The 2017 NFL Draft is very important for the Baltimore Ravens.
The Baltimore Ravens need to hit home runs in this draft. Coming off an 8-8 campaign that saw the Playoffs slip away right at the end of the season and a free agency period that really bolstered certain areas of the roster the BaltimoreRavens are at a cross roads. If they nail this draft they could set up their roster to be a serious contender for several years, if they miss out in this draft they could set the team back a few years and waste some players’ prime years.
So, what would be the ideal draft for the Ravens to have?
1st Round, 16th Overall Pick – Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
It would be perfect if Mike Williams fell to the Ravens in the 1st round, but he won’t be available with the 16th overall pick. Corey Davis on the other hand could be available and if he is, the Ravens would be stupid to pass on him. Davis was a dominant receiver for Western Michigan. He hasn’t had the chance to work out at all during the pre-draft schedule but his tape tells you everything it needs to.
He has a great frame. He’s big and strong and he has long arms. He uses that size well in all aspects of his game. When the ball is in the air he can box out smaller corners and safeties and he can go up over the top to get the ball. Once he has caught the ball he is an aggressive runner and uses his size well. He doesn’t shy away from contact and has a very good stiff arm.
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As a route runner he is better than Williams. He can run the whole route tree and he can create separation purely with his routes. He utilizes head fakes to his advantage and can turn the corner around and break free.
What’s more, he plucks the ball out of the air with his hands; he has very good hands. He can go up in traffic to make circus catches and he adjusts very well to the ball. When the ball is in the air he tracks it well and can work through contact or traffic when coming back to the ball. On the sideline he has excellent body control and does a great job of securing the ball and getting his feet in bounds.
Bottom Line: The Baltimore Ravens Need Him
The fact that he played in the MAC rather than a Power 5 conference doesn’t bother me. He played several games against Power 5 teams and he held up in those games. His stat line is deceiving in some of those games but the tape backs him up. Against Ohio State for example he only had 6 catches for 42 yards but that was largely due to him having to run short, underneath routes or short sideline routes as the Broncos o-line couldn’t contain the Ohio State front-7.
He would be the game-changing number one receiver the Ravens need and the perfect complement to Perriman, Wallace and Pitta.