'Worst Pick' Re-Draft Fails for Ravens
Late last week, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder attempted a re-draft of every team's worst first-round selection over the past five years. But when it came to the Ravens, the stipulated rules had to be bent.
The experiment was to remedy busts for each team's first-round picks since 2019. And to qualify as a bust, the player they were replacing via re-draft must not receive a second contract or be a starter for the 2025 season.
But even with the power of hindsight, the Ravens broke the simulation on account of their success in the past five years. Holder selected outside linebacker Odafe Oweh as the one being replaced for the Ravens.
Original Pick: Edge Odafe Oweh at No. 31 (2021)
"We have to bend the rules for the Ravens a bit since Oweh is projected to be a starter this season," Holder wrote. "But Baltimore doesn't have a blatant first-round miss over the last five years, making it slim pickings."
It's worth mentioning the Ravens picked up Oweh’s fifth-year option last year, and he went on to post his first double-digit sack season in 2024. Heading into his sixth season, a stronger Oweh looks primed to make even bigger waves.
"Linebacker Patrick Queen was the other player considered since he didn't sign a second contract with the club, but Queen was a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate and a Pro Bowler in Baltimore," Holder wrote. "So, somewhat unfairly, Oweh is the default pick even though he isn't a 'bust.'"
While a few teams had "jury is still out" arguments from Holder, the Ravens were the only team in the experiment to be flat-out rule-breaking – a testament to the Ravens' drafting over the past half-decade.
Lamar Jackson Compared to Dr. J: 'I've Never Had That [Feeling] Again Until I Saw Lamar Jackson Play Live'
There are moments in life where one realizes they're witnessing the extraordinary. Tony Hawk landing the first-ever 900, Tiger Woods’ chip on 16, The Mile-High Miracle, etc. And for former Ravens PA Announcer of 20 years, Bruce Cunningham, it was watching Julius "Dr. J" Erving play for the Virginia Squires.
That same recognition from when Cunningham was in middle school watching an eventual Basketball Hall of Famer returned when witnessing Lamar Jackson's on-field greatness.
"I mean, he's better than everybody else," Cunningham said on the "Locked on Ravens Podcast." "But I like to describe him this way. When I was in middle school in Virginia, we had a team in the ABA called the Virginia Squires. And they signed Dr. J [Julius Erving II] when he was 20 years old. Signed him out of UMass. I would go see Dr. J play at age 20, age 21, and leave that building thinking, 'You know what? I've seen stuff tonight I've never seen before.' And I've never had that again until I saw Lamar Jackson play live. That same feeling within me. This is the level of player that we're talking about here."
What Jackson's done on the football field is a near-insurmountable feat. And Cunningham believes it is only a matter of time until he wins championships.
"At some point, he's going to win a championship or two or three," Cunningham said. "And at that point, when he gets those rings, you might have to start weighing him against [Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny] Unitas."
Late-Round 'Superpowers' Rookies Can Lean on in Year 1
With a litany of returning players and incumbents, it will be a challenge for players to make the Ravens' 53-man roster. But Baltimore Beatdown’s Zach Canter listed one "superpower" each late-round Ravens rookie can lean into to earn a spot on the roster and use to compete for snaps in 2025.
LB Teddye Buchanan: Pass coverage
"Buchanan profiles as a potential every-down linebacker if he reaches his peak," Canter wrote. "For now, the Ravens are likely honing in on Buchanan's play in coverage. The projected starter, Trenton Simpson, struggled in this area last year and the Ravens lost their fix with Chris Board leaving.
"The Ravens are grabbing some insurance with Buchanan. Buchanan was one of the better coverage linebackers in this draft. He played 437 coverage snaps with a 76.2 PFF coverage grade, which ranked highly amongst all [college] linebackers. He's a fluid mover in space, with the ability to cover running backs sideline to sideline in man and smooth in zone with little panic. He's also highly adept at knowing when to trigger and can drop out of his coverage and chase down a quarterback. If this can cover over early, Buchanan could find early snaps because of it."
K Tyler Loop: Power
"There aren't many traits to pick from that matter for a kicker, but this isn't a 'got to find something' choice," Canter wrote. "The leg power for Loop is real. He had nine attempts from 50-plus yards in 2024 and made six of them, including a 62-yarder. He's got practice videos from 70 yards as well. On tape, you can see he kicks from 50-plus yards out with plenty of leg left. His kicks consistently go in with a good amount of height left in the arc. It's a real NFL leg."
DT Aeneas Peebles: Pass Rush Package
"Peebles was drafted by Baltimore for one reason: pass rush," Canter wrote. "He's an undersized defensive tackle at only 6-foot tall and 280 pounds. He's not going to be able to stuff gaps, take on double teams, and generally be a great run stuffer. He will have success occasionally as a penetrating run stopper. Peebles will get a lot of run as a sixth-round rookie on passing downs, though. His pass rushing bag is massive. He can win with first-step quickness, moves, pure motor, or leverage.
"His spin and swim moves are electric, with an edge-rusher-like explosiveness to them. His hands work against blockers to athletically win and get off blocks with finesse. Despite his size, he does have strength and utilizes being shorter to gain leverage and can push the pocket into quarterbacks. His finesse moves and motor are going to impact NFL pockets. Peebles and the Ravens really need to focus on that and make him a pure pass rusher."
