Oct 13, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooner tackle Lane Johnson (69) in action against Texas Longhorns defensive end Alex Okafor (80) during the red river rivalry at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The 2013 NFL Draft is top heavy with offensive line talent, and there is a wide spread belief that a run on offensive tackles could begin very early. With three elite tackle prospects in this year’s class — Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher and Lane Johnson — a team that is looking to select one of the prospects may have to be willing to jump up to the draft order to land the pass protector.
One of the teams that could contemplate the move is the Baltimore Ravens.
According to Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun:
The Ravens will be keeping an eye on Oklahoma left offensive tackle Lane Johnson.
He is rated the third-best at the position in the draft, and a lot of the experts have predicted he will go in the top 10 picks, but the Ravens might trade up for him at a reasonable cost. The Ravens have some options because they have 12 picks. Johnson is athletic, durable and the pro scouts like his demeanor. He plays with the nastiness of a defensive lineman.
After investing so much money in quarterback Joe Flacco during the offseason, the Ravens need a top player to protect his blind side.
The defending Super Bowl champions lost a lot of talent during the offseason, and it is very possible that Bryant McKinnie could not be returning to the team. If that is the case, Baltimore will need to make a move in order to land a blind-side protector for Joe Flacco.
If Baltimore is unsuccessful in their attempt to trade up in the draft order, a player like Menelik Watson, Terron Armstead or Justin Pugh could be a nice option.
Topics: Baltimore Ravens, Lane Johnson
