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Mock Draft 13:0: No Clear Favorite for Ravens Just One Week Before Draft

042023-MDR

CB Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State

Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes (13) during an NCAA football game against Arizona on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz.

"The Ravens are looking for a playmaking corner to line up opposite Marlon Humphrey, so I think the guy who picked off 14 passes in college – including six pick-sixes – makes a lot of sense. Sure, Forbes is only 166 pounds, but his instincts, speed and arm length make him tough to beat."

"The Ravens added WRs Nelson Agholor and Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency and while the position is still a need, cornerback is near the top of the list. Forbes is almost 6-foot-1, but weighs just 166 pounds. But you wouldn't know it to watch him play, and more than that he's had 14 interceptions the past three seasons including a whopping six pick-sixes."

WR Zay Flowers, Boston College

zay-flowers

Dane Brugler, The Athletic

"The Ravens gave Odell Beckham a lot of money, but that doesn't take wide receiver off the table at 22. Baltimore has a high grade on Flowers and shouldn't have trouble finding a use for his versatile receiving skill set alongside Beckham, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor."

"From talking to multiple high-ranking NFL personnel executives, Zay Flowers should go off the board anywhere from 11-25 in Round 1. He's clearly one of the top players at his position, but he won't be highly coveted by every team due to his size and some teams do question whether he can play on the outside at the next level."

WR Jordan Addison, USC

**WR Jordan Addison, USC**

Addison has average height and a narrow frame for the position. He lines up outside and in the slot. He is a very smooth, polished route runner, routinely changing tempo and efficiently getting in/out of the break point. He has excellent play speed and can find another gear when the ball is in the air. He has natural hands and doesn't need to gather himself before catching the ball on crossers. He can high point the ball when working back to the QB, but has to get stronger on 50/50 balls. After the catch, he has excellent burst and wiggle. Overall, Addison should become a high-volume pass catcher very early in his pro career.

"After signing Odell Beckham Jr. in an olive branch move directed at Lamar Jackson, the Ravens will double down and grab another playmaking receiver here. Addison is a technician of a route runner with big play potential downfield, giving Jackson another reason to return to Baltimore for 2023."

WR Quentin Johnston, TCU

**WR Quentin Johnston, TCU**

Johnston has exceptional size, speed and production. He uses a variety of releases to defeat press coverage and gains ground in a hurry with his long, powerful stride. The TCU offense featured him on a lot of crossing routes and deep balls over the top. He amassed a large collection of explosive plays. Drops are his biggest issue. He doesn’t trust his hands, leading to way too many balls bouncing off his body and onto the turf. After the catch, he reminds me of [Mike Williams](https://www.nfl.com/players/mike-williams/) with his long stride and power to break tackles. Overall, Johnston has ideal size and speed, but he needs to become a more reliable finisher with his hands.

"Baltimore adds Quentin Johnston to go along with Rashod Bateman and now Odell Beckham Jr. Lamar Jackson has a wealth of pass catchers at his disposal."

"Baltimore gives Lamar Jackson another explosive weapon on the outside with Johnston."

CB Cam Smith, South Carolina

South Carolina defensive back Cam Smith (9) defends Charlotte wide receiver Grant DuBose (14) during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina won 56-20.

"The Ravens have taken a close look at Smith as a replacement for unsigned Marcus Peters. Smith is a great value here given he also offers strong size for single coverage and slipped only because of other risers."

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

**WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State**

Smith-Njigba primarily lined up in the slot for the Buckeyes, but he did get some work on the outside. He has a compact build with a strong lower body. Smith-Njigba was very productive playing alongside [Garrett Wilson](https://www.nfl.com/players/garrett-wilson/) and [Chris Olave](https://www.nfl.com/players/chris-olave/) for Ohio State in 2021, but he missed all but three games in 2022 due to injury. He doesn’t have ideal top speed, but he gets to his full speed very quickly. He is very polished as a route runner, leaning on defenders and quickly getting in and out of breaks. He has strong hands and thrives in the middle of the field, as he can pluck the ball while absorbing contact. He has some power and wiggle after the catch, but lacks a second gear. Overall, Smith-Njigba reminds me of [Amon-Ra St. Brown](https://www.nfl.com/players/amon-ra-st-brown/), and I believe he’ll make a similar impact in the NFL.

"WR run! These receivers are odd and need fitting parts, but grabbing the consensus 'best wideout' in the draft, plus Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency, should be enough to lure Lamar Jackson in on the tag number."

OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee

4) OL Darnell Wright, Tennessee

"Wright's a likely first-rounder, though NFL teams seem a little mixed on the mauling tackle. There's no questioning his dominant performance in Tennessee's thrilling win over Alabama last October, when Wright erased ballyhooed edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. In this simulation, the Ravens grab the 6-5, 333-pounder and figure he'll be a key piece of the team's future, whether Lamar Jackson is or not."

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