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Baltimore Ravens: 2015 NFL Draft Sleepers

Cam Clow
Cam Clow

Ebony Bird

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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Running Back

The Ravens have locked up Justin Forsett with a new contract, but that certainly won’t make running back any less of a need in this year’s draft. In fact, Newsome has identified Forsett’s value as a mentor to younger backs at his previous stints in Seattle with Marshawn Lynch and Houston with Arian Foster.

Either way, the Ravens will likely add a running back through the Draft.

The buzz will be around guys like Melvin Gordon, Todd Gurley and Jay Ajayi, but the Ravens can find great value in a devalued position later in the draft.

Jeremy Langford makes for a fantastic option. He’s projected as a 2nd-3rd pick and if he slips to the third round he’ll be a steal for Baltimore. He ran a 4.42 40-yard dash in the NFL Combine and is a well developed blocker. He’s also competent in the screen game.

Langford could get snagged before the Ravens wish, but fear not, for the best value is probably deeper in the draft.

Two words: Javorius Allen.

Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans tailback Javorius Allen (37) is pursued by Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Austin Williams (24) on a 44-yard touchdown run in the third quarter in the 2014 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It’s surprising not see Allen projected higher than the 3rd-4th round after watching him destroy the Pac-12 last year. Allen was one of the few bright spots for USC after accumulating 1,489 rush yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.

He also added 41 receptions.

Receiving out of the backfield has proven an effective focal point in Trestman’s offense. Matt Forte had 102 receptions out of the backfield in said offense last season and set career highs in receptions both years in Trestman’s system. 

CBSSports.com’s Rob Rang wrote this about Allen:

Possesses deceptive power and acceleration due to his slashing running style. Runs with good forward lean, initiating contact and showing good leg drive to generate yards after contact. Possesses soft hands out of the backfield and shows the ability to adjust to make tough grabs. Alert, physical pass blocker. Comes with experience in Sarkisian’s pro-style offense and theoretically should be able to contribute early in his NFL career.

If the thought of picking that up in the third or fourth round doesn’t have you salivating, then I don’t know what will.

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Tight End

Unfortunately, the tight end crop isn’t that deep in this year’s draft. The Ravens will have Dennis Pitta returning, but at this point getting 16 games out of him feels like nothing short of a miracle.

That does put Baltimore in a nice place to take a late round gamble on a tight end.

Two guys stand out here; Nick Boyle and Blake Bell.

Dec 6, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight end Blake Bell (10) catches the ball in front of Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Ryan Simmons (52) during the second quarter at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Bell is a former quarterback turned tight end. Weirder things have worked, so why not Bell’s transition?

He’s 6’ 6” and 252 lbs. He understands how to find holes in zone coverage from a quarterback’s perspective. He has good hands and runs through arm tackles.

He’ll also require patience.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said, “[Bell] Improved by leaps and bounds as a blocking tight end.” Even with those leaps and bounds Bell is still far behind an average tight end. His frame, however, is about 15 pounds short of being Martellus Bennett.

For a sixth round pick the Ravens might find it worth the time to develop and worth the money to trot out in the red zone.

Boyle, on the other hand, stands at 6’ 4” and 258 pounds.

“All the qualities to be a legit NFL starting tight end and passes the eyeball test. Solid blocker who made major strides in that area.” wrote Bo Marchiante of CBSSports.com. “Top competitor and high character person on-and-off the field. A bit of a high-motor type player who does the little extras. All the intangibles, upside and potential.”

That has fifth round Ravens draft pick written all over it.

Plus, Joe Flacco could probably use somebody on the roster to watch the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens games with. And what better cheering mate then fellow Blue Hen alumnus Nick Boyle? Can’t you just feel the chemistry?

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Defensive Back

Recent trends suggest Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly will draft every Oregon Duck possible. If one slips out of Kelly’s grasp, however, Ravens fans should cross their collective fingers for it to be defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.

Oct 11, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (14) intercepts a pass intended for UCLA Bruins wide receiver Logan Sweet (86) during second half action at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

“He’s tough and has ball skills. He’s just being asked to go play right now but he’ll get the right technique work in our league and watch how good he becomes then. He’s going to be great.” said an AFC South area scout per NFL.com.

Ekpre-Olomu was a playmaker for the Oregon defense and for the most of the season he looked like a first round pick. Then he tore his ACL in preparation for the Rose Bowl. Ekpre-Olomu is a first round talent, who will likely be available in the third or fourth round.

Another name to remember is Cam Thomas from Western Kentucky. Thomas is projected to go in the sixth or seventh round. Even if the Ravens add a corner earlier in the draft Thomas would still make a nice addition.

“Built well for the position with a tall, long frame to play press and get physical in the run game.’ wrote CBSSports.com’s Dane Brugler.

A physical corner, who had 11 interceptions in his college career. Sounds like a decent addition to the revolving door the Ravens have had at corner.

Ravens fans clearly trust Ozzie Newsome’s wheelings and dealings (or lack their of), but being competitive in 2015 will likely mean attaining value in the later rounds of the NFL Draft.

Some of the names mentioned in this article won’t add value right away. Others could be starters be season’s end. Look for the Ravens to add the positions we covered.

Hope for the Ravens to add the players we covered.

Next: Latest 2015 NFL Mock Draft

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Cam Clow

Cam Clow