Baltimore Ravens: Who will be there at No. 6?

The Baltimore Ravens want one of the top defensive players in the 2016 NFL Draft, but several will be selected before they pick at No. 6. Who will still be there when the Ravens are on the clock?

This year’s draft is one of the weaker drafts in recent memories. The talent at wide receiver and defensive tackle is strong, but it is a lot of unknown after that. That is why the Baltimore Ravens are hopeful that one of this year’s top talents is wearing purple and black next season.

This is the highest pick that Ozzie Newsome has had since becoming General Manager of the franchise. He has generally struck gold with his first pick in drafts, but has the opportunity to draft a player that could be the future of the organization. The Ravens track record shows that they usually get the right man when they pick this high.

They actually drafted in the top 10 in the franchise’s first five seasons. They hit the jackpot in their first draft by selecting Jonathan Ogden with the fourth overall pick. Peter Boulware was the fourth overall selection the following season. Two straight seasons of drafting in the 10 spot landed the Ravens Duane Starks and Chris McAlister. A year later, they took Jamal Lewis with the fifth overall pick and he led the ground game that got the Ravens their first Super Bowl win.

Terrell Suggs is the only other top-1o pick in Baltimore history, and he has left his mark on this organization. This franchise is not used to getting top-10 talents, but when they have, they have been impact players for them.

This draft has some players that will make a difference in the NFL. There are nine players in this draft that could be franchise altering. That puts the Ravens in a good spot at No. 6. It’s also obvious that they will miss out on five of those players so that leaves them with just a few players to choose from.

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Judging by the “experts” they have little chance of getting Laremy Tunsil or Jalen Ramsey. Tunsil has a change to be Ogden-esque, but offensive tackle is not a dire need for the Ravens as many are saying. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees would love to have Ramsey in his defense, and if he is somehow there at six, Baltimore will sprint to the podium to turn their draft card in.

While those two are almost guaranteed not to be available, its fair game after that. Joey Bosa and DeForest Buckner are 1A/B as the top defensive end in this draft and could be there. Myles Jack is a freakish athlete that would be phenomenal next to C.J. Mosley. These are all guys Pees would love to add to his team.

The Cleveland Browns decision to bring in Robert Griffin could take one of these players away from the Ravens. Many believed that the Browns would draft a quarterback with the second pick, but their draft plans could change with Griffin on board.

Some mock drafts even have the Dallas Cowboys possibly selecting a QB with their first pick. Do not buy into that hype. Jerry Jones might be insane, might he is not stupid enough to take a quarterback so high with Tony Romo still playing at a high level.

That makes it possible that the five players named above will all be gone by No. 6 if no quarterback is taken, and recent mock drafts have this scenario being likely. That leaves the Ravens with a thinning group to select from.

Ronnie Stanley is getting some buzz as the potential pick, but I just cannot see the Ravens going offensive lineman in the first round with some good players still likely to be available with their second pick. This team needs a playmaker with this pick and you are not getting that with an offensive lineman.

Vernon Hargreaves is the top cover corner in this draft and is the pick in our mock draft. He makes the most sense for the Ravens because they finished last in interceptions last season and Hargreaves has a knack for getting his hands on the ball. 

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There are three other players that I feel would make an instant impact for the Ravens, but not sure if they are worthy of the sixth pick. Laquon Treadwell is a fan favorite because this team needs playmakers on offensive as well. Baltimore is basically getting a second first-round pick this year with Breshad Perriman coming back.

Some are calling Ezekiel Elliott the next Adrian Peterson which could be tempting for any franchise. Every team is looking for a running back of that talent, but the Ravens have plenty of options at running back as well.

Reggie Ragland is another inside linebacker from Alabama so Ozzie obviously has his eyes on him. Pairing him with Mosley would be a dream come true for Newsome: two Bama linebackers terrorizing offenses for the next decade. It is just a dream though.

This is an important season for this franchise. They made a splash in free agency and now have the opportunity to bring in a franchise changer in this draft. Ozzie will not accept another losing season and is doing what he can to get his team back into the playoffs.

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The Ravens can go multiple ways with the top pick and are in a position of power as well. Trading back might be the best move depending on what quarterback needy teams are willing to offer. The most important thing is that they come out of this draft with a player that makes this team better right away.