Karlaftis often faced double or even triple teams at Purdue, but he wins with power, heavy hands, a quick first step and a relentless motor. At 275 pounds, the true junior has inside-outside versatility. Justin Houston will be a free agent next month.
With Johnson off the board, Penning absolutely could be in play here -- even with Charles Cross still on the board. Penning's nasty demeanor could make him a perfect Ravens tackle, and he should put on a show at the combine for his size.
If this offense is going to operate at full speed, the offensive line needs to be reloaded. Offensive tackle may be the bigger need, but the better value in this scenario is along the interior, where Linderbaum is the rare center prospect worthy of top-15 consideration.
The Ravens went 8-9, but they were ravaged by injuries and are set up for a bounce-back year. A key to getting back on track will be protecting Lamar Jackson -- who missed five games in 2021 -- and opening lanes for J.K. Dobbins, who will return from a torn ACL. Tackle is the big question mark on the offensive line, with Ronnie Stanley missing 26 regular-season games over the past two years and Alejandro Villanueva turning 34 in September. Maybe Northern Iowa's Trevor Penning is the pick?
I instead opted for Linderbaum, who is one of the best 15 players in the class. Current Ravens center Bradley Bozeman is a free agent, and Linderbaum anchors well and is effective as a combo blocker at the second level. He'd help a Baltimore front that allowed 57 sacks last season (second most).
The Ravens are always one of the more fascinating clubs on draft day, sprinkling in surprises while filling key areas of concern. On paper, the Ravens appear well stocked along the offensive line, with multiple early draft picks and key free agents invested there, including with left tackle Ronnie Stanley and right tackle Alejandro Villanueva.
Stanley's struggles with injuries, however, could open the door for a surprise early selection of a tackle, and there is no denying that Penning plays with the kind of ferocity that GM Eric DeCosta and John Harbaugh love up front. Penning distanced himself from the other senior tackles in this class with a commanding performance at the Senior Bowl, likely cementing a top-15 pick.
A scheme-diverse 6-5, 275-pounder, Walker can do it all from applying pressure to dropping into coverage if needed. He only had 9½ sacks in three seasons with the Dawgs, but the ability is there -- and so is the need for a 25th-ranked defense about to lose veterans such as Calais Campbell and Justin Houston from its front.
With both Justin Houston and Calais Campbell headed for free agency, the Ravens need to bolster their edge rusher group. Walker can slide in and contribute right away, and along with Odafe Oweh, Tyus Bowser, and Justin Madubuike, would add to the team's new young nucleus up front.
Ronnie Stanley is great when active, but he's missed the most of the last two seasons and is a health risk currently. Even if he's back, the Ravens' offensive line needs upgrades. Penning has the size and athleticism to play either left or right tackle from Day 1.
The Ravens could play Penning at either tackle spot, and the FCS All-American will have fun coming off the ball with bad intentions in the team's running game.
Penning was built to run-block. The Ravens are built to run the ball. It's a match made in heaven. While Baltimore has already re-signed both tackles long-term, Patrick Mekari could easily kick inside.
Following his 2019 true freshman season, Stingley seemed destined to be the CB1 lock in this draft class, but he has played only 10 games since then and not at the same elite level. One of the youngest prospects in the draft (he turns 21 in June), the former five-star recruit has prototypical size and length, and elite athleticism and ball skills. If he reaches his potential at the next level, the duo of A.J. Terrell and Stingley will make it extremely difficult for opposing quarterbacks.
The Falcons are in an interesting spot here, with no obvious pairing jumping out. But assuming they add pass-rush help in free agency, getting some depth at corner might not be a bad idea. Gardner and A.J. Terrell could make a very tough pair to throw against on the outside.
The Falcons could go in one of many different directions here, but you can never go wrong when you prioritize overall value and quality offensive line talent. Cross is barely scratching the surface of his potential, and was battle-tested against some of the nation's best competition in the SEC.
A team has used top-10 picks on pass-catchers in back-to-back drafts three times since 1967, so this might seem odd for a roster that just went 7-10. But the offense could lose five of the eight players who had at least 70 receiving yards last season to free agency, and it's possible the Falcons additionally look to trade Calvin Ridley, who played in five games last year while taking time off to focus on his mental health. London, meanwhile, was on his way to a massive campaign for USC before breaking his right ankle in October. He's a 6-foot-5 target who has the body control and contact balance to make plays over the middle, the speed to produce vertically and the instincts to create against different defensive looks.
The Falcons passed on a strong QB class at No. 4 last April to draft tight end Kyle Pitts, but it might decide to go that route now. Matt Ryan is their guy for 2022, but if they fall in love with one of the signal-callers, it's a good spot to draft an heir to sit and learn behind Ryan. Perhaps Pitt's Kenny Pickett could fit.
The Falcons finished dead last in the NFL in sacks in 2021, and it wasn't close, as they took down opposing quarterbacks just 18 times in 17 games (the Eagles were next on the list with 29 sacks). With the top-rated edge rushers (Hutchinson and Thibodeaux) long gone by this point, Atlanta faces a fascinating decision here, as this class is talented and deep but not limitless.
The Falcons certainly know Johnson well, as he signed as a highly touted prep with the Georgia Bulldogs before transferring and starring at Florida State and, more recently, in the Senior Bowl.
A native of Nigeria who grew up in Scotland, he had one tackle as a sophomore in 2020, so bit of an understatement to deem Ojabo raw. But what a breakout during his junior year, when the 6-5, 250-pounder erupted for 11 sacks -- though it certainly didn't hurt playing opposite Hutchinson. Atlanta, which hasn't had a player register even five sacks in the past two seasons, desperately needs a player who can bring the heat. The Falcons' 18 sacks in 2021 were 11 fewer than the next-worst team. And given they're in a bit of a rebuild situation, Ojabo should have a grace period to refine his skills.
If the Falcons want to get the most out of Matt Ryan's final year or two with the team, they've got to do a better job of keeping him upright in the pocket. Linderbaum is a plug-and-play starter for this offense who would provide a boost to both the passing game and ground attack.
The Falcons are the ideal situation for Malik Willis to thrive given the presence of Matt Ryan for the 2022 season. Willis can learn, acclimate and improve on a plan very similar to the one put in place for Trey Lance by the San Francisco 49ers. His arm talent and elusiveness as a runner are electric.
Pairing Stingley with A.J. Terrell would give the Falcons defense remarkable potential. Terrell is already one of the best shut-down corners in the league, while Stingley has been the same at the collegiate level. Over his college career, the LSU product broke up or picked off 26 of his 129 targets in coverage.
Addressing one of Miami's biggest needs heading into the offseason would help to support Tua Tagovailoa's development. Olave is a polished route-runner with the ability to be a weapon in the vertical passing game. The former Buckeye holds the school record with 35 receiving touchdowns and has averaged 15.4 yards per catch over his career.
The Dolphins have spent plenty of resources on the line the past few years, but the results have not been good enough. We know Mike McDaniel wants to run the ball, and Miami's biggest OL problem has been figuring out who lines up best where. Green can solve both: He's an aggressive mauler in the run game and has played four of the five OL spots. We think he's best at guard.
The Dolphins are hoping new head coach Mike McDaniel can get the most out of Tua Tagovailoa, and while it might be tempting to take a receiver here, this offense isn't going anywhere until the offensive line is fixed. Green is an athletic, physical blocker who could play guard or tackle at the next level.
The Dolphins' offensive line is a mess, but it's not for a lack of trying. They've used four picks on Day 1 or Day 2 of the draft on the position group over the past three years. Not much has panned out, though, as Miami's 46.6% pass block win rate was last in the NFL in 2021. And only the Texans average fewer yards per carry on the ground than the Dolphins' 3.6. Penning is a mauler with a lot of upside. He pushes defenders off the ball and moves pretty well for a 6-foot-7, 321-pounder.
With tight end Mike Gesicki off to free agency, this is another team that could use Colorado State's Trey McBride. But I just can't imagine Miami focusing anywhere but offensive line. Things could change once free agency sorts itself out, but GM Chris Grier has to find a way to keep oft-injured quarterback Tua Tagovailoa upright.
When healthy, former third-round pick Michael Deiter has solidified the middle of Miami's offensive line. However, Deiter played in just five games last season and might be viewed as more of a stopgap solution or guard-center combo than as a potential future Pro Bowler like Linderbaum, who is easily the top center in this class.
The head coach, Mike McDaniel, might be new, but the necessity to safeguard – and better evaluate – QB Tua Tagovailoa does not change. One seemingly obvious way to do that is by upgrading one of the league's worst offensive lines with an athletic tackle.
The Dolphins got quarterback Tua Tagovailoa a big-play receiver in Jaylen Waddle in last year's draft. With this pick, they get him some help on the ground. Hall is an all-around playmaker who could help revitalize Miami's basically nonexistent run game, which would take a whole lot of pressure off of Tagovailoa in 2022.
No matter who is coaching or quarterbacking, the offensive line needs addressed in Miami. Bernhard Raimann didn't have quite the Senior Bowl bump I expected, but he still showed himself to be a viable Round 1 option at either tackle spot.
Wilson is the kind of yards after the catch threat Mike McDaniel will assuredly covet in his offense. The Ohio State pass-catcher broke 19 tackles on 70 receptions this past season.
Injuries decimated the Baltimore roster in 2021, but center Bradley Bozeman had a solid season. The problem? He's now a free agent and could get more money on the open market. The Ravens could turn to the draft for his replacement, and if Linderbaum is on the board at No. 14, they would upgrade. Linderbaum is pro-ready right now -- he already has great technique and is already a great run and pass-blocker. This one makes a ton of sense.
Barring significant injuries again, Baltimore is well-positioned for another playoff run in 2022. It needs to keep Lamar Jackson clean in the pocket, and Linderbaum will certainly help there.
Good players just seem to fall to the Ravens in the draft, right? That is the case here because it wouldn't surprise me if Walker ends up being one of the best defensive players from this draft class. With players like Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams set to hit free agency, the Ravens' defensive line could look very different in 2022.
What McDuffie lacks in size -- 5-foot-11, 195 pounds -- he makes up for in short-area quicks and polish. On 296 coverage snaps in 2021, he allowed just 16 catches from 36 targets for 111 yards and zero touchdowns, earning an impressive 88.7 PFF coverage grade in the process.
With aging veterans Justin Houston and Pernell McPhee hitting free agency and Tyus Bowser expected to miss significant time with an Achilles injury, the Ravens need a pass rusher. Like rookie Odafe Oweh, his former teammate at New Jersey's Blair Academy, the 6-5, 250-pound Ojabo is a raw prospect with outstanding athleticism and speed. He racked up 11 sacks and a program-record five forced fumbles this season.
Keeping Lamar Jackson upright remains a priority and the way the Ravens' offensive line got hit with injuries this season makes bringing in somebody like Green with five-tool versatility a priority.
You might want to constantly replenish the talent on your offensive line if running the football is your team's identity. Cross is a powerful blocker who can do damage at the second level in the run game with premium athleticism and his target-lock awareness. He developed into a dominant pass protector this season and could end up cracking the top-10 in April.
A singularly calamitous spate of injuries this past season makes the Ravens particularly difficult to read. But even after Lamar Jackson missed five games, it's readily evident that the team's protection is in disarray after the line allowed 57 sacks, the second-highest total in the NFL. Though true centers seldom earn this consideration -- the last to be taken in the top 15 picks was Steve Everitt to the Browns in 1993 -- Linderbaum is a uniquely talented blocker who can unlock even more possibilities in the Ravens' diverse run game.
The Ravens could a number of directions with this pick, but nothing can be more meaningful than adding to the offensive line with the return of a healthy Lamar Jackson and J.K. Dobbins in 2022. They need an answer at right tackle and Trevor Penning is a perfect fit.
A massive, road-grading blocker, Penning is the type of offensive lineman we've seen Baltimore gravitate toward in the past. He could help stabilize the tackle spot, especially if Ronnie Stanley returns to form after his latest injury.
There's no way the Bengals would take back their choice of wideout Ja'Marr Chase over offensive tackle Penei Sewell in last year's draft, but you saw this season why so many of us thought they would take Sewell. Joe Burrow was sacked 55 times -- third most in the league -- and the offense averaged 4.0 yards per rush, which ranked 26th. It ranked 30th in ESPN's pass block win rate metric. This is a below-average offensive line. Luckily for the Bengals, this is a deep tackle class at the top.
The 6-foot-7 Penning towered over defenders at the FCS level, and he was rarely challenged. He makes things look easy. Yes, it's a big leap to the NFL, but I think he has the traits to be an early starter. If Cincinnati wants to keep 2019 first-rounder Jonah Williams on the left side, Penning could easily slot in at right tackle, where free-agent-to-be Riley Reiff played for most of 2021.
Maybe this is an overreaction to watching Vernon Hargreaves trying to cover the Raiders, but with Eli Apple a pending free agent, cornerback could be in the mix here. McDuffie doesn't have great ball production, but there weren't many opportunities because he prevents throws by blanketing his side of the field.
One of the biggest risers following the 2021 college football season, the 6-foot-7, 305-pound Raimann earned a 94.6 overall grade, 88.7 pass-blocking grade and 94.6 run-blocking grade with Central Michigan this year. He didn't earn a PFF grade above 75.1 in any season prior. Expect his 2021 campaign and a strong Senior Bowl to vault him into the first round.
The Bengals surrounded quarterback Joe Burrow with plenty of weapons. Now it's time to protect him. With Riley Reiff hitting free agency and the right side of the line playing poorly, Cincinnati needs an upgrade at right tackle. The 6-7, 321-pound Penning allowed just one sack in 436 pass-blocking snaps this season, according to PFF.
The Bengals haven't been afraid of taking players who others might knock for being a tad short so McDuffie becomes a seamless fit with that Bengals defense that continues to make quality moves to plug holes on the depth chart.
The Bengals' offensive line has improved with a healthy Jonah Williams at left tackle, but the interior still needs to be addressed. Drafting the Rimington Trophy winner and unanimous All-American is a steal here and would help Joe Burrow (and Who-Dey Nation) rest easier at night. Linderbaum was a multisport athlete in high school who earned multiple letters in wrestling, track, baseball and football.
The Ja'Marr Chase-Penei Sewell debate was at least temporarily settled by the Bengals wide receiver when he embarked on his record-setting rookie year. Still, Cincinnati must have been on edge when Joe Burrow was dinged up after taking four sacks and 10 hits in the penultimate game of the regular season. No one will confuse Kinnard's pass protection skills with those of Sewell, but the Southeastern Conference standout is a stable option at either right tackle or guard.
The Bengals get a nice value here with Devin Lloyd falling into their laps. Lloyd would add a huge boost of speed and playmaking to a defense that has to play against Nick Chubb and Lamar Jackson four times a year.
Joe Burrow has emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL and is still facing his share of pressure. While the weapons around Burrow are deep, the offensive line still needs help and Charles Cross is a steal at this point in the draft.
Cross is an athletic tackle that should be an exceptional pass blocker in the NFL and has grown as a pass blocker. He could pair with Jonah Williams to solidify the offensive tackle pairing and protect Burrow from the elite pass rushers in the AFC North.
Cleveland has invested a lot of money into the offensive guards and tackles. Center is one position where they could save towards the salary cap and upgrade. J.C. Tretter has been solid this year but Linderbaum would thrive in a wide zone scheme.
Leal is an athletic 6-foot-4, 290 pounder, whose quick, balanced feet enhance his ability to hold his base and shift weight when battling at the line of scrimmage. Leal can operate effectively from various defensive alignments, regardless of whether he is positioned inside (3-technique), or along the edge of the line (5-technique). Cleveland may lose some talented defensive linemen due to free agency and Leal's ability to play along the defensive front would make him invaluable for a frugal franchise.
The Dawg Pound get a true Dawg to root for in Jordan Davis. He could have declared after the 2020 season, but stuck around for a shot at a national title. Davis is a physical monster (6-6, 340) who commands double teams on virtually every snap.
The Baker Mayfield project is stalling out and I have a feeling that if the Cleveland Browns don't get it turned around that Odell Beckham Jr. won't be the only departure. The Browns have a talented roster but need more out of their QB. With this pick, I believe they draft a QB. Desmond Ridder's athleticism will be intriguing for Kevin Stefanski in his run-heavy offense. Plus, Ridder has proven to be a flat-out winner.
Like his teammate Garrett Wilson, Olave is a seasoned route-runner. He's been getting open at one of the highest rates in college football since he stepped into a major role as a sophomore in 2019. Olave's 49 receptions over 10 yards downfield with at least two steps of separation since 2019 are the most in the Power Five by 11 (Wilson is No. 2, for what it's worth). Olave's wheels have led to 19 deep touchdowns over the last three years -- the most in the Power Five by five.
Odell Beckham Jr. is gone, and the Browns have several important decisions to make in the receiver room this offseason, which means they could look to the position with their pick. Wilson, who reminds me of Stefon Diggs, is my WR1 in this class. He has strong hands, shows off unique body control and is a creative route runner with a high-level understanding of how to get open. With general manager Andrew Berry showing that he values age -- Wilson will be 21 when he's drafted -- and production, Wilson checks many of the boxes Cleveland looks for in prospects.
Cincinnati upgrades its secondary with the selection of McDuffie. The Bengals have made strides this season but they need to keep adding blue chip players.
Linderbaum is another Iowa product who plays with brilliant technique and efficient manipulation of every fundamental skill a lineman could possess. He moves with a balanced strength combining leverage and use of angles to overcome larger opponents. Linderbaum is arguably the most technically sound interior offensive lineman in this draft class. At the center position, he is hands down the best option and a potential day one starter.
The Bengals need secondary help, and they get it right in their own backyard. The man they call "Sauce" is a complete corner, with the ability to make opposing receivers disappear, and is a sure tackler if his man does happen to come up with the ball.
The Cincinnati Bengals use this pick to draft OT Jaxson Kirkland. Kirkland has good feet and held his own in his matchup against the best edge rusher in this class, Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Bengals love to push the ball down the field to their many weapons but will need to be able to protect long enough for those plays to develop.
McCreary has had one of the best cornerback careers of the PFF College era, and his 2021 campaign is his best yet. The Auburn corner earned 78.0 and 80.8 PFF grades in 2019 and 2020, and he possesses an FBS-high 90.3 mark through Week 12 of 2021. He's always at the catch point and rarely loses, as only Stingley has forced more tight coverage than McCreary since 2019. He's smart, fast and scheme-versatile. Even in a talented corner class, McCreary is an easy first-rounder in my eyes.
Gardner hasn't surrendered a touchdown over the entirety of his three-year career with the Bearcats, and with this pick he could stay near his college. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, he's a lanky press-coverage corner who has the length to consistently cloud throwing windows and make it hard for receivers at the line. The Bengals' defense has been better this season, but it still ranks 24th in passing yards allowed per game (260.3).
Atlanta adds a franchise quarterback to eventually replace Matt Ryan. Ryan's presence allows for a natural transition of power when Corral is ready. The Falcons are already equipped with Kyle Pitts and Calvin Ridley.
A massive human (6-6, 340 lbs), Davis is an immovable presence who typically shoves his way past double and triple teamed blockers. He utilizes underrated quickness and herculean strength to wreak havoc along the line of scrimmage dismantling offensive plays before they effectively develop. The Falcons would be ecstatic if Georgia Bulldog, star defensive tackle, Jordan Davis were available when they drafted.
It seems a fait accompli that the Falcons take a QB here, it's really just a question of which type of QB you think best fits them. I feel like Willis' upside, in the right hands, could blossom.
Linderbaum went from a defensive tackle to the best offensive lineman in college football in just two years. He played both sides of the ball in high school and was recruited to play on the interior defensive line, where he logged 18 snaps in his first season. He then flipped to center for the 2019 campaign, where he started and recorded the fifth-best grade in the FBS at the position (81.7). Linderbaum claimed the No. 1 spot in 2020 and is on pace to do the same in 2021, as he owns a 94.9 PFF grade through Week 12. No interior offensive lineman in the class match Linderbaum's movement skills. His athletic profile enabled him to be one of Iowa's top wrestlers as a high schooler.
The Falcons lack foundational pieces on defense, outside of tackle Grady Jarrett and cornerback A.J. Terrell, and they have needs in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Leal is a consistent pressure generator; just check out his tape against Ole Miss on Saturday, when he had seven total tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. That's just a snapshot of his next-level projection. Although he likely won't be a defender who gets double-digit sacks in a season, his versatility, strength and ability to disrupt dropbacks are areas that Atlanta lacks up front.
New York is testing out Azeez Ojulari and Quincy Roche this season but there are still concerns about the pass rush moving forward. Aidan Hutchinson would alleviate those concerns.
If Dave Gettleman is still around, he is almost certain to draft an interior offensive lineman in the first round. He is committed to Daniel Jones working and the offensive line has been part of his downfall.
In terms of generating quarterback pressure (hurries + knockdowns + sacks per drop back), the Giants have the worst percentage in the NFL (16.9 percent). Monday night's game versus Tampa Bay exemplifies New York's feeble efforts at applying significant pressure on a 44 year old Tom Brady. Brady completed 32 passes on 48 attempts for 318 yards and two scores, while being sacked just once the entire evening. Drafting Hutchinson could give the Giants a legitimate pass rusher, who is equally adept against the run, setting the edge at the point of attack to contain running plays along the perimeter.
The Giants have several talented skill players on offense, especially the 2018 number two overall pick, running back Saquon Barkley. Yet, despite Barkley's athletic versatility and explosiveness the Giants average less than 100 yards a contest (92.9) and managed just seven rushing touchdowns throughout ten games. The offensive line needs to raise its level of production for the Giants to actually improve and become significant in their division. If they chose Green, an imposing and extremely powerful player (6-4, 325 lbs) who typically devastates defenders, New York could begin to dominate at the line of scrimmage and beyond.
Big Blue lacks a playmaker in the passing game to keep teams from stacking the box against Saquon Barkley. Wilson, the Buckeyes' big-time playmaker, will help. Witness his effort against Purdue, where he caught three TD passes and took a Jet sweep 51 yards for another score.
7. Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
This is a move designed to lengthen the career of Barkley from within. Linderbaum compares favorably to Jason Kelce, which definitely shows up on film. He has the athleticism and strength to anchor the Giants' line for years to come.
Derek Stingley Jr. has been ranked as the No.1 corner since his all-time great freshman campaign during LSU's National Championship run in 2019 and has nothing to hurt that ranking. His combination of athleticism, instincts, physicality, and ball skills make him a generational talent at corner. The New York Giants can use a true lockdown corner in their secondary and Stingley will provide just that.
The Giants use their second first-round pick on the most instinctual linebacker in this year's draft. Nakobe Dean is an athletic, quick linebacker that excels at playing in space. Dean has been the leader of Georgia's defense and will bring that leadership to the Giants' defense.
Ekwonu is one of the nastiest run-blockers PFF College has ever seen. He owns a 93.4 run-blocking grade for the 2021 season -- the highest in the FBS. Ekwonu has laid down a whopping 16 big-time blocks this season. Not only does that lead every offensive lineman in 2021, but it is also the most in a single season during the entire PFF College era. He's been that kind of a monster in the run game in all three of his years at NC State, but he's starting to pass protect better as well. After posting a poor 55.3 pass-block grade in 2020, Ekwonu has improved that to a solid 77.9 mark in 2021.
Dean is on the smaller end of the linebacker spectrum, but he is a freak athlete who fits the bill of a modern-day linebacker. He is undoubtedly the best off-ball linebacker in the country when it comes to defending the pass. His blitzing prowess and coverage ability are second to none, as Dean has recorded a 90.0-plus grade as a pass-rusher and in coverage this season -- something no Power Five off-ball linebacker has accomplished in the PFF College era.
Left tackle Andrew Thomas, the No. 4 overall pick in 2020, has shown signs of improvement during his second season -- though he's now on injured reserve with a foot injury, and his replacement, Matt Peart, remains inconsistent. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Ekwonu has been stellar at left tackle this season, but opinions vary on the position he'll play at the next level. He could be a top-tier starter at right tackle or guard.
7. George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The Giants have gotten 5.5 sacks from rookie second-round pick Azeez Ojulari, but they need to stockpile young edge rushers to improve their defense. Karlaftis is a versatile and heavy-handed defensive lineman who could contribute early in the NFL. Karlaftis has only 2.5 sacks this season, but he is always around the quarterback. With two top-seven picks, this means the Giants get starters along the offensive and defensive lines.
The Ravens signed 33-year-old (in September) Alejandro Villanueva to start opposite Ronnie Stanley, but the team still needs a longer-term replacement for Orlando Brown. Nelson enters his true junior season as a three-year starter at left tackle, but he could become the team's starting right tackle in 2022 (or 2023). In addition, Nelson's left tackle versatility would provide insurance for the Ravens in the event that Stanley misses time in the future like he did last season.
With additions to the edges this draft cycle, as the Baltimore Ravens added Odafe Oweh and Daelin Hayes in the 2021 NFL draft, the Ravens could look to bolster the interior next draft cycle.
That could make Jordan Davis from Georgia an ideal fit. Davis does the bulk of his damage against the run, but his ability to align at both 1-technique and 3-technique could make him an intriguing option for NFL defenses. If he starts to be more of a factor attacking the passer, watch out.
While he's not quite the Bosas or Chase Young, Harrison is next in the Ohio State defensive end pipeline. The 6-foot-6, 265-pounder earned an 86.6 pass-rushing grade as a sophomore in 2020.
Despite losing Orlando Brown Jr., the Ravens' only offensive line addition in the draft was a guard in the third round (Ben Cleveland). They signed Alejandro Villanueva, but he isn't a long-term solution. The 6-foot-6, 312-pound Walker has 22 starts at left tackle in college, and the Maryland native could step into a starting role on the right side opposite Ronnie Stanley.
Linderbaum was recruited as a defensive lineman, but switched to the offensive line during bowl prep of his freshman season and has never looked back. He heads into the fall as the top center in college football.
Over the last two seasons, Salyer has lined up at left tackle, right tackle and left guard, and it will be interesting to see where he lines up as a senior. It doesn't always look pretty, but his wide base and natural power help him overwhelm defenders.
Davis is an enormous human being who can clog running lanes all day long, but he'll need to expand his pass-rush repertoire (mostly because he's only needed brute strength to beat most of the O-linemen that lined up in front of him).
A team can never be too deep in the trenches, especially not in the AFC North. Defensive linemen Calais Campbell will also see his deal expire after 2021, so it's possible the Ravens will have a legitimate hole to fill along the DL anyway. Davis was a stud for the Tigers as a freshman, ripping off 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. An ankle injury put a damper on Davis' 2020 season a bit, however, and he was not quite able to continue his upward trajectory. Expect Davis, a powerful DT with a red-hot motor, to get back on track in 2021 with a cleaner bill of health.
