Baltimore Ravens: Players to Watch During NFL Scouting Combine

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Secondary

The Ravens secondary was the team’s biggest weakness in 2015. They got off to a horrific start, but were surprisingly one of the top pass defenses in the final half of the season. However, if you watched the games, you saw how often they were beat in coverage and need help at both corner and safety. They have been linked to Ramsey for much of the offseason and he would be a starter for Baltimore on the first day. Ramsey is one of the best hybrid players to enter the drafting recent memory and most around the league feel he will be a star in no time.

We have highlighted two other safeties that the Ravens could target in Jeremy Cash of Duke and Clemson’s Jayron Kearse. They also could go with Hargreaves, the top cover corner in this draft and plug him in opposite Jimmy Smith. With Lardarius Webb moving to safety, it’s going to up to the team whether they want to go with a safety early, or address the vacancy that will be left by Webb. Here are some players that would make solid additions to the Ravens secondary:

Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) is unable to complete a pass while being defended by Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Eli Apple (13) during the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Apple is a physical corner that the Ravens typically covet in their defense. Ohio State would leave him on an island for much of the game and he did a terrific job of staying with his receiver. Where Apple really makes his mark is his ability to quickly change direction and make plays on the football. Baltimore finished last in interceptions in 2015 and need a player that is a threat to take it to the house when he gets his hands on the ball.

Jalen Mills, S, LSU

Oct 11, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jalen Mills (28) rushes against the Florida Gators during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Mills started every game in his LSU career and made a habit of making big plays for Les Miles defense. He has the ability to cover players in the slot and packs a punch to receivers coming over the middle. Where he does struggle is in run support as he has a tendency to take the wrong angle to the ball carrier. The Ravens already have a solid run defense so they don’t need a player to make plays in the box. They need Mills to make plays in coverage and cause turnovers.

Artie Burns, CB, Miami

Nov 1, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Artie Burns (1) sacks North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Marquise Williams (12) during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Burns is another player to watch to potentially break Chris Johnson‘s 40-yard-dash mark as the former Hurricane is a record-breaking hurdler. He has long arms that allows him to get into defenders at the snap and has the hands to turn bad passes into turnovers. Burns also has the ability to be a factor in the return game, a position that the Ravens don’t have a permanent fixture at this time.

Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech

Dec 27, 2014; Annapolis, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Mekale McKay (2) catches a passes as Virginia Tech Hokies cornerback Kendall Fuller (11) defends during the third quarter of the 2014 Military Bowl at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Virginia Tech Hokies defeated Cincinnati Bearcats 33-17. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Fuller comes from a family tree that includes current professionals Kyle Fuller (Bears) and Corey Fuller (Lions). He enters the draft with some question marks as his junior season was cut short due to a season-ending knee injury, but has shown the ability to be effective in coverage. Like his brothers, he has a good mix of size and speed, and should be available in the second or third round.

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