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NFL mock draft: Don’t mess with Texas

By Brad Weiss

Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 13, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The Chiefs win 20-17 over the Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The Chiefs win 20-17 over the Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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Derrick Johnson

Linebacker, Waco, Texas

The Baltimore Ravens are getting close, and a couple of plays meant the difference between them playing in the playoffs, and spending another season outside of it. Unfortunately for the Ravens, they missed the playoffs once again in 2017, and fans of the team are starting to get antsy. However, they are putting a nice, young, talented roster together, and Derrick Johnson may be the final piece of the puzzle on defense.

Sure, Johnson is starting to get up there in age, but he showed no signs of slowing down in 2017. He led the Kansas City Chiefs back to the playoffs, and heads to Baltimore ready to continue his illustrious career. The Ravens have a window now to be a steady playoff team, and Johnson should be able to give them at least two good years.

On offense, the Ravens brought in a playmaking wide receiver last offseason, signing Jeremy Maclin to replace the retired Steve Smith Sr. Maclin was reborn during his first season with the Ravens, becoming a favorite target of Joe Flacco. The problem was, the Ravens struggled to move the ball, and that made the offense very vanilla at times throughout the season.

Linebacker Terrell Suggs announced after the season that he is coming back for one more year, and with Johnson now in the fold, the Ravens have some hard-hitting veterans in the second-level of their defense. They should be able to contend in the AFC North in 2018, and with the Steelers getting up there in age, it could be their time to retake the supremacy in the divsion.

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