Baltimore Ravens: 3 ways to get better in the NFL Draft
By Remy Cabache
Add Depth to the Secondary
Two things are a certainty at this point: the Ravens have significantly bolstered their secondary in free agency and this year’s defensive draft class is incredibly deep and talented. As far as a starting secondary is concerned the Ravens seem all set with Eric Weddle, Tony Jefferson, Jimmy Smith and Brandon Carr with Tavon Young at nickel, but behind them the Ravens depth chart is looking a little thin.
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With the 16th overall pick there will almost definitely be a defensive back worth that high a pick, but there will also be players who are better and/or fill a more urgent need. Thanks to the depth of this draft class the Ravens would be wise to hold off on a defensive back for a great value pick.
Guys like Cam Sutton out of Tennessee, Rasul Douglas of West Virginia, Josh Johnson of Boston College and Desmond King of Iowa could be late round steals thanks to their physical traits and/or versatility. They aren’t at the level of Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley, Tre’Davious White and others right now but they would be more than capable of being role players as they develop.
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Alternatively, Sidney Jones of Washington has been one of the most common mock draft targets for the Baltimore Ravens and seemed to be a consensus top-20 pick, but his torn Achilles may drop him down to the second round or even the third round thanks to the depth of this class. If he was available with the Ravens second round pick it would be an absolute steal and a great match. What’s more he could be very talented depth until he had adjusted to the NFL coming off his injury.
Another guy in a similar situation who could turn out to be a late round steal, great depth and eventual starter is Fabian Moreau of UCLA. He tore his pectoral just a few days ago at his pro day and will be out for the next 4-6 months, which effectively stops his rise that was looking as if it would lead to him landing somewhere in the first round. He is a long corner who is very physical. His ball skills are good and he can play zone or man. Brandon Carr is already thirty so there needs to be a player ready to take the number two corner role when he moves on or his role reduces, Moreau is a great candidate to be that.