Baltimore Ravens 2015 NFL Draft Preview
By Zac Snyder
Teams are putting the finishing touches on their preparation as the 2015 NFL Draft is nearly here.
To preview the draft for the Baltimore Ravens, I got together with Brett Foote of Ebony Bird. Below are my questions followed by his answers.
1. What are the team’s biggest needs heading into the draft and how might they address them?
"The Ravens’ biggest needs at the moment lie at cornerback, wide receiver, guard, outside linebacker, tight end, and running back. I fully expect them to spend a draft pick on each one of these positions. While they can go in any direction based on the team’s draft board, I would expect them to take a pass rusher or corner in the higher rounds, while adding a speedy receiver, running back, guard, and tight end in later rounds. And even though they have been quiet on the free agency front, I wouldn’t be surprised if they add a player or two after the draft (like Greg Jennings)."
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2. What needs to happen for this draft to be considered a success?
"I think they absolutely have to get a speedy, preferably big bodied wide receiver, an outside linebacker, and a guard they can groom for the future. The Ravens won’t be able to afford to keep both Marshal Yanda and Kelechi Osemele when their respective contracts are up after next season. They have a solid but unspectacular receiving corps at the moment that lacks any sort of speed element. And with both Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs on the wrong side of 30, they have to get younger pass rushers on board."
3. What in your mind would make this draft a failure?
"Missing out on one of the top corners, pass rushers, or wide receivers with their first few picks. Last year, in an excellent wide receiver class, they really missed the boat by waiting until the sixth round to take Michael Campanaro. If Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith can both stay healthy this season and play as well as they have in the past, corner won’t be a huge immediate need, but they need to get better in the slot and get someone to develop. The same goes for OLB."
4. What is a bold prediction for your team this draft?
"Even though everyone is mocking corners/wide receivers/running backs to the Ravens in the first round, I wouldn’t be surprised if they will take a pass rushing linebacker or defensive tackle. They have historically placed a greater value on those positions than anything else. If there is a top corner left at 26, however, they won’t hesitate to take him if he is the highest rated player on their board (or close to being the highest)."
5. What is a draft angle the general public might not be aware of for your team?
"Everyone assumes the Ravens (like most teams) are going to draft based on need and this is reflected in most every mock draft on the web. But they have proven, year after year, that they don’t reach to fill needs under any circumstances. This couldn’t have been any clearer last year, when they drafted an inside linebacker (C.J. Mosley) in the first round despite having much greater needs elsewhere. He was the best player on their board, and they took him. And I’m pretty sure they don’t regret doing so."
For full Ravens coverage, check out Ebony Bird.
Next: NFL 2-Round Mock Draft 2015