Best Available Day 2

With Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft in the books, our RSR roundtable reassembled to list the best remaining players available to the Ravens on Day 2.

While Baltimore is not on the clock until the 86th pick, there’s a (slim) chance they could trade up for a premium prospect.

More likely, though, it’s a stick-and-pick at 86, and likely one of the players below presented by position:

Cornerback

Trading up for Joey Porter Jr. would be nice, but it’s just not practical given the Ravens’ current draft capital. There are a ton of quality corners available on Day 2, though, with Kelee Ringo, DJ Turner and Julius Brents among my favorites. More realistic for the Ravens at 86 might be South Carolina’s Darius Rush, who I like more than Cam Smith, his higher-ranked college teammate. Rush has the size and speed to cover most NFL receivers, and his team-first attitude and special teams ability will quickly endear him to the Ravens coaching staff. ~ Nikhil Mehta

This is the sweet spot for the Ravens to get a good Corner. Who knows who will be available with how this board has fallen, but if he is available, I would love Tyrique Stevenson at pick 86. He has all the measurables the Ravens want and plays exactly like Marlon Humphrey. He would be a home run pick at 86. ~ Jared Pinder

This is another one that would need equal parts luck and patience, but if Julius Brents is available, I would snag him in a heartbeat. ~ Kevin McNelis

Defensive Line

The Ravens could look for help on the interior, at the edge or both by adding a hybrid defensive lineman. Texas’ Moro Ojomo would be my choice for the first – he’s a well-built, explosive 3-tech who will join the ranks of elite Ravens run-stopping defensive linemen. Grabbing BJ Ojulari or Adetomiwa Adebawore might be tough, but Tennessee’s Byron Young projects as a similar, though less-refined, speed rusher who consistently gets the edge around opposing tackles. This class is ripe with tweeners, too; USC’s Tuli Tuipulotu is an earlier option, while Bowling Green’s Karl Brooks could be available at 86. ~ Nikhil Mehta

If all the big-name Corners are gone by Pick 86, the pivot should be Gervon Dexter. Dexter could play Campbell’s role early and could transform into something more later. ~ Jared Pinder

I’ll be pounding the table for Zach Harrison if he’s around at #86. He’s a perfect fit for Baltimore and I would be over the moon if they land him there. ~ Kevin McNelis

Offensive Line

O’Cyrus Torrence and Steve Avila would be plug-and-play starting guards for the Ravens, but they’ll be long gone by the time Baltimore is on the clock. Instead, EDC should look for a tackle-to-guard convert who can compete for starting reps on the interior while backing up the tackles. ODU’s Nick Saldiveri and Alabama’s Tyler Steen would both fit the bill as with good size and excellent athleticism (9.48 and 9.47 RAS, respectively). ~ Nikhil Mehta

The best available at this point would be getting Chandler Zavala on day three. He has become a fan-favorite player and has a high floor with his impact blocking, and if you improve his feet, you will also have a solid pass blocker. Zavala might not make it to the Fourth, but if he does, run that pick to the podium. ~ Jared Pinder

I foresee that my guy, Steve Avila, goes shortly after O’Cyrus Torrence is selected, as it’ll signal the beginning of iOL being taken. Here’s hoping that happens late so Avila is around in Round 3. ~ Kevin McNelis

Quarterback

Would Will Levis be the funniest pick of the draft if he went to Baltimore? That’s not happening, but Hendon Hooker is still on the board. Even with Lamar locked down, he’s a tough talent to turn down at 86 as a draft-and-develop backup who could be worth a pretty penny on the trade market in the future. I don’t see this happening, though, and wouldn’t especially support it, either. ~ Nikhil Mehta

With Lamar Jackson signing an extension, QB should be in the minds of the Ravens in 7th round or later. The QBs fell hard on day one, so this hopefully will push DTR down the board where the Ravens can scoop him up in the late draft process. DTR is athletic, has a strong arm, and is a great leader. He has issues with touch and accuracy, but in the 7th or later, we aren’t looking for accuracy. Take the athletic project, not the common traits guy late. DTR fits the criteria. ~ Jared Pinder

Pass. I’m just kidding, though ideally we don’t see the Ravens take a shot on one of these guys. If they were sold on investing in a back-up for the future, I like Jaren Hall from BYU. ~ Kevin McNelis

Wide Receiver

I’ve already written about Rashee Rice quite a bit so let’s go with Cedric Tillman, a go-up-and-get-it wideout who has the size, hands and body control to catch almost anything in his vicinity. WR is not a top need for the Ravens after the additions of OBJ and Zay Flowers, but red zone scoring was an issue last year. Wake Forest’s A.T. Perry might be a more realistic target for the Ravens’ draft slot, though. He has polished route-running, solid ball skills and a nose for the end zone – a trio of abilities that would be put to good use in Baltimore. ~ Nikhil Mehta

Ravens already drafted Zay Flowers, so expecting more might be pushing it. If they do pick another Receiver I would love Cedric Tilman due to his size. Although at this point this pick just seems unlikely, Tilman would be incredible value later in the fourth or fifth if he makes it there because of his different profile. ~ Jared Pinder

With Zay Flowers now in the fold, receiver can go on the back-burner unless the perfect player falls in their lap. If by some miracle Jonathan Mingo is still available in the third round, I give him serious consideration, but I think that’s probably a pipe dream. ~ Kevin McNelis

Wildcard

Brian Branch is still on the board, but he won’t be at 86. Florida State’s Jammie Robinson would be a versatile backup across the secondary, while Sacramento State’s Marte Mapu could be a prototypical nickelbacker built for sub-packages on passing downs. Texas running back Roschon Johnson would be a Day 2 lock if he didn’t play behind Bijan Robinson, but he has a ton of size and tackle-breaking talent with plenty of tread left on his tires. A traditional run-and-hit linebacker doesn’t. ~ Nikhil Mehta

If a run happens with Corners and Edge plus Defensive lineman, the Ravens should pivot to Illinois Safety Jartavious Martin. Martin has the attributes of a free safety but played most of his snaps in the slot. This archetype of a prospect has worked out a ton in the past few drafts, and Martin is looking to keep that going. He would be a break glass in case of an emergency pick, but he would be a great slot Corner now and could transition to free safety later. ~ Jared Pinder

I’ll die on the DeMarvion Overshown hill if I have to. If Baltimore is prepared to move on at LB following this season from Patrick Queen, Overshown could develop as a rotational piece for a year and come in ready to rock next season. ~ Kevin McNelis

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