The Baltimore Ravens ended up selecting eight players in the 2021 draft. Some of them helped the team in a big way during their rookie years, while others didn’t even make it past training camp before being let go.
When re-drafting the entirety of 2021 NFL draft’s first round, Maurice Moten of Bleacher Report switched things up for Baltimore, as they took a different path with their two first-round selections. First at pick No. 27, the Ravens selected University of Oklahoma center Creed Humphrey, who was originally taken in the second round by the Kansas City Chiefs. Moten talked about how successful Humphrey was during his rookie season when explaining his choice.
“Creed Humphrey had one of the best overall seasons among rookies. Pro Football Focus gave him the best grade in the 2021 class. According to the analytics site, he allowed just one sack through 1,184 offensive snaps…The Ravens would have a technically sound, hard-nosed center who finishes blocks with a bit of nastiness in the run game. He’s destined to become a quality 10-plus-year starter at the position.”
Next, at pick No. 31 Moten had Baltimore select an edge rusher, but not the one they originally picked in the slot. Enter Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who Moten says would have a big impact on the Ravens’ defense.
“While on the field for 49 percent of the defensive snaps, Tryon-Shoyinka recorded 29 tackles, five for loss, 27 quarterback pressures, four sacks and three pass breakups. As a starter, he has the potential to blossom into a top-notch pass-rusher…Tryon-Shoyinka would probably lead the Ravens in sacks and quarterback pressures because of the team’s desperate need at his position. Remember, Tyus Bowser, who led the team in sacks (seven), tore his Achilles in the season finale.”
In terms of Baltimore’s actual 2021 first round picks in wide receiver Rashod Bateman and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh, the Ravens didn’t get a shot to select either player, as Oweh went to the Jacksonville Jaguars at pick No. 25 and Bateman was taken by the Cleveland Browns one pick later at No. 26.
In Moten’s re-draft, Baltimore would have gotten two great prospects who had very promising rookie seasons. It would have changed the course of the franchise if the draft fell the way it did in the re-draft, but coming out of the first round with Bateman and Oweh proved to be an incredible feat in it’s own right, as both players showed that they can be pieces of the future for the Ravens.
