Team-by-Team Draft Reviews: Ravens and Colts

Brian Bulmer Posted On May 20, 2015

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The Colts and Ravens have been two of the most successful NFL franchises since the early 2000’s. Bill Polian (Colts) and Ozzie Newsome (Ravens) have built great teams through the draft for many years as General Managers of their respective teams. Ozzie Newsome continues to be a master of talent evaluation and current Colts GM Ryan Grigson has had his share of success and failure. From “the Mayflower” to “the Move” both organizations have found success in their new cities and have a nice balance of veteran leadership and young talent. Let’s take a look at the new faces in Baltimore and Indianapolis.

Baltimore Ravens

Breshad Perriman, WR (Round 1, Pick 26 overall)

The selection of Perriman out of University of Central Florida (UCF) in round one fulfilled a need for the Ravens following the departure of Torrey Smith to San Francisco. Perriman should see immediate playtime in an offense now directed by new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman. Trestman has a history of “airing” out the football and receiving tandem Steve Smith and Perriman, along with rookie tight end Maxx Williams, will be the primary beneficiaries.

Perriman is known for his speed, running a swift 4.24 and 4.27 forty yard dash at his pro day. He knows how to stretch a defense and at 6’2”, 215 pounds he can use his size to win by shielding defenders and winning at the catch point. The UCF product is a size-speed specimen that has been compared to Josh Gordon on the field (not off the field). He is still a raw route runner along with questionable hands but is far from a finished product.

Perriman is in a great situation to start right away in Baltimore. He also has an opportunity to learn from a crafty, tough veteran in teammate Steve Smith. In short, Perriman is a great fit in a pass happy offense. Joe Flacco has a new toy and I am sure the Ravens will utilize him early and often.

Maxx Williams, TE (Round 2, Pick 55 overall)

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Williams was lauded by many draft experts and pundits as the top tight end of the draft. The Ravens moved up three spots in the second round to secure the former Golden Gopher. He has the size and catch radius wanted in a move tight end. He can work the seam and beat linebackers with his speed and also win with his size in the red zone.

The Ravens have a versatile player in Williams and will be able to move him around the formation and use him inline and spread out – this means he has potential to put up strong numbers as a pass catcher for fantasy football owners. Dennis Pitta is still recovering from his second hip fracture and Williams should see immediate playing time and could quickly become Joe Flacco’s favorite target.

Javorius Allen, RB (Round 4, Pick 125 overall)

Javorius “Buck” Allen was drafted in round four to an offense lacking depth at the running back position. Allen was a productive running back for USC last season. In fact, he finished eighth in the NCAA in yards from scrimmage last season among all collegiate running backs. He is a complete back who can get downhill on his runs, has some wiggle and can catch passes. Trestman likes a complete back (See Matt Forte’s 102 receptions last season) and Allen could be a productive back in a Trestman offense.

When looking at the Ravens running back situation, they have an aging Justin Forsett. He will be 29 heading into the 2015 season and the depth chart behind him is thin. Lorenzo Taliaferro, a fourth round pick out of Coastal Carolina is Allen’s only competition to be Forsett’s backup. Allen is also solid in pass protection and gives Joe Flacco another weapon in the passing game. He needs to be a more physical runner, but he could develop into a solid back for the Ravens in goal-line and third down situations and may get opportunities early if he can prove himself in camp.

Nick Boyle, TE (Round 5, Pick 171 overall)

The Ravens added another tight end when they selected Delaware product Nick Boyle in the fifth round of the draft. Boyle was invited to the Senior Bowl after a decent 2014 season. The Ravens needed an additional tight end for added depth in case Dennis Pitta does not return. Boyle’s upside at this point would be as a #2 tight end on an NFL roster.

Darren Waller, WR (Round 6, Pick 204 overall)

Marc Trestman likes big wide receivers and Waller is just that. Standing at 6’6” and 240 pound, Waller is a size/speed freak that may convert to tight end or could be a move pass-catching tight end for the Ravens. Waller played in a run heavy offense at Georgia Tech. He is very raw as a wide receiver with solid hands (caught 26 of 26 catchable balls according to @PFF) and could develop into a solid perimeter wide receiver and red zone threat. Waller gets added to a roster with an aging Steve Smith, Marlon Brown, Kamar Aiken, and Michael Campanaro. If Waller lands on the roster, he could develop into a nice big target for Joe Flacco.

Indianapolis Colts

Phillip Dorsett (Round 1, Pick 29 overall)

Dorsett comes to an explosive Colts offense complete with many weapons. He gives the Colts depth at the wide receiver position and also adds a KR/PR to the roster. Dorsett has elite speed, can cover ground quickly and can make tough catches in the seam and over the middle of the field. Dorsett does have a tendency to break his routes off too quick, but when he makes the catch he eats yards up at an astronomical pace.

Ten of Dorsett’s 36 catches in 2014 went for touchdowns additionally more than half of his catches went for over 25 yards per catch. He is absolutely explosive and a home run threat every time he touches the football. Dorsett was also a high school track athlete and ran track at Miami. He has been able to transfer that speed from the track to the football field with relative ease. He seems effortless in his ability to run away from defenders and he also possesses fantastic body control throughout catches.

Dorsett was used all over the field at Miami. He works particularly well out of the slot creating mismatches against linebackers and safeties. He is tough enough and fast enough to create separation on the outside and can eat up cushion in a hurry. Dorsett is a special talent with elite physical ability and he could be very special in the Colts offense.

Josh Robinson (Round 6, Pick 205 overall)

Robinson stands 5’8” and weighs in at nearly 220 lbs. He reminds me of a former Colts nemesis, Maurice Jones-Drew in stature alone. Robinson is a strong running back who has soft hands and can pick up tough yards due to low center of gravity. Robinson lacks vision and will need time to develop as a running back. He is a decent #2 running back, but may never be much more than that on the Colts roster.

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