Team-by-Team Draft Recap: Baltimore Ravens
This article is part of our ongoing series where we provide team-by-team analysis and veteran divisional winners and losers from the NFL Draft. You can read the entire series here.
The Ravens used their first three picks in the draft to address each level of their defense by selecting linebacker C.J. Mosley in the first round, defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan in the second round and safety Terrence Brooks in round three. They did add some depth for Joe Flacco and the rest of the Baltimore offense later in the draft. We’ll cover those selections in today’s draft review.
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Crockett Gillmore, TE
Most draft pundits didn’t expect Gillmore to be selected until at least round five, but Ozzie Newsome thought he was one of the top-100 prospects in the draft, so he took him in round three at #99 overall.
Until a few weeks ago, I had never seen Gillmore play. From what I’ve seen from the limited amount of highlights I found online, he’s a high motor player who gives great effort as a blocker and has good hands as a receiver. Although those are excellent traits to have in a tight end (especially in a reserve), there are weaknesses in his game as well – primarily his route running, which could use some refinement and his overall speed which will limit his effectiveness as a pass catcher for both the Ravens and dynasty owners.
Because of his size (6’6” and 260 pounds), vertical jump (33.5 inches), blocking ability and good hands, there are things for Ravens fans to be excited about when it comes to Gillmore’s potential to contribute in Baltimore. Due to the depth at the position for the Ravens, his lack of athleticism and injury history, dynasty owners should look to other tight ends when considering a developmental prospect.
With the 29-year old Dennis Pitta poised to become the primary receiving threat at the position for the Ravens as well as a TE1 for fantasy purposes and Owen Daniels in town to back him up, Gillmore is most likely a couple years away from contributing on anything other than special teams in Baltimore. He isn’t being considered by fantasy owners in even the deepest rookie drafts and there’s no reason for that to change.
Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB
There isn’t a position in fantasy football that depends on situation more than running back and over the last year, a good case can be made there hasn’t been a running back situation that has changed as much as the one in Baltimore.
In that time, Ray Rice has gone from a premier NFL and fantasy running back who averaged nearly 1,900 all-purpose yards per season and ten touchdowns over the previous four seasons to a tailback who struggled to average three yards per carry and was hardly useful as an RB3 for much of last year. Then during this off-season, Rice found his way into some trouble with that law that also has dynasty owners scratching their heads.
Meanwhile, Rice’s once promising backup Bernard Pierce had his own hardships on the field in 2013. He carried 152 times for only 436 yards (2.9 yards per carry) and just two touchdowns on the season, struggling through injuries to his hamstring, knee and foot throughout the season. He also had surgery on his shoulder after the year ended to repair a torn rotator cuff. Only 24-years old with a season where he averaged 4.9 yards per carry already under his belt, Pierce has great upside, but 2013 certainly brought questions about his ability to handle the workload of a starting tailback, which could open the door for another runner.
As for Taliaferro, he’s an interesting prospect. He’s not particularly fast or quick and has limitations as a runner on the perimeter but projects as a quality runner inside the tackles. He has excellent patience, always waiting for his blocks to develop and packs a punch when met by defenders in the hole. Scouts have also raved about his blocking in pass protection and his hands as a pass catcher, but finding video with any evidence of such is very difficult.
Due to pending legal issues Rice is facing as well as the relatively serious nature of the surgery Pierce just had on his shoulder, there could very well be a golden opportunity in Baltimore’s backfield as early as week one this year. Rice is facing a suspension to start the season and Pierce could be limited and may not be a three-down back. In any case, Taliaferro certainly has the skillset to fill in even if both tailbacks ahead of him on the depth chart are healthy and active come September as a third-down and goal line back. Dynasty owners should also keep in mind that Ravens head coach John Harbaugh raved about him in minicamp.
Right now, Taliaferro’s being picked in the middle of the fifth round in rookie drafts. With everything in Baltimore looking as if there may be an opportunity for a tailback not named Rice or Pierce, he’s well worth the cost.
Keith Wenning, QB
With only Tyrod Taylor on the roster behind Joe Flacco, there may be an opening for a backup quarterback in Baltimore this off-season. Considering the unimpressive numbers Taylor has posted in his limited action over the last three seasons in both the preseason and regular season, the door may be wide open for Wenning to take the job. That said, dynasty owners should look elsewhere for a developmental quarterback prospect.
Wenning was a four-year starter at Ball State. He grades out well when it comes to his work ethic and leadership, but possesses average skills as a professional quarterback prospect. When in the pocket, he has good feet to avoid the rush, but his arm strength is very suspect and his accuracy is not good enough – especially when throwing down the field.
Overall, Wenning has a chance to win a roster spot for the Ravens considering the lack of talent behind Flacco on Baltimore’s depth chart, but he shouldn’t have a roster spot on any dynasty teams – not even in the deepest leagues.
Mike Campanaro, WR
As far as seventh round picks go, Camponaro ranks behind only Jeff Janis of the Packers as names to keep an eye on for dynasty owners. There are weaknesses to his game including his lack of speed and his sometimes questionable route running, but there are also things to like about him. He’s only 5’9” and 190 pounds, but he has good hands and very good quickness off the line of scrimmage which is perfect for a player who will primarily be asked to run drags, quick out routes and slants.
Most likely, Campanaro will have to cut his teeth on special teams to make the roster in Baltimore, but due to the lack of playmakers at the position for the Ravens and his potential to develop his slot skills, there is a chance he could develop into a useful fantasy asset – although it will likely take more than a year to recognize that potential. Campanaro is currently being picked in the late fifth round of rookie drafts. At that point, there are worse lottery tickets that dynasty owners in deep leagues could buy into.
Follow me on Twitter: @dmeylor22
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