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Baltimore Ravens State of the Corps: Tight Ends

By Remy Cabache

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The options for tight end in the draft aren’t much better. There are only really two guys that appeal to me: Maxx Williams and Clive Walford.

Maxx Williams

Nov 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers tight end Maxx Williams (88) catches a touchdown past Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back John Lowdermilk (37) in the first half at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Maxx Williams is highly regarded as the best tight end in the draft. He has very, very good hands and plays with reasonable speed. Williams finished the year with the most 25+ yard catches of all tight ends in college football with 9, including the two hurdle catch against Missouri.

Williams does need to work on his route running and could add a bit of mass to absorb bigger hits and be a more effective blocker. I don’t think the Ravens should draft him at 26 if players like Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley are available.  It is likely that Williams won’t be available in the 2nd round, so he may be out of our reach.

Clive Walford

Nov 15, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes tight end Clive Walford (46) runs past Florida State Seminoles defensive end Chris Casher (21) for a touchdown during the second quarter at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Walford is more of a complete player than Maxx Williams. He is far more powerful and more fundamentally sound in blocking than Williams. He is not as good a receiver, though he is still very capable. Walford is quick and physical enough to be a threat up the seam, and he is very good at locating the ball and winning contested catches. He also excels after the catch.

Like Williams, Walford needs to sharpen his route running. He figures to go somewhere in the second round so hopefully he’ll fall to us, I like this guy as a prospect the Ravens could mold behind a veteran for a year while giving him a few manufactured touches for some immediate impact.

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