OTL: Mid-Week Mock Draft!

On a quieter Wednesday in the NFL, it’s a great time to break out my first mock draft of the offseason. Before getting into it, though, I want to first congratulate former Ravens Sr. Video Operations Advisor Jon Dubé on a well-deserved induction into the Hall of Fame!

Judging by the excitement on Ozzie Newsome’s, Eric DeCosta’s, and John Harbaugh’s faces, you can Dubé had a great impact and reputation in the building:

Ozzie delivered the @ProFootballHOF news to Jon Dubé, former Ravens Sr. Video Operations Advisor pic.twitter.com/tIvn1NLbRc

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 18, 2025

Congratulations, Jon!

Now, onto football operations. Following free agency, the Ravens have jumped into the top spot in the power rankings:

“Most of the band is back together, and the Ravens should be right up there among the elites in the league.”

Ravens take the No. 1 spot in post-free agency power rankings: https://t.co/29ZkKPRblW

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 18, 2025

The NFL Draft is upcoming, and it will provide opportunities for Baltimore brass to build upon its strong roster, while loading up for the future. As of now, I expect the Ravens to aim to fill a few starting positions (OG, CB, S) and find depth and potential at others (EDGE, LB, OT, WR). Of course, this will likely all be done through the BPA approach.

Round 1, Pick 27: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

Other Considerations Available: OG Tyler Booker, LB Jihad Campbell, CB Jahdae Barron, DL Walter Nolen, DL Derrick Harmon

While Booker, Campbell, and Barron were all incredibly enticing, the prospect of pairing Emmanwori with S Kyle Hamilton was simply too good for me to pass up. The Ravens can likely pick up a starting caliber OG later in the draft or following post-June 1 cuts, while positional value left Campbell and Barron (who will likely play the slot) in the rear view. Emmanwori will give DC Zach Orr tremendous flexibility on the back-end.

Round 2, Pick 59: EDGE Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss

Other Considerations Available: CB Trey Amos, IOL Jonah Savaiinaea, IOL Tate Ratledge, WR Jack Bech, WR Elic Ayomanor

I was really torn between two Ole Miss Rebels with this one, as the BPA strategy itself made things tough. While Baltimore may look to trade back in this scenario, I can’t begin to predict which team or what package would make the most sense, so we stick and pick. Umanmielen had solid production in college but is also projectable, making him a great bet to contribute on the EDGE now and in the future.

Round 3, Pick 91: OG Wyatt Milum, West Virginia

Other Considerations Available: LB Demetrius Knight, TE Harold Fannin Jr., WR Isaiah Bond, WR Savion Williams

Baltimore would run the card up here. Milum is a grinder on the interior and would be the perfect pick in this spot, especially after leaving a position of need untouched after the first two rounds. Honestly, I didn’t even really consider the “other considerations available.”

To keep things brief, I’ll list the remaining 8 (!) picks and provide a summary of the entire draft at the end!

Round 4, Pick 129: DL Jordan Phillips, Maryland

Round 4, Pick 136: LB Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss

Round 5, Pick 176: CB Tommi Hill, Nebraska

Round 6, Pick 183: OT Chase Lundt, UConn

Round 6, Pick 203: WR Jimmie Horn, Jr., Colorado

Round 6, Pick 210: EDGE Antwaun Powell-Ryland

Round 6, Pick 212: DL Vernon Broughton, Texas

Round 7, Pick 243: TE Orande Gadsden II, Syracuse

All in all, the Ravens double-dip at DL and EDGE, while snagging likely starters at OG and S, great developmental LB in Chris Paul Jr., a needed backup at OT in Lundt, a CB with all the measurables in Hill. Even better, they use a late-round flier on a WR-to-TE convert in Gadsden, who could be a nice developmental piece on the practice squad if Mark Andrews stays in town. Although the second boundary corner would be a concern following the draft, that becomes priority #1 from April through August.

Let me know your thoughts. Who’s your ideal fit in Round 1? Where do you see the Ravens double-dipping? The only thing more fun than the draft itself is the lead-up!

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/03/19/out-to-lunch/hump-day-mock/