Baltimore Ravens: This is what a perfect draft would look like.
Injuries ravaged the Baltimore Ravens in 2015 including the first round pick Breshad Perriman. Taken with the 26th overall pick, Perriman never made it into a game last season. The Ravens limped to a 5-11 season, but Thursday, April 28, the Ravens can begin to right the ship.
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The Ravens have nine draft picks this year including four in the fourth round. If right things happen and these players remain on the board, here is a look at the Raven’s perfect draft.
Round 1 Overall Pick 6
RB Ezekiel Elliott Ohio State
Sam Monson from Profootballfocus.com believes Ezekiel Elliott is the “most complete running back prospect since Adrian Peterson.” Many believe that Elliott is a can’t miss prospect, but the Ravens must decide if the sixth overall pick is too early to take a running back. Last season, the St. Louis Rams (now back in Los Angeles) pulled the trigger on running back Todd Gurley at number 10 overall. The Ravens would be smart to follow suit and give themselves the best offensive weapon in the 2016 NFL draft.
Round 2 Overall Pick 36
NT Andrew Billings Baylor
There is a slim chance that Andrew Billings will still be available with the 36th pick, but this is the Raven’s perfect draft. The Baylor All-American led his team with 15 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks. The powerful defensive lineman could easily come in and start at nose tackle day one. Assuming he is gone, Chris Jones from Mississippi State would be a nice pick too.
Round 3 Overall Pick 70
CB Artie Burns Miami
Artie Burns is another player to likely be gone, but ESPN’s Todd McShay has him falling to the third round. Burns is a raw talent with the size to compete with larger receivers. He will need to be coached up, but he can contribute on passing downs pretty quick.
Round 4 Overall Pick 104
OLB Jaylon Smith Notre Dame
Jaylon Smith is a first round talent, but injuries will force him to the third or hopefully, the fourth round. Smith may miss the entire 2016 season, and there is potential that he may never play again with the nerve damage does not heal. With that said, the Ravens can’t pass on him if he is still available.
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Round 4 Overall Pick 130
ILB Scooby Wright III Arizona
After a stellar sophomore season, Scooby Wright III only played in three games last year. Production is clearly not in question, but was he product of the 3-3-5 system that allowed him to blitz more often. He may not become an immediate contributor, but strong football instincts should help him progress.
Round 4 Overall Pick 132
WR Aaron Burbridge Michigan State
As Michigan State’s top receiver this season, Aaron Burbridge caught 85 balls. Although he’s not that tall and not too fast, Burbridge can become a solid possession receiver.
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Round 4 Overall Pick 134
TE Ben Braunecker Harvard
Ben Braunecker started all three years at Harvard and quickly became an asset in the passing game. Braunecker has a knack for getting open and being tough to bring down; however, he played at Harvard against the weak talent in the Ivy League.
Round 6 Overall Pick 182
QB Brandon Allen Arkansas
Arkansas fans lit his car on fire. Seriously. That should be enough to tell you how his career was going in 2014, but he continued to work hard and turned it around this year. Despite his senior performance, the NFL is still afraid of his small carny hands. He can become a solid back up.
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Round 6 Overall Pick 209
T Joe Haeg North Dakota State
With their last pick, the Ravens finally address the offensive line. They will surely take an offensive lineman before this, but where is the fun in that. Joe Haeg has some potential, but it is hard to say how well he will do against better competition than the Mountain West.