Draft Review: Baltimore Ravens
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Selections
Ronnie Staley, OT Notre Dame
Round 1, Pick 6 (6th overall)
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Staley is a solid, safe selection for the Ravens here. Laremy Tunsil was widely regarded as the top OT in the draft but the Ravens passed on him due to character concerns after Bong Gate occurred during the draft. The selection of Staley over Tunsil indicates the type of team that Ozzie Newsome is trying to put together in the aftermath of the Ray Rice fiasco. While it was initially unclear whether Staley would start at LT right out of the gate due to the presence of Eugene Monroe, but the team has since let him go, thus paving the way for Staley’s playing time. His strength right now is in the run game but he has solid footwork and pass protection skills.
Expect him to be an upgrade for the Ravens offense over time, but he will need to grow into the role on the blindside at the NFL level. Given the uncertainty at the running back position for the team, it is difficult to project who may benefit the most from his selection. If he can fend off opposing pass rushers effectively early on, Joe Flacco and the passing game may be the biggest beneficiaries this season. Long term, whoever settles in at running back may stand to gain the most from Staley’s presence.
Chris Moore, WR Cincinnati
Round 4, Pick 9 (107th overall)
Moore profiles as a depth pick in 2016. I consider him to be insurance for if Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman aren’t able to step up to the plate and deliver as the big play speed receivers. He averaged 22 yards per reception over his past two years in college, demonstrating his productivity as a big play receiver. His drawback is that he has a limited route tree. For his long term value to solidify, he will need to round out his game and route tree. There is intrigue with Moore if you can get him at a good value in your dynasty league, but a lot of things have to line up for him to get a real opportunity. Keep an eye on him during camp and look for signs of good work ethic and improving polish. If he can check those boxes, he should earn a roster spot, and his opportunity may come due to injuries later in the year.
Alex Lewis, OT Nebraska
Round 4, Pick 32 (130th overall)
As the second offensive tackle selected in the draft for the Ravens, the commitment to the trenches is obvious. Lewis should add quality depth for the offensive line. Rotoworld has him listed as the #3 LG on their depth charts, so his impact should be minimal early. He has the technical abilities that we look for but he needs to spend time in the weight room to really make an impact against NFL competition for the Ravens.
Kenneth Dixon, RB Louisiana Tech
Round 4, Pick 36 (134th overall)
Kenneth Dixon is an intriguing dynasty running back as his skill set appears to be a near perfect match for Mark Trestman’s offense. The drawback for Dixon is that he is in an apparently crowded backfield. Justin Forsett sits atop the depth chart and turned in an admirable season in 2014, and Buck Allen is behind him with an adequate skill set best suited to receiving. Dixon will need to overcome them to be truly relevant in fantasy. Piling on, the Ravens also have formerly touted prospects Terrance West and Trent Richardson on the offense right now, both of whom were higher draft picks in their respective classes than Dixon was in this one. All of this goes to show that he will have competition from both ahead of him and behind him on the depth chart, leaving no clear path for playing time.
He has the tools necessary after posting an incredible college dominator score and average NFL caliber athleticism for the position. In the event that he does carve out a role, however, expect Dixon to impress and potentially take over a near-featured role if given the touches. His range of outcomes is broader than most seem willing to admit, but the upside is there and the opportunity is theoretically there even in a crowded situation.
Keenan Reynolds, WR Navy
Round 6, Pick 7 (182nd overall)
Reynolds seems like a roster long shot to me unless he can prove himself on special teams. He was an option quarterback in college that switched to running back for the East-West shrine game, and is now listed as a wide receiver for the Ravens. Typically, quarterback conversions do not fare well in the NFL despite the success to varying degrees of Julian Edelman, Antwaan Randle El, and Jerick McKinnon. Far more have failed than succeeded, and as a 6th-round pick by a team with a wide open depth chart at running back and wide receiver, I don’t foresee an offensive role for Reynolds outside of manufactured plays should he manage to make the roster.
Defense
While I am not knowledgeable enough to give IDP analysis worthy of DLF, I do like to take a look at what the team is doing on the other side of the ball to get a better idea of how game scripts may be impacted and what the team is trying to do on the whole with game flow. The Ravens selected four defensive linemen and two cornerbacks in the 2016 NFL draft. Some quick research on NFL.com divulges that many of these lineman have the tools necessary to impact pass rush. The other two picks spent on defense were for cornerbacks, telling me that they have a strategy on defense. I expect to see the Ravens attempt to get back to what they were a few years ago with a fierce pass rush backed up by a ball hawking secondary.
Whether or not they can accomplish it, I factor this into my offensive analysis. If a running back does emerge to take 60% or more of the running back touches, the upside will be immense.
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