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Ravens: Fifth round draft plan

By Connor Brooks

OWINGS MILLS, MD - MAY 05: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens speaks with general manager Ozzie Newsome after a practice during the Baltimore Ravens rookie camp on May 5, 2013 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
OWINGS MILLS, MD - MAY 05: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens speaks with general manager Ozzie Newsome after a practice during the Baltimore Ravens rookie camp on May 5, 2013 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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As we continue on in the latter portions of the NFL draft, here is what the Baltimore Ravens should do in round five.

For the most part, the Baltimore Ravens should have filled most of the bigger holes on their team by now. Going into the fifth round, hopefully, they’ve drafted at least one receiver or two. They should have also already drafted a middle linebacker. So now, the last three rounds should be a BPA (best player available) strategy along with filling out the rest of the roster. Let’s take a look at some options the Ravens could go for late in the draft.

Offense

Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State; 6’5″, 310 lbs

Strengths: Balanced blocker; NFL ready

Weaknesses: Not quick enough to play left tackle

If Austin Howard is a cap casualty, this position should be addressed sooner. However, I fully expect Howard to be with the team. Which means, the Ravens are most likely losing James Hurst and need to add offensive line depth. Jones is good in both pass protection and run blocking. He is a right tackle in the NFL, which is fine because the Ravens are perfectly content with Ronnie Stanley. That said, you always need good depth on the offensive line. If Stanley or Howard goes out, Jones would fill in nicely. He would be a great addition to the most important unit in football.

Related Story: Baltimore Ravens focus on offense in 4 round mock draft

Sam Mustipher, C, Notre Dame; 6’2″, 300 lbs

Strengths: Good leader; Well-rounded

Weaknesses: Size

This is only if Baltimore doesn’t resign Ryan Jensen. Jensen was a key part of the Ravens offensive line and most everybody wants to see him back. However, the team has a lot bigger needs than center. If Jensen’s asking price is too high, I imagine they use that money elsewhere. Mustipher would most likely compete with Matt Skura for the job in that scenario. Mustipher is a little undersized for the NFL, but is tough and a very smart player. Those two things bode well for centers in the NFL.

Defense

Andre Chachere, CB, San Jose; 6’0″, 200 lbs

Strengths: Good frame; excellent speed

Weaknesses: Gets beat deep too often

If the Ravens release Brandon Carr, which I think they should, then it’s not set in stone when Jimmy Smith is going to be ready. If Smith won’t be ready for the start of the year, then the team will need a cornerback. I don’t think a guy like Chachere is someone you should plug in as a starter, but Canady will probably move outside. Chachere would be good depth in the secondary with really good size and speed. He has the ability to play press-man coverage that the Ravens love so much.

Next: Baltimore Ravens: Making the case to sign or move on from free agents

Matthew Thomas, ILB, Florida State; 6’4″, 230 lbs

Strengths: Super athlete; Upside

Weaknesses: Instincts

Thomas is a guy I love. He has the potential to be a great linebacker. He has the size, speed, and athleticism scouts crave. However, he had a rough 2017. Scouts don’t like his awareness around the field. I think he would fit in well beside C.J. Mosley. Although, with a little coaching, he could become a Pro Bowl caliber player. Again, Thomas has athleticism you can’t teach, so that will help him keep up with tight ends and running backs in coverage. I would kill to see Thomas in a Ravens uniform.

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