With the 199th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected offensive lineman Malaesala “Sala” Aumavae-Laulu out of Oregon, adding the 6-foot-5, 317-pound behemoth to Lamar Jackson’s growing wall of blockers.
Our panel of RSR analysts was generally positive about the pick, with Sala earning points for his physical traits and potential to kick inside to play guard. He is a developmental pick, though, and likely won’t contribute full-time until at least his second or third season. He’s earned a cumulative grade of B+ as a result.
Nikhil Mehta
Grade: B+
Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu was a solid developmental selection for the Ravens in the 6th round. The Oregon right tackle has a prototypical frame and a strong athletic profile (8.88 RAS) that translate directly to his game and show up on tape. He has quick feet and natural, easy power, especially on down blocks. Watching Sala can be like a tale of two linemen. When he relies on his footwork and strength to control encounters, he’s excellent. He anticipates pass rush moves and absorbs contact well, rarely getting driven back towards his quarterback. Other times, though, he gets over eager to initiate contact and lunges, losing his balance and sometimes missing the block entirely.
Sala’s pass sets are crisp, but he lacks the same precision in the run game, lurching into open space and struggling to find work and lock on, especially on the second-level. He has an edge to his game and loves to finish matchups, but can get caught out of position trying to do so. His patience and ability to diagnose stunts/twists and pick up and pass off loopers is a good sign for his development in the pros, though I’m not sure how he’ll hold up on an island against smaller, more agile edge rushers who will take advantage of his top-heavy play-style.
Sala has been projected to move inside to guard, which is where he’ll likely find the most long-term success in the NFL, but I still like his ability to play tackle in a pinch. Baltimore had a solid process behind this pick, identifying Sala’s un-coachable size, power and movement skills as a solid base to develop the rest of his skills and refine some of his bad habits.
Alternate pick: Moro Ojomo
Ojomo continued to fall on Day 3, but he’d be a great fit for this Ravens front with length, strength and a brawler’s attitude in the trenches. He’s exactly the kind of late-round defensive lineman that Baltimore has coached into starting-quality line play in recent years.
Jared Pinder
Grade: B
MAL is an amazing run blocker that brings extra gear to the IOL group. While he probably won’t fight for that left guard spot immediately, by next year he could be taking the Ben Powers route and pushing for a starting spot.
Alternate pick: Xavier Hutchinson/Andrei Iosivas
While the receiver room is crowded, These two could have delivered something different to the group. Hutchinson would have fit the big-bodied red zone target the Ravens needed and Iosivas would add another speed and size element to the room. However, this is fixed with the UDFA process getting Demus to add the size profile, and Zay Flowers already adds that speed element so I guess I have to side with the Ravens on this one.
Zachary Siegel
Grade: B
Big Sala was purely a depth piece, with Ronnie Stanley’s injury history and Morgan Moses’ age there’s no telling when the Ravens may need someone to step up and fill a role. Since the Ravens had only three active tackles on the roster prior to the draft it makes sense to get him as a late round project, to eventually trade for draft capital or to step in if need be. This was a pick for the long game as most 6th round picks are not plug and play types of players, and MAL is not an exception.
While he played well at Oregon, he was a 6th rounder for a reason, with there being a lot to improve in his game, his impact will not be felt immediately. Like I mentioned earlier, he is a developmental piece that hopefully can make an impact one day, but with these later round picks, you just never know. That being said, MAL has very quick hands and coming in at 6’ 5 ½” and 317 lbs., he has all the potential in the world. NFL.com rated him at a 5.67 draft grade meaning that he was projected to be a late round draft pick as well as a career back up, but if I know the Ravens, they have a way of getting the most out of every player.
Alternate pick: A.T. Perry
Now I know the first thing that you’re going to say is that we already have enough fringe late round or undrafted wide receivers fighting for one spot, but A.T. Perry is going to be special. He has the height and physical tools to be an elite wide receiver in the NFL. My biggest knock is his route running and his ability to use his body to gain leverage. If the Saints can get him in the hands of some talented wide receiver coaches, he is going to be dangerous.
Kevin McNelis
Grade: B-
Similarly to the Tavius Robinson selection, the Sala pick feels like an investment in potential based off his physical attributes. While he may not be the most polished prospect in the world, he does have experience playing multiple O-line positions, and if he can get the time to develop with the help of his supporting cast on the current O-line, he could become a mauler in his own right. I expect he’ll get a rotational role to start (if he can earn it in camp), but only time will tell how willing Todd Monken is to lean on Sala early.
Alternate pick: Xavier Hutchinson/Emil Ekiyor Jr.
The Ravens dipped into the UDFA pool to grab a large wideout in Dontay Demus, but Hutchinson would’ve been a tempting pick-up here. I had been clamoring for Ekiyor here as a natural guard, but he also landed in the UDFA pool, so maybe he wasn’t as sought after as I thought.
Chris Schisler
Grade: A
The NFL Draft is a crapshoot and that becomes most true in the sixth round. I like the pick here though. He’s a big and sturdy offensive lineman who has the things you can’t coach. This isn’t a player who needs to bulk up or who was passed on because of a lack of measurables. He’s got these things squared away. He’s raw, but in the sixth round there’s no expectations on him. Get him into camp. Let him compete and see what happens. He’s a 6-5 beast of a man. He plays like the hammer not the nail. I see why they picked him.
Cumulative Grade: B+
One Response
Time will tell but I have good feeling about this dude.