Courtesy: USA Today
With a bounty of picks in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens will have a chance to fill out their roster with young, talented players. Ozzie Newsome has been a master of not only finding first round talent, but also late round gems. They are one of the best organizations in the football when it comes to taking the best player available. Though the Baltimore Ravens will not sacrifice a pick to reach for a player, they have plenty of options to find prospects that fill needs as well.
TRADES
Philadelphia Eagles Receive: Ravens 3rd Round Pick (90), Conditional 2016 5th Round Pick
Baltimore Ravens Receive: CB Brandon Boykin
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
The Philadelphia Eagles have been retooling their entire roster and continue by adding more picks. Brandon Boykin has been a very productive player but does not seem to have a fit with the team in the future. They look to replace him in the draft with a bigger corner that Chip Kelly covets. If they do pull off a draft day trade to acquire quarterback Marcus Mariota, they will need to replenish some of those picks as well.
While the Baltimore Ravens receive an extremely talented player, that can be an instant starter to a struggling unit. He has played in the Nickel for his entire young career but could also fit on the outside across from Jimmy Smith. He has a knack for causing turnovers and is an adequate tackler that fits the defensive scheme. He also has return skills that could help replace Jacoby Jones. The Baltimore Ravens fill one of their biggest needs with a young, proven player that is still on his rookie contract.
DRAFT
Courtesy: CBS Sports
1 (26): Randy Gregory (OLB Nebraska)
The Baltimore Ravens continually go after the best player available in the draft and get a top talent in Gregory. With his failed drug test, he is expected to take a drastic fall and is too good to pass up. He is an excellent athlete that is still developing as an edge rusher, as he began his career at running back. The Baltimore Ravens get a player to groom as an eventual replacement for either Elvis Dumervil or Terrell Suggs, while filling much need depth at the position.
Courtesy: Miami Herald
2 (58): Duke Johnson (RB Miami)
Even with Justin Forsett’s fantastic campaign in 2014, the Baltimore Ravens still need to look towards the future at running back. Lorenzo Taliaferro is a big back more suited for a complimentary role and Bernard Pierce was released after his DUI arrest. Johnson is a game-breaker with his speed, but also fits the one-cut zone-blocking scheme. He is a solid pass-catcher out of the backfield that could be utilized like offensive coordinator Marc Trestman did with Matt Forte while with the Chicago Bears.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
4 (122): Kurtis Drummond (S Michigan State)
The Baltimore Ravens have struggled at the safety position since the departures of Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard. Drummond is a solid all-around player that would be ideal in their defensive system as a centerfielder. He plays to the ball well, but needs to keep everything in front of him. Though he is a willing tackler, he will need to develop more strength entering the NFL.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
4 (125- From Detroit Lions for Haloti Ngata): Nick O’Leary (TE Florida State)
With the injury concerns of Dennis Pitta and Owen Daniels departure in free agency, depth at tight end is needed. After taking in-line blocker Crockett Gilmore last year, the Baltimore Ravens need a pass catcher for the short to intermediate routes. O’Leary proved to have great hands and ball skills as a favorite target of quarterback Jameis Winston at Florida State. He does not have great speed, but can make tough catches over the middle.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
4 (136-Compensatory Pick): Kenny Bell (WR Nebraksa)
Even with the loss of Torrey Smith, the Baltimore Ravens are still deep at wide receiver. Though they lack a deep threat that can stretch the field, which can open things underneath and in the running game. Bell is one of the most productive wide outs to enter the draft, who is leader and good locker room presence. He is a complete receiver with great speed, is a willing blocker and strong contributor on special teams.
Courtesy: Rant Sports
5 (158- From Detroit Lions for Haloti Ngata): Jamil Douglas (OG Arizona State)
As both starting offensive guards Kelechi Osemele and Marshall Yanda’s contracts are up after the season, the Baltimore Ravens need to add depth to the position. Douglas physically and athletically fits the mold of a zone-blocking lineman, that utilizes angles to drive back defenders. He is built similar to Kelechi Osemele and could use the year as an understudy if their starter leaves in free agency.
Courtesy: Rant Sports
5 (171- Compensatory Pick): Justin Cox (DB Mississsippi State)
The Baltimore Ravens were really hurt by their lack of depth at cornerback and safety last season. Cox is a big defensive back that has good coverage skills and great speed. He is a decent tackler and a ballhawk that can force turnovers. He provides depth to both positions, while being another contributor on special teams as well.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
5 (175- Compensatory Pick): Darius Philon (DL Arkansas)
With the loss of Haloti Ngata and Chris Canty’s age, the Baltimore Ravens need to add some depth to their defensive line rotation. They always seem to find later round defensive tackles that can make an impact. Philon has a lot of potential, but needs to garner more experience. It will take a couple years for him to develop but has the huge upside the Baltimore Ravens covet.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
6 (203- From Dallas Cowboys for Rolando McClain): Trey DePriest (ILB Alabama)
Though not an immediate need for the Baltimore Ravens, they will need to look to their future at inside linebacker opposite C.J. Mosley. Daryl Smith is now on the downside of his career and Arthur Brown has not lived up to his lofty draft status. DePriest comes from a long line of Alabama defenders, which GM Ozzie Newsome covets. He is solid in the box linebacker that would free up Mosley to roam sideline-to-sideline.
UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS
James Vaughters (OLB Stanford), Tye Smith (CB Towson), Darrian Miller (OT Kentucky), Michael Dyer (RB Louisville), Deon Long (WR Maryland), Darius Kilgo (DT Maryland)
DEPTH CHART
QB: Flacco, Schaub
RB: Forsett, Johnson, Taliaferro
FB: Juszczyk
WR1: Smith, Brown
WR2: Aiken, Bell, Robinson
SLOT: Campanaro
TE: Gilmore, O’Leary, Pitta
LT: Monroe, Hurst
LG: Osemele, Douglas
C: Zuttah, Jensen
RG: Yanda, Urschel
RT: Wagner
DE: Canty, Tyson, Lewis-Moore
NT: Williams, Philon
DT: Jernigan, Guy, Urban
OLB: Suggs, Gregory
ILB: Mosley, Brown
ILB: Smith, DePriest
SLB: Upshaw, Dumervil
CB1: Smith, Melvin
CB2: Webb, Jackson, Cox
NICKEL: Boykin
FS: Lewis, Brooks, Drummond
SS: Hill, Elam
K: Tucker
P: Koch
LS: Cox
ROOKIE DRAFT PICK, FREE AGENT SIGNING, ACQUIRED VIA TRADE
PRACTICE SQUAD
QB Wenning, RB Dyer, WR Long, TE Supernaw, OT Miller, DT Kilgo, ILB Orr, OLB Vaughters, CB Smith
