The Baltimore Ravens Draft

It seems like the Baltimore Ravens always have strong drafts. Seeing as they are usually in contention for the playoffs and Super Bowls that shouldn't be a surprise. General manager Ozzie Newsome. assistant general manager Eric DeCosta, the personnel department, all of their scouts do a terrific job. The Ravens 2016 draft was great. On paper and before any of the new players has taken their first NFL snap, it looks like it could be one of their best. Maybe even their best. Here's a look at that draft.

1. Ronnie Stanley, T, Notre Dame
2. Kamalei Correa, LB/DE, Boise State
3. Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU
4. Tavon Young, CB, Temple
4. Chris Moore, WR, Cincinnati
4. Alex Lewis, T, Nebraska
4. Willie Henry, DT, Michigan
4. Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech
5. Matt Judon, DE, Grand Valley State
6. Keenan Reynolds, WR, Navy
6. Maurice Canady, CB, Virginia

It was amazing to watch this draft develop. The Ravens found great value with each pick. 11 players is a large draft class but the case can be made that each player has a real shot a making the final roster. That's a lot of new, young talent to add to a roster that's much better than their 5-11 2015 record would indicate. The Ravens were thrashed by injuries last season. Those injured players will return and now they add 11 talented rookies. No team has made better use of the compensatory picks than the Ravens. One could even say that they abuse the compensatory pick system. That's best seen in their ridiculous five picks in the fourth round of this draft. That should be illegal. Having the extra picks and using the extra picks well are often two very different things. The Ravens have used their extra picks well.

The Ravens drafted six defensive players and five offensive players. Nice split. Ronnie Stanley, Kamalei Correa, Bronson Kaufusi, Tavon Young, and Kenneth Dixon have the talent to make immediate, significant contributions.

In my opinion, Florida State corner Jalen Ramsey, Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner and Stanley were the safest picks in this draft. Mississippi tackle Laremy Tunsil was considered by many to be the most talented tackle in the draft. If he really is more talented than Stanley it isn't by much. Tunsil, however, is a bit of a wildcard off the field as seen by the events that caused his draft day slide. The Ravens chose Stanley over Tunsil and the thought here is that they won't regret it. He's a day one starter that will likely keep that spot for at least the next decade.

NFL Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah compared the frenzied pass rushing talents Correa to those of Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews. That's high praise but Correa does have terrific pass rushing skills. For a team depending on the continued production of old-timers Terrell Suggs (33) and Elvis Dumervil (32) that's a very good thing. Correa doesn't have to produce right away but he has the talent to do so. He's a fun player to watch.

Kaufusi was one of my favorite defensive ends in the draft. He just does so many things right. He's productive, can play all along the line, and his motor never stops. Plus, he's 6'6". He could be a day one starter for the Ravens.

If Young was was 6'1" rather than 5'9" he probably would have been drafted on the first night of the draft. He has the talent to be the Ravens day one nickel. In today's NFL that's pretty much a starting spot.

When healthy, Justin Forsett has played well for the Ravens. Despite that it wouldn't be a surprise if Dixon steps in as the starting running back. He was highly productive and versatile at Louisiana Tech. He was the best pass-catching running back in the draft.

Chris Moore, Alex Lewis, Willie Henry, Matt Judon, Keenan Reynolds, and Maurice Canady could all find roles on the Ravens.

Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin were the receiving stars in 2012 when the Ravens won the Super Bowl. Those two made their way to San Francisco and the Ravens receivers have been suspect ever since. Last year's top pick Bashaud Perriman missed all of his rookie season to injuries. Veteran Steve Smith missed most of the season to injury as well. Both return. Deep threat Mike Wallace was added in free agency. He should be able to run under a few of Joe Flacco's cannon shots. Kamar Aiken has had some nice moments and is a player on the rise. This team might now have something at receiver. Chris Moore joins that mix. While not quite having the blazing speed of Wallace, few do, Moore's specialty is getting behind defenses and making big plays. Always a good thing. Keenan Reynolds had an outstanding college career at Navy as a quarterback. He's currently listed as a receiver on the Ravens roster. He could even play a little running back. That versatility could land him a spot on the 53-man roster. He could also send offensive coordinator Marc Trestman scrambling to come up with new plays to take advantage of his unique talents. Alex Lewis will immediately provide nice depth to the offensive line and could contend for a starting spot in the coming years. Willie Henry and Matt Judon should find roles in the defensive line rotation. Henry can play all along the line. Judon, playing at itty-bitty Grand Valley State, practically lived in the opponents backfield. He was one of my favorite small school players in the draft. Maurice Canady has good size at 6'1" 195 lbs and should improve the Ravens depth in the secondary.

It really was amazing to watch this draft come together over those three days. With each solid pick, it was like "how is this happening?" The Ravens certainly took advantage of having so many picks in the heart of the draft. Seriously, five picks in the fourth round is ridiculous. 11 talented football players. 11 talented football players that could compete for playing time as early as this year. Half could compete for starting spots. Another great Ravens draft. On paper. In May.