The Baltimore Ravens have been one of the most successful franchises in the NFL over the past two decades. They have won two Super Bowls, made the playoffs in 14 of the last 16 seasons, and have consistently been one of the top defensive teams in the league. With the 2021 NFL Draft fast approaching, the Ravens are looking to add more talent to their roster and could be looking to make a surprise pick in the first round.
One name that has been linked to the Ravens is edge rusher Odafe McDonald from the University of Central Florida. McDonald is an explosive pass rusher who has the potential to be a disruptive force on the edge. He has great size at 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds and is an excellent athlete with a 4.6 40-yard dash time. He also has a great motor and is relentless in pursuit of the quarterback.
McDonald had a productive college career, recording 17 sacks and 35 tackles for loss in three seasons at UCF. He also had four forced fumbles and two interceptions. He was named first-team All-AAC in 2020 and was named a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, which is given to the nation’s top defensive player.
The Ravens have a need for an edge rusher and McDonald could be a great fit in their defense. He has the athleticism and size to play outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme and could be an immediate contributor as a pass rusher. The Ravens have had success drafting edge rushers in the first round, selecting Terrell Suggs, Courtney Upshaw, and Matt Judon in recent years.
McDonald could be a surprise pick for the Ravens in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has all the tools to be a successful edge rusher in the NFL and could be a great addition to the Ravens’ defense. He has the potential to be a disruptive force on the edge and could help the Ravens continue their success for years to come.