OTL: Mock Draft Friday Beefs Up Jesse Minter’s Defense

Welcome back, Ravens Flock, and what a monumental day it was yesterday. Welcome (back) to Baltimore, Jesse Minter:

Your next coach of the Baltimore Ravens.

We have agreed to terms with Jesse Minter to be our head coach! pic.twitter.com/5VEBGk8iB1

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 22, 2026

This is an excellent hire for the Ravens. It is no secret that I personally wanted Klint Kubiak to be the Head Coach at the beginning of the process. Over the last few days, I have been convinced that Minter was the guy for this job. Minter is going to get this defense back on track, and it just seems like Minter has “it” as a Head Coach.

Every person who talks about this guy loves him, from players to other coaches, and hearing Minter talk, I can see why this was the guy they wanted, and he was the one.

Hear his philosophy from the man himself: pic.twitter.com/62mk5RfYRJ

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 22, 2026

This is a sick hire for the Ravens. As we wait for more news about his staff and especially his OC, let’s get into our usual Friday excercise.

This is a special mock Draft Friday just for Minter. As we look at this team now through the lens of being Minter’s team, we need to beef up the defensive line.

The first thing we have to talk about is the trades. As the board evolved, it did not meet the criteria I had in place to satisfy a defensive-minded head coach, so I traded down twice, acquiring some nice third- and second-round picks and giving away a couple of seventh-round picks in the process. Minter’s top priority should be fixing this defense that was terrible under Zach Orr. While it was a scheme and play-calling issue, talent up front was also a big issue. So we fix that with our first two picks.

T.J. Parker is a good player with a ton of power in his game:

TJ Parker is a powerful pass rusher and sets a hard edge in the run game

Wouldn’t be surprised to see him sneak back into round 1 pic.twitter.com/PflxlhgPR9

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) November 30, 2025

One significant issue with Parker is that he is not productive enough; this might be a Clemson issue. Lately, Clemson players don’t seem to be living up to their potential, either in college or at the NFL level, and I think the Clemson coaching staff is a primary culprit. Still, Parker shows a ton of pop in his hands and the power required of edge in the NFL, with good run defense tape as well.

I am also more comfortable taking a player like this because of the trade down. The value in this class at edge is the late first/early second, and Parker fits that like a glove.

Miller really reminds me of Nnamdi Madubuike coming out of college. Mads was much more of a run defender, showing flashes of pass-rush ability, and that describes Miller to a tee. At worst, you are getting a good run defender day one with the potential for more later:

Christen Miller (6’4 310) Georgia

+ Quick feet
+ Stout run defender with a 90.2 run defense grade in 2025
+ Stack and shed ability
+ 19 pressures in both 24’ and 25’
+ Alignment & scheme versatility
+ Pass rush upside
+ Active hands

– 19.2% missed tackle rate in 2025
– Has… pic.twitter.com/uhP5kfsG4v

— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) January 19, 2026

What makes this pick intriguing is that Miller shows he can rush the passer with his quick feet and hand action; he just needs refinement.

Bisontis is probably the best pure pass blocker as a true guard in this class. He is also only 21 as well, so the Ravens could have a young core brewing here with Emery Jones and Bisontis.

Julian Neal is the type of Corner you take shots on in the later portion of the draft. A tall corner who plays with an edge, who you can hope your coaching staff gets the best out of.

Max Clare is the Charlie Kolar/Isaiah Likely replacement. While his blocking needs work, he has shown the ability to get open downfield and make contested catches, which is what the Ravens need right now. Parker is a good pass-blocking tackle available this late in the draft, and you need to take a shot like that. Fields is a bigger receiver with good hands and could be a great complement to Zay Flowers. Smith is an explosive free safety with good twitch and instincts. Fisher balled out on Monday night and is the leader of that Indiana Defense.

Claiborne has a profile similar to Mitchell, just a bigger body, and Capehart is a power rusher with good run defense tape and the talent you risk it for late.

This was a very double-in-the-gap type of Mock Draft. Not a ton of future stars, but enough potential to be good players all up and down this class. A sound defensive mind like Minter could work with this class and improve them.

The post OTL: Mock Draft Friday Beefs Up Jesse Minter’s Defense appeared first on Russell Street Report.

Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2026/01/23/out-to-lunch/otl-mock-draft-friday-beefs-up-jesse-minters-defense/