OTL: The Day of Reckoning is Upon Us

Since the confetti dropped on the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 12 celebrating their exciting Super Bowl victory over a game Eagles squad, the clock has been ticking down to the draft for the rest of civilized society.

TODAY'S THE DAY❗️

📺: 8pm ET on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/Qj3mH1YSww

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 27, 2023

Yes, folks. It’s draft day. And not just any draft day, mind you. This figures to be one of the most scratch-your-head, nobody-knows-what-to-think drafts in memory.

In the words of one GM, "It's the most unpredictable draft in forever."

Welcome to Draft Day.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 27, 2023

For the Baltimore Ravens — a team swirling with as many question marks as any (largely due to unanswered questions at quarterback) — this is not just a draft to “load the cupboards.” It is a draft to determine the direction they are planning to take for the next year, and possibly several years.

Do they continue to acquire receiver talent to ramp up a passing attack? Do they stick to form and take a cornerback to fill a pressing need at a position they have historically valued? Do they trade back to accumulate more picks, or, dare I say, trade up to land a target they crave?

And what could possibly be available if they stick to their slot and pick at 22 tonight?

A look at the last five No. 22 overall picks (where the Ravens are slated to pick tonight):

2018: Rashaan Evans, LB, Titans ↔️
2019: Andre Dillard, OL, Eagles⬇️
2020: Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings⬆️⬆️⬆️
2021: Caleb Farley, CB, Titans⬇️
2022: Quay Walker, LB, Packers↔️

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) April 27, 2023

I’ll take one Justin Jefferson, please. Is that how this works?

Obviously, the draft is always a bit of a crap shoot, as nobody can get into the heads of 32 teams, or the myriad scouts who have poked and prodded into every facet of these young players’ lives. We can watch the tape. We can discuss players and fits until we turn blue. We can really come to a collective consensus on how we think these players rank.

But it will all blow up with the first trade or curveball pick. It always does.

Of course, the draft is a big moment — for the organizations, the fans and, obviously, these young men who have worked so hard to get to this point. The future of some teams will be determined tonight with an exciting addition that could tip the competitive balance in their divisions, or a swing-and-miss at a position like quarterback that could haunt a team for years, and cause people to lose their jobs.

But there’s also the veteran element that exists at draft time. Those players who get traded on draft night for picks. Remember this one?

We have traded WR Marquise Brown and the 100th pick to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for the 23rd pick. pic.twitter.com/KagFKFaEGg

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 29, 2022

One name on the lips of most Ravens fans lately (and fans of the Bills, Chiefs and Cardinals, for that matter) is DeAndre Hopkins, one of the best receivers in the league for the past several seasons, who is presumably on the trade block.

Pat McAfee and his cohorts have been discussing that potential trade situation, along with Lamar Jackson’s contract status, for the past several days, and believe there was a little fire with some recent Twitter smoke.

Something is BREWING in Baltimore 👀👀#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/ELKvdeWihr

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 26, 2023

Again… who knows?

Well, presumably Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta knows, but he’s not telling. But he did take the time this morning to share a little with Ravens fans.

Good morning from the man himself 👋 pic.twitter.com/O8SYsILHZ3

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 27, 2023

Buckle up and prepare for a night that I’m predicting is filled with trades, shocking picks and torn-up mock drafts across these fruited plains. And prepare yourself for a very real possibility as you’re struggling to stay awake to see the newest Raven.

The #Ravens currently hold the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but @bsmolka says it wouldn't be a surprise if they trade back to acquire more draft capital. https://t.co/eG8Klt3Whc

— PressBox (@PressBoxOnline) April 25, 2023