The first day of the NFL Draft has come and gone, and the Ravens took one of the best offensive lineman in the draft. Much has been and will be discussed about the merits of drafting Ronnie Stanley at #6, but it’s important to remember that the Ravens still have 8 more picks over the next two days. There will be a lot of new Ravens when this weekend is over, so who could the Ravens be targeting in rounds 2-7?
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Drafting Ronnie Stanley is a big step in improving the Ravens offensive line which faltered in 2015 after a banner year in 2014. Kelechi Osemele left in FA and starting LT Eugene Monroe has been an injury liability over the past two seasons. It’s readily apparent that the Ravens front office wants to protect Joe Flacco. With the OL solidified it’s now time for Ozzie to find some playmakers on both sides of the ball. Below are some interesting options that could end up in Baltimore.
Edge Rusher:
Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State (Round 2): Calhoun is one of the best pure pass-rushers in the draft and will likely still be on the board when the Ravens pick at #36
Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky (Round 2): Another very good pass-rusher, Spence fell out of the first round because of some off the field concerns, but in the 2nd round he could be worth a selection for the Ravens.
Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State (Round 2): Ogbah was one of the most productive pass-rushers in college last season and has an impressive athletic profile. He’s a bit inconsistent but his upside is very high.
Yannick Ngakoue, Maryland (Round 3-4): The local product put up some impressive sack totals during his time at Maryland, and he would fit in nicely at the OLB position.
Tyrone Holmes, Montana (Round 4-6): Holmes hails from a small FCS school, but he has a level of athleticism and pass-rushing prowess that is rare for a player likely to go on Day 3.
Defensive Back:
Mackensie Alexander, Clemson (Round 2): Alexander is arguably the top talent available in the draft after showing shut-down CB ability this past season. He’s a bit undersized and didn’t force any turnovers in college which is most likely why he is still on the board.
Vonn Bell, Ohio State (Round 2): One of the top safety prospects in this class, Bell has range in coverage and will make plays in the box.
Kendall Fuller, CB (Round 2-3): Fuller is coming back off a knee injury, and some question his ability to excel in man coverage. He still has a lot of upside on Day 2.
Xavien Howard, Baylor (Round 2-3): Howard is big corner with press-man skills. He could come off the board early in Round 2.
Kalan Reed, Southern Miss (Round 3-5): Small school product with big time potential. Reed had an incredible pro-day and flashed playmaking ability on tape.
Linebacker:
Myles Jack, UCLA (Round 2, medical): Jack is widely considered one of the most talented players in the draft, but concerns about a cartilage defect in his knee caused him to fall out of the first round entirely. It’s possible the Ravens removed him off their board, but he could prove to be an incredible value wherever he is taken.
Reggie Ragland, Alabama (Round 2, medical): Another talented LB that may have fallen due to medical concerns after reports of an enlarged Aorta surfaced. He could go in Round 2 or continue to fall.
Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame (Round 3-4, medical): Smith suffered a devastating knee injury in his team’s bowl game, and questions surround if and when he will ever be able to play again. On the field he rivals Myles Jack in terms of talent, so a mid-round pick could reap rewards down the road.
Interior Defensive Line:
Chris Jones, Mississippi State (Round 2): One of the most physically talented defensive lineman in the draft, Jones suffered from some weight issues and limited snaps on tape. He should be an early pick in Day 2.
A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama (Round 2): Once heralded as the top DL prospect in the draft, Robinson’s lack of consistent pass-rush ability and poor athleticism dropped him out of Round 1. He’ll also be an early pick in Round 2.
Jonathan Bullard, Florida (Round 2): Bullard has the size and athleticism to be a prototypical 5T in the NFL. He could come off the board in Round 2 as well.
Jarran Reed, Alabama (Round 2): Another topDT prospect out of Alabama, Reed is more of a run stuffer, but could end up being a Day 2 value pick.
Bronson Kaufusi, BYU (Round 2-4): Kaufusi is a unique blend of size and athleticism that is hard to find in the NFL, but he’s an older prospect which may cause him to fall farther than he should.
Sheldon Day, Notre Dame (Round 2-4): Day is a disruptive defensive lineman who can make plays all over the line. Round 2 might be a bit rich for Day, but he won’t last much longer.
Wide Receiver:
Michael Thomas, Ohio State (Round 2): Thomas was a prospect many thought could slip into the first round, so he would be a good option for any team on Day 2. He has impressive size and athleticism for the position, and profiles as a WR2 in the NFL with upside.
Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma (Round 2): Possibly the best route runner in the draft, Shepard projects to be more of slot receiver in the NFL, but he should be an instant spark plug in any offense.
Tyler Boyd, Pittsburgh (Round 2-3): Another player that may be best served playing out of the slot, Boyd would be a great addition as a complimentary receiver. He could fall to the early 3rd round and be a great value pick.
Braxton Miller, Ohio State (Round 3-4): An explosive playmaker with the ball in his hands, Miller has a long way to go before becoming a complete WR. Some team could end up with an intriguing weapon in day 2 or early day 3.
Mike Thomas, Southern Miss (Round 3-5): The other Mike Thomas is an impressive playmaker in his own right, and could be a mid-round steal.
Running Back:
Derrick Henry, Alabama (Round 2-3): Henry is a big back with surprising shiftiness. He’s a linear runner, but behind an improved OL, he could be a big time player.
Devontae Booker, Utah (Round 2-3): Booker is a solid all-around RB, that runs tough and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Expect him to go in the late 2nd or early 3rd round.
C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame (Round 3-4): Prosise has almost identical measurables to #4 overall pick Ezekiel Elliott, but he has only played one year of RB in college. There is huge potential upside with Prosise as a mid-round pick.
Paul Perkins, UCLA (Round 3-4): Perkins is another excellent two-way RB that is a tough runner and very good pass-catcher. He’s slightly small for the RB position, but he makes players miss in the open field like one else in this class.
Ravens Analyst
Gabe is an avid fan of the NFL and Ravens football. He grew up in Westminster, MD, and attended college at Johns Hopkins University majoring in Biology. He earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and now works as a R&D Scientist developing Transplant Diagnostics assays. Gabe has appeared as a guest on 105.7 The Fan.