2020 NFL Draft: Late-Round sleeper targets for the Baltimore Ravens

Markus Bailey – LB – Purdue

Height: 6-1 / Weight: 240 / 2018 Stats: Total Tackles: 115 / INT: 1 / Sacks: 6.5

In the introduction, I mentioned one of the other biggest needs for Baltimore Ravens this offseason is at inside linebacker. If you’ve followed draft coverage for the Baltimore Ravens, particularly at NFL Mocks, you should be familiar by now that the team got by with very little last season after the departure of C.J. Mosely.

Although the Baltimore Ravens have been in talks with Patrick Onwuasor, veteran Josh Bynes has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals and their depth chart consists of L.J Fort, Otaro Alaka and Chris Board.

Most analysts and draftniks have the Baltimore Ravens going inside linebacker fairly early on, given that the linebacker class is pretty top-heavy. However, if for some reason they do not go that route or choose to double-dip at the position, then Markus Bailey could be on their radar.

A fifth-year senior out of Purdue, Bailey shows the requisite football IQ and quickness to become a full-time NFL starter. However, what makes Bailey a day three selection is his medicals which include an ACL tear in 2015 and 2019, so there are some risks. However, Bailey has the makeup to be an NFL linebacker, not just in IQ but he also shows good range and plus tackling technique.

Given his extensive injury history, Bailey will likely be drafted somewhere between rounds four-seven depending on how the NFL views him. But if he falls to the Baltimore Ravens in round five or even round seven, they could land themselves an absolute steal at the position