The Baltimore Ravens double down on offense in Mike Kashuba’s latest three-round mock draft. Kashuba has Baltimore drafting Jalin Hyatt in the first round and Chandler Zavala in the third. Are these picks likely? How do they fit in Baltimore?
Ravens Prioritize Offense in Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 22: Jalin Hyatt (Wide Receiver, Tennessee)
With their first-round selection, the Ravens select Hyatt in Kashuba’s scenario. As Kashuba points out, Hyatt is the “preeminent deep threat in this wide receiver class”, making him a long-awaited replacement for Hollywood Brown. Kashuba’s scouting report on Hyatt sums up Hyatt’s game well:
“The production, speed, and explosiveness all jump off the page. Devonta Smith has already proven that a smaller frame can succeed in the NFL. Hyatt adds a big play ability that will force defenses to respect the deep threat.”
Now, the ensuing questions are clear. Why would the Ravens draft Hyatt despite acquiring Odell Beckham Jr.? Don’t the Ravens already have a deep threat after signing Nelson Agholor? These are both serious questions, especially considering the Ravens arguably have bigger needs at edge and cornerback with Beckham and Agholor both aboard. Perhaps Lukas Van Ness, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, or Tyrique Stevenson would all make more sense here.
However, Hyatt could still be a viable selection despite Beckham’s arrival. The first thing to note is that Beckham and Agholor are both on one-year deals. Devin Duvernay flashed his potential last year, but he hits free agency next year. As such, if the Ravens are planning for the future, Hyatt makes sense as a young, long-term wideout.
Secondly, DeSean Jackson found some success in his limited stint with Baltimore last year. Coincidentally, Kashuba’s pro comp for Hyatt is Jackson. This pick could be a slam dunk if Hyatt can provide what Jackson provided last year but with more consistency. Hyatt’s game-breaking potential coupled with how he stresses and stretches defenses could just be what Baltimore’s smashmouth offense needs. If the Ravens are serious about prioritizing offense in the draft, Hyatt would be a strong first selection.
"Nobody knew my name."@jalinhyatt made sure his last year at @Vol_Football was unforgettable 💪
📺: Hey Rookie premieres tonight 7:30pm ET on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/Yw3qFhxFXM
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) April 10, 2023
Round 3, Pick 86: Chandler Zavala (Interior Offensive Line, North Carolina State)
After sitting out the second round, the Ravens return with another selection on offense in the third round of Kashuba’s mock. Zavala is a sound lineman who is a decent value at pick 86. As with all mid-round prospects, he has some deficiencies but has good fundamentals and a decent upside. Patrick Sheehan’s scouting report provides the down-low on Zavala:
“Chandler Zavala has the size and frame to be an effective NFL lineman. At the line, he engages his opponent and can drive them backward, consistently. He is also able to take on double teams (defensive lineman and blitzing linebacker), which will be a huge selling point for him in the upcoming draft. He has the ability to assess the game-play situation and adjust his strategy/technique as needed. […] What he needs to work on to be ready for the NFL is his ability to engage defenders in the open field. […] Look for Zavala to be a third to fourth-round draft pick.”
As it stands, Baltimore has Kevin Zeitler, Tyler Linderbaum, and Ben Cleveland as their interior offensive line. Zeitler and Linderbaum are Pro Bowl quality, making them locked starters. Cleveland is the only question mark. The team lost Ben Powers to the Denver Broncos via free agency, leaving Cleveland as the starting left guard. Zavala would be able to compete with Cleveland for the starting job. His athleticism and multi-sport background means that he also projects well as a center or swing lineman. Zavala would therefore offer much-needed depth in the interior of the offensive line.
Baltimore have had a private visit with Zavala, suggesting there is some traction to this selection too.
Chandler Zavala is a OG prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.50 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 70 out of 1393 OG from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/zueW27yJTr #RAS pic.twitter.com/ZYLGwicHdw
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 8, 2023
Ravens Prioritise Offense Over Trading Down in This Mock
A bigger question remains, however. While Hyatt is an excellent prospect, the Ravens have prioritized offense over trading down in Kashuba’s mock draft. This makes sense if Eric DeCosta is enamored with Hyatt at 22. However, if he is just as keen on other prospects (wideout or not), he should look to trade down. The team has just five selections this year and is missing a second-round pick after trading for Roquan Smith.
Given Baltimore’s lack of picks and the fact that Hyatt is among a group of similarly talented receivers alongside the likes of Josh Downs and Jonathan Mingo, DeCosta is in a prime position to trade down.
Should Ravens Prioritise Offense in Draft?
Aside from trading down in the first, there are other ways the Ravens could have played Kashuba’s draft out differently. Indeed, they could prioritize different positions. The plethora of high-end edge rushers this year makes Edge an obvious pick for Baltimore. Cornerback is a similar matter.
If the Ravens do, indeed, opt to go for a similar gameplan to Kashuba’s mock, they could also look at different prospects. O’Cyrus Torrence was available at 22 and would have been a strong pick as the heir to Powers. With Torrence aboard and Beckham and Agholor ready for 2023, the team could then draft Marvin Mims in the third round.
Main Photo: Jamar Coach – USA TODAY Network
