Over the course of the next six weeks leading up to the NFL Draft, six writers will give us their favorite and least favorite potential pick for the Ravens with the sixth overall selection. At this point, the first five picks could go a variety of different ways. Considering that uncertainty, we have only eliminated FSU DB Jalen Ramsey from consideration.
Here is what we have:
Mike Fast: Favorite – Vernon Hargreaves; Least Favorite – Joey Bosa
Ryan Jones: Favorite – DeForest Buckner; Least Favorite – Ronnie Stanley
Tony Lombardi: Favorite – Myles Jack; Least Favorite – Vernon Hargreaves
Dev Panchwagh: Favorite – Myles Jack; Least Favorite – Joey Bosa
Tyler Lombardi: Favorite – Laremy Tunsil; Least Favorite – Joey Bosa
When we first asked Kyle to write this piece, we removed Laremy Tunsil from consideration. There appeared to be no chance that he would fall all the way down to the sixth pick for the Ravens. With two quarterbacks almost certainly going first and second overall, that has changed.
With that in mind, here are Kyle’s takes.
Updated on 4/25
Favorite Pick: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
I have been vocal throughout the draft process that as long as Eugene Monroe is on the roster, the Ravens shouldn’t use a high draft choice on a left tackle. But with the potential availability of Tunsil, that logic is thrown out the door.
Tunsil’s talent outweighs positional need, and if on the board at 6, he is too good to pass up. The complete package at left tackle, Tunsil gives the Ravens security at a position which has been a revolving door due to Monroe’s inability to stay on the field.
The Ravens can draft Tunsil and either cut Monroe with a post-June 1 designation, or try to find a team willing to hand over a late-round draft pick for the veteran tackle.
2nd Favorite pick: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
I would be content with Hargreaves, Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, defensive ends Joey Bosa and DeForest Buckner, and perhaps UCLA linebacker Myles Jack here.
I originally chose Hargreaves for two reasons:
1.) Hargreaves is an elite athlete with unteachable instincts
2.) I’m fed up with how the Ravens have handled the cornerback situation in recent years.
The Ravens haven’t fielded a consistent secondary since 2013. They haven’t been able to cover. They can’t force turnovers.
To put it frankly, they just haven’t been good.
The secondary desperately needs an elite playmaker. Hargreaves can be that missing piece. In year one, he would form a primary trio with Jimmy Smith and Shareece Wright, but that should be short-lived. It won’t take him long for him to establish himself as the top cornerback alongside Smith.
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Least favorite pick: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Is Stanley an overly flawed prospect? No, but the Ravens want to fully utilize the opportunity of selecting sixth overall. Stanley would not be the player who does that.
Stanley is a quality pass protector with inconsistencies in his run blocking. He is an above average athlete with room to grow. But two things make him a not-so-intriguing pick at six.
1.) As of now the Ravens still have a left tackle on the roster in Eugene Monroe.
2.) Stanley, as I noted in my breakdown of him, is far from a sure thing as a franchise left tackle.
If Stanley is not a clear-cut long-term option for the team at left tackle, he cannot justifiably be selected sixth overall by the Ravens.
This is a once-in-a-decade type of opportunity for the Ravens. With a roster that desperately needs elite, top-end talent, they cannot settle for a good-not-great left tackle.
That would leave me, and much of the Ravens fan base, with much to desire.
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