The two players most often linked to the Ravens in mock drafts both suffered injuries at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray and LSU linebacker Patrick Queen both pulled up with hamstring injuries when they ran the 40-yard dash.
Queen clocked a time of 4.50 seconds on his second try, when he suffered the injury. Murray turned in a 4.52 on his first try, then was unable to finish his second attempt because of the injury.
Neither injury is reportedly serious, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that both players should be able to participate at their pro day workouts (Oklahoma on March 11 and LSU on April 3).
Both times weren't quite as fast as some were expecting, but speed isn't a question when watching both linebackers' tape.
Before the Combine, Ravens Director of Player Personnel Joe Hortiz joined "The Lounge" and gave his pre-Combine analysis of Murray and Queen. He said they're similar, other than a couple inches of height.
"They're really fast, active football players that fly around. They're athletic. You see them on film because they're fast," Hortiz said.
"Now it's hard to get a perfect linebacker. They all have their flaws. They have their flaws, each of them independently. But the one thing that is consistent with both of those guys is you see the sideline-to-sideline [ability]."
Both linebackers are in the new-age mold of what teams are looking for in a league that is increasingly pass-happy. They can cover tight ends and running backs, matching them stride for stride, while also offering positional flexibility because of their immense athleticism.
But Hortiz was mindful to say that it's important that any inside linebacker be able to play downhill. Sideline-to-sideline speed is great, but bullying running back Derrick Henry bulldozed the Ravens out of the playoffs, and that isn't lost on Hortiz or the Ravens.
"I think it showed against us – you've got to come downhill and hit a guy in the mouth," Hortiz said. "While it's great to get a guy that can run and be athletic, you've got to be able to diagnose the run and play downhill. If you can't, you're probably not going to have as much value in this defense.
"You love the athletes and the guys that can run, but you've got to be smart, tough and instinctive at that position still. That's not something you want to compromise on at that position."
