Ravens News 4/15: Massive Potential

50 Words or Less: What Happens If the Ravens Don’t Draft an Offensive Tackle First

Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com

Offensive tackle has been the default after the Ravens traded right tackle Morgan Moses and made it clear that left tackle Ronnie Stanley is going into a prove-it year.

A whopping eight offensive tackles are expected to be picked in the first round and all of them could be off the board by the time the Ravens are on the clock.

Another couple offensive linemen in Baltimore’s range are Duke’s Graham Barton and Arizona’s Jordan Morgan, but media scouts believe Barton’s best position may be at center and Morgan’s may be at guard. Do the Ravens see it the same way? Would they place even more value on versatility?

The other question is how high the Ravens value the next tier of offensive tackles, players such as BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia, Houston’s Patrick Paul, and Washington’s Roger Rosengarten. Would any be worthy of No. 30? If the Ravens traded back and got one, would they be ready to start immediately?

If the Ravens don’t take an offensive tackle first, it makes grabbing one on Day 2 paramount. Baltimore drafted Orlando Brown Jr. in the third round in 2018 and he took over as the starting right tackle midway into his rookie season. That would be the aim, but it’s rare.

The case for the Ravens drafting Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton in the first round

Jonas Shaffer, The Baltimore Banner

The fit

The 6-foot-8, 322-pound Guyton’s massive potential is all the more tantalizing because of how quickly he’s realized some of it. As a high school senior, Guyton was a defensive lineman. Three years ago, he was a jumbo-size tight end at TCU. In 2022, he started just five games along Oklahoma’s offensive line. Last season, he didn’t allow a sack in 350-plus pass-blocking snaps at right tackle, according to Pro Football Focus.

“He’s got all the ability in the world,” Sooners offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh told reporters last April. “He’s one of the most talented guys I’ve ever seen, and we’ve had some pretty talented guys come through here.”

Physically, Guyton profiles as a first-round talent. Among tackles, he tested in the upper third in the 40-yard dash (5.19 seconds, 69th percentile) and 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash (85th percentile), as well as the broad jump (73rd percentile), three-cone drill (87th percentile) and vertical jump (98th percentile).

Guyton’s basketball roots — he played through high school, and his dad played in college — are obvious in pass protection. Guyton’s fluid movement skills made it nearly impossible for Big 12 Conference pass rushers to turn the corner against him. Despite often playing out on an island in Oklahoma’s spread offense, he allowed just 12 quarterback pressures (three hits, nine hurries) in 2023, according to PFF.

Even when Guyton lost early in his pass-blocking snaps, oversetting against speedy defenders or lunging at fakes, he could recover easily. Guyton’s solid length (56th-percentile wingspan among tackles) and loose hips kept pass rushers from taking easy paths to the quarterback.

Will Ravens take early swing at CB? Using ‘The Beast’ to consider 10 draft options

Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic

Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry (5-foot-11, 196 pounds)

Brugler’s ranking: No. 30

What Brugler says: “Although he lacks sudden twitch in his movements, McKinstry plays with a confident and controlled demeanor. NFL scouts say that both LSU receivers in this draft class (Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.) have called McKinstry the best cornerback they faced in college. He raises the degree of difficulty for completions with his length and ability to play through the hands of receivers. Overall, McKinstry doesn’t play with high-level speed or aggression, but he is a long, smooth athlete with the football IQ that should translate quickly to an NFL field. His game reminds me of James Bradberry’s, and he will compete for starting reps as a rookie.”

Rutgers’ Max Melton (5-foot-11, 187 pounds)

Brugler’s ranking: No. 63

What Brugler says: “Melton not only has opportunistic ball skills and athletic instincts, but he trusts them, which allows him to play sticky coverage in man-to-man or drive on throws from off coverage. Though his toughness stands out, he needs to be more reliable as a run defender and less handsy down the field. Overall, Melton brings explosive speed and attitude to his coverage, which will interest press-man teams. His experience inside and outside (and on special teams) will help him see the field right away in the NFL.”

2024 NFL Draft: How every team should tackle the WR position

Matt Harmon, Yahoo Sports

Teams that have a moderate need

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens seem to add to this room early in the draft every year, and they are a candidate to do it again in 2024. Zay Flowers was excellent as a rookie but there is a need beyond him. I still have a good bit of faith in Rashod Bateman this coming season if he can get in a full healthy offseason but that is a gamble given the way his career has gone. Nelson Agholor is not a needle-mover but he’s an acceptable WR3. Even in the ideal scenario, this room needs a boost in the draft just so that they don’t end up in the rough spot they’ve lived in through injuries from 2020 to 2022.

2024 NFL Draft: Ideal top two picks for every team

Chad Reuter, NFL.com

Baltimore Ravens

Round 1: No. 30 overall — Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

Round 2: No. 62 overall — Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina

Left tackle Ronnie Stanley has missed 36 games due to injuries over the past four seasons, and Baltimore traded right tackle Morgan Moses to the Jets this offseason. They should love finding the large (6-foot-8, 322 pounds) and agile (he performed the three-cone drill in 7.5 seconds) Guyton, who can play on either side of the line, available late in the first. Walker could be a steal late in the second round for a Ravens squad in need of another receiver. Second-year star Zay Flowers could make plays from the slot with Walker and Rashod Bateman, who is entering a contract year, lining up outside.