The Baltimore Ravens draft Rasheen Ali with the No. 165 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
With the No. 165 pick in Round 5 of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected .
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 206 lbs.
School: Marshall
Honors: Second-team All-Sun Belt Conference.
2023 stats: 212 carries | 1,135 rushing yards | 15 Rush TD| 28 receptions | 213 yards | 1 Rec. TD
Kyle Phoenix’s analysis: Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta all but assured the fans he would draft a running back in this draft, and it sounded like it would be Day 3. He follows through on the promise by taking a possible third-down receiving back in Ali.
Ali’s ran onto the scene in 2021 with 1,400 yards and 23 rushing touchdowns, earning Freshman All-American. He also took home a 97-yard kick return touchdown, which is likely an angle the team sees for the youngster to compete for.
I like getting a player with receiving ability. In his college career, Ali racked up 76 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns, something the Ravens need from a versatility standpoint in their backfield to pair with Derrick Henry.
The fumbles are an issue, though. he’s had 11 fumbles the past three seasons. If you can’t hang onto the rock, you won’t be a Raven for long. If he cleans it up, he’ll stick.
Scouting Reports
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein
Ali’s tape is a fun watch. He’s a loose-limbed runner with a blend of instincts and agility that create an admirable rate of consistency relative to the inconsistency of the blocking in front of him. He does a nice job of reading his blocks and shifting speeds to get where he needs to go, but his wiggle and run strength are just average by NFL standards. Ali doesn’t appear to have enough acceleration or speed to rush away from speedy defenders, but he is a natural one-cut back. His touchdown production and third-down ability could improve his chances of finding work as an RB3.
Dane Brugler (The Athletic) draft guide:
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Marshall, Ali was productive (when on the field) in former offensive coordinator Clint Trickett’s balanced run scheme. The lowest ranked recruit (No. 28 out of 28) in the Thundering Herd’s 2019 class, he had a breakout season in 2021 (led FBS in rushing touchdowns) and returned from injury to have another productive season in 2023 (40 total touchdowns in his two healthy seasons). With his body control and speed, Ali can maneuver his way to daylight and create explosive plays — he ranked No. 1 in the FBS with seven plays of 50-plus yards (six rushes, one reception) in 2023. He runs tough, but he also runs elevated for his size. That issue exposes the ball and his body and doesn’t generate maximum power through his lower half, limiting his yards after contact. Overall, Ali needs to improve his forward lean as a runner, as well as his ball security and blocking, but he has burst in his lower half with a breakaway gear once he feels an opening. He projects best in a zone-blocking scheme and has some Marlon Mack to his game, although durability is the key to his NFL future.
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