With the 250th pick the Ravens select Gottlieb Ayedze G, Maryland.
The signing of Derrick Henry shows Baltimore is going to get back to running the football. Here they get a former Division II local product who made the transfer leap to the B1G. Ayedze is a road-grader who has the blocking skills to be a guard but must get stronger to stick in the NFL.
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Rounds 5-6
NFL Comparison
Austin Corbett
The signing of Derrick Henry shows Baltimore is going to get back to running the football. Here they get a former Division II local product who made the transfer leap to the B1G. Ayedze is a road-grader who has the blocking skills to be a guard but must get stronger to stick in the NFL.
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Rounds 5-6
NFL Comparison
Austin Corbett
Overview
Ayedze showed he could make the jump from a small school to the Power 5, but leaping again from Maryland to the pros might require him to get bigger and stronger to handle the rigors of playing guard on the NFL level. Ayedze has the feet and hands to play pro ball and should see his best fit in a move-based running game. His background in pass protection at tackle will be coveted by teams looking for more help bolstering the pocket at guard, but it might take him time to acclimate to the power he will see on the pro level.Strengths
- Sweet feet enable him to climb and redirect against movement.
- Fluid as pulling guard with a great radar for finding and securing the block.
- Consistently in position and centering up his run blocks.
- Has body control and footwork to stay connected to blocks.
- Punch looks fairly firm, and he's capable of resetting hands when needed.
- Good slide quickness to mirror spins and counters in pass pro.
Weaknesses
- Needs to make sure he keeps pad level down off the snap.
- Will need to hit the weight room and bulk up as an NFL guard.
- Didn't look as chippy and physical after his move from Frostburg State to Maryland.
- Allowed opponents off the hook prematurely rather than finishing blocks.
- Could struggle to redirect power rushers who get into his shoulder.