Baltimore Ravens: 2015 NFL Draft Sleepers

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When the first two picks in the franchise history are Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis it’s a fair to have high expectations for building through the NFL Draft. That’s the case with the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens enter 2015 with a litany of needs. We’ll focus on receiver, running back, tight end and defensive back. While some will likely be filled during free agency and early rounds of the NFL Draft, we’re going to explore what general manager Ozzie Newsome can find in the later rounds.

The Ravens will have a few more chances to strike late-round gold as the unfortunate result of sending Haloti Ngata to Detroit. ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley breaks down what picks the Ravens should have after the NFL hands out compensatory picks later this month.

On to the 2015 NFL Draft sleepers.

Receiver

A handful of mock drafts and analysts have linked the Ravens to Dorial Green-Beckham or other receivers in the first round, but even if that’s the case the receiving corp could use more than one shot in the arm.

And thankfully for the Ravens, receiver is one of the deeper position groups in the draft. “This year, some of the deepest and most highly talented groups are wide receiver, offensive line and running back.” according to Ravens Director of College Scouting Joe Hortiz per BaltimoreRavens.com.

Austin Hill from Arizona could make a nice pick-up. Hill stands at 6’ 2” and weighs in at 210 lbs. That’s comparable to the 6’ 3” and 216 lb. frame sported by Alshon Jeffery, who was very successful in offensive coordinator Marc Trestman’s system in Chicago.

Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Austin Hill (29) celebrates during the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

“Plays physical, finishing runs and shedding tacklers.” CBSSports.com’s Dane Brugler wrote in Hill’s scouting profile. “Tough, competitive blocker who aggressively initiates contact. Team-first, positive attitude with NFL pedigree.”

The main knock on Hill and the reason he’ll be a sleeper is the ACL injury he suffered in 2013, which kept him out all of that season. Plus, his 2014 campaign didn’t quite measure up to his stellar 2012 numbers, which included 81 receptions for 1,364 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Hill could be a make-or-break pick-up in the fifth or sixth round.

Another name worth jotting down is Georgia Tech’s Darren Waller. It’s difficult for a receiver to stand out in the Yellow Jackets offense, but at 6’ 6” Waller definitely does. He had strong performances in the final two games of the season with 73 and 114 yards respectively.

Waller could be snagged as late as the seventh round.

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