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When the first-round of the 2017 NFL Draft is finished, the newest member of the Ravens is likely to be either a wide receiver, edge rusher or cornerback. Then, with a new playmaker in the nest, Ozzie Newsome can widen his view a bit and consider other positions of need in Round 2. Wide receiver, edge and corner will remain on the radar screen but sights will expand and include offensive linemen and inside linebackers.
It’s time to focus on the 47th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and players who could be available to the Ravens…
Wide Receiver
Positives
• Not afraid of contact
• Snatches ball in flight with strong hands
• High points ball and wins majority of 50-50 catches
• High character player
• Good football IQ – comes from a family of football players (Jeff Blake, uncle)
Negatives
• Could struggle to get a clean release at NFL level
• Average speed
• Unenthused blocker
Compared To
Click here to view the embedded video.
Positives
• Fearless
• Strong hands
• Great attitude with a love for the game
• Leadership qualities
• Smart player dialed into the finer nuances of the game
• Willing, reliable blocker
• Tracks ball well
• Powerful punch on stiff arm invites YAC
Negatives
• Struggles to separate
• Average speed
Compared To
Click here to view the embedded video.
Edge Rusher
Positives
• Great spin move that helps to disengage from blockers
• Explosive off the snap
• High motor
• Can line up on either side with similar effectiveness
Negatives
• Can over pursue
• Weak in run support
• Not a 3-down player initially
Compared To
• Connor Barwin
• Ryan Kerrigan
Click here to view the embedded video.
Positives
• Versatility to play ILB/OLB
• Plus pass rusher, uses hands to win one-on-one battles
• Good edge setter
• 3-down player
• High motor, highly competitive
• Solid work ethic, loves the game, committed to improvement
• Plays with great awareness
Negatives
• Slender build
• Limited array of pass rush moves
• Inexperience, limited playing time
Compared To
• Kyle Van Noy, New England
• Paul Kruger, New Orleans
• Clay Matthews, Green Bay
Click here to view the embedded video.
Cornerback
Positives
• Fluid athlete who shifts his hips effortlessly
• Can mirror a receiver’s movement and minimize separation
• Great change of direction skills
• Willing tackler
• Excellent ball skills with good hands – 5 INT’s and 11 PD’s in 2016
• Good speed and leaping ability
• Dynamic special teams player – 2 TD punt returns and 2 TD kick returns in 2016
Negatives
• Size could make him a target when forced to cover big receivers
• Could be a red zone liability
• Has a reputation for freelancing
Compared To
• Adam Jones, Cincinnati
• Janoris Jenkins, NYG
Click here to view the embedded video.
Positives
• Strong frame with ability to jam, re-route receivers
• Fast, 4.35 40-yard time at Combine
• Quick twitch to challenge slants
• Smart player who reads routes well
• Solid tackler, willing to support run defense
• Fluid athlete
Negatives
• Torn pectoral muscle could push him down the draft board
• Technique needs refining
• Can get handsy, could lead to penalties at next level
• Limited ball skills
Compared To
• Darqueze Dennard, Cincinnati
Click here to view the embedded video.
Offensive Line
Positives
• Has physicality to outmuscle and engulf defenders – a mauler in the run game
• Was a 3-year starter as a tackle but figures to play guard in the NFL
• Provides versatility and can be move along the line
• Fluid, quick out of his stance
• Experienced in zone and gap schemes
Negatives
• Off field issues – was arrested along with teammate Haasan Reddick stemming from a fight in a Philly nightclub
• Technique needs work
Compared To
• Kyle Long, Chicago
• Joe Barksdale, LA Chargers
• Donovan Smith, Tampa
Click here to view the embedded video.
Positives
• Fundamentally sound blocker
• Maintains balance with minimal waist-bend
• Adept at pulling and squaring up
• Strong punch while keeping his hands inside
• Smart player
Negatives
• Will climb beyond target at second level
• Can struggle v. active defenders
Compared To
• Jack Mewhort, Indianapolis
Click here to view the embedded video.
Inside Linebacker
Positives
• Great athletic build with long limbs
• Can torque to shed blocks and fill gaps
• Hard worker, great character – a leader
• Has a burst that translates to being an effective blitzer
• Physical tackler
• Runs well sideline-to-sideline
Negatives
• Must develop in pass coverage
• Can be reckless when tackling, looking to make the big hit
Compared To
• Shaq Thompson, Carolina
• Philip Wheeler, Atlanta
Click here to view the embedded video.
Positives
• Stout core enables him to anchor and take on blockers
• Powerful hands
• Lateral agility and balance
• Strong tackler when clean
• Reads and reacts well to keys
• Efficient in zone coverage
Negatives
• Slow to disengage from blockers
• Limited change of direction skills are exposed against shifty runners
• Lacks explosiveness to be an effective blitzer
Compared To
• Mason Foster, Washington
Click here to view the embedded video.
The post Ravens in Round 2 appeared first on Russell Street Report | Baltimore Ravens News.