OTL: Mims Rising Out of Ravens’ Reach?

You never know what’s going to happen in the NFL Draft and I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that I can’t wait for Thursday night. To my point, my mock draft last Wednesday had Baltimore selecting OT Amarius Mims with Pick 30, but a week later, there’s rumors of him rising up boards:

Two risers for you: LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. and Georgia OT Amarius Mims – they won’t be around very long come Thursday. Teams love these dudes. pic.twitter.com/RRYOWjypt6

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 23, 2024

Of course, this could just be smoke screens or false rumors. We won’t really know where Mims will land until his name’s announced by Roger Goodell. At the same time, ESPN has the same pick as me:

In ESPN’s NFL Nation mock draft, I have the Ravens taking Georgia OT Amarius Mims with the 30th overall pick pic.twitter.com/dfz3NYLI1m

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) April 23, 2024

Even if it’s not Mims, my gut is telling me the Ravens will end up with a tackle tomorrow night. If this news from Cole Jackson is any indication, Baltimore brass is heavily interested in Washington OT Troy Fautanu:

I’m surprised at how much time the #Ravens have spent with Troy Fautanu.

He’s a great fit, but expected to go top 20. Yet they met with him at the combine and had a top 30 with him.

Not to mention, their scouts have done a ton of work on him.

Trade up??#RavensFlock

— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) April 23, 2024

As noted, Fautanu is expected by most to be off the board when Eric DeCosta and company are on the clock. With so many considering the Ravens to be a trade back candidate, it’s important to keep in mind that trading up is always an option.

Things were fun in different ways this time last year, but they were fun nonetheless.

This week was pretty fun last year pic.twitter.com/tQj1Rzqcha

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 23, 2024

Thursday night could be a lot of fun if the Ravens make an aggressive move up the board.

No matter what you’re expecting, it’s worth highlighting where Baltimore has invested their first round assets in years past:

The last five first-round draft picks by the Ravens:

2023: Zay Flowers
2022: Tyler Linderbaum
2022: Kyle Hamilton
2021: Odafe Oweh
2021: Rashod Bateman pic.twitter.com/L6VfL6vCJr

— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) April 23, 2024

With consistent dips into the WR bucket, I have my doubts about that happening again. But as Garrett Downing said on Tuesday’s episode of “The Final Drive,” there are a few receivers that could present a dream scenario in Round 2:

These draft prospects could create a dream scenario in Baltimore: pic.twitter.com/5POBm3Qapl

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 23, 2024

Downing and I are in lockstep, especially when it comes to Legette. He’s in the mold of Deebo Samuel, and I think he could be the perfect addition to Baltimore’s receiver corps.

As we all know, though, the real roster building comes on Days 2 and 3, especially when you’re picking late in rounds. Picking late means you’re winning, but to keep that up, you have to continue finding on picks throughout the draft. The Ravens have a history of winning, and will have to keep hitting late in the draft to keep that going:

Percentage of seasons spent in the playoffs in NFL history:

1. Dallas Cowboys (55%)
2. Baltimore Ravens (52%)
3. Minnesota Vikings (48%)
4. New England Patriots (43%)
5. Miami Dolphins (42%)#FinsUp pic.twitter.com/BPKJPZHOZB

— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) April 23, 2024

With youth being depended on to fill out the 53-man, it’s critical DeCosta hits late in the draft. Kevin Oestreicher highlighted Round 5 on Tuesday, where in all honesty, results have been lacking:

Ravens’ fifth round draft picks since 2010

2010: David Reed, Arthur Jones
2011: Chykie Brown, Pernell McPhee
2012: Asa Jackson
2013: Ricky Wagner
2014: John Urschel
2015: Nick Boyle, Robert Myers
2016: Matthew Judon
2017: Jermaine Eluemunor
2018: Jordan Lasley
2019: Daylon Mack… pic.twitter.com/lKkLREzlPI

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) April 23, 2024

Judon stands out as the boom pick of the group, but outside him there have only been a few consistent contributors for the Ravens. They’ll be looking to do better this year.

And as a fun close to today’s Out to Lunch, there’s a connection with a few potential late round options for the Ravens:

Random fun fact: #Ravens Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed has a nephew and a cousin in this year’s NFL Draft:

– Cousin: Air Force S Trey Taylor.

– Nephew: Tulane WR Jha’Quan Jackson.

Both are projected Day 3 picks. pic.twitter.com/wSehaCiE5k

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 23, 2024

To bookend things, in my mock draft last week, Baltimore selected Jha’Quan Jackson in Round 7.

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