2015 NFL Combine: Baltimore Ravens Draft Possibilities Turn Heads

Brett Foote

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham catches a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

It was all about offense at the 2015 NFL Combine on Saturday, and several players linked to the Baltimore Ravens were turning heads in a variety of areas. While there is always at least one “workout warrior” each year whose freakish ability doesn’t quite translate to on field performance, there were a number of great performances Saturday that warrant further attention.

Wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, a popular mock pick for the Ravens, turned heads on Friday when he measured in at a Calvin Johnson-esque 6’5″ and 237 pounds. He continued to impress on Saturday with a 4.49 40 yard time, showing exceptional speed for a guy his size. DGB’s jumping ability and strength were only so-so, however. He managed only 13 reps on the bench and recorded a 9’11” broad jump and 33 1/2″ vertical.

The trio of running backs that the Ravens met with at the Combine didn’t do anything to hurt their draft stock on Saturday either. Northern Iowa’s David Johnson was perhaps the most impressive of the group in terms of straight line speed and size. Johnson clocked a 40 time of 4.50, an impressive feat for a guy who goes 6’1″ and 224 pounds. On top of that, he managed 25 reps on the bench and a freakish 41 1/2″ vertical.

The other Johnson, Duke from Miami, didn’t quite manage the same kind of speed, but was solid nonetheless. Duke ran a 4.55 40 time and continues to draw questions as to whether his ceiling is more Frank Gore or Giovanni Bernard, both of whom he shares similar size with.

Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon continued his push to be the first running back off the board in April by running a 4.52 40, which is rock solid for a guy who goes 6’1″ and 215 pounds. He also has big hands at 9 3/4″ and managed a solid 19 reps on the bench.

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Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Ameer Abdullah runs with the ball in a drill during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Ameer Abdullah was the slowest of the group, clocking a 4.61 40 time, but he has also added on seven pounds since the Senior Bowl. His lateral quickness is not a question, and neither is between the tackles running. A borderline first rounder on tape alone, the slower 40 time will most likely not help his draft stock, however.

Tight end/wide receiver Devin Funchess has gotten a ton of hype in the press, but he didn’t really help himself Saturday with a 40 time of 4.70. He has big hands (9 3/4″) and long arms (33 1/2″), but does not have the game tape or the speed to instill the confidence that he can create separation in the pro’s.

Fellow tight end prospect Maxx Williams mixed some good with bad on Saturday as well, also recording a rather slow 4.78 40 time. He did show some fluidity and natural hand catching ability in drills, however, and still projects as a first round pick with the ability to be the first tight end off the board.

Next: Will the Ravens' ground game be back at square one in 2015?

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Brett Foote