DB424 Final Mock Draft

[diamondbull424]

1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

6’2” 216 lbs. 4.34 estimated forty.

I won’t dive too deep into this pick. I’ve fully broken down my reasons for why I believe Lamar Jackson, if available at 16, will be our pick in the first round here...

Pro Comparison: Mike Vick/RGIII

I think, in the wake of the dogfighting atrocity, many people are forgetting just how truly unbelievable Mike Vick was with the Atlanta Falcons. Same with RGIII as a rookie. The two major differences between Jackson and the Vick/RG3 are a) he protects himself better and b) no durability issues in college. Jackson is also much more coachable than the other two.

2. Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas

6’5” 312 lbs, 5.01s forty, 33 1/2 VJ, 9’7” Broad, 4.53s SS, 8.04s cone.

Frank Ragnow is the Best center prospect to come out of the draft in some time. His college coach put him on the same level as Joe Thomas and Kevin Zeitler as prospects and I agree. I believe he’s on the same level of interior ability as Quenten Nelson. I see a Matt Birk quality talent, future all pro.

Pro Comparison: Matt Birk

Big, smart, athletic, strong, and prototypical size. Can block size, can pull, can get to the second level. The complete package. Future All Pro ability.

3. Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado St.

6’1” 210 lbs, 4.45s forty, 36” VJ, 10’8” Broad, 4.37 ss, 6.95 cone.

This is a very deep WR class and lost in that shuffle of talent seems to be Gallup. He’s extremely productive and has a great share of his offensive production. He’s quick to recognize zone vs man concepts and adjust. While still learning the position, he has proven to already excel in short and intermediate routes and separate deep on occasion. He’s also very good in producing YAC in the open field. Not only did he dominate the regular season but Gallup also separated himself in senior bowl practices.

Pro Comparison: Derrick Mason

If the below game against Alabama isn’t Mason going up against the Pittsburgh Steelers defenses with Ike Taylor and company than I don’t know what is. Gallup in 1on1 coverage is able to make plays in the short to intermediate game almost whenever he wants to. But when in bracket coverage or on plays deep down the field, he struggles against high caliber talents. The same will be true in the NFL.

4. Justin Watson, WR, UPenn

6’2” 215 lbs, 4.44s forty, 20 BP, 40” VJ, 10’4” Broad, 4.26 ss, 7.08 cone.

Watson is an analytics dream brimming with both production, athleticism, and the best college dominator in this draft class. The Ravens had success going to the Ivy Leagues in the 4th round when they took Kyle Juszcyk from out of Harvard. They also had success fixing a much maligned TE position left in the wake of Todd Heap, by double dipping in 2010 with Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta respectively. That draft was similarly deep at the TE position as this class is at WR, the same strategy could work again.

Pro Comparison: Jordy Nelson

Both are possessed of similar builds, athleticism, college production, and great hands. I could see Watson developing a great repoire with Flacco as well.

5. Jaryd Jones-Smith, RT, Pittsburgh

6’6” 320 lbs, 36 1/4” arms, 5.22 forty, 16 BP, 16 BP, 27” VJ, 9’1” Broad, 4.94s SS, 8.1 cone.

Jones-Smith has raw footwork for the position, but you can’t teach his arm length. He has the requisite athleticism to play OT at the next level. He’s still raw in his footwork and so I’m sure he will be given the chance to compete with Hurst for the RT spot, ultimately a veteran camp casualty OT could also be brought in for depth until JJS cleans some of his mechanical flaws and builds strength.

6. Ryan Nall, FB/RB, Oregon St.

6’2” 232 lbs, 4.58s forty, 15 BP, 33” VJ, 10’2”, 4.16 s SS, 6.95s cone.

Nall is a talented HB that plays with power and is hard to go down in the run game. He has enough speed to reach paydirt on long runs. The Ravens met with Nall at the combine and it could be that they envision him being a short yardage back in goal line situations and playing as an H-back type of FB. Nall has the hands to succeed in such a role and could develop into our most dangerous FB since LeRon McClain.

Pro Comparison: Mike Alstott

Versatile RB/FB that picks up yards in short yardage situations, has nice hands, and a good blocker. Physical and versatile 3rd down back.

6. Amari Coleman, CB, Central Michigan

5’10” 183 lbs, 4.51s forty, 19 BP, 39” VJ, 10’5” Broad, 4.21s SS, and 6.9s cone.

Coleman is a player the Ravens met with at his proday, so there is some level of interest. He’s a smaller feisty option that does best when playing closer to the receiver. He’s not a lockdown corner but seems instinctive in a zone and is a playmaker when he gets the ball in his hands, having returned 3/8 interceptions for touchdowns. Speaking of returning he also serves as a returner and would come in and immediately compete as a return specialist and for a spot on our coverage units.

7. Joel Lanning, ILB, Iowa St.

6’1” 232 lbs, 4.76s forty, 26 BP, 33” VJ, 9’6” Broad, 7.01 cone.

Joel Lanning was a quarterback that switched to ILB for his senior season and watching his tape, you can tell. He looks out of place and slow to make reads. But he has plus athleticism for the position and size. Lanning should come in immediately and compete for a spot on our special teams units while he develops as a linebacker. Worst case scenario he develops on the practice squad for a year or two before competing for an ILB spot.

[Danand]

I would prefer it to go another way, but I can see your point adding certain pieces to the puzzle.

Picking Lamar Jackson is to me the same thing as throwing Flacco out almost immediately. We would have to carry 3 QB's on the team this year, where either RGIII or Lamar Jackson on gameday would be the backup. If we where in 2019 - adding RGIII and Lamar Jackson would make a lot more sense both economical speaking and having a true bridge option in RGIII. As a talent, Jackson is one you scheme an offense for - and we have Roman waiting in the wings. That would make a lot of sense.

Best case scenario, we would be able to trade Flacco next year - if he performs this year.

I'm always supporting a Ragnow pick, and the rest I can get behind although I like other prospects more.

I believe that we still have a window with Flacco, and that you start rookies early. That is the route I would prefer. If this would be the outcome of the draft, I can see the reasoning as well.

[diamondbull424]

11 hours ago, Danand said:

I would prefer it to go another way, but I can see your point adding certain pieces to the puzzle.

Picking Lamar Jackson is to me the same thing as throwing Flacco out almost immediately. We would have to carry 3 QB's on the team this year, where either RGIII or Lamar Jackson on gameday would be the backup. If we where in 2019 - adding RGIII and Lamar Jackson would make a lot more sense both economical speaking and having a true bridge option in RGIII. As a talent, Jackson is one you scheme an offense for - and we have Roman waiting in the wings. That would make a lot of sense.

Best case scenario, we would be able to trade Flacco next year - if he performs this year.

I'm always supporting a Ragnow pick, and the rest I can get behind although I like other prospects more.

I believe that we still have a window with Flacco, and that you start rookies early. That is the route I would prefer. If this would be the outcome of the draft, I can see the reasoning as well.

Agreed, I do think Flacco has time left as well. I’ve just been wondering if franchises like the Bears would’ve been much better off had they been proactive about finding their next franchise QB before the time was up. The scenario with an undeniable talent like Jackson just reminds me of the great quote in Shakespeare’s Julius Ceasur by Brutus to Cassius:

Brutus:
There is a tide in the affairs of men.
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.

We have the potential to select a franchise QB at pick #16, that’s generally unrealistic to expect, especially in this era of QB inflated draft value. That said we have a franchise QB. This decision we would have with Flacco wouldn’t  be easy, but it would give us control of the situation. If Jackson is there and we pass on him, whose to say the next 5 QB classes are going to be solid enough for us to get a QB without spending much effort, let alone a top 3-5 talent pick on him. We are in control of our QB plan here, and either we take sail, or let the opportunity pass by.

[M.10.E]

LOVE LOVE LOVE

[freezer-52]

yeah this mock would be very ideal, could use a late tight end though Ryan Nall seems like a surefire ravens pick. Didn't know much about Gallup but I dont find that tape against Alabama particularly impressive, I'd hope a DJ Chark, Equanimous St Brown, Anthony Miller or maybe even Simmie Cobbs would be available to pick there. If Ridley is on the board at 16 and we dont pick him, it should push the deep class at WR back to us in later rounds. 

Love the Lamar Jackson pick I think that would fire up the fan base big time

[AFlaccoSeagulls]

I like the Ragnow pick the best. The rest of the picks, IMO, are very underwhelming. I don't trust our coaching staff to develop or play Jackson to his fullest potential, and I don't trust our coaches to take 3rd and 4th round WR picks and develop them into anything.

[diamondbull424]

1 hour ago, freezer-52 said:

yeah this mock would be very ideal, could use a late tight end though Ryan Nall seems like a surefire ravens pick. Didn't know much about Gallup but I dont find that tape against Alabama particularly impressive, I'd hope a DJ Chark, Equanimous St Brown, Anthony Miller or maybe even Simmie Cobbs would be available to pick there. If Ridley is on the board at 16 and we dont pick him, it should push the deep class at WR back to us in later rounds. 

Love the Lamar Jackson pick I think that would fire up the fan base big time

It’s arguably the “worst” tape of his career. So often we look at future pro players dominate against backwater schools. My goal is to see what the guy can do in the pros. Gallup here is going up against an NFL caliber secondary with less than NFL caliber quarterbacking talent, all while being the focal point of his offense and the Alabama defensive game plan.

This tape is indicative of how he will win/look in the pros. Similar to the Frank Ragnow tape. Both players have better “looking” tape, but when Gallup is facing bracket coverage from two first round safeties and corners that are mid round selections; while still posting 11 targets, 5 recs for 81 yards. I value that more than him putting up 212 yds receiving the following week against Hawaii or the two other games where he went over 200 yds receiving. It’s a more realistic expectation.