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Ravens Prediction Lands ‘Grit and Guts’ QB With Rare Speed

Haynes King

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Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King.

The Baltimore Ravens have the NFL’s greatest rushing quarterback of all time on the roster with 2-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.

More often than not, when Jackson has gone down with an injury, he’s been replaced with what seems like an endless stream of pocket passers.

What might be smart for the Ravens is to put a player in the backup role behind Jackson who has a similar skill set, which is why Pro Football Network’s latest mock draft predicts the Ravens will take Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King in the 7th round (No. 53 overall) of the 2026 NFL draft.

King spent 3 seasons at Texas A&M and 3 seasons at Georgia Tech, where he closed out his career by being named ACC Offensive Player of the Year in 2025.

“King will enter camp as a 25-year-old rookie after spending three years apiece at Texas A&M and Georgia Tech,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote. “He’s a long-legged, dual-threat quarterback who displayed admirable resilience in becoming a productive, winning player after suffering through unmet expectations at Texas A&M. He’s a grit-and-guts passer with subpar footwork and mechanics, but he finds ways to make plays when needed. He’s not nearly the passer he needs to be for the pro game, but his talent as a runner and mental toughness could give a boost to his chances.”

Haynes King Flashed Rare Speed at Combine

King, 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds, flashed rare speed at the NFL scouting combine when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds on his 1st try and 4.46 seconds on his 2nd try.

“King is a short yardage machine, with three straight seasons of double-digit rushing TDs, including 15 in 2025,” Fantasy Football expert Ethan Kreager wrote on his official X account. “He also took a sack on only 8.1% of pressures in 2025, showing escapability skills that the NFL values. King also ran a 4.46 40 at the combine, the fifth-fastest time ever for a QB. King is a candidate for a position change but is very intriguing if he sticks at QB.”

There’s 1 longtime NFL standout who King might be smart to emulate — longtime New Orleans Saints quarterback/running back/tight end/wide receiver Taysom Hill.

“Haynes King with a 4.47 (at the combine),” Sleeper HQ wrote on its official X account. “Future Taysom Hill.”

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