OTL: A Post-Initial FA Flurry Mock Draft Friday

The first week of Free Agency is not usually surprising for the Ravens. Stay out of any day one negotiations, do your dirty work finding veterans on day two and beyond, re-sign your own. This is a strategy for team-building the Ravens not only believe in, but are sort of forced into:

This first wk has had all the trademarks of a typical start of free agency for the Ravens. They’ve managed a tight cap situation with need to add and plug holes well.

It’s been business as usual but the most pressing business still looms. https://t.co/Vmc2TvzwWt

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 13, 2025

EDC even said at the Combine not to expect big things in Free Agency, but overall what they have done has been satisfactory. Getting Ronnie back before he hit the market was the most important thing for the Ravens, and adding in a solid move by getting D-Hop and re-signing Pat Ricard and Tylan Wallace, along with other pieces,  and the Ravens are still a great team.

So the question is, how do you get this team over the hump?

Well, we explain in this week’s Mock Draft Friday. This Mock is trying to make moves that will get the Ravens the closest to the Super Bowl with high-upside players galore:

Walter Nolen honestly might be the pick if he is available at 27. With Michael Pierrce retiring, there’s a big hole in the middle, and the need for a playmaker on the interior goes from pressing to urgent. Maybe they fill it out in free agency, but the only issue is that Nolan isn’t a replacement for Big Mike. He is more of a pass-rushing 3-technique rather than a hulking run stopper, but Nolan still fits well enough.

Walter Nolen (#2) doing Jalen Carter type stuff pic.twitter.com/P8VoXac3XB

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) January 28, 2025

The biggest thing that stands out about him is his moves for an interior player. He moves differently than everyone else, and how he swims through guards to make plays is special.

Another thing is his relentless motor; Nolen doesn’t quit and is ferocious as a rusher and run stopper.

Walter Nolan has one of the most relentless motors I’ve ever seen from a DT.

— Marcus Whitman (@TFG_Football) March 12, 2025

Nolen would be an excellent fit with the Ravens; we’ll see if he’s there.

Mbow is the type of prospect you pray makes it to the second round. Athletic and strong and plays up to his size. He is a good run blocker and pass protector as well. He might even fit the Ravens better than someone like Booker due to his athletic upside. Last year, they hit on Roger Rosengarten, and Mbow is kind of like that, if he played guard instead of tackle.

#Purdue OL Marcus Mbow. 6’4 309.

Single hand combat w/ the outside stab + inside armpit placement. Stays balanced and violent hands to finish.

Gets out smooth + flat then adjusts in space. Adds to 2nd level/screen game for anyone. Top-50 player imo. pic.twitter.com/hwCBq8AQMm

— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) February 23, 2025

Josiah Stewart, while smaller, has an explosive first step and would be a trend-breaker for the team at Edge.

Winston Jr. is the best tackler at safety in the Draft and reminds me of another Penn State Safety in Jaquan Brisker.

We go local with the talented Tai Felton for receiver depth and get good OT depth with Lundt.

Hill is good Corner depth, Fairchild adds another option at guard, and Johnson is fast and athletic for a day-three linebacker. We end it off with two ducks: Cornelius is an athletic tackle who has taken a hit in the pre-draft process, and Jordan James is good Running back depth.

The post OTL: A Post-Initial FA Flurry Mock Draft Friday appeared first on Russell Street Report.

Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/03/14/out-to-lunch/mock-draft-friday-2/