Baltimore Ravens: 5 dark horse candidates for the 16th pick

4. Da’Ron Payne

Steve Bisciotti joked that the Ravens probably wouldn’t do this, which makes this candidate a real dark horse if ever there has been one. Here’s the thing, Da’Ron Payne is really good. He’s an Alabama guy so you know what that means has become the go to argument for Calvin Ridley at pick 16. That works even better for Payne.

He is a defensive tackle, so you know he has Newsome’s attention. He reminds me of Haloti Ngata and it’s hard to think the Ravens’ brass haven’t had the same thought. I repeat he played for the Alabama Crimson Tide and this is Newsome’s last draft. This just seems like a typical Ravens pick. You can probably rule it out, however Payne to the Ravens itches the back of my mind a little too much for comfort.

The Ravens do need difference makers on the defensive line. Brent Urban is coming back, but he has merely teased promising results. Willie Henry has come alive but Carl Davis hasn’t really done much. Payne would help the Ravens but he wouldn’t be the help they need the most.