Check out the Ravens’ big needs ahead of this year’s draft. And for more team-centric mock drafts, check out our picks for the Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars.
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2016 NFL Draft Central: Baltimore Ravens
Round 1: Pick #6 (6th overall) – OT Laremy Tunsil – Ole Miss
NEEDS at OT: The Ravens could use an upgrade at left tackle, as Eugene Monroe has struggled to stay on the field as consistently as they’d like. Monroe has missed a full season’s worth of games since coming over in 2013, and if the consensus best tackle in the draft falls to the Ravens, they shouldn’t hesitate to take him.
STRENGTHS: Not only is Tunsil the most highly-rated tackle in this class, he is arguably the best player. But with quarterbacks expected to go 1-2 in the draft, he could find himself falling on draft day.
Tunsil’s got all the tools you’d want from a potential franchise left tackle. He’s got good size and length. He’s also a tremendous athlete who possesses great balance. His movement through pass sets looks effortless, and would be the kind of pass protector a post-injury Joe Flacco could desperately use.
Round 2: Pick #5 (36th overall) – OLB Noah Spence – EKU
NEEDS at OLB: With a second Achilles injury to recover from, the end seems near for 33-year-old Terrell Suggs. Without Suggs last season, the Ravens pass rush was predictably subpar, as 32-year-old Elvis Dumervil couldn’t handle opposing teams’ double-teams. The need for another, younger edge rusher is a must.
STRENGTHS: Spence’s off-field issues could see him slide down, but his ability on the field is definitely first-round-caliber. Spence is arguably one of the best pure pass rushers of this entire class with his very good burst off the line, active hands, and nifty spin moves. He won’t defend the run very well, but he’s perfect for any team that needs help putting pressure on the quarterback.
Round 3: Pick #7 (70th overall) – G Christian Westerman – ASU
NEEDS at G: Kelechi Osemele was one of the pillars of Baltimore’s offensive line for the past few years, and will be tough to replace. John Urschel will step in as the new starter at guard, but the Ravens must add a bit more depth to their O-line to give them options if he isn’t up for the job full-time.
STRENGTHS: Westerman is good enough to play any scheme, but he looks like a better fit in a zone blocking scheme, which the Ravens are known to implement effectively. He’s a very good pass protector, and can also fill in at tackle if needed.
Round 4: Pick #6 (104th overall) – WR Kolby Listenbee – TCU
NEEDS at WR: The Ravens acquired veteran Mike Wallace during the offseason, but question marks remain over both Steve Smith Sr. and Breshad Perriman and their ability to be contributors. Smith is now 36-years-old and coming off an Achilles tear, while Perriman couldn’t even get on the field in his entire rookie year.
STRENGTHS: Adding a wideout like Listenbee would give the Ravens another option in the passing game. Listenbee is a bit of a one-trick pony, but that trick is a really good one. He’s a burner who ran a 4.34 40, and would add that deep threat the Ravens lost when they let Torrey Smith go. Watching him track down one of Flacco’s bombs would be fun.
Round 4: Pick #32 (130th overall) – OLB Joe Schobert – Wisconsin
NEEDS at OLB: As mentioned earlier, Baltimore’s edge-rushing combo of Suggs and Dumervil is getting up there in age, and the need for more depth and youth in the pass rush is pressing.
STRENGTHS: People will look at his subpar size and strength, but Schobert has overcome those shortcomings with very active hands, coupled with explosion and bend on the edge. He’s also got enough athleticism to compete and produce in the NFL level, not just as a pass rusher, but in a variety of different roles.
The Ravens have nine picks in the 2016 NFL Draft:
- Round One – #6 overall
- Round Two – #36 overall
- Round Three – #70 overall
- Round Four – #104 overall
- Round Four – #130 overall
- Round Four – #132 overall
- Round Four – #134 overall
- Round Six – #182 overall
- Round Six #209 overall
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