logo
Mock draft points to possible DeAndre Hopkins replacement for the Ravens

Mock draft points to possible DeAndre Hopkins replacement for the Ravens

USA Today30-06-2025
Recent mock finds DeAndre Hopkins' replacement at a school that bred both wide receivers.
This has to be the year. Lamar Jackson did that interview in the cold tub with Kevin Hart. They talked about a lot, but that's the most important takeaway. This is the year. The Baltimore Ravens have squandered a couple of opportunities, especially here recently.
We are in luck. This team boasts a strong defense and an offense featuring star players. They have the potential to be formidable on both sides of the ball. However, winning just once is not their only goal; the Ravens are aiming to secure two or three Lombardi Trophies.
They are counting on youthful talent and newly acquired veterans for the upcoming campaign. One such player is wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, although he is signed for only one season. However, Pro Football Network believes they have found his potential replacement.
PFN mocks Antonio Williams to the Ravens in an early 2026 mock draft
Welp! It appears PFN believes the Ravens are coming short again. Their recent 2026 NFL mock draft has Baltimore picking 28th. In other words, they would have had to lose in the AFC's Divisional Round to land in that position.
Regardless, it is what it is. Another intriguing detail in their recent commentary is the mock draft selection of a wide receiver from the Clemson Tigers, similar to DeAndre Hopkins, who also started his career there.
Antonio Williams is the standout player. He stands at five feet eleven inches tall and weighs 195 pounds. In 2024, he earned First-Team All-ACC honors. It's an interesting question regarding his position; the team already has Zay Flowers playing in the slot and Rashod Bateman on the outside. Williams seems to be another slot receiver, but could he potentially play outside? Devontez Walker and Tylan Wallace are also part of the conversation, but will they still be with the team next season?
Let's see what PFN has to say about their selection and some of the madness before we give a listen to a recent breakdown of the Clemson wide receivers.
"When you have a roster as loaded as the Baltimore Ravens', you can have the luxury of adding depth to your already strong receiver room. Antonio Williams is a dynamic playmaker whose play style would fit nicely in Baltimore's receiving unit."
In three solid seasons at Clemson, Williams has been primarily available. His 2023 campaign was limited to only five games because of injury, but last season was his best. He notched 75 receptions, 904 yards receiving, and 11 touchdowns in 14 games. Keep an eye on him as we inch towards another college football season. The process of building a draft board has already begun.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Baltimore Ravens 2025 Season Preview
Baltimore Ravens 2025 Season Preview

Yahoo

time13 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Baltimore Ravens 2025 Season Preview

The Baltimore Ravens offense was all that you could have dreamed of in 2024. They were 1st in yards per game, rush yards per play, pass yards per play, and in the red zone. They finished 2nd in interception rate as well as 3rd in goal-to-go percent and points per game. It was stellar. QB: Lamar Jackson Lamar Jackson put up video game-type of production last year. For the first time in his career, he started all 17 games, threw for 4,000+ yards with 41 TDs and only 4 INTs. That's an insane 10-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio. That's not even including the 900+ rushing yards and additional TDs on the ground. RB: Derrick Henry Derrick Henry was 79 yards short of becoming the only RB in NFL history with two seasons of 2,000 yards rushing. That's a club that only has 9 members in it all-time. He tied his career-high of 18 total TDs. Henry kept it going in the playoffs with 270 rush yards and 3 TDs in just two games. RB: Justice Hill Hill showed well as the receiving back for the Ravens with a statline of 42 / 383 / 3 in the first 14 games of the season. In a limited role as a rusher, he never recorded more than 5 carries in any game but averaged 4.9 ypc with 228 rush yards and a TD. WR: Zay Flowers Flowers has averaged right at 1,000 receiving yards through his first 2 NFL seasons. The biggest change in 2024 from his rookie season the prior year was in his yards per reception, improving by more than 3 yards. He had a 5-game stretch in October and into the first week of November with 4 games of 110+ receiving yards. WR: Rashod Bateman Bateman had his breakout year in 2024 with a stat line of 45 / 756 / 9. Before the 9 TDs last year, his previous high in his first 3 seasons was 2. He also had a TD in each playoff game. Among qualified WRs, Bateman finished 1st in the NFL in average length per reception (12.7) and 2nd in yards per reception (16.8) in the regular season. WR: DeAndre Hopkins DeAndre Hopkins started 126 of 128 games in his first 8 years in the NFL. The next 2 years, he'd only play in 19 of 34 before bouncing back to play in 33 of 34 the last 2 seasons. While he's no longer the #1 receiving threat, he has put up an average of 66 / 834 / 6 the last 2 years. TE: Mark Andrews Mark Andrews didn't have a TD catch in the first 5 games of the season, but ended the year with a TD in each of the last 6 regular-season games. He ended the year on a sour note with key drops in the playoffs. How he will respond is the big question for 2025. TE: Isaiah Likely Likely finished last year 3rd in receiving TDs and 4th in receiving yards for the Ravens. He led the Ravens in their 2 playoff games with 126 receiving yards on 7 catches with a TD. His role has remained consistent over his first 3 years in the league, but the addition of Hopkins to the top quartet of Flowers, Andrews, Bateman, and Likely means someone is losing targets. BREAKOUT PLAYER: Zay Flowers Flowers has been very good for the Ravens in his first 2 seasons, but we haven't seen his best yet. He'll put it all together in 2025 and be a legit #1 threat. He'll have 135 targets, 70% catch rate with 13 yards per reception, and finish the year with a statline of 95 / 1,200 / 8. BOLD PREDICTION: Lamar Jackson Jackson is coming off his best season, his first with a full season of starts and a multitude of weapons. Expectations will be at an all-time high. Jackson missed 5 games in 2021 and 2022 before starting 33 of 34 games the last 2 seasons. He'll take a step back and finish the year with 25 TD passes / 8 INTs. It'll be a reduction of 16 TD passes and an increase to double the INTs from 2024. Related Headlines Chicago Bears 2025 Season Preview Denny Hamlin Reacts to NASCAR All-Star Race Potentially Moving to Dover Kansas City Chiefs 2025 Season Preview

Kaleb Johnson, Jay Higgins headline Iowa's NFL preseason Week 2
Kaleb Johnson, Jay Higgins headline Iowa's NFL preseason Week 2

USA Today

time14 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Kaleb Johnson, Jay Higgins headline Iowa's NFL preseason Week 2

After a stellar Week 1 of the NFL's preseason from a number of former rookies that formerly starred for Iowa football, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jay Higgins were the two Hawkeyes who headlined Week 2's action. As for Johnson, he improved his stat line from Week 1 by recording 50 yards on 11 carries, with his longest run going for 14 yards. In addition to his rushing total, Johnson also caught one pass for 9 yards. While Pittsburgh's run game struggled again in the team's 17-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Johnson earning eight more carries than his next closest teammate clearly shows that the Steelers see high potential in the 2024 Doak Walker Award finalist. After the game, Johnson earned praise from former Washington and second-year offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, who said that the former Hawkeye is getting better with each rep. Pittsburgh's final preseason game will be on Thursday, August 21, in Charlotte, North Carolina, against the Carolina Panthers. That game will begin at 6 p.m. CT and be broadcast on the NFL Network. In terms of Higgins, his stunning defensive play was evident again during the Ravens' 31-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys by leading the team in tackles with six (three solo, three assisted) on the night, including a nine-yard strip-sack midway through the fourth quarter that set up the Baltimore offense in Cowboys territory. With Higgins signing as an undrafted free agent, the Ravens might have struck gold with Higgins if the 2024 unanimous AP All-American can perform at this pace at a consistent level. While Higgins has almost certainly locked up a spot on the Ravens' 53-man roster, he will have his third and final opportunity to cement his status during the team's Saturday matchup vs. the Washington Commanders from Landover, Maryland. That game will begin at 11 a.m. CT and be available through streaming on NFL+. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews.

Cowboys stock report: Andrew Booth steps up, but run game and QB play struggle
Cowboys stock report: Andrew Booth steps up, but run game and QB play struggle

New York Times

timean hour ago

  • New York Times

Cowboys stock report: Andrew Booth steps up, but run game and QB play struggle

Of the Dallas Cowboys' top 30 players, only about a handful have played in the team's first two preseason games. Kicker Brandon Aubrey is the only one who would be ranked in the top 10. But it is still somewhat concerning that both preseason games have provided very few positives. The Cowboys lost 31-13 to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night at AT&T Stadium a week after losing 31-21 on the road against the Los Angeles Rams. Advertisement 'The bottom line is this, we're not going to say that's just a preseason game,' Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Saturday night. 'We're not just going to say that we'll be fine. We're going to look at it, because the fact that we really lost both halves, that is something that we have to get corrected. There's too many good football players, too many good coaches for us to perform the way we did.' The Ravens, who also weren't playing starters, were better in every area, doubling the time of possession, doubling yards gained and totaling 26 first downs to Dallas' 7. 'We're going to have some physical practices this week,' Schottenheimer said. 'We need to play more physical. I know we're more physical than that. … We're going to be a physical team and I think we'll show that. But we have to practice that way. 'We're not pushing the panic button. We're pushing the work button. And that's what we're going to do.' Here is a stock report from Saturday's game. His first quarter, 40-yard interception return for a touchdown was Dallas' top play. Booth also finished with a team-high eight tackles and two passes defended. Cornerback is arguably the most concerning area on the team with Trevon Diggs and Shavon Revel still working back from significant knee injuries. DaRon Bland and Kaiir Elam have two starting spots locked up, but there are many questions about who is next in line behind them. Booth hasn't had much regular-season success since he was acquired via trade last August. The 2022 second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings says his confidence is 'constantly growing.' He has a good chance of making the 53-man roster, but can he be counted on during the season? 'Just need to get more plays, more time on task, continue to be diligent in my craft,' Booth said. 'It's all gonna bloom beautifully.' Andrew Booth steal & score 😤 📺: #BALvsDAL on CBS11 📲: Stream on NFL+ — Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 16, 2025 The coaching staff changes appear to be benefiting the 2022 fifth-round pick. After the game he praised defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and linebacker coach Dave Borgonzi. 'Those guys play a pivotal role in our success,' Clark said. 'When we're in the meetings, (asking) questions, they got our back. They don't mother-f us. They're like, 'What did you see on this play?' All of that plays a big role when you got coaches that got your back.' Advertisement Clark appears to be playing faster and with more confidence. 'Credit to the coaches,' he said. 'Credit to myself, putting in the extra time. If you want something, you have to put the extra time in. It's Year 4 for me. I made some plays (Saturday), left some plays out there. I got to correct the things I need to correct and just take this momentum into the next preseason game and then over to the season. The main thing I'm telling myself is don't get too high, don't get too low, stay right in the middle.' Clark calls Eberflus a 'linebacker guru.' Before becoming the Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator and then Chicago Bears head coach, Eberflus was Dallas' linebackers coach for seven seasons. It's certainly his area of expertise. The Cowboys have some new pieces in that position group after adding veterans Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn and then drafting Shemar James in the fifth round. Those three combined with Clark and Marist Liufau are good bets to make the final roster. Mix in DeMarvion Overshown (knee) returning at some point during the season and it's a group that could exceed expectations. Sanborn played well during his 19 defensive snaps Saturday. Schottenheimer mentioned James' strong play after the game. His lack of touch and accuracy on some key throws was the biggest issue in the first preseason game. His vision was the problem Saturday. He did not see a blitzing cornerback on a sack for a safety on their first possession and then he didn't see a safety helping over the top on a bad deep-ball interception right before halftime. Schottenheimer said after the game that he's 'not panicked' by Milton's play in the two preseason games. But there has to be legitimate concerns about him entering a regular-season game if franchise QB Dak Prescott had to exit. First points of the game is a SAFETY ❗@MartinIsland21 Tune in on WBAL — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 16, 2025 It was one of the NFL's worst last season and there's not much reason to believe it'll be much improved this year. Javonte Williams is the expected starting running back. He hasn't played in the preseason. Miles Sanders made his Cowboys preseason debut Saturday, finishing with 15 yards on seven carries. The team totaled only 51 yards on 20 carries. Rookie Jaydon Blue hasn't played in the preseason because of an ankle injury, but he's expected to return in the next week. Seventh-round pick Phil Mafah has shown enough upside to warrant consideration to make the 53. Hunter Luepke played five offensive snaps Saturday. He's expected to be a factor in the offense as a runner and blocker as a fullback and tight end. Wide receiver KaVontae Turpin is also expected to add some juice to the run game. But there are so many new pieces in the backfield and along the offensive line that it's easy to envision some real struggles early on and maybe throughout the entire season. Advertisement He took accountability for his poor play in Dallas' first preseason game, saying he's 'gotta do something' against the Ravens. But things didn't look any better during his 28 defensive snaps Saturday. If the Cowboys had been seeing a third-year jump, they would not be playing their 2023 first-round pick in the third quarter of a preseason game. But Smith was out there and there really weren't any noticeable positive plays being made. Without any notable moves in the coming weeks, defensive tackle will be an area of concern this season. (Top photo of Andrew Booth: Jerome Miron / Imagn Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store