Baltimore Ravens defense adds edge with All-SEC defender in CBS NFL Mock Draft

The Baltimore Ravens have one focus this offseason and that is building a team to get over the hump and get to the Super Bowl.  After coming up short to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 AFC Championship Game, Lamar Jackson and company are seeking to get better offensively and defensively, which makes the 2024 NFL Draft an interesting one.

After the first wave of free agency, the Ravens have added running back Derrick Henry on offense, but have lost some key players on defense, including inside linebacker Patrick Queen and EDGE Jadeveon Clowney who is still unsigned in free agency.  If the team does not plan to re-sign the veteran pass rusher, will they turn to the draft to fill that void?

Baltimore Ravens add edge defensively with the selection First-team All-SEC Edge rusher

CBS.com’s latest NFL Mock Draft says yes, and that player is Missouri star edge Darius Robinson who is a 2023 First-team All-SEC defender who led the Tigers with 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss.  An interesting selection at No. 27 for the Ravens.

In his latest NFL Mock Draft, Josh Edwards writes:

"Baltimore has lost a few key pieces on the offensive line so it is difficult to see it not addressing that unit in the first round. The Ravens may love a future with Ben Cleveland, Andrew Vorhees as their starting offensive guards and Patrick Mekari as their starting offensive tackle, but there are too many unknowns for a contender to feel comfortable. Despite all that, a run on the position has already taken place and the franchise is left filling the void of Jadeveon Clowney.”

At 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, Robinson has the combination of size, speed and power would fit right into the aggressive style of defense the Ravens play.  His high motor and pure power in gaining quick advantages over blockers will fill some of the void left by Clowney, but he will need some time to adjust to the NFL and the Ravens have the right mix of veteran leadership on defense for him to slowly grow.

In all, not a bad selection by Edwards, but Maryland native and NFL combine standout Chop Robinson would be an even better fit for the Ravens at No. 27.  Some mock drafts have [Chop] Robinson going anywhere from the mid-to-late first round to a Day 2 selection.  A bit smaller than Darious Robinson, Chop has proved to have the speed that could help contain a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes.

While either of those players would be ideal fits for the Ravens, NFL Mocks has the Ravens drafting wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.  With the team not expected to re-sign Odell Beckham Jr, the team could use another young target for Jackson.  With the addition of Henry and the two tight ends in Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, along with speedy receiver Zay Flowers, the Ravens offense should be fine, but another big target would make for a hard offense to stop.

In whatever direction the Ravens go with No. 27, they are in position where the pick should be able to come in and contribute in 2024.