The Baltimore Ravens have been one of the best teams in the NFL when it comes to turning draft capital into star power. Round 1 has been incredibly kind, with quarterback Lamar Jackson being followed by the likes of center Tyler Linderbaum, receiver Zay Flowers, safety Kyle Hamilton, and corner Nate Higgins.
They’ve found success on Day 2 as well. Tight end Mark Andrews, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, and right tackle Roger Rosengarten are among the contributors Baltimore has added on the way to Super Bowl contention.
With one of the league’s top rosters, general manager Eric DeCosta is able to get creative with his drafts.
The Ravens took a page out of the Philadelphia Eagles’ playbook in Pro Football and Sports Network’s three-round mock draft by adding a quarterback in Round 3. Before that, Baltimore spent its Round 1 selection on Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson.
“Projected to be a top receiver selection in next year’s draft, Jordyn Tyson stands out as one of the nation’s premier talents,” Brentley Weissman wrote. “His exceptional speed, reliable hands, and precise route running enable him to excel both in the slot and out wide.
“Despite the Ravens’ efforts to bolster Lamar Jackson’s supporting cast, they would significantly benefit from adding Tyson. His skills would seamlessly complement and enhance the Ravens’ current receiving corps.”
In Round 2, Baltimore picked LSU corner Mansoor Delante. To cap off Day 2, Weissman added Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles. The Spartan passer is a raw product, but with promising athleticism and a big arm, he checks the boxes the Ravens have looked for in Jackson-like backup quarterbacks.
There’s value in a strong backup quarterback, but a bet on a Day 2 quarterback is a bet on him playing for somebody else. If Jackson goes down with an injury and Chiles flashes like a franchise quarterback, history suggests somebody would be willing to pay Baltimore for his services. That return on investment adds to the insurance he’d provide.
Jackson isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but that doesn’t make an out-of-the-box pick a bad-process decision.
