RSR Roundtable Rankings – Day 2 OL & DL

The Ravens are widely expected to draft either a cornerback or a wide receiver on Day 1, but Day 2 is where they could look to build up their depth in the trenches.

Offensive Line

There’s only one guard expected to go in the first round, but plenty of talent can still be found on Day 2. Baltimore could target a versatile lineman who has starting potential at guard and can confidently back up either tackle or center. Our panel of analysts certainly endorsed that approach, and Rounds 2 and 3 are ripe with those kinds of linemen.

Nikhil Mehta – Tyler Steen, Alabama

It is said that football is a game of inches, and so is the NFL Draft. If Steen’s arms were even 1.5 inches longer, he’d surge up draft boards as a reliable, powerful offensive tackle. Instead, he projects as a future starting guard in the NFL with the experience and know-how to be a swing tackle, an extremely valuable skillset. He’s an above-average athlete with excellent size and strong hands who knows how to win ugly. If the Ravens are looking for another tough, multi-positional talent like Patrick Mekari, Steen could be it.

Zachary Siegel – Steve Avila, TCU

As a utility lineman, Avila played both center and guard at TCU. If the Ravens could trade into the 2nd round, he would essentially be a plug-and-play for guard, center, or wherever he is needed. His versatility cannot be overlooked, and being available in the 2nd round, his value is through the roof.

RSR Roundtable Rankings – Day 2 WR & CB

Kevin McNelis – Steve Avila, TCU

Avila’s film makes him look so natural at guard. Tremendous in pass protection with an anchor that looks impossible to move at times. The few knocks on his game look like they can be fixed with the right tweaks, and playing between Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum certainly wouldn’t hurt.

Jared Pinder – Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse

Bergeron is a great fit for the Ravens. He fits what they want in a tackle as he is a great run blocker. That gives him a solid floor as he develops his pass protection. While the Ravens do have depth at Tackle, there can never be too much. Bergeron is a great fit and is the last tackle that is worth a pick in the top three rounds.

Chris Schisler – Cody Mauch, NDSU

I think you can see where I’m going here. I’m looking for prospects that are tackles who can play guard for the Baltimore Ravens. Because Mauch lacks length and is so quick-footed he would be a great asset to the run game as a guard. He’s a bruising run blocker. His athletic ability makes him versatile for the offensive line. He plowed defensive linemen out of the way and easily passed the eye test. This could be a steal.

Defensive Line

The Ravens don’t necessarily need to add any starting-caliber, three-down linemen to their defense right now. Instead, they could focus on role players who can make an impact as rookies while developing into full-time contributors. Any number of players could fit the bill, ranging from pure edge rushers, to versatile hybrid linemen and massive defensive tackles.

Nikhil Mehta – Tuli Tuilupotu, USC

Tuipulotu is a versatile defensive line prospect who has a ridiculous amount of experience – 733 snaps in 2023 and over 1,500 total in his three-year college career – despite entering the draft as a 20-year-old. His short area movement skills and pass-rushing repertoire are easily projectable to the NFL, but it’s not clear where he’ll line up. He was an edge defender at USC but might need to slide inside to 3/5-tech in the pros. Tuipulotu’s motor and production are undeniable and I’m more than happy to bet on a player who won’t be able to legally purchase a postgame beer until after his first preseason.

Kevin McNelis – BJ Ojulari, LSU

If the Ravens end up trading back and acquiring an early to mid-second rounder, Ojulari should get a hard look. He’d be a tremendous value if they can get him based on his versatility, embodying the new prototypical EDGE that can play inside, drop into coverage, and rely on athleticism to make plays. His straight-line speed and ability to bend the edge are huge assets, and if he can improve his change of direction, he’ll be a monster at the NFL level.

Jared Pinder – Gervon Dexter, Florida

Dexter is a young developmental interior piece. His biggest flaw is getting off, which is mainly a coaching issue. For some reason, Florida didn’t tell Dexter to immediately attack the gap he was given and instead he waited for the play to open up. This caused him to get washed out of the run plays and on rushing the passer. He plays with power and is an athletic freak, and is young. If the Ravens can fix the get-off problem, Dexter can be a stud, and he is well worth the risk on Day 2.

Zachary Siegel – Keion White, Georgia Tech

White has a lot of physical upside, with a high ceiling, while he is a little bit on the older side, he looks like he’s still got a lot to give and is just now coming into his own. He recorded 7.5 sacks and 54 total tackles last season, absolutely dominating the defensive side of the ball. White plays with an incredibly high football IQ and seems to always know where the ball is going. He was a leader for Georgia Tech and I believe he will be a leader in the NFL.

Chris Schisler – Andre Carter II, Army

Carter is huge. We’re talking just over 6-6, 256 pounds huge. He had 15.5 sacks in the 2021 season. If you get him in the third round, it could be a steal. He’s got some work to do and he needs some polish, but he has what you can’t coach. He’s a boom or bust but at the right value, it’s tempting to see if he can be something special.

RSR Roundtable Rankings – Day 1 QB & “Wildcard”

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