Azeez Ojulari, DE, Georgia

The Ravens’ 2020 offense was 32nd in passing attempts and 32nd in passing yards. As many of you know, there are 32 NFL franchises. Mathematically, this is less than ideal for Baltimore. Ranking dead last in passing in today’s NFL is straight-up clown shoes and I wouldn’t fault any fan who is pounding the table for WR. Rashod Bateman would be a very good pick here. He has been consistently pegged as the fifth-best pass catcher in the 2021 NFL Draft with a large gap between himself and the top four. Personally, I’m not sure the gap should be that wide and I could see him as a sleeper for best rookie WR if he lands in the right situation. The Ravens need to get better at WR and must address the position in this draft.

However, there are two reasons that I’ve talked myself out of my favorite player on the board. Firstly, a more holistic view of the offense shows that the O-line was a major culprit of its passing woes in 2020. Secondly, the Ravens were the best rushing team last year by a long shot and that is what they want to be. Until the O-line is settled and there is some notable dedication to actually nurturing the passing game, it would be a seriously questionable use of resources to take a 1st round WR for the second time in 3 years. For those reasons, I place the likelihood of O-line and D-line higher than WR here.

I could see the Ravens having interest in center Landon Dickerson here. A center would arguably be a better use of resources than WR as it would boost all facets of the offense and not just the passing game. But knowing Baltimore’s predilection for staying true to their board I’m not sure they’d pull the trigger on Dickerson here. Tackle Orlando Brown Jr. is unhappy playing the right side and may already be traded by the time you read this. Perhaps there is a tackle they have ranked highly here but I don’t see it.

This leads us to who I think is the most likely selection, Azeez Ojulari. Possibly the best pure pass rusher in the class, Ojulari could be a steal at this pick and fits another major need. Depth at Edge is thin for Baltimore after losing both Yannick Ngakoue and Matthew Judon this offseason. Azeez would be an immediate contributor and should find plenty of opportunities for mismatches through Wink Martindale's blitz packages. PFF has Ojulari as the highest-rated pass-rusher in the draft and, while PFF has its skeptics, I think their grades along the trenches are usually spot on. Ojulari is a scary pass rusher with a high floor and a high ceiling that would fill an immediate need and should keep them among the league's top defenses for years to come.

2021 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Jaguars (Phoenix X Minimus): QB Trevor Lawrence
2) Jets (eagles.north.of.the.border): QB Zach Wilson
3) 49ers (I Need a Username): QB Trey Lance
4) Falcons (chewy wellington): OT Penei Sewell
5) Bengals (Dr_Horrible): WR Ja’Marr Chase
6) Dolphins (20Safety_Hazard): TE Kyle Pitts
7) Lions (drc242): WR DeVonta Smith
8) Panthers (wildcatlh): QB Justin Fields
9) Broncos (ItownBallers22): CB Patrick Surtain II
10) Cowboys (Kephas): OT Rashawn Slater
11) Giants (Billmington): WR Jaylen Waddle
12) Eagles (ablesser88): CB Jaycee Horn
13) Chargers (Georgia_eagle): LB Micah Parsons
14) Vikings (Philliesandthebees): OT Alijah Vera-Tucker
15) Patriots (SakPrescott): QB Mac Jones
16) Cardinals (Carson Wentzs ACL): CB Greg Newsome II
17) Raiders (dshelton5): LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
18) Dolphins (J. Wil): DE Kwity Paye
19) Football Team (Negadelphia Norm): LB Nick Bolton
20) Bears (Happy24): CB Caleb Farley
21) Colts (Fly Like An Eagle): OT Christian Darrisaw
22) Titans (Friendly Neighborhood Philly Fan): LB Zaven Collins
23) Jets (Asap Stocky): OT Teven Jenkins
24) Steelers (Gregnado): OT Samuel Cosmi
25) Jaguars (“Snax”): DE Jaelen Phillips
26) Browns (gerouxman1956): LB Jamin Davis
27) Ravens (Brendanekstrom): DE Azeez Ojulari
28) Saints (grantspectations):
29) Packers (Philly_Philly):
30) Bills (doublefry):
31) Chiefs (Leo Bedio):
32) Buccaneers (phuckdallas):

Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think should be selected in the 2021 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.

1) Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence
2) Jets: QB Zach Wilson:
3) 49ers: QB Justin Fields
4) Falcons: OT Penei Sewell
5) Bengals: WR Ja’Marr Chase
6) Dolphins: TE Kyle Pitts
7) Lions: WR DeVonta Smith
8) Panthers: OT Rashawn Slater
9) Broncos: QB Trey Lance
10) Cowboys: CB Patrick Surtain II
11) Giants: LB Micah Parsons
12) Eagles: WR Jaylen Waddle
13) Chargers: CB Jaycee Horn
14) Vikings: OT Alijah Vera-Tucker
15) Patriots: QB Mac Jones
16) Cardinals: CB Caleb Farley
17) Raiders: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
18) Dolphins: RB Najee Harris
19) Football Team: OT Christian Darrisaw
20) Bears: OT Teven Jenkins
21) Colts: DE Kwity Paye
22) Titans: CB Greg Newsome II
23) Jets: OT Samuel Cosmi
24) Steelers: RB Travis Etienne
25) Jaguars: DT Christian Barmore
26) Browns: LB Jamin Davis
27) Ravens: