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Ravens: Second round draft plan for 2018

By Connor Brooks

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Head Coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens walks off the field after the Cincinnati Bengals 31-27 win over the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Head Coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens walks off the field after the Cincinnati Bengals 31-27 win over the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The second round still has a ton of value in all drafts. The Baltimore Ravens will have the 48th overall pick and here’s what they should do with it.

In the first round, I said the Baltimore Ravens should go defense because of the lack of offensive studs in the first round. Besides Calvin Ridley and Saquon Barkley, most of the offensive players you can get in the second.

I will go over both offense and defense in this round. However, I expect the Ravens will go offense regardless of what they do in the first round. If you go offense in the first round, you should go all-in and go offense in the second. If you don’t go offense in the first, you almost certainly have to go there for the second.

Defense

Dorance Armstrong, OLB: Kansas; 6’4″, 240 lbs

Strengths: Quickness off the edge, amazing first step; Really good athlete

Weaknesses: Run support; Strength

This guy is an exceptional talent. Great speed around the edge and is basically a situational pass rusher. He can be used around 20-25 snaps a game. The reason he is worth a second rounder is that of his impact on the pass rush. He has the talent to have double-digit sacks.

Armstrong would have a shot to go in the first round but he only recorded 2 sacks last year, after having a double-digit year before. However, part of that was because Kansas was just so bad. You saw teams have to double team him or leave a running back on his side. You should see his name pop up for Baltimore some.

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Rashaan Evans, ILB: Alabama; 6’3″, 230 lbs

Strengths: Instincts in pass coverage; Perimeter speed

Weaknesses: Undersized

Rashaan Evans can fix the Ravens’ problems in coverage at this position. Baltimore knows all too well how much they struggled against pass-catching tight ends. Evans is also strong in run support, especially on the perimeter. His lateral quickness can really blow you away. Moreover, we all know Ozzie loves Alabama players and they usually work out. Marlon Humphrey, Courtney Upshaw, and C.J. Mosley are just to name a few.

Offense

Anthony Miller, WR: Memphis; 5’11, 195 lbs

Strengths: Precise route-runer; excellent hands

Weaknesses: Limitations because of size

Anthony Miller at worse is a starting slot receiver in the NFL. He could be one of the best slot guys in the NFL if everything works out. He is such a tough matchup for defenses. The Ravens are killing for a guy like this. Miller is no deep threat but working him in the intermediate routes, he can be dangerous. He caught 18 touchdowns in 2017 for the Tigers, including three in the AAC conference championship.

Simmie Cobbs Jr., WR: Indiana; 6’4″, 220 lbs

Strengths: Good hands; Jump ball winner

Weaknesses: Won’t blow you away with speed

Ravens fans are sick and tired of dropped balls. Joe Flacco isn’t a good quarterback anymore, but he doesn’t have much help either. Cobbs Jr. can catch anything and knows how to go up and get 50/50 balls. Also, he can be a red zone threat and is a big target for Flacco. Just go watch his highlights against Ohio State, where he caught 11 balls for 149 yards and a touchdown. That Ohio State defense has excellent NFL talent in the secondary.

Troy Fumagalli, TE: Wisconsin; 6’6″ 250 lbs

Strengths: Good hands, route-runner; excellent blocker

Weaknesses: Not a down-field threat

Fumagalli has a chance to be a three-down tight end for the Ravens. Also, a team that wants to run the ball, he is perfect. Not only is he an excellent pass-catcher, he is a great blocker in the run game. He reminds me a lot of Jason Witten, except a little quicker. Ben Watson is gone, Maxx Williams isn’t progressing like we want him to, and while I like Nick Boyle, he isn’t a top tight end talent. Fumagalli could give Flacco a safety blanket like he had with Dennis Pitta.

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Final Thoughts

Overall, I expect the front office to go offense here. However, there is still plenty of talent left on the boards on both sides of the ball, but we all know the Ravens need offensive playmakers. Miller, Cobbs Jr., or Fumagalli can be game-changers for the Ravens. Hopefully, Ozzie picks someone who can make an immediate impact and help the Baltimore Ravens get back to the postseason, where they belong.

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