This year, this assignment was brutal.

It’s usually pretty easy to whittle the possibilities for an NFL team’s first-round draft pick down to about seven players based on needs, projected boards and the available talent. But this year, it seems the Baltimore Ravens can go in a wide variety of directions with the 28th overall selection Thursday night (and in this exercise, we’ll assume they stay at that spot, though I predicted a trade down in a recent mock draft).

The Ravens’ roster, on the heels of a 14-2 season, doesn’t have many glaring holes. And they don’t need to spend an early-round pick to address most of those positions.

Baltimore already carries young wide receivers on the roster and the team showed last season it can remake an inside linebacking corps on the fly without an every-down talent. While the Ravens might want to use their first pick to replace right guard Marshal Yanda, the draft isn’t overflowing with top-tier talent at right guard.

And even if we assume general manager Eric DeCosta will take the best player on his board late in the first round regardless of position, it’s difficult to figure out which prospects will be available and appealing to Baltimore. The coronavirus crisis has thrown the pre-draft process into flux, with players and scouts stuck at home, which leaves more room wildly differing valuations from team to team.

So what will the Ravens do? It’s hard to say.

I’ve whined enough, though. Here’s my guess at the seven most likely players to land with Baltimore in the first round if the teams keep the No. 28 overall pick.

Patrick Queen, Inside linebacker, LSU

As things stand now, inside linebacker remains the most uncertain position on the Ravens’ roster. But does DeCosta think it’s worth taking a player at the position in the first round considering that a platoon worked just fine for a Top 5 defense last season? And will Queen even be available at No. 28 after emerging as a centerpiece of the Tigers’ run to a national title?

If the answer to both of those questions is yes, then the Ravens are likely to draft Queen, a speedy linebacker with coverage ability and the potential to play every down.

Kenneth Murray, Inside linebacker, Oklahoma

Murray’s about 12 pounds heavier than Queen and was more consistently productive in college. Reports indicate that teams across the NFL are impressed with Murray’s mindset, character and football intelligence, which might mean he’ll come off the board before the Ravens pick at No. 28.

DeCosta said earlier this month that both Queen and Murray will go within the Top 40 picks and have the qualities needed to lead a defense. “It really just depends what flavor you like,” DeCosta said.

Cesar Ruiz, Center/guard, Michigan

Ruiz might be the best interior offensive lineman in the draft class, and Baltimore has used college centers like Matt Skura and Bradley Bozeman as guards in recent seasons. And during a year in which a pandemic has upended typical business, coach John Harbuagh might feel most comfortable welcoming a prospect who comes with a scouting report from his brother, Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh.

It’s not typical of the Ravens to reach too far for need in the draft — but there’s a decent chance Ruiz is the best player available at No. 28. That’d certainly be convenient.

Brandon Aiyuk, Wide receiver, Arizona State

This wide receiver draft class is stuffed with talent, which makes me think it’s unlikely the Ravens take a pass catcher with the 28th pick. They could either trade up in Round 1 to snag a potential franchise-changing receiver like Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy or take advantage of the depth in the class by taking a wideout in the middle rounds.

Still, Aiyuk’s an interesting fit for Baltimore. He’s an explosive player with the ball in his hands and his skills after the catch could add a new dynamic to the Ravens’ offense. A recent core muscle surgery could slip Aiyuk into the sweet spot for this pick: Baltimore might view him as a top-tier talent, and he could be available at No. 28 because other teams are wary of his injury.

Zack Baun, Linebacker, Wisconsin

A slew of draft experts, like NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, have projected the Ravens to take Baun in the first round. It’s easy to see why. The Ravens value defensive flexibility and could use an infusion of young talent in the front seven.

Baun’s perhaps the most versatile linebacker in the draft, with an ability to rush the passer off the edge, drop in coverage or play the run from a variety of spots.

A.J. Epenesa, Edge rusher, Iowa

Despite a shaky showing at the combine, Epenesa remains a potential first-round pick because of the pass-rushing ability he showcased at Iowa. In his final two seasons with the Hawkeyes, Epenesa amassed 22 sacks and eight forced fumbles.

That production might draw attention from the Ravens, who have only one outside linebacker signed beyond the 2020 season.

Xavier McKinney, Safety, Alabama

This list ends with a bit of a wildcard. The Ravens have two starting safeties in place in Earl Thomas and Chuck Clark, but McKinney carries the positional versatility to move around the defense in the immediate future and could grow as a potential replacement for Thomas in the long term.

Baltimore’s found success drafting first-round defensive players out of Alabama in the past and McKinney’s statistics from last season provide credibility to his status as a playmaker. He finished 2019 with 95 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions and four forced fumbles.

Among the other possibilities: Baylor wide receiver Denzel Mims, Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins, USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., Penn State edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos, LSU edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor and TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock.

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Aaron Kasinitz covers the Baltimore Ravens for PennLive and can be reached at akasinitz@pennlive.com or on Twitter @AaronKazreports. Follow PennLive’s Ravens coverage on Facebook and Youtube.