RSR Roundtable Rankings – Day 2 WR & CB

The Ravens have just one Day 2 pick heading into the draft – the 86th overall selection – but that could very well change on draft night. If Baltimore trades out of the first round entirely, they could pick up multiple Day 2 selections and have a solid draft class before Day 3 even starts.

That strategy may seem especially appealing as the depth in both the wide receiver and cornerback classes is concentrated on Day 2, with as many as a dozen of each expected to go in Rounds 2 and 3. Having multiple bites at that apple might be EDC’s best way of finding the remaining pieces to complete the team.

Wide Receiver

While no one would be complaining about a Day 1 receiver for Baltimore, it feels like Day 2 might be the sweet spot for the type of receiver they need. Several big-body, contested-catch specialists will be available in the second and third rounds, each with a slightly different flavor due to their varying athletic profiles and secondary skills. There are also multiple speedy deep threats available who could replace Devin Duvernay if he’s cut due to his Pro Bowl-inflated cap hit.

Nikhil Mehta – Rashee Rice, SMU

Rice has quickly become one of my favorite prospects for the Ravens in this draft. He’ll be on the Flock’s radar due to his production (FBS-leading 1,355 yards in 2022) and potential as a red zone target. He is indeed a catch point savant who has the size and leaping ability to high point the ball and come down with it through contact. He isn’t just a big man, though; Rice is an all-around receiver who can take screens, track deep balls, operate from the slot, gain yards after the catch and make tough catches in traffic. I think he’s a better route-runner than he gets credit for, too. He has suddenness, but can also vary his speed and footwork to dupe defenders.

His main other weakness is beating the press, but he’s got the pieces (footwork, length, explosiveness) to improve there. He lacks the long speed to be a true gamebreaker in the NFL, but he can have an immediate impact as a rookie weapon for Todd Monken and has long-term upside as a WR2.

Adam Bonaccorsi – Michael Wilson, Stanford

I might overvalue Wilson on Day 2 – I’ve seen plenty mocking him early in Day 3 – but I think he’ll sneak up into the back half of the third, if not going sooner. Wilson isn’t the household name fans that would have fans elated, but I see plenty to be excited about: love the size (6’1″, 213lbs), great at creating separation, and an elite RAS doesn’t hurt.

Kevin McNelis – Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee

I’ve seen huge variance in Jalin Hyatt’s draft position, and if he falls in the second round while the Ravens trade back, he’s worth a look. Biletnikoff Award winner who’s the encapsulation of “If he’s even, he’s leavin’.” I have moderate concern that he’s a one-year wonder in terms of production, but his ceiling is extremely high.

Jared Pinder – Cedric Tillman, Tennessee

Cedric Tillman is so underrated. He is a better receiver than Hyatt, and I will die on that hill. He is big, fast, has excellent hands, and has that mentality I love at receiver. His great year was robbed thanks to a high ankle sprain messing up his stock. If he had been healthy last year, he would be where Michael Pittman Jr. was in the 2020 Draft. Tillman is a different body type as well; he is that bigger body the Ravens need. The dude is a baller and should go a lot higher than he will.

Zachary Siegel – A.T. Perry, Wake Forest

I would be amazed if this guy fell to the 3rd round with the size and talent he possesses. At 6′ 3 1/2″ he explodes off the line.  Where his route running can be a little more refined, he does a good job of high pointing the ball and using his body to gain leverage. He caught nearly 2,400 yards over the last two seasons and is showing no signs of slowing down. If the Ravens can add a body like this to the wide receivers room, Todd Monken will have a field day torching defenses.

Chris Schisler – Rashee Rice, SMU

If the Ravens have the chance to draft Rice, they have to take it. This is a big and sturdy 6-1 wide receiver. He can make tough catches in traffic and he can go up and get the football. More than anything though he’s a quick route runner with speed similar to that of Rashod Bateman.

Cornerback

After the Odell Beckham Jr. signing, betting odds shifted massively towards the Ravens drafting a cornerback in Round 1. If they don’t though, expect them to snag a CB on Day 2, where the talent is ripe with athletic, versatile cornerbacks who could fit Baltimore’s need both on the outside and in the slot.

Nikhil Mehta – DJ Turner, Michigan

Turner ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the Combine this year, and his movement skills in general are among the best in the class. There are few NFL receivers he won’t be able to keep up with, and his anticipation and instincts help him get the most out of his athleticism. Turner has two main drawbacks: his size (5-foot-11, 178 lbs.) and his aggressiveness. The latter helps compensate for the former, and I’d much rather have to tone down a player’s feistiness than amp it up.

His reputation as a hardworking, high-IQ football player will go a long way in Baltimore, as will his versatility. Mike Macdonald will have multiple options in the slot and can even scheme matchups to protect Turner from bigger receivers.

Adam Bonaccorsi – Garrett Williams, Syracuse

I’m likely much higher on Williams than most but I truly believe if it wasn’t for his torn ACL mid-season, he would be a consensus top-50 player in this draft. Alas, he’ll likely drop into late Round 3, which is right where the Ravens should snag the sticky-yet-not-handsy CB. Williams is slightly undersized & not crazy aggressive in creating turnovers, but more than makes up for it with his technique, footwork, and vision. Love the “zero penalties last two seasons” note on him which marries will with what the Ravens need in their secondary.

My only caveat here is that he likely redshirts his rookie year so the Ravens would need a vet corner to start opposite Marlon Humphrey on the outside.

Zachary Siegel – Kelee Ringo, Georgia

Ringo is a young athletic cornerback with a very high ceiling, projected to go in the 2nd or 3rd round. I love his size (6’ 2”, 207 lbs.), speed (4.36 second 40), and his playmaking ability. At Georgia last year he played all 15 games, showing off his durability which is something the Ravens need. The Ravens would have to trade up or down to get him, but if no one from the big board is available, Ringo is a great value for the second round.

Kevin McNelis – Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State

I debated on this one for a long time, but I think I like Forbes here over guys like Brents and DJ Turner. There’s a risk of a boom-or-bust player with his mentality, but he’s athletic, opportunistic, and a nasty defender. Any ball in his hands has a risk of being a house call, with six career pick-sixes in college.

Jared Pinder – Tyrique Stevenson, Miami

Stevenson might not even make it to the Ravens’ own third-rounder. If he does make it through Ravens should, without a doubt, take him. He is so similar to Marlon that it is crazy. He has many of Humphrey’s flaws, such as struggling to find the ball in the air. He plays very sticky defense in man coverage. If he is available in the early third, the Ravens should try to get him because he fits like a glove.

Chris Schisler – Clark Phillips III, Utah

Phillips had six interceptions and two touchdowns last season. This corner had nine interceptions as a Utah Ute. While he’s undersized, he could be a playmaker for the defense because of great ball skills and the ability to jump routes. I could see Phillips being a Lardarius Webb-like cornerback. If that’s what he brings to the table, sign me up.

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