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]