The 2020 NFL Draft kicks off tonight and that means I will be conducting a 7-round Ravens mock draft . This is a draft that shapes up favorably for the Ravens to address some, if not all of their needs. Their primary needs are linebacker, edge rusher, wide receiver and interior offensive line while they’ll look to add depth at defensive line, safety, tackle and tight end. Using The Draft Network’s draft simulator, I take a stab at what the Ravens may do on Thursday night.

Round 1 (28^th Overall): Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

Also Considered: Zack Baun, Edge, Wisconsin; A. J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa; Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State; Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor; Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan; Marlon Davidson, IDL, Auburn

In a perfect world, either Kenneth Murray or Patrick Queen fall to the Ravens at 28. In the first round, Queen was selected by the Saints at 24, leaving Murray as the highest rated linebacker on the board. He becomes the first pick in my Ravens mock draft. This would be a dream plug-and-play scenario for the Ravens, who still need to fill the void left by CJ Mosley last offseason. In a depth chart that currently features LJ Fort and Jake Ryan as the top two guys at linebacker, Murray is able to come in and start right away for Baltimore. Murray brings much-needed speed and the ability to fly from sideline to sideline. While his play recognition and ability to take on blocks is a work in progress, Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale gets his guy to continue the tradition of stout middle linebacker play in Baltimore.

Round 2 (55^th Overall via Atlanta): Ross Blacklock, IDL, TCU

Also Considered: Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson; Josh Uche, Edge, Michigan; Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC; Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU; Robert Hunt, IOL, Louisiana

The Ravens have a history of taking the top ranked player on their board as opposed to reaching on a need and this is exactly what they do here with the addition of Ross Blacklock, an ultra-quick twitch defensive tackle out of TCU. Blacklock is a guy who has been rumored to have been flying up draft boards moving into draft day, so there’s no telling if he will be available at 55 tomorrow night. The Ravens two biggest additions this offseason came on the defensive line in the form of Pro-Bowler Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe.

Brandon Williams returns but behind those three, the cupboard is pretty bare. Justin Ellis returns, as does Daylon Mack, but Ellis saw only 60 snaps last season and Mack is still an unproven commodity at this point. Blacklock’s brings an elite ability to rush the passer from inside and his quick-twitch capabilities prove too much for the Ravens to turn down.

Second Round (60^th Overall): Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson

Also Considered: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC; Robert Hunt, IOL, Louisiana; Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado

The second round figures to feature a substantial run on wideouts, so the Ravens will look to fill their need here with the addition of Tee Higgins, a long 6’4 wide receiver out of Clemson. Higgins often gets compared to AJ Green, and the Ravens have seen firsthand just how dominant a player like that can be. While the Ravens look to build a track team around Lamar Jackson, Higgins is an ideal complement to Hollywood Brown. An All-ACC selection this past year at Clemson, Higgins caught 59 balls for 1,167 yards to go along with 13 TDs.

He finished his college career with 27 touchdowns, which tied Deandre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins for the school record. Not bad company. Higgins provides Lamar Jackson with a red zone threat as well with his natural ability to high point the football and go up and get it. Ravens fans, as well as Lamar Jackson, rejoice with the selection of Higgins.

Third Round (92 Overall): Bradlee Anae, Edge, Utah

Also Considered: : John Simpson, IOL, Clemson; Matt Peart, OT, UCONN; Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU; Khalid Kareem, Edge, Notre Dame

The Ravens pass rush gets a shot in the arm in the form of Bradlee Anae, an ultra-productive pass rusher out of Utah. Anae brings the ability to play with a hand up or down and possesses good explosion off the line. A two-time First Team All-Pac 12 selection, Anae finished last season with 13 sacks, and the Ravens welcome his ability to get to the quarterback with open arms. With questions surrounding the future of Matthew Judon, the Ravens look to bolster their unit and for the second straight year, add a pass rusher in the third round after selecting Jaylon Ferguson 85^th overall last year.

Third Round (106 Overall, Compensatory): John Simpson, IOL, Clemson

Also Considered: K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson; Hakeem Adeniji, OT, Kansas; Netane Muti, IOL, Fresno St

After almost selecting Simpson at 92 in my Ravens mock draft, the Ravens see him fall into their laps at 106 and grab him to help shore up their interior offensive line. With the retirement of future Hall of Famer Marshal Yanda and questions about health of Matt Skura, who is recovering from a torn ACL, MCL and PCL, Baltimore adds another former Clemson standout to compete with the likes of Patrick Mekari and Ben Powers for a starting spot in the trenches. Simpson brings a strong, physical presence, as evidenced by his 34 bench press reps at the Combine. Simpson excels as a run blocker and possess sound technique as offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris, who has done a nice job developing mid round selections, gets his hands on another potential replacement for Yanda.

Fourth Round (129 Overall via New England): Lynn Bowden, WR, Kentucky

Also Considered: Anthony McFarland, RB, Maryland; Zack Moss, RB, Utah; Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas

Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta has gone on record saying he hopes to make the Ravens offense “undefendable,” and the selection of Lynn Bowden is another step towards that goal. Bowden had a scintillating season at Kentucky this past fall, where he started the year at wideout but was forced to play quarterback after the injury bug hit the Wildcats. Bowden to the Ravens may be my favorite fit this year. Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman, who’s regarded as one of the more creative minds in football, gets another toy to play with in the form of Bowden, who could be a complete headache for opposing defenses. Expect Roman to dial up quite a few gadget plays for Bowden, one of the most, if not the most versatile players in this years draft class.

Fourth Round (134 Overall): Anthony McFarland, RB, Maryland

Also Considered: Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic; Brandon Jones, S, Texas; Jack Driscoll, OT, Auburn

The Ravens double dip on versatile playmakers in the fourth round with the addition of running back Anthony McFarland, who played his high school ball at powerhouse Dematha Catholic and for the hometown Maryland Terrapins. McFarland possess some of the same traits as last year’s fourth round selection Justice Hill. A shifty, undersized back with the ability to catch passes out of the backfield, McFarland continues the Ravens push towards creating an offense with more speed and versatility. There can never be too many running backs in a Greg Roman offense, and the local kid gets a chance to be another valuable weapon in a rock solid running back room.

Fifth Round (170 Overall via Minnesota): Antoine Brooks Jr., S, Maryland

Also Considered: Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic; Tanner Muse, S, Clemson; Jack Driscoll, OT, Auburn; Kindle Vildor, CB, Georgia Southern

The Ravens run on Maryland products continues with the selection of Antoine Brooks Jr. While the Ravens have two entrenched starters in Earl Thomas and Chuck Clark at safety, there’s an obvious need for depth at the position, and Brooks is that guy for Baltimore. Brooks continues Baltimore’s run on versatility. The former high school quarterback began his collegiate career at linebacker before moving to safety for the Terrapins. Brooks is a Swiss-Army Knife that has the ability to make plays all over the field. Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh has an affinity for sound special teamers, and Brooks has the potential to thrive here.

Seventh Round (225 Overall via NYJ): Yasir Durant, OT, Missouri

Also Considered: Trey Adams, OT, Washington; Kindle Vildor, CB, Georgia Southern; AJ Green, CB, Oklahoma State

I wrap up my 2020 Ravens mock draft with the addition of Yasir Durant, a big-bodied offensive tackle out of Missouri. The former Juco product began his collegiate career at guard, but kicked out to right tackle for Missouri. A poor combine causes Durant to slip here, and the Ravens snatch him to bring in another rotational piece on the offensive line after the departure of James Hurst. While the Ravens would have liked to have grabbed a tight end, the lack of depth at this point forces them to turn their attention elsewhere, and Durant gets the call.

Conclusion

Thanks for taking the time to read my 2020 Ravens mock draft. Exciting times in Baltimore are on the horizon. This draft class could go a long way in solidifying the foundation for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens for years to come. With the lack of sports going on right now, the draft is an exciting time for all of us. I hope you all are looking forward to it as much as I am. Please feel free to comment with your opinions on my selections and don’t hesitate to reach out to me on Twitter @jack_sheehan22.