During Saturday’s Senior Bowl, a display of the best senior talent in the country, keep a close eye on players at all positions; the Baltimore Ravens regularly draft Senior Bowl participants.
Perhaps by coincidence or based on the sheer skill level of the players involved, 23 of Baltimore’s draft picks since 2010 attended Senior Bowl week, so today’s game in Mobile figures to spotlight a handful of future Ravens.
With a slew of needs and the rare luxury of high draft slots in each round (as well as a projected four compensatory picks), the Ravens will have their fair share of opportunities to improve the roster during April’s draft. The Senior Bowl is one of the best outlets for finding top prospects and promises to have a few potential Ravens.
Which Senior Bowl prospects could be of interest to the Ravens?
Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
The former Ohio State standout was ruled ineligible due to drug-related incidents, prompting his transfer to Eastern Kentucky. Spence still managed to continue his dominance against lesser competition in 2015, providing an impact off the edge with 11.5 sacks. As a pass rusher, there is little not to like when it comes to Spence. Between now and April, he will have to prove to teams that he can stay clean off the field, and if so, he may be an enticing option in the first two rounds for Baltimore.
Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
There is no denying the fact that the Ravens need plenty of help at receiver, and it would be a disappointment to see the front office not put an emphasis on the position at some point during the draft. One of the premier wide receivers at the Senior Bowl is Shepard, who caught 86 passes for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2015. The 5’10 receiver might excel best in the slot in the NFL, a position which the Ravens do not currently have a clear-cut option.
Darian Thompson, S, Boise State
The Ravens desperately need upgrades along the secondary, and one instant need that could be fulfilled is a playmaking safety. Baltimore’s secondary offered no consistency in intercepting the opposition in 2015, and adding a safety who thrives in that aspect could be just what Dean Pees needs. Thompson intercepted five passes in 2015 and emerged as a true cover safety. His 6’2 frame and knack for the ball make him a potential early round two choice.
The Quarterbacks
As it stands right now, the safest bet for which quarterback returns to backup Joe Flacco next season is Ryan Mallett. Ideally, the Ravens let Jimmy Clausen and Matt Schaub walk, and bring in some competition for Mallett for the backup job. That could occur through the draft with a day-three selection, and the Senior Bowl has some intriguing options to choose from. In terms of late-round quarterbacks to keep an eye on, Brandon Allen, Cody Kessler, Jake Coker and Dak Prescott are some names to watch.
