Baltimore Ravens: Playmakers Must Be Focus on Day Two

The Baltimore Ravens made the safe pick by drafting Ronnie Stanley in the first round. They must come away with some playmakers on the second day of the 2016 NFL Draft.

It was a move that was not popular, but it makes sense for the Ravens. Their franchise quarterback is coming off the biggest injury of his career and they want to keep him healthy. Ronnie Stanley is a player Ozzie Newsome and the front office can protect Joe Flacco for years to come.

Now they need to get some players that make an impact in a game.

The second day of the draft could be the more important draft picks of this season as Baltimore looks for guys that can make things happen. Whether it’s cornerbacks, pass rushers or wide receivers, the Ravens have to exit the day with some explosive players.

A player that many Ravens fans wanted heading in the first round of the draft is available. UCLA linebacker Myles Jack is still on the board after concerns have arrived about the status of his knee injury. Depending on how the Ravens doctors feel about his knee, he could be the choice with the 36th pick.

Another name floating around as a possible fit is Eastern Kentucky pass rusher Noah Spence. On the field, he is a monster. But if you were laughing about Laremy Tunsil and the video of him smoking from a gas mask, Spence is even worse. He failed drug tests while at Ohio State for much stronger drugs than marijuana. His past is the reason why he is on our list of players to avoid.

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Artie Burns was a favorite of mine heading into the draft, but the Pittsburgh Steelers snatched him away with their first pick. With William Jackson and Eli Apple also off the board, the group of cornerbacks expected to be available in the early part of the second round has diminished. Clemson corner Mackensie Alexander is someone the Ravens could look at No. 36, but is another name I’ve said the team should avoid.

Several wide receivers heard their name called in the first round, but there were no real surprises there. Sterling Shepard is still available and is a player I have clamored for months that the Ravens need to exit this draft with. There are also two wide receivers from Ohio State – who is crushing the draft, by the way – in Michael Thomas and Braxton Miller that many teams are interested in.

Keep a look out for the many guys from Alabama that are still available for Ozzie Newsome. Running back Derrick Henry is someone they Ravens could be keeping tabs on, but it’s hard to see how that move makes sense with so many running backs already on the roster. Cyrus Jones could be an option at No. 70 as a nickel corner that also can return kicks. Reggie Ragland, Jarren Reed and A’Shawn Robinson are long shots because the Ravens have talent at those positions, but wouldn’t be much of a shock if any ended up in purple and black.

There are still several fantastic prospects for the Ravens to choose from at 36 and 70. With four picks in the fourth round also available to them, moving up a few picks to get their man could also be in the works. All that matters is that they get guys who strike some fear in their opponents.

Next: Ronnie Stanley the Right Choice for the Ravens?

They say the game is won in the trenches, so we will give the front office a pass in taking an offensive lineman with the first pick. Now they need players that can turn plays into points on both sides of the ball.

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