The Baltimore Ravens hold the No. 26 pick in the 2015 NFL draft. Over the next two weeks, the Ravens blog will take a quick look at 10 prospects who might be available and be a fit for Baltimore at that spot. We continue with a cornerback who hasn't generated much buzz with the Ravens as a first-round pick.
Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut
Chances he's available at No. 26: Very good. Most projections have Jones going anywhere from late first round to the middle of the second round. The Ravens could see Jones as one of the players they would trade up for in the second round. But if there is an early run on corners, Jones might have value at No. 26. He has prototypical size (6-foot-1, 199 pounds) for the position.
Why he'd be a good pick for the Ravens: Jones is an extremely safe pick. He's a smart, athletic and tough prospect with high character. He wowed teams at the NFL combine with a world-record broad jump. But he is surprisingly physical for a gifted athlete. On film, Jones showed that he could play press and hold his own against bigger receivers. He is also a reliable tackler. Assistant general manager Eric DeCosta said he wanted toughness out of his cornerbacks, and Jones inspires teammates by his willingness to play hurt. Jones is a quiet but strong leader who has been referred to as "Senator Jones" by teammates. The Ravens need to upgrade their depth at cornerback and can use Jones immediately as their nickelback. Jones could be given a chance to start as soon as 2016 because Jimmy Smith is entering the final year of his contract and Lardarius Webb could be a cap cut next offseason.
Why he wouldn't: There are durability concerns. Jones injured his left shoulder in the summer of 2014 and re-injured it seven games into last season, which ended his year. With the injury history of Smith and Webb, the Ravens can't afford another corner who misses chunks of games during a season. Some scouts see Jones as an average playmaker (eight career interceptions) who will struggle in man coverage, which is what the Ravens typically play.
Extra point: Steve Muench, of Scouts, Inc., named Jones the best athlete of the 2015 draft class.