sitting down on his underneath routes because they dont think he can beat them over the top - he's crafty but unless he can prove he can threaten CBs behind them he's not going to have a lot of space to operate in - that remains to be seen whether he can do that and he's got some wiggle - it's certainly a good sign that he was effective against Derek Stingley last year and the senior bowl did a lot for him

A big problem for Reid is that he's not a contributor on special teams and I dont love him vs some of the other slot options who might be available - josiah scott, darnay holmes if he falls, essang bassey among others - but the idea of getting a nickel in round 4 is something i like

Congratulations on Josh Pearson - you've found a player I'd not even heard of before lol

but i'll say it again - would be absolutely pumped about the Dotson pick

Just to go down the list...

I like Jones to slide inside, but admittedly I've done a lot less work on some of these guys than I normally would have. Time is is stretch nowadays lol. I just like his ability to move as I think that's a big thing we'll be missing out of Yanda.

I was flip flopping on the DL. Like Madubuike too but not convinced he'll be there. Regardless, think we'll have a few options in this range.

For Zuniga, I expected that. I'm anticipating that a guy with that type of talent at a pretty weak position will probably go earlier. And since you mentioned ZDS and McPhee, I could see the Ravens having a higher grade on him than most.

That's what I like about Harrison. Not sexy but gets the job done and I think he fits really well here. Has some Donta Hightower to him. Not as much of an edge but the inside tank that you don't want to run into in the hole.

I get it on Jefferson. Just opting to guess that the Ravens go a little different route than we all expected. Lamar works well in the middle of the field so having a good route runner is something I think they could place a premium on, especially without Hurst now.

Reid was my tough one. In a perfect world, I would have loved Amik Robertson or Josiah Scott, but not sure they'll be there late 4th. I anticipate some moving in this draft though so never say never.

Dotson is one of my favorites. Love a G that plays to the whistle and just wants to fight anyone across from him.

And lastly, Pearson. Going mostly off of Twitter highlights/cutups but he looks good at quick glance. Good size. Good speed. Good hands. Taking a guess but it's late 7th so I like throwing darts like that.
 

Fast Eddie

Practice Squad
Jordan Elliott seems to be a fan favorite on this board. So I'd be pumped to see us get him.

I think DT is a weak point right now in respect to pass rush.
 
Top