Ravens draft preview: If quarterback is in play, there are plenty of intriguing options

The calendar has officially flipped to April, which can only mean one thing: It’s time to get ready for the NFL draft.

The first round begins April 27 in Kansas City, but until then, the Ravens have plenty to figure out. Most notably, their contract stalemate with star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has requested a trade while under the $32.4 million nonexclusive franchise tag. If he gets his wish, the Ravens’ draft could look a lot different.

Baltimore owns five picks: Nos. 22 (first round), 86 (third round), 124 (fourth round), 157 (fifth round) and 199 (sixth round). A blockbuster deal for Jackson would significantly increase the size of that haul, but the Ravens are guaranteed at least one additional first-rounder this year if Jackson signs an offer with another team before the draft and Baltimore declines to match it.

As we get closer to the draft, The Baltimore Sun will examine which players at each position of need (quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback, edge rusher, offensive line and defensive line) could be available in the early, middle and late rounds when the Ravens are on the clock. We’ll start at the game’s most important position.

Early: Florida’s Anthony Richardson

Richardson is a projected top-10 pick after putting up the best athletic testing numbers of any quarterback in the history of the NFL scouting combine, but the Ravens could find themselves with such a prime selection if they trade Jackson. The Indianapolis Colts, for example, would have to give Baltimore their No. 4 overall pick if they sign Jackson to an offer sheet before the draft and the Ravens decline to match it.

For the Ravens, it’s easy to see why Richardson would be a snug fit. Like Jackson, he’s a dynamic athlete who can spearhead a quarterback-based rushing attack and use his arm strength to attack downfield. At 6 feet 4 and 244 pounds, he’s also thicker than the 6-2, 212-pound Jackson and might be more advanced as a pocket passer than the former Heisman Trophy winner was when he entered the league in 2018.

The biggest question is, why didn’t the elite traits lead to better production? In his lone season as the Gators’ full-time starter, Richardson completed just 53% of his passes for 2,553 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions while rushing for 654 yards and nine scores. A poor group of receivers is partly to blame, but there were enough mistakes and erratic throws that might make teams think twice before deciding to make Richardson their franchise quarterback.

The Ravens would be betting on Richardson’s traits and new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s ability to get the 21-year-old up to speed quickly over a unanimous league Most Valuable Player still in his prime, but it might be worth it for the cost savings alone. By adding another quarterback on a cheap rookie deal, the Ravens would have more money to spend to fill out the rest of their roster, a task made much more difficult with the type of contract Jackson reportedly seeks.

Middle: Georgia’s Stetson Bennett IV

The 5-11, 192-pound Bennett has the resume of a first-rounder but the body of a practice squad fill-in. He won back-to-back national championships with Monken calling the plays, making him an obvious candidate to come to Baltimore and at the very least help the starting quarterback learn Monken’s system.

Should Bennett find himself taking meaningful snaps, it helps that he’s an above-average athlete, running the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds and recording a 33.5-inch vertical jump. He’s shown a knack for avoiding pressure, too, taking just 24 sacks over the past two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus.

His age, however, might be the biggest concern. Bennett will turn 26 his rookie season, making him as old as Jackson, who’s entering his sixth season in the league. That veteran savvy helped him rise from junior college to Division I walk-on to Georgia legend, but it’s hard to envision a scenario in which he becomes an elite NFL starter. There are also some potential off-the-field concerns after he was arrested Jan. 29 in Dallas on a public intoxication charge.

Late: Louisville’s Malik Cunningham

Another dual-threat Louisville quarterback? The Ravens might not want to go down that road again if they move on from Jackson, but Cunningham is worthy of a look in the NFL.

At 6 feet, 192 pounds, Cunningham is even slighter than Jackson, but he’s shown a similar burst as a ball carrier and an uncanny ability to make defenders miss in the open field. At Louisville, he executed run-pass options and zone reads, plays that could be staples of Monken’s offense in Baltimore. If the Ravens want another quarterback who can stress defenses with his rushing ability, Cunningham would be a nice fit.

There’s no doubting the Montgomery, Alabama, native’s college production: In 2021, he led all Football Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks with 1,031 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns and later broke Jackson’s school record by accounting for 120 career touchdowns. Even while missing time with a shoulder injury last season, he still led the Cardinals with 12 rushing scores.

The main concern is Cunningham’s accuracy, particularly downfield. He completed just 31% of his deep throws in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus, and received a well-below-average 41.4 grade while throwing under pressure. He’s also entering the league at age 24 after spending six seasons in college. Still, his athletic traits alone are worthy of a late-round flier.

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