Linebacker NFL Draft Targets For The Ravens

Overtime Heroics Editorial

1986 days ago

The 2020 NFL Draft is now less than three weeks away, with the teams working hard compiling their draft boards. The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique problems for teams, stopping them from visiting Pro Days or from meeting with prospects. After free agency team needs are becoming clear. The Baltimore Ravens have used free agency to improve their pass rush, but their biggest need remains at linebacker.

Losing C.J. Mosley massively hurt them last season, and have now lost Patrick Onwuasor to the New York Jets. Baltimore did re-sign Josh Bynes, but they still need help at the position. If the season began today they would have Matt Judon and L.J. Fort as starters, with Jaylon Ferguson, Tyus Bowser and Chris Board as reserves. The Ravens are likely to target a linebacker in the first round, so let’s look at the top targets for the Ravens.

Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma

Many mock drafts have the Ravens selecting Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray. He’s long been projected as a late first-round pick and has a good chance of falling to the Ravens with the 28th pick. Murray was a tackling machine in college, totaling 334 tackles across three years. He’s the sideline-to-sideline runner Baltimore has missed since Mosley left a year ago. Watch some of his highlights here.

*Kenneth Murray would be a perfect fit for a Ravens team who are in the SuperBowl window. Photo: Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports.*

Patrick Queen, LSU

Patrick Queen has been a late riser on draft boards after a stellar junior year at LSU. The Tigers enjoyed the perfect season en route to a national championship. Queen stood out on defense, totaling 85 combined tackles and three sacks. Queen is level with Murray in terms of talent and is also projected as a late-first round pick. The Ravens are likely to target a linebacker with the 28th pick and are likely to draft one of these two players if they’re available.

Patrick Queen stood out on the nation champion LSU Tigers this season, and projects to be a stud in the NFL. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Zack Baun, Wisconsin

Although Queen and Murray have a higher profile, Zack Baun is another very good linebacker the Ravens could target with the 28th pick. He is projected as a late first-round/early second-round pick for the draft. Baun trailed only Chase Young in sacks (12.5) and tackles for loss (19.5) this year but is likely to project more as an off-ball linebacker for Baltimore.

Zack Baun is a borderline first-round talent this year, and could be another option for Baltimore
alongside Murray or Queen. Photo: AP.

Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech

After Baun, the quality at linebacker drops slightly, however some gems can be found in the mid-rounds. Jordyn Brooks is one of these gems if teams are willing to develop him. Brooks was an All-Big 12 selection each of his four years at Texas Tech. He was a stalwart of their defense, but he’s more of a project at the NFL level. NFL teams have concerns about him as an every-down linebacker, which explains why he’s being projected as a third-round pick. The Ravens could find him in the third-round and pair him with a Murray or Queen to rejuvenate the position.

Follow me on Twitter @JWJournalism for more of my content and follow @OT_Heroics!

Come discuss this and much more at the Overtime Heroics forums!

Be sure to check out our partners at Repp Sports! They offer the first-ever crowd-sourced, no carb, no sugar, energy drink called RAZE and much more! Use the link above or add the promo code OTH1 at checkout to get 30% off your order!