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Baltimore Ravens: Keenan Reynolds of Navy is an Intriguing Choice

By Joe Serpico

Dec 28, 2015; Annapolis, MD, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds (19) rushes for his third touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Navy-Marine Corps. Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2015; Annapolis, MD, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds (19) rushes for his third touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Navy-Marine Corps. Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Ravens drafted one of college football all-time best players in Keenan Reynolds of Navy. Where does he fit in on offense?

The Ravens drafted two of the most prolific players in college football history on the final day of the draft. Keenan Reynolds holds FBS records in career touchdowns (88) and rushing yards by a quarterback (4,559). Where he plays in the NFL remains to be seen.

By adding Reynolds and Kenneth Dixon (87 career TDs) in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Ravens have the top two players in FBS history in touchdowns. Reynolds was a quarterback while at Navy, which used the triple option. Reynolds rarely threw the ball for the Midshipmen, but every play was in his hands. He was so prolific for Navy that he was in the running to become the Heisman Trophy winner this season, but was snubbed in the voting.

What makes Reynolds an interesting prospect is his ability to make defenders miss in open space. He forced 23 missed tackles this season, despite not breaking many tackles. He has great vision inside the numbers, and has a terrific sense of knowing when to make the cut into the hole.

There are some causes for concern as he transfer into the NFL game. Reynolds will have to prove that he is capable of being effective in the passing game. He also has issues holding onto the football, coughing up the ball 32 times and 18 of those fumbles recovered by the defense. Ravens fans know that putting the football on the ground is the quickest way into John Harbaugh’s doghouse.

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What makes the choice hard to understand is that the Ravens are loaded with talent at the running back position. They already drafted Dixon earlier in the day, and still have Justin Forsett, Javorius Allen, Lorenzo Taliaferro, Terrance West and Trent Richardson on the roster. Clearly, not all of these guys are going to make the team. It makes you wonder if the team plans to make Forsett a post June 1 cut.

Reynolds is a good football player with the intelligence to make it in the NFL. How the Ravens – or another team with the numbers at running back – plan to use him will go a long way into whether his skill set makes an impact. If he shows that he is capable as a kick returner, that will add to his value.

Offensive coordinator Marc Trestman needed more playmakers and Ozzie Newsome has brought them in this offseason. Trestman has no excuses now and things must be better in his second season with the Ravens.

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As a local talent from Navy, Baltimore fans will be rooting for Reynolds. If he can put up the same production in the NFL as he did in college, he will make a name for himself in the league.

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