Mel Kiper Mock Draft 2.0 Has Baltimore Ravens Selecting Another Tight End

Nov 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers tight end Maxx Williams (88) runs in for a touchdown after making a catch in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at TCF Bank Stadium. The Gophers won 51-14. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Mel Kiper is sticking to his guns in his second mock draft (pay wall), at least in terms of what position he thinks the Ravens should select. After picking tight end/wide receiver Devin Funchess in his first mock of the year, he has chosen another tight end for Baltimore: Minnesota’s Maxx Williams. Aside from having two x’s in his first name, Kiper’s reasoning for making Williams the pick at number 26 is based on need, of course.

With Owen Daniels a free agent and the future of Dennis Pitta a big unknown, the Ravens are left with last year’s third round pick, Crockett Gillmore, who is an unproven commodity. In all fairness, Williams would represent good value for the Ravens as he currently ranks as the 23rd best player on Kiper’s big board and 27th on Todd McShay’s. Williams has the size and speed that has drawn predraft comparisons to Greg Olson and Jeremy Shockey.

It’s an intriguing pick, but Williams is by no means ready to walk in and be a full time starter. He needs work in run blocking and route running, and his meager college production is the unimpressive result of playing in a run based offense. Of his 36 receptions last season, however, 28 went for a first down or touchdown, and he led all college tight ends with the most catches over 25 yards.

Having said that, I don’t think that the Ravens should pick Maxx Williams in the first round. For one, this is not a guy who can come in and start right away. He needs to bulk up and work on the aspects of his game that will make him an NFL tight end. I have always been of the belief that teams should spend their first round picks on guys who can contribute immediately – especially a team on the verge of contending for another title.

Plus, the team spent a third round pick on Crockett Gillmore last season. It would be a bit premature to throw in the towel on him now, and we are also working on the presumption that Dennis Pitta and Owen Daniels will be gone. Even if both do depart, the team has a decent alternative depth option in Phillip Supernaw, and they can always sign another cheap veteran.

Regardless of what Kiper thinks, cornerback, safety, and wide receiver are much bigger needs on this team right now. Some even want to see the team draft an offensive lineman in the first round. Ultimately, however, we all know that Ozzie drafts the best player available, and it’s usually a defensive one. We’ll have to wait and see just how much he values a guy like Maxx Williams.

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