OTL: Which Positions Need Draft Reinforcements?

Get excited, Flock. We’re single-digit days away from the NFL Draft.

here is where each active GM has allocated their draft capital (and what that could mean for what they do in the draft this season)

full article: https://t.co/dXAkuZ2NZa pic.twitter.com/nXeOIK5uFd

— Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) April 15, 2024

Questions are going to be answered, storylines are going to unfold, and the NFL landscape for the coming season is going to become a lot clearer.

For Baltimore, they’ll get a good idea of what their existing squad looks like over the next few days, as the guys reported back to The Castle yesterday to begin the offseason workout program…

Setting the tone for the offseason workouts. pic.twitter.com/D0xVY0vKrX

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 15, 2024

…and undoubtedly, there are certain position groups that will be the primary focuses at the top end of the draft class. Offensive tackle, receiver, and EDGE have been the squeaky wheels getting a lot of attention, but what about some of the other spots on the depth chart that could still use reinforcements?

With a litany of free agent departures this offseason, the Ravens are going to need to use their nine total draft selections wisely, and that means hitting on players selected Day 2 and beyond. It’s not just about building for this season, either; finding those young developmental pieces in the second half of the class will mean that Baltimore isn’t scrambling to find viable replacements when veterans begin to age out at certain positions. With that approach in mind, here are some positions that could use reinforcements, and the guys I think would be good fits for the job that could be available later in the Draft.

IDL: Gabe Hall, Jordan Jefferson

If you’re not already in on the idea of Gabe Hall in Baltimore, #RavensFlock, you should be.

Not only would he be a nice fit, but he’d also get to continue working with his college D-line coach in Dennis Johnson. pic.twitter.com/mttjICpxsi

— KMack Sports (@KMackSports) March 8, 2024

Meet Jordan Jefferson, DT/NT, LSU
LOS Warlord
Explosive off snap
Violent power
Eats double teams for breakfast
True 0-1t capabilities
Strong, Champion Weightlifter
Known for work ethic
Needs to develop pass rush but has room to grow.
Check thread pic.twitter.com/onD7GRdzCu

— BOLTS Draft Talk (@BoltsDraftTalk) April 10, 2024

If you’ve been reading my pieces the last few weeks, you’ve likely seen the name Gabe Hall. The Baylor product’s profile rose quickly following the Senior Bowl, where he dominated individual reps. With the combination of his rapid improvement from his college film and the familiarity with Coach Dennis Johnson, he could make for a great developmental piece in the future if Michael Pierce and/or Brent Urban depart.

Elsewhere, LSU’s Jordan Jefferson is a better fit as a pure run-stuffer, but he undoubtedly has the physical gifts to be disruptive on the interior. His college pedigree as a part of a ferocious Tigers defense shows his ability to move the pile as a small part of the larger unit and registering a whopping 34 bench reps at his Pro Day certainly showcases his strength.

ILB: Curtis Jacobs, Marist Liufau

Curtis Jacobs is a three-year starter at one of the best NFL LB development schools in the country and is an elite athlete, yet doesn’t get talked about nearly enough.

Jacobs has played a variety of positions while at @PennStateFball, from more OLB and even in the slot in 2021… pic.twitter.com/10s3tA7vQO

— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) April 15, 2024

As we move closer to the #NFLDraft2024, let’s shine a light on one of my favorite prospects, Marist Liufau, the linebacker out of #NotreDame. I love this kid in coverage.

Look at this clip here, fighting through blocks to get right to the spot he needs to be. While he’s a very… pic.twitter.com/vaIV5EtqXf

— The Draft Detectives (@DraftDetectives) April 12, 2024

One thing you’ll notice if you dive into this class is that Penn State, especially defensively, produced a remarkable number of prospects with insane athletic potential. Curtis Jacobs is one of those freak athletes, with the physical gifts and experience to develop as a depth piece. On the other hand, Marist Liufau may lack some of the physical gifts you’d want…

Marist Liufau is a LB prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored an unofficial 5.58 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1240 out of 2800 LB from 1987 to 2024.

Official pro day results expected soon.https://t.co/kNT7S0g6qj pic.twitter.com/yfaQn6uwJx

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 3, 2024

…but his film is impressive, and he showed the instincts and ball skills to be disruptive in pass defense over the middle. With an ankle injury that cost him almost two years of playing time in his background, it’s likely that teams will be wary of using high draft capital on him, which could make him a bargain in the second half of the draft depending on his current medicals.

RB: Audric Estime, Emani Bailey

Audric Estime just picked up a spare pic.twitter.com/NOZ8brwsR9

— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) April 15, 2024

Trying to watch TJ Tampa but there goes that man again, Emani Bailey TCU RB. All these years of Mixon got me RB thirsting for contact balance and tackle breaking from the position. pic.twitter.com/pKabB5qQ3A

— Joel Chandler (@BengalScoutJoel) April 9, 2024

Two very different styles of running back. It would be the determination of the front office (and medical staff) to see what they think is the more immediate need. Estime’s bulldozing style would make a fantastic one-two punch with Derrick Henry, and depending on how he develops, he could make a nice heir apparent once The King’s two-year contract ends. Estime’s draft stock plummeted due to a slow Combine, but his game film, and his 18 rushing touchdowns last season, tell you all you need to know. Bailey, on the other hand, is much more of an elusive back, utilizing good angles and quick feet to shed tacklers. Bailey is another case of athletic testing lowering his stock, due to both his shorter frame and slower 40 time, but his first drive at the Senior Bowl showed a player comfortable with being leaned on to produce with carry after carry, and with Keaton Mitchell down for an unknown amount of time, the Ravens could kick the tires on another slippery RB.

I know that not everyone reading this is a gigantic Draft nerd like me, but if there was ever a year that I would encourage you to watch days 2 and 3, this is it. Not only is this class deep, but the potential for the Ravens to land those key pieces in the later days is there.

As we get closer, I’ll do my best to impart my (unhealthy amount of) Draft research to you all.

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