Each of the past six weeks, we’ve asked one of our writers to give us their favorite and least favorite prospects.
The buzz has changed quite a bit in that time. When we started this process, Laremy Tunsil seemed like the clear top overall pick. The Titans needed a tackle to shore up their offensive line to protect their young signal caller.
They moved out of that pick, and it opened up the opportunity for the Ravens to take the top-rated tackle – and possibly player – on the board.
Now, things look even better for the Ravens. With the Eagles trading up for the #2 pick, the top two quarterbacks will go #1 and #2 overall. Which gives the Ravens a shot at a top four player on their board and makes me want to do a happy dance.
Let’s list each of the prospects and see where they rank on the spectrum of potential picks for the Ravens. If two prospects had the same +/-, we gave the stronger vote to the one our fans gave. There are more of you, and you’re more important than us, anyhow.
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
Favorite: 3 (Tyler Lombardi, Kyle Casey, Fans)
Originally, Kyle’s favorite potential pick was Hargreaves, but then the possibility of Tunsil opened up. Kyle wasn’t a fan of drafting Stanley because he didn’t see him as an immediate starter. He expects Tunsil to be exactly that. I think that it’s a perfect fit for both need and that he would absolutely be the best player available if he’s there. I’d even advocate for a trade up to 5 if the Jags get an offer from a team like the Titans with draft capital.
For our fans, this was a close battle between Tunsil and our second favorite potential pick. Ultimately, Tunsil edged out Jack. Our fans weren’t concerned about which pick was sexier.
Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
Favorite: 2 (Tony Lombardi, Dev Panchwagh)
Myles Jack might be the most intriguing prospect in this year’s draft. Tony likes him for his unbelievable athleticism and his great cover skills needed in today’s linebackers. He can run with both tight ends and slot receivers. Dev projects him to play either Kam Chancellor‘s role as a robber safety who also plays snaps at ILB or a role like Deone Bucannon.
DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
Favorite: 1 (Ryan Jones)
Ryan likes Buckner because he will be used in the defensive line rotation immediately. At Oregon last year, Buckner recorded 10.5 sacks for a pretty bad defense. He would be a huge boon for a pass rush that struggled to make up for a flailing secondary last year. Along with Timmy Jernigan and Brandon Williams, he would give the Ravens a great young core.
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Favorite votes: 1 (Mike Fast)
Least favorite votes: 1 (Tony Lombardi)
Mike has expressed in his bold predictions for the draft that he doesn’t expect the Ravens to take Hargreaves with their sixth pick, but he could see it happening in a trade-back scenario. He called him the best pure corner in this draft and praised his quick, fluid hips.
Tony expressed concerns that the pick would be a flashback to Duane Starks. The 1999 first round pick was a decent pro, but he never lived up to the expectations of a pick so high. He’s concerned that Hargreaves may not even become the second-best corner in this draft.
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Least Favorite: 3 (Mike Fast, Dev Panchwagh, Tyler Lombardi)
None of us expressed a scathing dislike of the Ohio St. product, but we don’t see much room for growth. Dev opined that Bosa lacks the lateral quickness and foot speed to play in space and that he might fall into a “bull rush or bust” mentality as a pass rusher. I tend to agree. You rarely catch him bending to get the edge as a pass rusher. Couple all that with a questionable drug history and you get a prospect who may not warrant the sixth overall pick.
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Least favorite: 3 (Kyle Casey, Ryan Jones, Fans)
Neither thought that Stanley was enough of a surefire prospect that he warranted the sixth overall pick. Ryan expects him to be a good player, but he doesn’t want the Ravens to take him because of the other big areas of need for the team. Kyle doesn’t like him because he’s a below average run blocker. He lacks the tenacity necessary to be effective getting to the second level. He is, by an overwhelming margin, our fans’ least favorite pick, too.
Through this process, three things have become clear.
1.) We’re not big fans of Joey Bosa.
2.) We would really like to have a dynamic defensive playmaker like Myles Jack or Jalen Ramsey. We just didn’t see a scenario where Ramsey falls to the sixth pick.
3.) We all see a big difference between the top tackle prospect, Laremy Tunsil, and the second one, Ronnie Stanley.
The fans aren’t much different.
Not one of us would be particularly disgusted with any pick, unless it’s someone completely out of the blue. By now, I’m sure you all are tired of prognostications and opinions on potential picks and you just want to know who it will be.
We’re with you.
Enjoy the draft!
