QB Prospect Jalen Milroe Says He's Faster Than Lamar Jackson
Cleveland Browns General Manager Andrew Berry raised eyebrows last week when he said prospect Jalen Milroe is "maybe the only quarterback who's faster than Lamar Jackson."
When Milroe was asked if he's faster than Jackson on the "Up & Adams" show, the Alabama star said he is.
Meanwhile, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said: "Several, not one, but several coaches and scouts told me as I was making calls about all these quarterbacks that Jalen Milroe is the greatest runner of the football they've ever evaluated at the quarterback position. Not Lamar Jackson."
However, NFL Network's Bucky Brooks said the coaches and scouts need to "check the facts" when comparing Milroe to Jackson.
Milroe rushed for 1,577 yards and 33 touchdowns in 38 games over four seasons at Alabama.
Pundit Says Ravens' Biggest Need Entering Draft Isn't About Any One Position
Discussion about the Ravens' biggest needs heading into the draft comes with a qualifier: They don't have glaring needs at any one positional group.
To that point, Press Box’s Glenn Clark contended that the Ravens' single biggest need is to generate more turnovers.
"The Ravens generated just 17 takeaways last year, only slightly more than half of the league leaders (the Vikings and Steelers both finished with 33)," Clark wrote. "They had tied for the lead league with 31 just a year earlier. Getting back to that level would go a long way toward best positioning themselves to finally break through and win a Super Bowl.
"That's the need. That should be the priority this week."
Clark said there are multiple ways the Ravens could address the need for more takeaways in the draft.
"Improving back-end coverage can lead to more chances for disruptive plays in the backfield," Clark wrote. "Adding to the pass rush could lead to more strip sacks or forced throws.
"I'll admit that while the Ravens looked better defensively with Kyle Hamilton playing traditional free safety in the second half of 2024, I'd still be interested in considering drafting another safety to allow Hamilton the flexibility to move around again this year. And I can't help but be intrigued by another former Notre Dame safety — Xavier Watts — who was responsible for 15 takeaways (13 interceptions, two forced fumbles) in his last two seasons with the Fighting Irish."
Ravens Among Teams With Biggest Super Bowl Windows
The Ravens have been Super Bowl contenders throughout the Jackson era, and Pro Football Focus’ Zoltan Buday believes they will be in the hunt for years to come.
Buday put the Ravens at No. 4 in his rankings of the teams with the biggest Super Bowl windows.
"While Baltimore's roster is set up to win now, it also has a relatively big window to compete, especially with two-time MVP Lamar Jackson still being only 28 years old," Buday wrote. "The Ravens added a handful of young players who became immediate contributors in recent years, with some playing at a very high level, such as safety Kyle Hamilton and center Tyler Linderbaum, who both ranked among the top three at their positions in 2024 with PFF overall grades of 90.0 and 79.9, respectively.
The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles were No. 1 in the rankings, followed by the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.
Daniel Jeremiah Mocks Polarizing Edge Rusher to Ravens
In ESPN’s Mina Kimes’ latest war room mock draft, in which she presents a draft analyst with two choices for each team, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah went with Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart over North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel for the Ravens at No. 27.
Stewart is regarded as one of the most polarizing players in the draft. While he has freakish athleticism, which was on full display at the Combine, Stewart had just 4.5 sacks in 37 career collegiate games.
"At some point in time there's just too much in his body, too much ability there. Let's take our shot," Jeremiah said. "We already have the proof of concept with [Odafe] Oweh, who we saw develop and the production eventually came following all the traits."
Stewart is No. 23 on Jeremiah’s final big board.
Look at First Three Picks in Jeff Zrebiec's Ravens Mock Draft
The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec conducted a seven-round Ravens mock draft. Here's a look at his first three picks:
Round 1, No. 27: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
"If Booker falls, this would be a situation where the best player available happens to fill one of the Ravens' biggest needs. Booker is widely considered the top offensive guard in the draft. The hulking 6-foot-5, 321-pound prospect anchors well in pass protection and moves people in the run game. At Alabama, he played almost exclusively at left guard, where the Ravens have a potential opening after Patrick Mekari signed with Jacksonville in free agency."
Round 2, No. 59: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
"Lacking cornerback depth and needing another potential starter on the outside, the Ravens can't wait long before adding a cover guy. This isn't a deep cornerback class, and there is expected to be a run on corners from late first round through the second. The Ravens will have to be aggressive to get the one they covet. Baltimore has to be comfortable with Revel's health after he missed most of his final college season with an ACL injury. However, he possesses the combination of size (6-foot-2, 220 pounds), length and athleticism the Ravens look for in cornerbacks. He's a physical boundary corner who thrives in press coverage and loves to get his hands on receivers."
Round 3, No. 91: Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU
"An edge rusher is an intriguing need for the Ravens because they still have Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, Tavius Robinson, David Ojabo, Adisa Isaac and Malik Hamm under contract. So it's not really about adding another body. It's about trying to upgrade there and get a potential piece for the future with Van Noy, Oweh and Ojabo all entering the final year of their deals. Swinson projects as a situational edge rusher in a 3-4 scheme. He had 8 1/2 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in his final college season. He may never be a dominant edge rusher, but you live with that if he can get to the quarterback at the next level."
Zrebiec also identified potential targets for the Ravens on all three days of the draft.
