OWINGS MILLS — It’s no secret the Ravens need to boost their offensive line this offseason after losing both starting guards, and trading their right tackle to the Jets.
On Thursday, the Ravens added depth at the offensive line by signing Josh Jones, a third-round pick in 2020 who made three starts last season for the Texans. Jones, 26, is versatile and can play tackle and guard.
That deal likely won’t change their plans in this year’s draft, which general manager Eric DeCosta called almost “historically strong” for offensive linemen.
Many of the experts agree and predict the Ravens will take an offensive lineman with the 30th overall pick.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper predicts the Ravens will select Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims, who is Kiper’s fifth-rated tackle in this year’s class.
“Mims is the perfect case of a high-ceiling, high-risk prospect,” Kiper wrote in his latest mock draft. “The risk comes in that he has started only eight college games because of injuries and draft picks in front of him. The ceiling comes in when you watch him beat up on defenders and the way he can move his feet at 340 pounds. He didn’t allow a single sack at Georgia. Offensive line coaches will want to try to mold him because of his elite tools.”
In addition to Kiper, CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso and Nate Davis, of USA Today, also predict the Ravens will select Mims in the first round.
“A right tackle who already knows OC Todd Monken’s playbook, Mims’ 87-inch wingspan and 6-8, 340-pound frame help him block out the sun,” Davis wrote. “He could start straight away following the trade of RT Morgan Moses to the Jets.”
There is also speculation that the Ravens might select Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton, especially if Mims is not available.
Guyton fits the Ravens profile with size — 6 feet 8, 322 pounds — and power to overwhelm pass rushers. Guyton is also a solid run blocker and fits the Ravens’ system with his ability to pull.
“Baltimore traded away right tackle Morgan Moses and are left with Daniel Faalele,” wrote Josh Edwards of CBS Sports. “The Ravens may feel comfortable with him based on what they have seen in practice but it would also not be a surprise if the team used its first-round selection on Tyler Guyton just as they did eight years earlier with Ronnie Stanley.”
In addition to Edwards, Ryan Wilson and Kyle Stackpole, of CBS Sports, and Fox Sports’ Dave Helman have the Ravens selecting Guyton with the 30th selection.
