2016 NFL Draft: Could Jalen Ramsey Fall To Ravens?
The best defensive back in the 2016 NFL Draft, and perhaps the most talented overall prospect, is Jalen Ramsey. The Baltimore Ravens need help in the secondary. If Ramsey was available with the sixth overall pick it is hard to imagine the Ravens drafting anybody but Ramsey. The problem is it is equally hard to fathom that five teams would pass up on the cornerback/safety from Florida State. Could Ramsey actually fall to the Ravens?
Let’s explore the path that would allow the Ravens to draft Ramsey. The Tennessee Titans have the first overall pick. They could easily take Ramsey to help their secondary, yet they have other needs. If the Titans decide protecting Marcus Mariota is more important, they could take Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil. So the first key is that the Titans covet Tunsil more than Ramsey.
The Cleveland Browns are now on the clock. The Browns need a quarterback. Johnny Manziel has given every indication that his head isn’t fully functional and Cleveland must take another stab at the quarterback position. Let’s say the Browns select Carson Wentz to be their franchise quarterback. Now the Ravens just need Ramsey to fall four more slots.
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Third in the draft order is the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers have several needs and therefore they are the biggest wild card early in the draft. The Chargers could go pass rusher and select Joey Bosa from Ohio State. They could also take Ronnie Stanley to help their offensive line. The Chargers are probably the least likely team to pick Ramsey in this discussion. They have more pressing needs. For the sake of this train of thought, let’s give the Chargers Stanley.
Then you have the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys secondary is the biggest problem the team faces if Tony Romo is healthy. The problem is that they just suffered a season without Romo for the majority of their games. If the Cowboys choose Romo’s successor, Ramsey becomes a legitimate possibility for the Ravens.
The Jaguars are the most likely team to take Ramsey as they need to fix their secondary as badly as the Ravens do. The Jaguars will most likely be focused on their defense. Ravens fans that want Ramsey have to hope in this case that Jacksonville is tempted by Bosa. Pairing Bosa with a healthy Dante Fowler Jr. could give them a Broncos like pass rush.
Next: 2016 NFL Draft: Ravens Should Not Take OT With Top 10 Pick
If Ramsey makes it to the sixth overall pick, it would be hard for the Ravens not to take him. The Ravens need a lot to go their way to get Ramsey. It isn’t the most likely scenario but it is surely a possibility.