Post 5 - Who to watch? Combine and Draft Preview

Hello! And welcome to my corner.

As you all know this week is combine week! The start of the draft process and, most importantly, the first stages of the 2015-2016 Season, I'm already excited!

At the end of the last post, I mentioned that I think our biggest needs heading into the off-season are defensive back, receiver and running back.

Here are the players I feel Ravens fans should keep an eye on at the combine:

Defensive Back
  • Adrian Amos, Penn State, FS: More of a cover guy, good in man coverage, great in zone. Versatile. Not great against run, would not be a box safety (that’s when we use Elam). 
  • Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State, FS: Part of the ‘No Fly Zone’. 4 picks and 11 passes defenced in his final year. Excellent ball skills, fairly poor play at the line of scrimmage. Needs better instincts.
  • Derron Smith, Fresno State, FS: Smaller than average. Can play in center field or at the line of scrimmage. 13 picks in 2 years. Could start right away, very willing to work in run game.
  • Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest, CB: Lanky guy (6’1” 175lbs). Great man coverage, good press too. Plays strong, great effort. Fast enough to make up ground (could be good against the likes of Antonio Brown/A.J Green). 
  • Ifo Ekrpe-Olomu, Oregon, CB: Very natural and smooth athlete, good in man and zone coverage. Competitive and willing tackler, very good ball skills. Could play gunner and matchup against quicker guys in the slot (Antonio Brown?).
  • Jalen Collins, LSU, CB: Ideal size, good speed and weight as well. Quick, bouncy feet. Rangy and explosive, can win 50/50’s. Needs technique (only 10 career starts) work (higher ceiling). Could come in and learn, then take over. 

Running Back
  • Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin: The one game of Gordon’s I watched was against Nebraska, he was unbelievable. Reminded me of Jamaal Charles; fast, strong, great once he's gotten to the outside. Can make people miss. If we don’t re-sign Forsett (even if we do) Gordon will be our best back at the end of the season. 
  • Todd Gurley, Georgia: Big, fast, physical, can make people miss, returns kicks, hurdles… what can’t he do? He is an every down back, having used quicker backs, I’d love to see what a Lynch-esque back could do. I also see Le’Veon Bell in him, and we know what he can do in our division.
  • Tevin Coleman, Indiana: Another every down back, with the speed to break big runs (8, 64-yard touchdowns). Violent runner, breaks tackles, mean stiff arm. Very good acceleration. 

Wide Receiver
  • Davante Parker, Louisville: Big target (6’3”, 211lbs). I think he’s very smooth. Very good at adjusting to the ball and winning jump balls and 50/50’s. Not the fastest but nice routes. Reminds me of A.J Green. Might fall to us in the draft as Combine stats may not be as great as Kevin White and Amari Cooper.
  • Jaelen Strong, Arizona State: Big target (6’3”, 215lbs). Very physical but not the best route runner, not the fastest but he’s very good at getting contested catches. Needs work but would be a great compliment to Steve Smith or Torrey Smith.
  • Deandre Smelter, Georgia Tech: The biggest of these three guys (6’3, 222lbs), notice a trend? Very good after the catch and physical. Great football intelligence – leverage and adjustments – and good route speed. Good blocker too. Think he could be a Boldin-esque player.

With player workouts starting Friday it really isn’t long until the first action of 2015 starts, who else is excited?


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