Ozzie Newsome, John Harbaugh and Eric Decosta will make the annual trip to Indianapolis next week for the NFL Combine. Assistant coaches, including Bobby Engram and Chris Hewitt will
also be on hand to evaluate talent for the Baltimore Ravens.
The 2017 NFL Draft is the opportunity for the Ravens to replace some of the key pieces lost to free agency and retirement. Steve Smith Sr. has officially moved on to the next chapter of his life.
The veteran receiver will now serve as an analyst for NFL Network.
Zach Orr was forced to retire after a neck injury revealed a condition that could have caused paralysis and there is a good chance that standout defensive tackle Brandon Williams may receive a significant free agent offer to play elsewhere.
The Ravens brass is now charged with finding players that can fill the gaps and help the team get back to the playoffs after a two-year absence.
Baltimore has the No. 16 pick, which will give the team access to a difference maker. The Ravens have found plenty of success drafting players in the later rounds as well.
Here are five players to watch for the Ravens:
John Ross | 5-foot-11, 190 pounds |WR | Washington:
The Ravens have possessed the need for speed over the last few years. It was a major factor in their selection of Breshad Perriman in 2015 and a big reason why they signed Mike Wallace last year. Ross has plenty of speed, which will be on display at the Combine. He has reportedly blazed a 4.30 time in the forty-yard dash already. Ross’ speed combined with Joe Flacco’s big arm
would give the Ravens the ability to score from anywhere on the field.
Joe Williams | 5-foot-11, 205 pounds | RB | Utah
Williams is a home run threat at running back that instantly provides a jolt to the team’s speed. Selecting the senior running back gives the Ravens a player that has the grit to run the ball inside as well the acceleration to get outside and turn the corner on stretch plays. The senior running back has overcome a lot and developed a great deal of mental toughness as a result. If the Ravens interview Williams at the Combine, they will come away thoroughly impressed with how mature he is.
Montravious Adams | 6-foot-3, 308 pounds | DT | Auburn
Adams is an option for the Ravens if they lose Williams or fellow defensive tackle Lawrence Guy to free agency. The Auburn senior has violent hands and is a disruptive player in the middle of the defensive line. Baltimore places heavy stock in players they see at the Senior Bowl. Adams was a standout during the week of practices. His athleticism and agility will show in the bag drills.
Haasan Reddick | 6-foot-1, 230 pounds | LB | Temple
Speaking of Senior Bowl performances, Reddick put on one of the best performances in Mobile. Having played defensive end at Temple, Reddick needed to show that he is able to drop
back into coverage as part of his conversion to linebacker. Reddick showed that he is more than capable of handling the change. He also dominated in pass rushing drills. The
Ravens could select Reddick to fill the void left by Orr’s retirement.
Marlon Humphrey | 6-foot-1, 200 pounds | CB | Alabama
A list of Ravens prospects is never complete without a player from Alabama on the card. Having played for Alabama, Ozzie Newsome always has his eyes on the talent that is coming out of Tuscaloosa. Humphrey has NFL bloodlines. His father, Bobby was a running back for the Denver Broncos in the 1990s. The athletic defensive back is going to excel in all of the drills at the Combine. His toughness on the field will be an attractive trait for the Ravens as they continue to add to their secondary.