What Will Baltimore Do with Their New First Rounder?

Jan 16, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of an AFC Divisional Round game at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens made a bit of a head-scratching move last week, trading Orlando Brown Jr. and a 2021 second-rounder in return for No. 31, a third-rounder, a fourth-rounder, and a fifth-rounder. The biggest news out of this is obviously the fact that Baltimore traded their Pro Bowler left tackle to their top AFC rival, but Baltimore does have a few shiny new picks to play with. Specifically, they now own two first-round picks at Nos. 27 and 31.

In my recent mock draft, I had Baltimore taking edge-rusher Azeez Ojulari at No. 27 to help their pass rush. It’s a massive need for them, but an equally large need at wide receiver exists. By taking Ojulari, Baltimore allowed Terrace Marshall Jr. to fall two spots to the Green Bay Packers.

Of course, there was an equally high chance that they would have just gone wide receiver at No. 27, but no matter which direction they go now, they have a safety net just four picks later. They could take Marshall Jr. at 27 and still get an EDGE at 31, whether that be Ojulari or someone like Jayson Oweh. Likewise, they could go pass rusher at 27, and they can still get a wide receiver at 31 like Marshall or perhaps Rashod Bateman.

That said, there is some added pressure with these picks. After their pick at 31, they are going to be sitting on their hands for awhile. They traded their second round pick back to Kansas City in this most recent trade, and they gave their third round pick to Minnesota last year in the trade to acquire Yannick Ngakoue. Because of that, once they make their selection at 31, they won’t make another selection for 63 picks until they make a choice at 94.

The Ravens do have big choices to make on Night One, especially with the expectations for the organization. The team has not reached those expectations to this point in Lamar Jackson’s career, but nailing these two selections could go a long ways towards righting the past wrongs.

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