The build-up to the 2019 NFL Draft in Nashville has begun.
The East-West Shrine Game practices are underway, and the Senior Bowl is on deck. The Combine will follow.
But let's be honest. The real beginning of the pre-draft process kicks off with mock drafts (sarcasm). So below are the very early predictions for who Baltimore will select at pick No. 22.
Nobody in last year’s Mock Draft Monitor 1.0 predicted tight end Hayden Hurst or quarterback Lamar Jackson would land in Baltimore. Pundits did hit on Orlando Brown Jr., though they had him in the first round (he went in the third).
Follow along, as we'll continue this series over the next several months to keep fans updated on who pundits believe will become Ravens.
**Todd McShay, ESPN**
Posted on Dec. 12, *projected pick No. 21
ILB Devin Bush, Michigan
Junior; 5-foot-11, 233 pounds; 66 tackles, 4.5 sacks
"All over the field; he's sideline-to-sideline. He's that kind of safety becoming a linebacker, perfect for today's NFL. If he gets there to 21, the Ravens always protect those inside backers with strong defensive line play. He would be outstanding; I think he would lead the Ravens in tackles." – Mel Kiper Jr.
**Dane Brugler, The Athletic**
Posted on Jan. 9
EDGE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
Senior; 6-foot-6, 241 pounds; 53 tackles, 12 sacks, 1 forced fumble
"The Ravens drafted a pair of Day Two pass rushers in the 2017 NFL Draft, but neither Tim Williams nor Tyus Bowser has emerged as a legitimate starter. And with Terrell Suggs now a free agent, the Ravens will have an eye on upgrading the pass rush. Sweat is a long-armed, light-footed edge defender capable of standing up in a 3-4 or putting his hand on the ground in a 4-3."
**Kalyn Kahler, MMQB**
Posted on Dec. 19
WR A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
Junior; 6-foot-1, 225 pounds; 85 receptions, 1,320 yards, 6 touchdowns
"The first receiver off the board goes to Baltimore, who is looking for help for Lamar Jackson. The Ravens have been rotating in a series of veteran receivers, but haven't had a true No. 1 in years. Brown can make tough catches in traffic and has the size and strength to develop into a physical, catch-and-run possession threat."
**Matt Miller, Bleacher Report**
Posted on Jan. 15
WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
Junior; 5-foot-10, 168 pounds; 75 receptions, 1,318 yards, 10 touchdowns
"I have a rule that inaccurate quarterbacks need big targets at wide receiver. This might break that rule, but the Baltimore Ravens should be investing in deep speed to pair with Lamar Jackson's considerable arm strength. Opening up the offense with vertical routes to give Jackson room to run should excite everyone in Baltimore. … Add the speed and big-play ability of Marquise Brown to this roster, and teams like the Los Angeles Chargers won't be able to spend all their resources stopping Jackson's legs."
**Dan Kadar, SB Nation**
Posted on Jan. 14*
OL Dalton Risner, Kansas State*
Senior; 6-foot-5, 308 pounds
"If the Ravens are going to fully devote to a heavy run offense with Lamar Jackson, the team has to get better on the interior of the offensive line. Risner should be able to handle left guard for the Ravens, and could even looked at as a center."
**Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus**
Posted on Jan. 15
WR N'Keal Harry, Arizona State
Junior; 6-foot-4, 213 pounds; 73 catches, 1,088 yards, 9 touchdowns
"The wide receiver class has plenty of big-bodied receivers, and Harry is one of the best in contested situations while adding impressive after-the-catch skills. His large catch radius will be helpful for QB Lamar Jackson's development."
**Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports**
Posted Jan. 16
LB Devin White, LSU
Junior; 6-foot-1, 240 pounds; 123 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
"C.J. Mosley could hit free agency after the season and White, who could be a top-10 pick, would seamlessly transition into the role. He's one of the most dynamic players in the draft, a sideline-to-sideline thumper who would immediately solidify the middle of the defense."
**Nate Davis, USA Today**
Posted Jan. 16
DE Zach Allen, Boston College
Senior; 6-foot-5, 285 pounds; 61 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 1 interceptions, 1 forced fumble
"At 6-5, 285 pounds, his frame is ideally suited for Baltimore's front. Yet with 30½ TFLs over the past two seasons, Allen does more than suck up blocks."
**Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News**
Posted Jan. 16
EDGE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
"Sweat's size (6-6, 241 pounds) and relentless productivity as an edge pass-rusher makes him the ideal successor to Terrell Suggs in the Ravens' steadfast 3-4 scheme."
**Jacob Klinger, Penn Live**
Posted Jan. 16
RB Josh Jacobs, Alabama
Junior; 5-foot-10, 216 pounds; 640 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, 20 catches, 247 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns
"The Ravens can pretty much do whatever they want, outside of a few positions, in this draft. And whereas in most years a first-round running back pick is something of a risk, in 2019 it addresses the most glaring need in an offense that needs to stay on the front foot in the ground game."
