Free agency has cooled, and the NFL Draft is less than a month away.
Here are the latest questions for the written version of #RavensMailbag. Make sure to submit your questions every week!
Mink: Your question is immediately flawed by calling us (especially Downing) geniuses. I don't think you're going to get "better" players than Jadeveon Clowney in the Draft, but they sure will come a lot cheaper. The Ravens simply don't have the money to sign Clowney. Hate to burst so many bubbles out there. They probably didn't have it before they signed Derek Wolfe and they definitely don't have it now. I'm not even sure they have enough to get Clay Matthews at this point either, barring reaching an extension with Matthew Judon or Ronnie Stanley that could free up some space. A more likely scenario at pass rusher would be to bring back Pernell McPhee. I feel like Eric DeCosta's splash free-agency signings are done and it's time to shift focus to the draft.
Downing: The Ravens already have five picks in the first three rounds – a first rounder, two second rounders and two third rounders. They don't need more picks in those middle rounds, but it certainly could happen if DeCosta decides to trade back in the first round. If the Ravens don't like the options available to them when they find themselves on the clock at No. 28, or feel they could get more value later, then he could move out of the first round and add an additional mid-round pick along the way. I still think that moving up in the first round is more likely, but as we know, never rule out a trade back scenario in Baltimore.
Mink: I think fans are sleeping on Boykin and he could be a starter in his second season. I hear clamoring for a big-bodied wide receiver (once again), but that's exactly what Boykin is at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds with off-the-charts athleticism. Yes, he had just 13 catches for 198 yards as a rookie, but he didn't get a ton of chances and there was some developing that needed to happen to cash in on his immense tools. He could be in line for a sophomore jump and the Ravens are still high on him. I would be surprised if Baltimore doesn't draft a wide receiver in the first three rounds, but that player isn't a guaranteed starter and could initially be used as a slot threat alongside Willie Snead IV.
Downing: Tight end has become a bit of a need after the Hayden Hurst trade and it wouldn't surprise me to see the Ravens address that in the middle-to-late rounds of the draft. If they add a rookie tight end, that player would likely play a similar role to Hurst. He would be the third tight end in the rotation, behind Mark Andrews as a pass catcher and Nick Boyle as a primary blocker. But the Ravens rely heavily on the tight ends in Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman's offense, so that third tight end spot is still an important role. As far as Yanda, DeCosta said he would go into the Ring of Honor in the "very near future." That's most likely in 2021 because Haloti Ngata is already scheduled to as this year's Ring of Honor honoree. The specifics on Yanda's Ring of Honor ceremony likely won't be announced until we know the 2021 schedule … so sit tight.
Mink: I expect the Ravens to draft probably two offensive linemen in this year's draft – one guard/center and another tackle/guard. One of those picks will probably come in the first two days of the Draft and another on Day 3. Ben Powers could step into Marshal Yanda's starting spot after being a fourth-round pick last year, but that won't stop the Ravens from giving the sophomore competition. A pick in the first three rounds would do just that. After James Hurst was released, Baltimore could also use a young, versatile, developmental tackle/guard prospect to groom as a reserve for now.
Downing: Great question. I'm not sure you want to disrupt the three best friends that anyone could have. That's a special bond. But Derek might have a leg up on Justin Tucker, Sam Koch and Morgan Cox because he's the one who'll get the "hooowwwwwllll" calls at M&T Bank Stadium this year.
