OWINGS MILLS – One of the most talented and debated players in the NFL draft visited the Baltimore Ravens on Friday night.
Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant visited the Ravens as he met with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and other team officials.
With Bryant’s stock sliding due to character concerns and mixed results during his recent workout, NFL teams are making preparations and learning more about him in case he’s available later in the first round.
The Ravens hold the 25th overall pick of the first round. It’s considered a long shot that Bryant would fall quite that far, or that the Ravens would necessarily draft him.
Nothing can be ruled out at this time of year, though.
Bryant also visited the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. The Patriots and Steelers draft 22nd and 18th, respectively.
Bryant has previously met with the Miami Dolphins and the Dallas Cowboys, and the Cincinnati Bengals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also on his itinerary.
He’s also expected to meet with the Denver Broncos and the San Francisco 49ers.
Bryant was suspended for the final 10 games of last season for lying to NCAA investigators about a meeting he had with former NFL player Deion Sanders.
There have been various unconfirmed reports about Bryant being chronically late for practices and showing up 30 minutes before a game.
Bryant caught 87 passes for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns two seasons ago.
At his workout, Bryant forgot his already broken-in cleats and was forced to run in new ones.
Meanwhile, Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson is set to visit the Ravens next Wednesday and Thursday.
Wilson has upcoming visits next week with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Patriots and the St. Louis Rams.
Wilson has previously visited the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Diego Chargers.
Wilson is one of the fastest-rising draft prospects and is expected to be picked in the first round.
He excelled during the Senior Bowl, and he had strong Pro Day workout.
Wilson ran the 40-yard dash between 4.39 and 4.43 seconds and registered a 38-inch vertical leap and a 10-2 broad jump.
At the NFL scouting combine, the 5-foot-10, 194-pounder bench pressed 225 pounds 25 times.
Wilson intercepted three passes last season, returning two for scores.
As a junior, Wilson recorded five interceptions.
"Everybody wants to have that label as a shutdown guy who can take away certain receivers and their side of the field and not have quarterbacks throw their way," Wilson said in a telephone interview. "I definitely see myself as one of them. I can play with anybody.
"The only thing I can control is doing the things I do and making plays. I have put together a body of work. I will take my chances against anybody. I know I can play."
Wilson has been rated as the second-ranked cornerback behind University of Florida standout Joe Haden, but he doesn’t see it that way.
"I know I’m the best out there," Wilson said. "I just look for the opportunity to show that. I can just show my personality and my athleticism. I just go through the process and I enjoy it.
"I just really like making plays, taking receivers out of the play completely and making big hits. I can do it all and I love to do it all."
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
