Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff Writer 4y

Baltimore Ravens' 2020 NFL draft analysis for every pick

The 2020 NFL draft is in the books, and the Baltimore Ravens' draft class is complete.

The draft, which had been scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, was successfully completed virtually from the homes of coaches, general managers and other front-office staff because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Analysis of every pick | Updated depth charts

Here's a pick-by-pick look at how each player the Ravens selected will fit:


Round 1, No. 28 overall: Patrick Queen, ILB, LSU

My take: The Ravens fill their biggest need, but Queen doesn’t look or play like Ray Lewis or C.J. Mosley, the two other middle linebackers selected by the Ravens in the first round. He’s a safety-sized, multitalented defender. Queen can go sideline to sideline to stop the run, drop back in coverage to blanket tight ends and blitz from anywhere on the field. The Ravens never filled the void of losing Mosley a year ago in free agency, rotating Josh Bynes and L.J. Fort inside last season. With Queen, Baltimore has an every-down linebacker who ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in 4.5 seconds (fourth fastest among linebackers) and was the Defensive Most Valuable Player in LSU’s national championship win.

Making Ravens draft history: It has taken the Ravens 25 years and 202 picks to do so, but Queen is the first player from LSU ever drafted by the franchise. It’s a good time to look at LSU, especially if you’re searching for your next defensive centerpiece. Two Pro Bowl middle linebackers (Kwon Alexander and Deion Jones) and a top-five pick from last year (Devin White) all played at LSU. Queen praised Jones’ aggressiveness, Alexander’s energy and White’s outspoken nature. "I'll take every little piece of their game and try to add it to mine to try to be versatile player,” Queen said.

From second-stringer to first round: Queen bided his time for two years behind White and didn’t start last season until the fourth game of the season. He finished third on the team with 85 tackles, including 12 for loss, and three sacks. Still, Queen started just 16 games in his college career, and inexperience could be a concern. "Even though I didn't start at the beginning of the year, my film takes care of everything they have questions for,” Queen said. He still has to prove he has the strength to hold up against the run, but few excel more against the pass. His 11 defensive pressures when lined up at inside linebacker were the most in the SEC. Queen also allowed just 165 total yards on 355 coverage snaps this season.

What’s next: The Ravens can address needs at wide receiver, interior offensive line and pass-rusher on Day 2, when they have a total of four picks. Baltimore has two picks in the second round (No. 55 from the trade of tight end Hayden Hurst to Atlanta and No. 60) and two selections in the third round (No. 92 and a compensatory pick at No. 106). The Ravens haven’t made a pick in the second round since 2017, when they selected outside linebacker Tyus Bowser.


Round 2, No. 55 overall: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State

My take: How committed are the Ravens to the running game? Baltimore used a second-round pick on a running back after setting the NFL single-season rushing record with 3,296 yards. It marks the first time the Ravens have drafted a running back in the first two rounds since Ray Rice in 2008. Baltimore now has the potential of its own triplets, teaming Dobbins with NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and last year's first-round pick Marquise Brown. Drafting Dobbins, who set the Ohio State record with 2,003 yards rushing last season, is forward thinking by the Ravens. Pro Bowl running back Mark Ingram II turned 30 last December and backup Gus Edwards is a free agent next offseason. Plus, Dobbins can have a much more immediate impact. When Ingram suffered an ankle injury toward the end of last season, the Ravens struggled to run the ball in an upset playoff loss to the Titans, getting 42 rushing yards from their running backs. With Dobbins, Baltimore shouldn't have a problem with its ground game if Ingram is slowed.


Round 3, No. 71 overall: Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M

My take: This could become the Ravens' biggest steal of this draft. The Ravens were able to get Mel Kiper Jr.'s third-best defensive tackle in this draft after trading back into the third round. Madubuike ranked only behind Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw, both of whom went in the first 14 picks. The reason why he slid is because he's not polished player. But Madubuike should provide much-needed interior pass-rush for Baltimore, which totaled an NFL-worst four sacks by defensive linemen last season. His 5.5 sacks led Texas A&M last season and his 51 pressures in the last two seasons were the most by a defensive tackle/nose tackle in the FBS. What's his favorite part about playing defensive line? "I love putting my hand in somebody’s throat and just pushing them all the way backwards," Madubuike said. Sounds like a Ravens-type player.


Round 3, No. 92 overall: Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas

My take: The Ravens finally get a new target for Jackson. Baltimore passed on wide receivers in the first round (Tee Higgins), second round (Denzel Mims) and early in the third round (Lyn Bowden), but the Ravens land one of the draft's best slot receivers in Duvernay, who was one of the fastest at the NFL combine (4.39 in the 40). He will make life easier for Jackson because he excels at taking short passes and turning them into big plays. His 44 catches on screens or quick passes last year were the fourth-most in the FBS, and his 28 missed tackles last season were the third-most in the FBS. But Duvernay is built more like a running back and needs to improve his route-running. Still, he adds more speed to a Baltimore wide receiver group that totaled 1,419 yards last season, the fewest for that position since the 2011 Jacksonville Jaguars.


Round 3, No. 98 overall: Malik Harrison, OLB, Ohio State

My take: Just like in free agency, the Ravens continue to address the defensive front. This marks the second time that the Ravens have drafted three front seven players in the first three rounds (2017 was the other). Harrison is a violent presence who can line up all over the field. He ranked second at Ohio State in pressure percentage (12.5), trailing only No. 2 overall pick Chase Young. His 15 tackles behind the line of scrimmage were the fifth-most in the Big Ten. Harrison has limitations in coverage and is considered to have average instincts. At the very least, he can make an immediate impact on special teams.


Round 3, No. 106 overall: Tyre Phillips, OT, Mississippi State

My take: Phillips has a chance, if he can make the transition, to compete against Ben Powers for the starting right guard spot, which is open after the retirement of Marshal Yanda. After taking Phillips with the last pick of the third round, Ravens officials expressed a belief that he can convert a college tackle to an NFL guard. By playing inside, Phillips' lateral mobility should be less of an issue and his power should be a strength. His mauling style should fit well with a team that runs the ball more than anyone else in the NFL.

What’s next: After making six picks in the first three rounds, the Ravens have three picks in the final four rounds. Baltimore has one pick in the fourth round (No. 143, compensatory), fifth round (No. 170) and seventh round (No. 225). There's still plenty of needs: another wide receiver, tight end, outside linebacker, safety and returner.


Round 4, No. 143 overall: Ben Bredeson, OG, Michigan

My take: Baltimore takes interior offensive linemen with back-to-back picks, selecting Bredeson in the fourth round after taking Tyre Phillips in the third. This shows how strongly the Ravens believe in building their offensive line with homegrown talent and investing in the line in front of NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson. This marks the seventh time in the past five drafts that Baltimore has selected an offensive lineman in the first four rounds. Coach John Harbaugh, whose brother Jim coached Bredeson, said one of the top two challenges this offseason was making sure the interior of the offensive line is set. Right guard Marshal Yanda retired and center Matt Skura is recovering from significant knee surgery. Bredeson is known for his toughness and leadership but is considered athletically limited. He should compete with Phillips and Powers for Yanda's old spot. He also said he is open to playing center.


Round 5, No. 170 overall: Broderick Washington Jr., DT, Texas Tech

My take: The Ravens used the pick that they received from the Minnesota Vikings for a backup kicker to provide more depth to the defensive line. Washington is the fourth defensive lineman added by Baltimore this offseason (Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe in free agency and Justin Madubuike in the third round). This comes after the Ravens allowed a franchise-worst 4.4 yards per carry last season. Washington is an undersized but gritty defender who was a three-year starter. With the Ravens, he's expected to be a rotational player with defensive tackle Brandon Williams.


Round 6, No. 201 overall: James Proche, WR, SMU

My take: The Ravens get their second wide receiver with proven production in this draft and perhaps found a returner as well. Baltimore wanted Proche so badly that it traded into the sixth round, giving up a 2021 fifth-round pick and swapping seventh-rounders with the Vikings to do so. Proche totaled 204 receptions over his final two seasons at SMU (2018-19). That's 27 more catches than any other FBS player in that span. His strength is making catches in traffic and ripping the balls away from defensive backs. But he has only average size and speed. Proche is also an experienced returner, ranking second in the American Athletic Conference with a 9.6-yard punt return average.


Round 7, No. 219 overall: Geno Stone, S, Iowa

My take: The Ravens used their last pick on the "most underrated player" in this draft, according to Pro Football Focus. On 600-plus career snaps at free safety, Stone allowed 137 yards while intercepting three passes. He has a big hitter reputation, but his 74.4% tackle percentage last season ranked 55th out of 61 qualified tacklers in the Big Ten. Stone provides young depth at safety for the Ravens after they cut Tony Jefferson and declined to pick up the option on Brandon Carr.

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