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DB424 Mock Offseason


diamondbull424

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Priority Free Agents Signed

Matt Skura- Ravens

Gus Edwards- Ravens

Jimmy Smith- Ravens

Jihad Ward- Ravens

Marvin Jones Jr.- Lions, 6’2” 199 lbs

- Harbaugh mentioned that there’s a particular kind of receiver they’re looking for within the offense. I look at Seth Roberts, Miles Boykin, and evening Jaleel Scott and I see tall lengthy receivers with quality athleticism. Marvin Jones Jr could be confused as a rich man’s Seth Roberts. He seems like a family man that would enjoy the Ravens team oriented culture as well as the fact that to this point in his career I’m sure winning will be his #1 priority at his next destination. At 30 he’s played in the AFCN before so there will be some familiarity, but the biggest thing is he will be another veteran presence along the offense, he’s a calm guy that when things get heated he has a personality to be the guy to get everyone centered. Also he’s a zone busting option for Lamar to really do some damage with on the field.

Marcel Dareus- Jaguars, 6’3” 331 lbs

- The major emphasis of this offseason would be to retain our top talent and look to add some front 7 assistance upfront. Marcel Dareus would be a prime add with his ability to impact the run and occupy blockers, what’s more hes versatile and can lineup at NT or 5-tech. This would allow Williams to move back at nose where he proved to be the best in the game when he was in that capacity. Dareus should also occupy blocks to make our edge rushers more effective. When Dareus went down with an injury with the Jags the defense went from averaging 117 rushing yards (through 7 weeks) to 193 rushing yards as a defense (after that point). I think it’s safe to say he’s got a huge impact on that defense.

Jadeveon Clowney- Seahawks, 6’5” 255 lbs

The Ravens haven’t had a true defensive game wrecker since probably peak Haloti Ngata/DPOY Suggs. In Harbaugh’s presser he talked about the team making it a point to find a few guys within their front 7. Clowney in his post season interview mentioned that he’s looking to play for a contender, a team with a real shot at a SB. The Ravens should be high on his list. Especially considering most of the other contenders aren’t in the ideal cap position to splurge. The Ravens can afford to pay Clowney somewhere around $17m/year as their only true FA signing (the other guys are cap casualties so won’t count against the comp formula). While Clowney has never been an elite pass rusher, he would provide similar rush versatility as what Zadarius Smith brought this defense in 2018 with increased athleticism and gamebreaking ability when he decides to turn it on. With the revamped nature of the big hogs upfront eating up double team blocks, Clowney could easily thrust himself into the 2020 DPOY conversation within our defense.

Round 1, Pick 28

I’ve gone back and forth over who would be the most optimal target for us to use our first round pick on. Should we go strictly BPA? Tyler Biadasz is likely the best, most complete center prospect since Nick Mangold, should we target him? We could go with a splash WR that burns and is a dangerous return specialist (which is a need) to boot, like Brandon Aiyuk or Jalen Raegor? Should we target an edge rusher with the pick as we’ve had issues filling that spot? So much to consider.

Raekwon Davis, IDL, Alabama- 6’7” 312 lbs

Pro Comparison: Cameron Heyward

Ultimately I settled on Raekwon Davis, he has been someone that I’ve paid attention to throughout the process. He has elite length that can’t be taught, his breakout age as a 19-20 year old sophomore holds up well and shows him as someone that possesses development potential. His PFF grades have improved every year even though his statistical impact has seemingly gone down. Ultimately I’ve settled on the fact that he’s got two elite level traits; run stopping ability and length. He’s a building block that you know gives you a high floor as an impact starter and potentially has a ceiling of a 1-2x All Pro dominator from along the inside. With FA pickup Marcel Dareus and Brandon Williams pushing the pocket, double teams will be hard for OL to execute and it should leave Davis with some 1on1 opportunities to terrorize blockers... OR it will free up some of our edge rushers, Tyus Bowser likely being a huge beneficiary as he steps into Judon’s vacated role as strong side edge. Similar to how Pryce terrorized opponents with his length/athletic combo to really become one of the biggest linchpins for our dominant 2006 defensive unit. Building the trenches has long been a priority of this franchise in years past and I suspect after Derrick Henry eliminated us by being better than us at our own game will drive that philosophy back to the forefront.

Round 2, Pick 56

Patrick Queen, ILB, LSU- 6’1” 227 lbs.

Pro Comparison: Deion Jones- Similar to former LSU Star Deion Jones, Queen is likely to be a tackle machine at the next level. Explosive, quick, and instinctive. This second round pick has long since been reserved for an LSU linebacker. Only I had the wrong backer slotted here it seems. While Jacob Phillips definitely looks the part, Queen is younger (will be JUST turning 21 to start his rookie season) and is a top notch sideline to sideline option inside with great instincts. He’s less thumper and more rover. He still needs to develop in areas of his game but he’s got tackle pop, plays well in space, and while he’s not ideally the guy you want taking on OL while pursuing, that’s why you keep a guy like him clean with Davis, Dareus, and Williams upfront (over 1000 lbs of man beef). He’s got Peanut level athleticism with upper echelon instincts and pursuit angles.

Round 3, Trade Hayden Hurst + Comp 4th

I know Harbaugh stated the teams designs with regard to Hayden Hurst and how he can improve moving forward, but the team has yet to do their Juno, FL meeting and decide upon strategies to improve the team. It’s also not Harbaugh’s decision ultimately. There was smoke that Hurst was involved in the Jalen Ramsey trade rumors. I believe where there’s smoke there’s fire. Hurst is a good TE option that would be a fit in certain teams where they see more man coverage, but with most teams going zone against Lamar we need more zone buster targets that know how to manipulate that aspect. Hurst does not excel in that role and therefore I have a strong feeling that be it a trade involving an edge threat (such as Yannick Ngakoue), Draft capital (as in this example), etc... I think he’s someone that will be on the trade block... I’m just not sure how much value he might fetch back in return... this assumes late 3rd round value FTMP.

Clyde Edwards-Helair, RB, LSU- 5’8” 209 lbs

Pro Comparison: Ray Rice-
Every year their is a player in the draft that everyone in the Ravens forum seemingly agrees would be the perfect fit for the team, CEH is seemingly that player this season. He’s possessed with the small size to get lost behind our OL, making the mesh point read even more dangerous for defenses to handle. His playmaking ability in the passing game is something we haven’t seen since Diddle Diddle. We could argue that the RB room is already crowded, but CEH has legit RB of the future traits as a top 5-10 NFL back, while we seem to have a collection of top 20-30 type options. Here we have Rice incarnate; Compact frame, Great strength pound for pound,  Awesome quickness and agility, Dangerous in space, etc. Not an elite in-line runner, but his open field ability and receiving skills provide Rice/MJD type potential as a 2000 all purpose back year in and year out. Life for Lamar could become a lot easier with a weapon like this.

Round 3, Pick 84

Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan- 6’2” 208 lbs.

Pro Comparison: Juju Smith-Schuster-

When you look at the stats for DPJ you miss just how excellent of a receiver he is and the traits he brings to the table. He’s got legit open field ability and juice. He’s got physicality in the open field that makes him difficult to get down. He’s got top notch agility and movement traits. He’s got a diverse move set. But the one number that holds up is his TD production and that’s something that would translate to the next level. He can get open in the redzone in a multitude of ways. If he were in another offense, with a superior QB talent, perhaps in a lesser WR class; DPJ would’ve display obvious day one to day two traits. But given the current circumstances and how they align, DPJ is likely to fall further than his talent should allow. DPJ is a WR with RB type traits similar to JSS, DJ Moore, and Deebo Samuel. He’s tough to bring down and if corners play cover 3 and give him space to operate off of the short bubble screen, he can eat them alive for gains, but similar to those other guys he can activate as a big gain specialist as well.

Round 3, Comp

Jabari Zuniga, Edge, Florida- 6’4” 246 lbs

Pro Comparison: Kyle Van Noy-
Zuniga has shown he can hold up at the point of attack as an edge setter, he can crash through gaps to impact the running game; Zuniga also has both inside and outside versatility as a pass rusher. He’s a redshirt senior so he’s over-aged, also there’s a bit of bad luck with him having durability issues this season. That said his first year playing football was as a junior in HS so there’s the hope it just took sometime for Zuniga’s skillset to be activated. Similar to Van Noy coming out you’ve got a guy who can operate vs the run at a high level even given his size. Pound for pound he’s stronger at the point of attack than many bigger options. He’s got probably a little more juice though than KVN however.

Round 4, Patriots Trade

Jacob Phillips, ILB, LSU- 6’4” 233 lbs

 

Pro Comparison: Rashaan Evans

Has a double dip ever happened like this before? The Ravens go after both LSU LBs, both juniors with potential. Phillips is less likely to blow up the combine with athleticism and as a junior won’t have the post season festivities as seniors have to increase his stock. Likely he falls to late day 2 or early day 3 because of it. The a Ravens pounce. Phillips processes a little slower than you’d like and it’s reflected in his lower TFL numbers in comparison to his snap count. That said he’s a very safe player with a high floor as a solid starter from day one. He’s also still 20 atm and his breakout age is very good. With more time spent to improving his film study, his processing speed should increase and with his elite length and sure tackling combine could make him a disruptive front 7 option. In the mean time he should be an impact special teams player. Would put Rashaan Evans as Phillips ceiling, dominant run defender with quality coverage ability.

Round 4, Original Pick

Josiah Deguara, TE, Cincy- 6’3” 240 lbs

Pro Comparison: Austin Hooper-
This style of offense still does best when it has its ability to utilize three TEs as blockers. Deguara’s size would lend one to think he can’t block in-line but they would be wrong. He competes very well and is a better blocker coming out than either Andrews or Hurst. As a receiving threat Josiah is a zone buster with enough speed to separate vs man coverage. With lower draft capital and being younger there should be less ego/need for production early for a huge second contract (as Hurst at his advanced NFL age might only see one “big” contract at the NFL level vs two more). This is a move to get the Ravens an additional year for their #2/#3 TE, while also allowing Hurst the opportunity to thrive in another teams system. Also he has the requisite zone busting ability to fill in for Mark Andrews in an injury situation and not miss as much of a beat as this past season without Andrews in that capacity.

Round 5, Comp

Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan- 6’4” 319 lbs

Pro Comparison: Jonathan Cooper-

Ruiz is one of the most run dominant IOL I’ve seen on tape in some time. He’s got great physicality at the POA, terrific athleticism. But his balance is less than ideal. Ruiz also plays the center position and that seems to lower a players value even though he’s got some guard versatility. Similar to Cooper, Ruiz can do it all. He’s just not consistent in his balance or technique. With the OL development we’ve seen as of late, I’d love to see what Greg Roman/Joe D'Alessandris could transform Ruiz into with a little time.

Round 7, Jets Trade

Khaleke Hudson, LB/S, Michigan- 6’0” 220 lbs

Pro Comparison: Anthony Levine, NLB

Levine has seen less and less playing time and with DeShon Elliot we will probably see a lot of Clark in the NLB role with Elliot as the deep safety. That said Hudson is a true tweeter for the NFL where many teams won’t know what to do with him or how to employ him. I think he starts off his career as a core special teams player and later eats into playing time as a top notch NLB option. He reminds me a lot of Mychal Kendricks in both his size profile and impact defensive plays at the collegiate level. We have a creative defensive mind in Wink Martindale and I think he could find some ways to utilize Hudson as his career progresses at the next level.

Edited by diamondbull424
Additional FA signings projected and slight changes
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Completely forgot to add the videos when I initially posted this. 😂

Anyways this is how I would repair the squad. I have a feeling we won’t be able to add any of the FA veteran receivers we might be interested in... mainly A.J. Green and Emanuel Sanders.

It kind of sucks because we were likely an Emanuel Sanders away from the SB. Imagine if we replace Roberts with Sanders in that playoff game... imagine him completing that TD.

... though the pick needed for him might be the pick we use for another young WR we pair Lamar with for years to come such as DPJ.

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2 hours ago, AFlaccoSeagulls said:

So we're losing Judon but only drafting one edge player, in the 3rd round?

That’s a good point. I’m sure we will look at some options that are cut. But in terms of free agents, I doubt that we go for any pass rushers on the market. I’ve seen plenty of talk with regard to Dareus being a cap casualty.

I will have to look at what quality pass rushers might be entering the market as cap casualties.

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10 minutes ago, DreamKid said:

Something tells me CEH is going to be a staple in your mocks going forward DB. :D

Absolutely. Though I’m already preparing for him to get taken by some rival team and I’m left having to watch him rush for the second most rushing yards in the NFL knowing he could be so much more with our squad. 🤦‍♀️
 

edit: That or he gets into it with Brandon Williams... our most respected veteran on defense... and decides to spit in his face... after having a dominant performance in a game that bounces us out of the playoffs and ruins a historic season. 🤦‍♀️

Edited by diamondbull424
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28 minutes ago, diamondbull424 said:

edit: That or he gets into it with Brandon Williams... our most respected veteran on defense... and decides to spit in his face... after having a dominant performance in a game that bounces us out of the playoffs and ruins a historic season. 🤦‍♀️

Yea as the main drivers of that bandwagon on here, you and I really took an under the radar haymaker lol. The previous "Our favorite draft prospect plays an integral role in bouncing us from the playoffs" situation was more acknowledged as we actually had the chance to draft Derwin James :|.

Oh well lol, at least we weren't wrong about them as players. We're bound to get one of them actually on the Ravens soon enough. 

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4 hours ago, DreamKid said:

Yea as the main drivers of that bandwagon on here, you and I really took an under the radar haymaker lol. The previous "Our favorite draft prospect plays an integral role in bouncing us from the playoffs" situation was more acknowledged as we actually had the chance to draft Derwin James :|.

Oh well lol, at least we weren't wrong about them as players. We're bound to get one of them actually on the Ravens soon enough. 

Wow... somehow I had managed to forget about Derwin James being the catalyst for our first playoff exit. This just makes it all the more depressing. James and Simmons in back to back seasons. Their better not be a playoff diddle diddle with CEH next year. That happens and I might have to retire. The only worse feeling could be to be born a Browns fan.

🤦‍♀️ 😆 

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I think the Hurst trade chip option is an interesting one. Personally I do think EDC is going to be exploring his value on the trade market because he's probably the most tradeable positive asset we have. But I'd be surprised if we let him go purely for a draft pick - ie. valuing him as a 3rd round pick and doing a straight swap with him for that pick. I moreso expect that if we do move him it's in a situation like we were allegedly exploring with Ramsey where he's a sweetener that would allow us to make a move for a blue chip star without having to empty our draft capital entirely. So for example if the Chargers are shopping Keenan Allen and they like Hurst given Hunter Henry's health issues, then I could see us going with Hurst+ a 3rd round pick as an offer to them rather than offering a 2nd rounder or whatever it is. Basically I think we should approach Hurst as a valuable piece of this offense who we should look to establish a better role for next year, but if the opportunity comes to leverage Hurst to help acquire a bonafide star, then we'll make the move. 

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On 1/18/2020 at 1:40 PM, AFlaccoSeagulls said:

So we're losing Judon but only drafting one edge player, in the 3rd round?

So this comment really made me rethink my offseason. Therefore I made some slight adjustments to the above. Added Marvin Jones at WR as a cap casualty who would provide some similar benefits as an AJ Green (who I think gets franchised and traded). I also added Jadeveon Clowney as a FA signing.

I’m not sure how all the cap would work out but I’m sure we should have enough to fit all three of those guys in. With the end of the current CBA and a lockout expected, that could influence the team to go all in on cap... considering the next CBA might not have a cap rollover option.

Also I changed the 4th and 7th round picks to better build up the front 7 moving forward.

Edited by diamondbull424
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2 hours ago, RavensfanRD said:

Overall, I wouldn't be opposed to how your offseason mock went. But I would be bummed to part ways with Hayden. I'm still holding out hope that he and Andrews can be Gronk and Hernandez reborn! I STILL SEE IT!

True. Red Thor is such an excellent nickname and he has a skillset that can really produce in the NFL. I just have had the feeling for a long time now that he’s not happy with his role on the team and when he yelled “throw me the ball” in the playoff game that confirmed my suspensions. The locker room was really in a good spot all season, but moving forward the front office will have to be smart in recognizing potential problems before they arise and that’s what I see with this Hurst situation. He’s got elite hands, but his zone busting ability leaves a lot to be desired and with Lamar at QB that’s the coverage we see the most of. Perhaps Hurst returns and really improves in that area, but I’m not sure how much improvement I saw from him year 1 to year 2, so who knows.

1 hour ago, BaltimoreTerp said:

I think the Hurst trade chip option is an interesting one. Personally I do think EDC is going to be exploring his value on the trade market because he's probably the most tradeable positive asset we have. But I'd be surprised if we let him go purely for a draft pick - ie. valuing him as a 3rd round pick and doing a straight swap with him for that pick. I moreso expect that if we do move him it's in a situation like we were allegedly exploring with Ramsey where he's a sweetener that would allow us to make a move for a blue chip star without having to empty our draft capital entirely. So for example if the Chargers are shopping Keenan Allen and they like Hurst given Hunter Henry's health issues, then I could see us going with Hurst+ a 3rd round pick as an offer to them rather than offering a 2nd rounder or whatever it is. Basically I think we should approach Hurst as a valuable piece of this offense who we should look to establish a better role for next year, but if the opportunity comes to leverage Hurst to help acquire a bonafide star, then we'll make the move. 

Absolutely. All good feedback. Not sure how a trade would be completed, but I do like the sound of Hurst for a veteran WR + pick. The way I see it the longer we hold onto him as an asset, the less likely we will be to being able to unload him for respectable value... and are we really going to look at giving him the 5th year option of a 1st round player when Lamar is going to be getting paid that same offseason while Hurst is still a #2/#3 TE option? I think it’s pretty much now or never with this offseason.

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4 hours ago, diamondbull424 said:

True. Red Thor is such an excellent nickname and he has a skillset that can really produce in the NFL. I just have had the feeling for a long time now that he’s not happy with his role on the team and when he yelled “throw me the ball” in the playoff game that confirmed my suspensions.

 

4 hours ago, diamondbull424 said:

He’s got elite hands, but his zone busting ability leaves a lot to be desired and with Lamar at QB that’s the coverage we see the most of. Perhaps Hurst returns and really improves in that area, but I’m not sure how much improvement I saw from him year 1 to year 2, so who knows.

Gotta be honest DB, I don't see Hurst as having any issue against Zone coverage. He's consistently open against all coverages from everything I've seen and has failed to bring in only 1 catchable target during his entire tenure(when he didn't get his head around against the Titans). On top of that he consistently hauls in catches with exceptionally high difficulty levels, one hand in the rain, defenders draped etc. An actual weakness of his last year(imo) was a tendency to alligator arm some balls which allowed DBs to disrupt some catches, but he improved greatly in that regard for 2019. 

Rather than him having trust issues with Lamar in practice, or having some weakness in working against Zone- I really think it's as simple as Boyle and Andrews being elite specialists that the OC (when given the option) would rather roll with on any given play. 

I do think he's unhappy with his role here, but only in a way that any player who feels they have more to contribute would be. Not in a malignant sort of way. He's really close with Lamar and that TE room literally considers one other family.

I'm not worried about him at all, and I think he'll continue to carve out a bigger role going forward. We need Hayden's skill set on this team, especially when considering Andrews' tendency to get banged up.

I think this is a play Lamar makes in 2020, and I think Hayden will learn from his playoff error. Took a while for the Flacco-Boldin connection to reach final form too. I still see big things for the Jackson-Andrews-Hurst core.

 

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