2015 Baltimore Ravens Mock Draft: Full Seven Rounds and Analysis

Jackson Thompson

Feb 22, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome speaks at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

"“I don’t go in with any preference on one side of the ball. Sometimes there are more needs on defense and the board is set up that way, so we stay with the board. But I don’t go in with any preconceived ideas of that.” —Ozzie Newsome"

The Baltimore Ravens have been able to maintain their perennial success in the NFL by building through the draft. This year will obviously be no different, but they do enter the draft with more holes and question marks than usual after a roster gutting offseason.

There are obvious holes at wide receiver and tight end. The offensive line is a strength, but features two starters in the last year of their contracts. Justin Forsett had a good year in 2014 but is 29 years old, and the Ravens could look to get their starting running back of the future in this draft. They are thin all across the defensive line and in the secondary, and have some aging pass rushers on defense.

The most difficult part of completing a full seven round mock draft for a particular team is predicting what the other 31 NFL teams will do. I’ve taken Scouts Inc. draft grades (Insider Content), combined them with the list of pre-draft visits and other contact the Ravens have made with draft prospects, and cross-referenced other seven round mocks to get an idea of who might be available at each Ravens pick.

So without further ado, here is your complete 2015 Baltimore Ravens mock draft.

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Nov 15, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Jalen Collins (32) reacts on the sidelines during the second half of the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the LSU Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The Arkansas Razorbacks defeat the LSU Tigers 17-0. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Positions of Need: WR, TE

Depth Needed: CB, DE, OLB, DT, S, OG

Round 1: No. 26

Who they will pick: Jalen Collins CB, LSU

I’m changing it up from my staff writers pick here but staying with the same position. Even if he is available at this spot, I no longer believe Ozzie would select Marcus Peters because of all the baggage he brings with him. The Ravens have had a lot of trouble with problems off the field lately and I think they are looking to avoid that as much as possible going forward.

With that being said, they really need cornerback depth and that’s exactly what Jalen Collins provides. He is raw, but he’ll have time to mature behind incumbent starters Jimmy Smith and Ladarius Webb and should develop into a very solid starting NFL cornerback.

Who they should pick: Kevin Johnson CB, Wake Forest

Collins has been the sexy pick for the Ravens as many have Johnson going earlier, but if Johnson is still available at 26, the Ravens should jump. He is an experienced player who could step in right away and will provide the Ravens ideal depth and security for their defensive backfield of the future with Jimmy Smith eligible for free agency after this year.

Other Candidates:

Breshad Perriman, Melvin Gordon, Marcus Peters, Malcom Brown, Danny Shelton, Eddie Goldman, Owamagbe Odighizuwa

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Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Jay Ajayi (27) against the Arizona Wildcats in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Wildcats 38-30. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2: No. 58

Who they will pick: Jay Ajayi RB, Boise State

Ajayi is flying up draft boards as teams realize that the top two running backs most likely won’t make it past the first round. He has said that Baltimore and Dallas have shown the most interest in him, and guess who drafts two picks ahead of the Cowboys in the second round?

Who they should pick: Maxx Williams TE, Minnesota

The Ravens have a huge hole at TE and drafting Williams would not only give them a great threat in the passing game, but an all-around tight end for the future.

Other Candidates:

Sammie Coates, Tyler Lockett, Mike Bennett, Grady Jarrett, Benardrick McKinney, Eric Rowe, Ronald Darby, Laken Tomlinson, Clive Walford

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Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Sammie Coates runs the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3: No. 90

Who they will pick: Sammie Coates WR, Auburn

Coates is the best available WR left at this point who could come in and possibly make an immediate impact. He’s got ideal size but is raw and has some learning to do. He might not be available at this point because his name slightly overvalues his talent, but if he is, I think the Ravens would be delighted.

Who they should pick: Shaq Thompson OLB, Washington

Another guy who might not be around at this spot, Shaq Thompson is a freak athlete and all-around disruptive player. “Tweaner” guys like this used to get a bad rap, but they now seem to be a coveted pass-rushing group (a la Bruce Irvin in Seattle) which might the main reason he won’t make it past the second round.

Other Candidates:

Duke Johnson, A.J. Cann, Tevin Coleman, Donovan Smith, Mario Edwards Jr., Danielle Hunter, Quinten Rollins

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Oct 18, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals defensive end Lorenzo Mauldin (94) reacts during the second half of play against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Papa John

Round 4: No. 122

Who they will pick: Lorenzo Mauldin ILB, Louisville

After shoring up the offense in the previous two picks, the Ravens would undoubtedly go back to defense here. Mauldin is a good pass rusher from the inside and met with the Ravens at the Senior Bowl. He is a tough guy, a leader, and he overcame a lot in his childhood to get to this point.

Who they should pick: Lorenzo Mauldin ILB, Louisville

He is the right kind of guy for the Ravens defense and if he drops to this point it would be a no-brainer for them.

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Nov 1, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Florida Gators offensive lineman Max Garcia (76) hikes the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

No. 125 (from Detroit for Haloti Ngata)

Who they will pick: Max Garcia C, Florida

Garcia is a really versatile player who can play multiple positions along the line. Drafting him here gives them insurance with both their starting guards (Marshall Yanda and Kelechi Osemele) set to become free agents after this year. Garcia could also eventually take over for the decent but unspectacular Jeremy Zuttah at center.

Who they should pick: Max Garcia C, Florida

Good value pick here that fills a need.

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Sep 20, 2014; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks cornerback JaCorey Shepherd (24) is called for pass interference against Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver Corey Willis (82) in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

No. 136 (compensatory)

Who they will pick: JaCorey Shepherd CB, Kansas

Shepherd lacks ideal size and it hurts him when playing against the run, but he is able to disrupt the passing game with 32 passes defensed and five interceptions his past two years. The Ravens visited him at the Senior Bowl and he could develop into a nice slot corner for them in the future.

Who they should pick: Za’Darius Smith DE, Kentucky

A super high-energy player Smith runs around the field “like his hair is on fire.” The knock on him is his size, which is hard to believe at 6’4 274, but this is the NFL we are talking about here. To this point in this mock, the Ravens haven’t drafted many pass rushers. I would expect them to try to grab one or two in the first four rounds.

Other Candidates:

Stefon Diggs WR, Ty Montgomery WR, Jeff Heuerman TE, Tye Smith CB, Anthony Chickillo DE, Kyle Emanuel OLB, Jaquiski Tartt S, Derron Smith S

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Nov 29, 2013; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive tackle Darius Philon (91) celebrates a sack by a teammate agains thte LSU Tigers in the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Round 5: No. 158 (from Detroit for Ngata)

Who they will pick: Darius Philon DT, Arkansas

Adding a DT here would provide some needed depth behind the Ravens two young starters in Timmy Jernigan and Brandon Williams. Philon has great energy and quickness off the snap, but is still needs to bulk up for the NFL game. Scouts say he came out of school a year too early.

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Sep 27, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Dres Anderson (6) stretches before the game against the Washington State Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

No. 171 (compensatory)

Who they will pick: Dres Anderson WR, Utah

The Ravens attended a special workout for Anderson after he was unable to participate in Utah’s Pro Day due to an injured knee. The son of former NFL WR Willie “Flipper Anderson” (who holds the NFL record for most receiving yards in a game at 336), Anderson has good size and speed but lacks consistency with his hands.

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Feb 20, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee State offensive linemen Robert Myers goes through a footwork drill during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

No. 175 (compensatory)

Who they will pick: Robert Myers OL, Tennessee State

Myers came in for a pre-draft visit and with Marshall Yanda and Kelechi Osemele in the final year of their deals, they need to bring in some young talent for insurance. He is projected as a sixth round pick but I think they grab him here just before with their last compensatory selection.

Other Candidates:

Jamil Douglas OG, Brett Hundley QB, Antoine Everett OG, Corey Crawford DE, Jordan Hicks ILB, Ibraheim Campbell S

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Jan 21, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad tight end Nick Boyle of Delaware (86) hangs onto a pass over North squad safety Kurtis Drummond of Michigan State (27) and defensive corner Doran Grant of Ohio State (12) during North squad Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6: No. 203 (from Dallas for Rolando McClain)

Who they pick: Nick Boyle TE, Delaware

Boyle talked with the Ravens at the Senior Bowl and if they don’t get a TE earlier in the draft, why not take a flier on one here? He’s got a nice combination of size and pass-catching ability, but lacks the mental tenacity to be a true mauler. However, with time he could develop into a starter at the TE position.

Other Candidates:

DeAndre Carter WR, Imoan Claiborne CB, RJ Harris WR, Trey Walker CB

Next: Examining Unique Expert Mock Draft Picks for the Ravens

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