NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams
By Conor Dorney
Grade: B+
Best pick: Lamar Jackson (QB, Louisville)
Questionable pick: Hayden Hurst (TE, South Carolina)
Sleeper pick: Mark Andrews (TE, Oklahoma)
General manager Ozzie Newsome went out with a bang in his final draft at the Ravens’ helm, most notably taking Louisville star and former Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson with the final pick in the first round. Jackson was one of the most polarizing quarterback prospects in the entire class, but also possessed the most unique skillset. With long-term future of the human statue that is Joe Flacco up in the air, Newsome was wise to take a developmental prospect as talented as Jackson in the first round.
The Ravens’ other first-round pick, tight end Hayden Hurst, was one of the more head-scratching picks of the entire first round. Hurst will already turn 25 years old by the start of the 2018 season and was an extremely poor value in the first round, as no other prospects from the position were selected until Day 2. Hurst is a solid player, but it’s hard to justify taking a player who will be 30 by the time his rookie contract is up.
Oklahoma tight end Mark Andrews is a massive target who the Ravens hope can become a reliable red zone option for Joe Flacco, with Hurst expected to stretch the field vertically. Early on in free agency, Baltimore was linked heavily to Jimmy Graham, and Andrews could be the type of player they hope to fill a similar role.