The Baltimore Ravens obviously need an edge rusher. Here is a look at outside linebackers the Baltimore Ravens could target on day two of the NFL Draft:
1. Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma
Ronnie Perkins is a very solid prospect that the Ravens can probably take outside of the first round. In three years with the Sooners, he racked up 16.5 sacks and 32 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Perkins is a 6-3 player. While he could use a little more length and doesn’t have measurables that make him the combine champion, he more than looks the part.
In fact, if you look at the tape, there is a lot to like. He wins battles off the edge more than he doesn’t. He’s got a lot of power and strength to his game. The eye test benefits Perkins. He looks like a tough outside linebacker who plays with an attitude. When he does get to the quarterback. he finishes ferociously. Perkins plays like a Raven.
One thing that also benefits him is that he was consistent with his production. Perkins had at least five sacks in every season at Oklahoma and had a career-high of six sacks in his sophomore campaign. Perkins doesn’t have the flash of a first-round prospect but he seems like a high floor player. He’s got traits and he’s a tough guy to deal with if you’re an offensive tackle.
Perkins should be able to come into Baltimore and be tough against the run while flashing signs of brilliance as a pass rusher once in a while. Perkins is a player that rarely loses ground on a play, he plows forward and pursues the football. He’s a persistent pass rusher. It may take him some time to be a game-changer in the NFL, but he’s always going to be a solid player.