Ravens News 3/2: Keeping in-house Dogs and more

Pernell McPhee’s Plan Is a Return to Baltimore - Clifton Brown

“Of course, the plan is to come back to Baltimore and continue to play some ball, help win a championship and build a dynasty,” McPhee said. “That’s the goal. Myself and my agent haven’t really talked about it yet. I’ve been chilling, taking care of my body. I’ll think about things, but my thought is really just on coming back.”

With five Ravens outside linebackers set to hit free agency, there could be major turnover at the position. McPhee is realistic about the situation, but he doesn’t like to think about losing teammates at his position who he respects.

“I’m hoping the Ravens can retain all of them, but free agency can get crazy, unpredictable,” McPhee said. “But one thing you have to understand. When you’re playing with guys who have been in the organization and who understand your system, it makes a difference. You want to keep those guys, because they know how to play like a Raven. I always think it’s important to keep core guys – like Judon. He was around Sizz (Terrell Suggs), he was around me last year. He knows the Ravens’ ways. You need to keep some of those in-house guys, those in-house dogs.”

Top 101 NFL free agents of 2021: Who are the best players available? - Gregg Rosenthal

Rank 17

Joe Thuney

OG | Age: 28

Above-average starting guards who never miss a snap get paid so much in free agency that Bill Belichick may just use the franchise tag on Thuney for the second year in a row.

Rank 18

Matt Judon

Edge | Age: 29

Never lacking for effort, Judon is the product of a Ravens system known for strong outside linebacker play that doesn’t always translate to other rosters.

Rank 19

Corey Linsley

C | Age: 30

The Packers are probably going to disappoint Aaron Rodgers by allowing Linsley or Aaron Jones to leave. Linsley figures to cost more after seven rock-solid seasons in Green Bay.

Rank 20

Yannick Ngakoue

Edge | Age: 26

It’s clear that Ngakoue’s pure outside rush doesn’t work in every scheme after a lost season in Minnesota and Baltimore. He’s a liability against the run, and it’s a red flag that his production has fallen every season since 2017, when he played on a historically good Jags defense.

Rank 87

Derek Wolfe

DE | Age: 31

It was no surprise that Wolfe helped the Ravens as a rotational player last season and should provide a similar boost for some team in 2021.

NFL Draft 2021, Top 50 Big Board: Quarterbacks, receivers represent first six picks, big run on cornerbacks - Chris Trapasso

20. Kwity Paye, EDGE2, Michigan

Power and athleticism. Heavy edge rusher who can play anywhere up front. High-end bend for someone close to 280 pounds. Looks like a linebacker on the field because of how smooth he moves in any direction. Burst is impressive as is his sustained speed through the play. Looks like he two-gapped on occasion, thereby slowing him down as a pass-rusher. Really only has a swipe move down off his speed rush, but it’s effective. Awesome on stunts. Bull rush could be outstanding because of his mass but isn’t dangerous yet. High-motor player. Ascending player but not quite a finished product yet.

23. Jaelan Phillips, EDGE3, Miami

Very natural edge rusher. Everything he does is smooth. Effective, go-to swim move. Sleek body type that fits with the modern-day NFL. Speed to get to the outside on pitches. Sets a decently strong edge but could add some weight at the NFL level. Would help his power too, although there’s plenty of pop in his hands. Impressive bend, but he’s not Gumby around the corner. Can dip too. Easy to see why he was top overall recruit in the nation coming out of high school. Athletic edge defender who knows how to use his hands but isn’t a master in that area just yet. Three-down player right away.

29. Jayson Oweh EDGE4 Penn State

Chiseled with lightning-quick twitch for a rocked-up edge rusher. Long limbed too. Rare flashes of a swipe move or an overpowering bull rush that comes after he’s been on the runway for a few seconds. Other than that, the pass-rush plans are almost nonexistent. His traits are super appealing as is his already developed NFL body and the flexibility with which he plays. But right now, he’s a raw prospect who certainly needs to be coached up and learn how to have a pass-rush plan.

Matching A Wide Receiver Prospect to Every NFL Team - Brad Kelly

Baltimore Ravens - Rashod Bateman, Minnesota

Baltimore needs to upgrade their boundary wide receiver options, as their passing offense has become too reliant on their tight end and slot receivers. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has yet to play with a full arsenal of weapons to this point in his career. Rashod Bateman is a technical, three-level route runner with good size at 6-2 and 210 pounds. He has a complete skill-set as he’s fluid through multiple route breaks, will extend towards the catchpoint and break tackles with the ball in his hands. Bateman could quickly become what Corey Davis was for the Tennessee Titans this past season.

Round: 1

2021 NFL Mock Draft: Panthers move up for BYU QB Zach Wilson, LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase heads to Atlanta - Eric Eager

27. BALTIMORE RAVENS: OT TEVEN JENKINS, OKLAHOMA STATE

Orlando Brown Jr. is seeking a trade, and the Ravens are too smart a franchise to cave into the demands of a player that, while good, is boosted a bit by the conditions elicited by playing for an offense led by Lamar Jackson and coached by Greg Roman.

Jenkins steps into the role of a bookend to Ronnie Stanley, who the Ravens extended last season, and he provides insurance should Stanley not be available to start the season due to the injury that knocked him out of the 2020 campaign.