Baltimore Ravens Draft Prospect: Ole Miss OL Laremy Tunsil
By Joe Serpico
The Baltimore Ravens struck gold the last time they used a top pick on a left tackle. Could Laremy Tunsil be the next Jonathan Ogden?
In NFL Network’s mock draft, the Ravens select the Ole Miss left tackle with the No. 6 pick. It’s not a sexy choice, but it would help keep Joe Flacco on his feet after undergoing knee surgery last season.
Tunsil was expected to be the top player taken in this year’s draft until the trade between the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams. Combine that with the Philadelphia Eagles trade with the Cleveland Browns, and the Ravens should get one of the top players in the draft. Whether that is Jalen Ramsey, Myles Jack, DeForest Buckner or Tunsil, the Ravens really cannot go wrong with any of them.
I have previously said that an offensive lineman should not be the pick at No. 6, but few thought that the Ravens would actually be in the position to land Tunsil. I am not sold on Ronnie Stanley from Notre Dame, but if Tunsil is still available and the trio of defensive stars are gone, they have to take him.
Tunsil is a phenomenal athlete for his size. His strength really stands out as he seems to move defenders at will. He has quick feet and great technique to overpower defenders. He uses his hands well and has the speed to get to the second level on running plays. He is an offensive line coach’s dream, and the Ravens have one of the best in Juan Castillo.
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There are some red flags with Tunsil. He suffered a broken fibula in January of 2015 which will scare some teams. Tunsil is known for playing nasty on the field, but it could be a problem off the field as well. He was charged with domestic violence before the start of the 2015 season and was suspended to start the NCAA season. The Ravens have already had their share of domestic violence issues in the past and it did not go well for the team and the league.
The Ravens do have Eugene Monroe already on the roster and he is under contract for three more seasons. He has struggled to stay healthy since signing a $37.5 million contract during the 2014 season, but when he is on the field, he has played well for Baltimore. Ricky Wagner has played well at right tackle, but Tunsil would be an instant upgrade that could take over at left tackle if the Ravens do part ways with Monroe.
Quarterbacks will be the top two picks in this year’s draft, but it’s a guessing game after that. It’s going to be hard for the San Diego Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars to pass up on Tunsil because they have the need on their offensive lines. But if Tunsil is still there with the sixth pick, that likely means Jack, Ramsey and Buckner will be off the board.
Tunsil has the skill set to be a dominating left tackle for years. Baltimore will hope that he is half as good as the franchise’s only player to be enshrined in Canton (two more should be first ballot Hall of Famers when they are eligible). He would give the offensive line a huge boost even if he does not become an elite player like Ogden was.
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When Kelechi Osemele left in the offseason, he said that the Ravens do not value offensive lineman. Selecting Tunsil would prove otherwise.