We're a week away from the start of the 2019 NFL Draft and have come full circle on the predictions.
The most popular projection to the Ravens at No. 22, by far, is Ole Miss wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.
Metcalf was a frequent selection before he blew up the Combine with a historically-good performance. After that, most pundits didn't think there was a chance that Metcalf would get out of the top 15 picks.
But the passage of time between the Combine and draft allows for tons of follow-up questions and analysis, and it seems Metcalf's stock is, for some reason, trending down. The questions about his health and production at Ole Miss are at the top of the list.
We'll do one more round of final predictions next Thursday before the first round kicks off. Here's the latest:
**Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN***
C/G Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
*Junior; 6-foot-4, 310 pounds
"I thought about running back here. I also thought about wide receiver. McCoy, though, could start at center immediately."
**Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network***
DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
*Junior; 6-foot-4, 264 pounds; 53 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks
"Ferrell fits Baltimore's profile. He's physical, tough and has a high floor."
**Dan Kadar, SB Nation***
WR D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss
*Sophomore; 6-foot-4, 225 pounds; 26 catches, 569 yards, 5 touchdowns
"The Ravens don't have a receiver who can do what Metcalf can do physically. He's an impressive jump-ball target who can stretch the field for Lamar Jackson. If Jackson is to develop as a quarterback, he needs viable targets who will can score touchdowns. Metcalf is that player."
**Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports***
WR D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss*
"Metcalf, who blazed a 4.33 40-yard dash time at the combine, has game-changing talent. He would add another dimension to the Ravens' run-heavy offense."
**Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports***
WR D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss*
"The Ravens have to get Lamar Jackson some legitimate weapons on the outside, and Metcalf is the most intimidating outside receiver in this class because of his size, strength, and speed.
**Jenny Vrentas, MMQB***
WR D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss*
"The Ravens need a receiver, and one falls into their lap. Metcalf was one of the combine stars, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was still available here. His college production was limited in large part due to injuries, including a season-ending neck injury last fall, and he had some issues with drops. If they're comfortable with his medical, Metcalf is a big-bodied target with the ability to stress defenses, something the Ravens don't have."
**John Clayton, The Washington Post***
C Garrett Bradberry, N.C. State*
"Finding the right wide receiver for the Lamar Jackson offense could be tricky, because any wideout will need to have good run-blocking ability. Bradberry's stock has been rising over the past few months, and he would help to solidify the offensive line and running game."
**Don Banks, Patriots.com***
WR D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss*
"Imagine the sight of Lamar Jackson lobbing up jump-ball passes down field to the freakishly built Metcalf? It's a vision that probably brings an involuntary smile to the face of Ravens coach John Harbaugh. Baltimore has to consider Metcalf if he's there, because a run-first offense can only take you so far in the NFL."
**Ben Standig, NBC Sports Washington***
DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson*
"Look for the Ravens to seek a trade partner in their attempt to recoup a 2nd round pick. For now, the roster focus centers on an edge rush replacement with Terrell Suggs headed to the desert, the never-ending receiver concerns and a leaky offensive line."
**Walter Football***
WR D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss*
"Here we have one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft, haunted by one question: can he actually play WR. Metcalf needs to put it together. He is a more extreme version of Dorial Green-Beckham a few years ago; an amazing, amazing athlete, but with questions about route running and hands (though Metcalf doesn't have the character issues of DGB). Baltimore hopes his career is just the opposite of Green-Beckham's.
