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With The 16th Pick in The 2017 NFL Draft

Baltimore Ravens select
Dec 2, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) rushes in the first half against the Ohio Bobcats at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
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The Baltimore Ravens Select…

Few would argue with the notion that the Ravens need playmakers and the positions where game-changing ability is needed most are wide receiver, edge rusher and cornerback. Here’s a look at three draft prospects at each of those positions who could be available when the Ravens are on the clock with the 16th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Wide Receiver

Mike Williams, 6’4”, 218 pounds, Clemson

Positives

• Size
• Catch radius
• Shines after the catch with a plus ability for YAC
• Success v. high competition
• Regularly wins the battle for contested catches
• Tracks ball well in flight
• Great red zone target

Negatives

• Lack of top end speed
• Change of direction skills lack suddenness
• Drops too many passes
• Not a refined route runner

Compared To

Mike Evans, Tampa
Michael Floyd, New England
Plaxico Burress

[youtube]https://youtu.be/6IZ7BrABNlE[/youtube]

Corey Davis, 6’3”, 209 pounds, Western Michigan

Positives

• Playmaker with excellent YAC ability
• Smooth route runner with solid get-off at LOS
• Tracks ball very well
• Strong player who supports the run game
• Excellent hands
• Tall with good leaping ability

Negatives

• Nagging injuries (ankle, shoulder)
• Not a burner

Compared To

• Keenan, Allen, Chargers
Michael Thomas, Saints
Eric Decker, Jets

[youtube]https://youtu.be/mnqO2WvKoTM[/youtube]

John Ross, 5’11”, 188 pounds, Washington

Positives

• Playmaker who can score on any touch
• Elite speed
• Reliable hands
• Explosive and sudden, easily creates separation
• Quick study, converted from defense
• Defensive mentality influences his willingness to block

Negatives

• Durability
• Size
• Won’t win many contested catches

Compared To

Brandin Cooks, New England
DeSean Jackson, Tampa

[youtube]https://youtu.be/XJWauEzbIJQ[/youtube]

Edge Rusher

Taco Charlton, 6’6”, 277 pounds, Michigan

Positives

• His given name is Vidaunte, but his family nicknamed him “Taco” as a baby and it stuck.
• Nice array of pass rush moves
• Plays with good leverage
• Powerful hands helps him gain an advantage off the snap
• Smart player with good vision
• Closes quickly on quarterback
• Excellent athleticism for his size
• Versatility allows defensive coordinator to line him up anywhere across defensive front.

Negatives

• Toughness has been questioned
• May be a better fit for a 4-3 base defense
• As a 3-4 OLB he will be challenged in coverage
• Didn’t test well at Combines

Compared To

Chandler Jones, Arizona
Whitney Mercilus, Houston
Charles Johnson, Carolina
Carlos Dunlap, Cincinnati

[youtube]https://youtu.be/89hBa7Fqgs0[/youtube]

Derek Barnett, 6’3”, 259, Tennessee

Positives

• Can shave the corner with good bend
• Deceptively strong
• Instinctive player
• Quickly accelerates to quarterback
• Violent hands
• Anticipates snap-count well

Negatives

• Run defense needs improvement
• Lacks ideal height
• Must develop his limited array of pass rush moves
• Plays with finesse more than power

Compared To

Nick Perry, Green Bay
Shaq Lawson, Buffalo
Robert Ayers, Tampa

[youtube]https://youtu.be/1zwKJuOpQ4Q[/youtube]

Haason Reddick, 6’1” 237 pounds, Temple

Positives

• Very athletic with a quick-twitch
• Great field awareness
• Versatile and not a scheme-specific player
• Can play inside or outside
• Coverage skills are solid given his experience as a safety prior to positional switch

Negatives

• Undersized for the edge
• Potential liability v. run
• Inconsistent tackler

Compared To

Jamie Collins, Cleveland
Ryan Shazier, Pittsburgh

[youtube]https://youtu.be/Qjp6nRDhys0[/youtube]

Cornerback

Marlon Humphrey, 6’0”, 197 pounds, Alabama

Positives

• Nice combo of straight-line speed and physicality
• Polished product with good feet and ability to mirror receivers
• Matches well with big receivers
• Good pop to jam receivers but doesn’t rely on it
• Good recognition skills
• Quick closing ability

Negatives

• Could struggle against smaller, shiftier receivers at NFL level
• Has always been aided by strong Alabama pass rush

Compares To

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, New York Giants
Jimmy Smith, Baltimore

[youtube]https://youtu.be/o83bp-dLQME[/youtube]

Chidobe Awuzie, 6’0”, 202 pounds, Colorado

Positives

• Versatile enough to play slot or perimeter
• Possesses a burst in short space
• Closes quickly with good recognition skills
• Fluid hips allows for mirroring receivers

Negatives

• A short strider who might struggle to gain ground on deep throws
• Can struggle in run support

Compares To

Byron Maxwell, Miami
Prince Amukamara, Chicago

[youtube]https://youtu.be/uxpPUQt1FSI[/youtube]

Teez Tabor, 6’0”, 199 pounds, Florida

Positives

• Ideal size and athleticism
• Good feet, quick twitch allows him to mirror receivers
• Good hands with 28 passes defensed and 9 picks over last two seasons
• Willing to unload on receivers to force turnovers

Negatives

• Failed drug tests, attitude issues
• Has rep for being gun-shy against fast receivers and will play soft
• Doesn’t support run defense very well

Compared To

Darius Slay, Detroit
Patrick Peterson, Arizona

[youtube]https://youtu.be/FDJAd-7Evpc[/youtube]

References include NFL.com, CBSSports.com, DraftBreakdown.com, WalterFootball.com
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