2017 Baltimore Ravens’ Draft & OTA Review

The Ravens used their first four selections and five of seven overall to add competition and depth to the defense. For the first time since 2001, Baltimore made no draft trades. The seven picks was their lowest input of talent since 2010. Young pass rushers were targeted because Terrell Suggs will be 35-years old in October. John Harbaugh said this is the deepest group of defensive backs and pass rushers he’s had in his ten years at the Ravens’ helm. Marlon Humphrey has impressed the Ravens with his football savvy in the early going. His speed and quickness were evident for the first rookie mini-camp. In position drills his agility and burst to the ball have been impressive. Competitive and intense in his play. He has talent and it will be hard to keep him out of the starting lineup. At Alabama, Humphrey displayed a rare blend of speed and physical aggression. He played an enforcer role, especially in pursuit. Has a quick twitch and is explosive as a reaction player. Defends the run like a safety. He must be careful not to trust his physical talent more than he should. There have been times where he gets beat deep as a result of it. Linebacker Tyus Bowser looks like a versatile chess piece for the Ravens on defense. He breaks well on the ball in coverage and has good first step explosiveness off the edge. Needs work on his technique, but is a high motor athlete who has good range. Stuns blockers with his hand punch and plays with leverage. A former basketball player who recently focused all his attention on football. Needs work in coverage. Chris Wormley was drafted for his ability to pressure the quarterback late in games. He is a mature no-nonsense type player who is focused and can play in a multitude of sub packages. Wormley is versatile enough to play as a five technique and three technique defender. May be more of an inside than outside guy. Tim Williams has been doing in camp what he did at Alabama. He explodes off the edge of the defense to pressure the quarterback. The Ravens hope Williams grows up and puts the self-admission failure of multiple drug tests and a misdemeanor gun charge behind him. Never a full-time player at Alabama, he has his work ahead of him to develop into a three down player. He should also contribute on special teams. Nico Siragusa played mostly at left guard for the Aztecs, but is getting work inside at both guard and center. The Ravens have changed up the offensive line in every OTA practice with the exception of left tackle Ronnie Stanley and right guard Marshal Yanda (currently out rehabbing an injury). Siragusa looks like he’ll be a swing guard this fall. Jermaine Eluemunor has been getting work at right tackle behind James Hurst and 2016 UDFA Stephane Nembot. If the emerging talent has a good camp he may move inside to guard while left guard Alex Lewis can go out to right tackle. Eluemunor has outstanding athletic ability, but is still learning how to play the game. The developmental tackle/guard only started playing football in high school. Safety Chuck Clark has a nose for the ball and is instinctive in his play. He was drafted as a developmental athlete who may contribute sooner than later in the secondary. Clark has loose hips and can turn and run with no false steps. A physical enforcer for the Hokies, he has been durable and a major contributor on special teams for four years at Virginia Tech. The Ravens feel they have a diamond in the rough with this big time competitor. GRADE: GOOD.

FREE AGENCY: The Ravens brought back Brandon Williams (NT), Lardarius Webb (CB), and Anthony Levine (FS/LB) to shore up secondary holes. Tony Jefferson (FS) was signed away from Arizona and corner Brandon Carr (Dallas) is projected to start opposite Jimmy Smith. Running back Danny Woodhead (San Diego) joins the Ravens as a utility back who will serve as a check down option for Joe Flacco.

NOTABLE UNDRAFTED COLLEGE FREE AGENTS: QuincyAdeboyejo (Mississippi) WR, Tim White (Arizona State) WR/RS, Taquan Mizzell (Virginia) RB, Pat Ricard (Maine) DE, and Tim Patrick (Utah) WR.

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