The Top 6
For awhile, as it relates to the Ravens round 1 options in the 2016 NFL Draft , Ravens fans have heard names like Jalen Ramsey, Ronnie Stanley, and DeForest Buckner. But before you focus on who the team should draft, needs have to be identified and prioritized.
First and foremost, it’s clear the Ravens need help in the secondary. Lardarius Webb is moving to safety, but we don’t know whether he’ll be effective in that role. We also don’t know if Jimmy Smith will stay healthy (he’s played in 63 out of a possible 80 games in his career). With such an early pick, it would behoove the Ravens to take advantage of premier talent and not wait until later rounds to fix this problem.
Pass rusher is probably the next position that ought to be looked at by Baltimore. Even if Terrell Suggs fully recovers from his Achilles injury, he only played 55 snaps last season and will be 33 years old this season. His explosiveness will be in doubt.
Elvis Dumervil and Za’Darius Smith both played well last year, as they combined for 11.5 sacks, which isn’t terrible. However, Baltimore ranked 30th in the NFL in sacks last season (24), and given the state of their secondary, augmenting their pass rush this offseason is vital.
Offensive tackle is a need as well, even though Eugene Monroe and Rick Wagner are still under contract. That said, Wagner will be a free agent in 2017. As for Monroe, his durability is a big issue, considering he’s only played in 17 games in the last two years. Cutting him would save $2.1 million against the cap, but would result in $6.6 million in dead money (something Baltimore can’t afford right now).
Cornerback, pass rusher, and offensive tackle are the three positions Baltimore should target with their first-round pick on April 28.
Here are the top six players on my “Ravens big board.”
Vernon Hargreaves –Â Cornerback, Florida
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 192 pounds
Draft grade: 6.7 (Chance to become Pro Bowl-caliber player)
NFL comparison: Joe Haden
Analysis: As far as pass coverage, I haven’t seen anyone with better technique in this draft than Vernon Hargreaves. At Florida, he frequently played press coverage and was able to mirror his receiver extremely well on a consistent basis. He’s the ideal cornerback: athletic, confident, tough-minded, versatile, and determined.
In run defense, he’s above average at shedding blocks and taking angles to the ball carrier. The fact that he’s 5’11” may cause some durability issues in the AFC North, but two of the best receivers in the division, Antonio Brown and Travis Benjamin, are actually smaller than Hargreaves.
As an added bonus, he can make plays as a kick returner if need be.
If I’m the Ravens, Hargreaves is, without question, No. 1 on my board.
Laremy Tunsil ~Â Offensive Tackle, Ole Miss
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 310 pounds
Draft grade: 7.72 (Future All-Pro)
NFL comparison: Tyron Smith
Analysis: Per Pro Football Focus, “Laremy Tunsil is the only offensive tackle in this draft class to have 224 or more pass blocks and not allow a sack or hit in 2015.”
He’s the highest-graded player in this draft, and if for some reason the Titans and Chargers pass on him, the Ravens will likely take him.
Though left tackle isn’t the team’s biggest need, at No. 6, he would definitely fit the “best player available” billing. He plays with an excellent base, and once he locks on to you, you’re done. His ability to wash a defender out of the play is outstanding.
Myles Jack ~Â Linebacker, UCLA
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 245 pounds
Draft grade: 7.5 (Future All-Pro)
NFL comparison: NaVorro Bowman
Analysis: Wow. This guy plays like a Raven.
Myles Jack lined up all over the field while at UCLA, literally. At times he was a running back, and on defense he played multiple linebacker positions. Regardless of where lined up, Jack made dynamic play after dynamic play.
For the most part, he was an outside linebacker for the Bruins, and showcased his lateral speed and quickness every chance he got. His penchant for mixing it up with and delivering blows to offensive lineman is rare. He thrives on contact. You can tell by watching him, he doesn’t think, he just reacts. He’s an explosive talent.
The thought of pairing Jack with C.J. Mosley for the next decade (or longer) is a thought Ozzie Newsome should ponder for a long time leading up to the draft.
Jalen Ramsey ~Â Defensive Back, Florida State
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 202 pounds
Draft grade: 6.83 (Chance to become Pro Bowl-caliber player)
NFL comparison: Sean Smith
Analysis: Many have listed Jalen Ramsey as the best overall player in this draft. His athleticism is elite and he can make game-changing plays at cornerback or safety.
My concern about Ramsey to the Ravens is two-fold. First, he’s more likely to be a safety than a cornerback in the NFL, and while the Ravens could use another safety, what they really need is a shutdown cornerback. Second, although he can run stride-for-stride with his receiver, he lacks refinement in his ball skills, which causes him to overplay the route at times.
Don’t get me wrong. The Ravens would be thrilled to have Ramsey on their team as he’s an exceptional player. My thought is that there are other players on this list they ought to consider before him.
In 41 games at Florida State, Ramsey recorded more sacks (5) and forced fumbles (4) than he did interceptions (3). I understand teams not throwing in his direction very often, but still, his interception total has to be better.
Joey Bosa ~Â Defensive End, Ohio State
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 275 pounds
Draft grade: 6.76 (Chance to become Pro Bowl-caliber player)
NFL comparison: Ryan Kerrigan
Analysis: Heading into the 2015 draft, Joey Bosa was, maybe, the best player in college football. Now, after a “decent” junior year, he should easily be a Top 5 pick, and could be the first overall pick.
It’s hard to understand how someone that big can move around so much, in terms of different positions and his pursuit to the ball carrier. So many times last season teams ran away from Bosa on runs, and double-teamed him on passes. Still he was able to dominate.
On one particular third down play against Michigan State, Bosa keyed on the quarterback during an inside option play. The quarterback pitched the ball to the running back, but Bosa tracked the running back down before he reached the line to gain. He’s got strength and a high motor to go along with top-notch instincts.
In 38 games at Ohio State, Bosa recorded 51 tackles for loss, 26 sacks, and five forced fumbles. What more needs to be said?
DeForest Buckner ~Â Defensive End, Oregon
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 281 pounds
Draft grade: 7.32 (Pro Bowl-caliber player)
NFL comparison: Calais Campbell
Analysis: DeForest Buckner would be somewhat of a luxury for the Ravens at No. 6, as defensive line is one of their deeper positions. But if he’s available when they’re on the clock, they might have to take him simply because of how talented he is.
Buckner will constantly push the pocket and disrupt running lanes, and at 6’7″ is more than capable of batting down passes at the line of scrimmage.
If a team picks him in the Top 10, they’ll be getting a very good player that still has room to grow. While there’s a certain amount of risk involved with that maneuver, his upside might be too compelling to ignore.
Coming off a season in which he made 10.5 sacks and had five passes defensed, it’s won’t be hard to envision Buckner in purple and black.
