2020 NFL Draft: 5 Teams who immediately benefitted the most
By Samuel Teets
3. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore sat at the 28th overall pick and let the entire draft come to them. Without moving up, the Ravens landed the final piece their defense desperately needed. Baltimore drafted linebacker Patrick Queen from LSU. He gives Baltimore the presence on the interior it has missed since C.J. Mosley left.
Queen earned a terrific 6.71 grade on NFL Network’s 8.0 prospect scale, and analyst Lance Zierlein compared him to former Pro Bowler, Thomas Davis. LSU’s star linebacker produced 85 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and three sacks during the school’s run to the National Championship last year.
With their sideline-to-sideline linebacker of the future on the roster, Baltimore made an odd pick in the second round. The organization drafted Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins with the 55th overall pick. The Ravens didn’t need another running back, but they absolutely stacked the running back room by adding a player with starting potential. Dobbins joins Gus Edwards, Justice Hill and Mark Ingram in Baltimore’s backfield.
Looking forward, Ingram’s contract ends in two years, and there’s a potential out for Baltimore after the 2020 season. It’s a long-term plan, but Dobbins could become the team’s lead back in a few years.
The Ravens went to town with their three picks in the third round. With the 71st pick, Baltimore took Texas A&M’s Justin Madubuike. The Ravens didn’t need another defensive tackle, but he provides depth for the future when players like Derek Wolfe and Brandon Williams move on.
At 92nd overall, Baltimore grabbed Texas’ Devin Duvernay. The slot receiver looks and runs like a running back with the ball in his hands. He joins a rebuilding receiving corps. The franchise added Malik Harrison with the 98th pick. The Ohio State product dominates against the run and can shed blocks easily. He should compete for starting time immediately.
Baltimore closed out the third round by selecting tackle Tyre Phillips. Phillips isn’t extremely twitchy or quick. He might benefit from kicking inside to guard.
Speaking of guards, Baltimore added Michigan’s Ben Bredeson in the fourth round. The team followed up by adding defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr. in the fifth.
At 201st overall, Baltimore landed an absolute steal in the second-to-last round. The Ravens drafted SMU’s James Proche. The wide receiver produced 301 receptions, 3,949 receiving yards, and 39 receiving touchdowns during his four seasons with the team.
With their only pick in the seventh round, the Ravens took Geno Stone, a safety from Iowa.