Baltimore Ravens: Cornerback is Popular Choice in Second Round
By Joe Serpico
The Baltimore Ravens are in the market for another cornerback and there are several that should be available with their second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The early part of the second round is where many cornerbacks in this year’s draft will hear their names called. The Ravens will be one of the teams that will be keeping an eye on how things play out.
In our mock draft released yesterday, the Ravens select Miami corner Artie Burns. I must be onto something as Garrett Downing of BaltimoreRavens.com believes that Baltimore makes the same pick in his mock draft that was revealed today. Meanwhile, Ryan Mink has Clemson CB Mackensie Alexander as the choice. I have Alexander on my list of players the Ravens should avoid, but the consensus is that a cornerback will be the choice with the 36th pick.
Walter Football, Pro Football Focus and several other mock drafts have the Ravens taking a corner in Round 2. There will be other corners with similar grades still on the board when the Ravens are on the clock. Burns, William Jackson of Houston, Virginia Tech’s Kendall Fuller and Xavien Howard from Baylor could all be in the mix.
Burns is a favorite of mine because not only does he fit the Ravens mold of a bigger corner, but can return kicks. More importantly, he gets his hands on the ball and can take it to the house. Baltimore desperately needs that after recording only six interceptions last season.
It is no secret that the Ravens need more help at corner. Jimmy Smith is the only sure thing on the roster as Lardarius Webb moves to safety and the unfortunate loss of Tray Walker this offseason. That leaves them with Shareece Wright, Kyle Arrington and Will Davis as the only veteran options on the roster.
Wright had a horrific start with the Ravens, but played better down the stretch. Arrington has been a disappointment since joining the team last season. Davis made some plays in his short time with the team, but a knee injury cost him nearly the entire season. At this point in the offseason, we really do not know who will be the man opposite Smith.
There is one thing we all agree on: the Baltimore Ravens need someone they can mold into a starter. They should be able to find one on the second day of the draft.