With The First Pick
Fansided

AFC North Draft History

By Kris Rogers

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Danny Shelton (Washington) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 12th overall pick to the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Danny Shelton (Washington) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 12th overall pick to the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Breshad Perriman (Central Florida) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number twenty-six overall pick to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Breshad Perriman (Central Florida) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number twenty-six overall pick to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Ravens

First Round Selection: 6th Overall

Previous 1st Round Picks – Matt Elam (2013), CJ Mosley (2014), Breshad Perriman (2015)

GM – Ozzie Newsome

#InOzzieWeTrust

The Baltimore Ravens have always known how to work the free agency system. Draft talented players and develop them into starters, let another team overpay for their talents in free agency, and collect compensatory picks for the next year’s draft to continue the cycle. This also gives plenty of cap flexibility for when it comes to signing one of their premiere players to a contract extension.

In the 2016 Draft, the Ravens earned three comp picks, two fourth-rounders and a sixth for losing Torrey Smith, Phernell McPhee, and Owen Daniels to free agency. This gives Baltimore seven picks in the first four rounds. Along with picking near the top of each round due to a disappointing 5-11 season, the Ravens are in position to add some serious talent to their roster.

While they don’t usually sign many big name players, the Ravens made a bit of a splash by winning the Eric Weddle sweepstakes, signing him to a four-year, $26 million contract, as well as former Steeler Mike Wallace.

When it comes to draft day, The Ravens’ strategy is typically to go best player available (BPA), provided it provides a noticeable upgrade at a position of need. So, don’t go looking for the Ravens to be replacing Joe Flacco anytime soon. But with that, there could be several upgrades coming to the Ravens, especially on defense. Likely one of the top defensive talents; Miles Jack, Joey Bosa, Jalen Ramsey or DeForest Buckner will be available, and each would give the aging unit a spark. Rebuilding the defense will be the key to getting back to the top of the AFC North.

Next: Cincinnati Bengals

Home/NFL Draft News