Like the Dallas Cowboys, it’s real trouble for the rest of the NFL that the Baltimore Ravens pick so high. The Ravens, when healthy, are a perennial Super Bowl team because of what they’re consistently able to do in the postseason. The Ravens are usually good from weeks one through 16. In the playoffs, they’re outstanding and Joe Flacco is the best postseason quarterback of his generation. If he could harness that ability in the regular season he’ll end up a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Here’s what I think the Ravens should do.
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Round 1, Pick 6 – Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
2015: Started 30 consecutive games, 6-foot-6, 312 pounds
Stanley has jumped up draft boards since the offseason began. The Ravens top need is on the offensive line, especially with losing a starting offensive lineman in free agency. Stanley is a day-one starter and would have probably been the top offensive lineman in last year’s draft if he’d come out early. Now he’ll make a little less money but get to play for a much better team.
Round 2, Pick 36 – Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
2015: 91 catches, 926 yards, six touchdowns, 40 rushes, 349 yards, 6-foot-1, 197 pounds
Boyd was a multi-talented weapon for Pitt and one Flacco and the Ravens will put to good use early. Baltimore has made a concerted effort to improve their wide receiver coprs this season already in signing free agent Mike Wallace. Boyd should join him, last year’s first-round pick Breshad Perriman, who never saw the field in 2015 thanks to a torn PCL and a returning Steve Smith Sr.
Round 3, Pick 70 – Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame
2015: 115 tackles, nine for a loss, one sack, five passes defended, two fumbe recoveries, one forced fumble, 6-foot-2, 223 pounds
Smith would be an easy first round pick, if not a Top 10 pick, if he hadn’t tore up his knee in the Fiesta Bowl. Now it’s clear that he’ll have to sit out the entirety of the 2016-17 season in order for it to heal. Somebody is going to pick Smith in this draft, but the second round is too early and every team ahead of the Ravens has too many actual needs to do it or has a full compliment of young linebackers already. The Ravens basically spend a third-rounder this season to get a first-rounder next season in Smith. Not a bad deal.
Round 4, Pick 104 – Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama
2015: 44 tackles, two for a loss, three interceptions, 13 passes defended, one fumble recovery, two forced fumbles, 5-foot-10, 197 pounds
The Ravens have been desperate for defensive backs for the last two seasons and this year is no different. Jones is a playmaker who has faced NFL talent at the wide receiver position his entire career. Jones started 35 consecutive games for the Tide and played in two straight College Football Playoffs.
Round 4, Pick 130 – Rashard Robinson, CB, LSU
2015: Did not play, 6-foot-1, 171 pounds
Getting suspended by Les Miles at LSU for what would have been his junior season only hurt Robinson’s pick position, not his chance to play in the NFL. IN 2014 Robinson played in eight games, recording 17 tackles and one for a loss with one pass defended. Robinson was a four-star recruit coming out of high school, has the prototype big-corner NFL size with small corner speed, posting a 4.49 40-yard dash at the combine. He needs work, coaching and maturity but he’s worth a fourth-round compensatory pick.
Round 4, Pick 132 – Bryce Williams, TE, East Carolina
2015: 58 catches, 583 yards, four touchdowns, 6-foot-6, 257 pounds
The Ravens knew they needed a playmaking tight end this season and they made sure they’d have one by signing free agent Benjamin Watson away from the New Orleans Saints. They have three other tight ends currently on the roster, but third-year man Crockett Gilmore is the only one that can seriously contribute anything. Williams adds another much-needed redzone target.
Round 4, Pick 134 – Joe Schobert, OLB, Wisconisn
2015: 76 tackes, 20 for a loss, 9.5 sacks, one interception, two passes defended, two fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, 6-foot-1, 244 pounds
It’s ridiculous that Schobert isn’t ranked higher on draft boards considering his production at Wisconsin. He was a semifinalist for the Bednarik and Lombardi awards last season and should find his way into the Ravens’ linebacker rotation immediately.
Round 6, Pick 182 – D.J. Reader, DT, Clemson
2015: 13 tackles, 1.5 for a loss, 0.5 sacks, 6-foot-3, 327 pounds
Reader missed most of last season for non-football related personal reasons, but was able to return in the middle of October for Clemson’s College Football playoff run. He’s been a productive player when he’s on the field and is a good development prospect.
UPDATE Round 6, Pick 209 – Mike Thomas, WR, Southern Mississippi
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