Jamison Hensley breaks down the 2016 Baltimore Ravens draft class.
Round 1, Pick No. 6 Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame | Highlights
My take: Twenty years after drafting Jonathan Ogden, the Ravens are confident they landed a franchise left tackle who can finally fill his massive shoes. Stanley is experienced (36 starts), technically sound and agile. He's exceptional in pass protection, not allowing more than two pressures in any game this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Stanley is also a strong run-blocker as Notre Dame gained at least 5 yards on 45 percent of its rushes, which was fifth-best in the FBS. This was a timely pick for Baltimore. Quarterback Joe Flacco is coming off a season-ending knee injury and Eugene Monroe has become unreliable as a starter after missing 16 games the past two seasons. He was the sixth-ranked player on the boards for Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay. The most frequent comparison is to D'Brickashaw Ferguson, a three-time Pro Bowler who retired this year.
Rough start to draft: The worst scenario played out in the top five for the Ravens. After quarterbacks were drafted in the first two picks, Baltimore's likely top three ranked players -- Florida State defensive end Jalen Ramsey, Ohio State pass rusher Joey Bosa and Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott -- went in the next three picks. Baltimore tried to trade up to No. 4 to get Ramsey, but Dallas wasn't interested in the Ravens' deal. The Ravens were open to trading down as well and even received inquires before the draft begun. But, when Baltimore was on the clock, the phones never rang. At that point, the Ravens drafted the highest player available on the board, which was Stanley.
End of line for Monroe? Owner Steve Bisciotti named Monroe the starting left tackle in March, but that was before the Ravens used their highest draft pick in 16 years on a left tackle. The addition of Stanley could mean the exit for Monroe, who is making $6.5 million in base salary, which is $1 million more than anyone else on the team this year. The Ravens can create $2.1 million by cutting Monroe before June 1 and $6.5 million after June 1. Monroe played well when he was on the field, but he struggled to remain healthy for the first time in his career. Ravens officials declined to comment on Monroe's future, saying he is still under the care of the medical staff.
Round 2, Pick No. 42: Kamalei Correa, LB, Boise State | Highlights
My take: This is a classic Ravens move. The Ravens knew they valued Correa more than other teams, so they traded down six spots to get two additional picks and the pass-rusher they wanted. The moves down showed the Ravens didn't covet linebacker Myles Jack (No. 36, Jacksonville), pass-rusher Noah Spence (No. 39, Tampa Bay) and linebacker Reggie Ragland (No. 41, Buffalo). Correa is raw but relentless. When you watch him on film, his high motor epitomizes the franchise mantra of "play like a Raven." He's the type of playmaker the Ravens desperately wanted. In his last two seasons, Correa made 19 sacks and 30 tackles for loss. Owner Steve Bisciotti said he wanted a young pass-rusher because Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil are in their 30s. In the middle of the second round, Biscotti got his wish.
No longer a Packers fan: No one was more surprised by getting drafted by the Ravens than Correa himself. He only spoke to Ravens officials once in the pre-draft process and that was at the NFL combine in February. A native of Hawaii, Correa was asked what NFL team he rooted for. "I always was a Green Bay Packers fan," Correa said. "But since April 29, that has changed. I'm a Raven for the rest of my life."
Modeling his game after Clay Matthews: Correa estimated that he played 80 percent of his snaps in college with his hand in the dirt. So, how big of a challenge is it to convert to a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL? Correa says it won't be because of his work ethic. Correa will make his biggest impact coming off the edge in passing situations. He can get to the quarterback in a variety of ways, beating tackles out wide with his speed or to the inside with a power move. Correa said he tries to pattern his game after Packers linebacker Clay Matthews. "He can move within a defensive scheme," Correa said. "He can do multiple things and not just get set on one thing. That’s what I can bring to a team as well.”
Most underrated player: Some analysts projected Correa as a Day 3 pick because he is undersized at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds. But ESPN's Todd McShay disagreed. He called Correa “one of the most underrated players in this year’s draft class” and “a very solid second-rounder.”
Round 3, Pick No. 70: Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU| Highlights
My take: The Ravens chose to go with an underrated defensive end over a much-needed cornerback. Baltimore had a chance to get Virginia Tech's Kendall Fuller or Notre Dame's KeiVarae Russell, both of whom could have competed with Shareece Wright for a starting job or at least served as the No. 3 corner. This marks the third straight year that the Ravens have drafted a defensive lineman in the first three rounds. Kaufusi has a chance to play right away because starting defensive end Chris Canty was cut this offseason. The other defensive ends on the team are: Lawrence Guy, Brent Urban and Kapron Lewis-Moore. Kaufusi is an all-around defender who finished second among 3-4 defensive ends in run-stop percentage and first in pass-rush productivity, according to Pro Football Focus. He also led the nation with four blocked kicks.
24-year-old rookie: Kaufusi is one of the older prospects in this draft. After high school, he went on a two-year LDS Church mission to Auckland, New Zealand. Kaufusi doesn't believe his age is an issue. "To me, it doesn't matter how old you are," he told the Salt Lake Tribune. "This is serious stuff. The best players are going to play. It is not a big concern for me." His wife is the former BYU women's soccer goalie.
Father knows best: BYU recruited Kaufusi as a tight end in 2010, but he switched to defensive end after returning from his Mormon mission. It was a natural move considering his father is former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Steve Kaufusi, who is the longtime defensive line coach at BYU. Kaufusi significantly improved his draft stock this past season, when he broke out with 11 sacks and 20 tackles for loss.
Round 4, Pick No. 104 Tavon Young, CB, Temple | Highlights
My take: Cornerback was perhaps the Ravens' biggest need in the draft, and Baltimore didn't address the position until early in the fourth round. Young is the 18th corner to get drafted. He has the chance to compete with Kyle Arrington and Will Davis for the Ravens' nickel position. He moves well laterally and fits into the slot corner mix, where his toughness will be an asset. What stands out is Young's playmaking skills. As a junior, he led the American Athletic Conference with 153 interception return yards and ran one back for a touchdown.
Senior slump: Young's senior season didn't measure up to his junior campaign. In 2014, he posted a career-high four interceptions and broke up 13 passes. Last year, he didn't have an interception and had seven pass breakups. One reason for the drop-off was left knee surgery before his senior year. The Ravens love players who stand out at the Senior Bowl, and Young showed great break on the ball and closing speed there.
Physical for size: Young fell to the fourth round because he lacks elite size (5-foot-9, 185 pounds). But he is extremely feisty. Young is physical in coverage and doesn't let bigger receivers bully him
around. The challenge for him is to control his style of play, which can lead to getting penalized too often.
Round 4, Pick No. 107: Chris Moore, WR, Cincinnati | Highlights
My take: Joe Flacco can't complain about not having deep threats. The Ravens drafted Breshad Perriman in the first round last year, signed Mike Wallace in free agency last month, and now added one of the most explosive receivers in college. Moore ranked fourth in the FBS last season by averaging 21.8 yards per catch on 40 catches. Of his 815 yards, 445 of them (54.6 percent) came on catches of 20 yards or more, according to Pro Football Focus. His 26 touchdowns set a Cincinnati school record.
One-trick pony: The knock on Moore is that he's too one-dimensional as a receiver. He runs below-average routes and has average hands. But it was too tempting for the Ravens to pass on pairing Moore's elite speed with Flacco's strong arm, especially with the lack of big plays at receiver last season. The Ravens bottomed out as a receiver group in 2015, ranking last in the NFL with a 10.4-yard average per catch.his toughness will be an asset. What stands out is Young's playmaking skills. As a junior, he led the American Athletic Conference with 153 interception return yards and ran one back for a touchdown.
Round 4, Pick 130 Alex Lewis, OT, Nebraska | Highlights
My take: He must prove he has the maturity to play at this level after his off-the-field incidents. Lewis will initially battle James Hurst to be the team's top backup at tackle. There's a chance that Lewis could figure into a starting role in 2017. Rick Wagner, the Ravens' starting right tackle, is entering the final year of his contract. The addition of Lewis could be a pick where the Ravens have an eye on the future.
Off-the-field issues: The Ravens took their biggest character risk of the draft with Lewis. He transferred from Colorado to Nebraska because of an altercation that left an Air Force cadet unconscious. Lewis was eventually sentenced to serve 45 days in jail for third-degree assault. Last season, Lewis faced criticism following a social media rant after a Sept. 19 loss at Miami. Lewis' post was deleted, but per Omaha.com it read in part: "I'm done playing for the state of the Nebraska! You want to blame me for the loss, that's fine! But I have done every thing right to prove I belong and yet you say I'm not a husker! So you want to see what Alex Lewis is about? Then sit back and criticize because I'm going to prove to myself and my family that I am better than these fair weather fans that themselves huskers! You have let loose a storm that the huskers havent seen seen since 95 and you will kiss my feet when im done with you!"
Round 4, Pick 132 Willie Henry, DT, Michigan | Highlights
My take: There's no doubt that the Ravens had the NFL's best scouting report on Henry, who goes from coach Jim Harbaugh at Michigan to coach John Harbaugh in Baltimore. Henry is a versatile defensive lineman who will figure into the rotation of what has become a loaded interior, which includes Brandon Williams, Timmy Jernigan and Carl Davis. He's a three-year starter at Michigan who is known for his motor. The knock on Henry is he needs to develop a mean streak. Last season, he posted career highs with 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Henry becomes only the second Michigan player drafted by the Ravens and the first since Prescott Burgess in the sixth round of the 2007 draft.
Round 4, Pick 134Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech | Highlights
My take: This could prove to be the biggest steal of the Ravens' draft so far. Dixon knows how to get to the end zone. He finished second in NCAA history with 87 touchdowns, trailing only Navy's Keenan Reynolds, and tied the NCAA record with 38 games with a touchdown. The reason why Dixon slipped in the draft is because he has average size, burst and power. But he's patient and has great vision. What makes him more valuable to the Ravens and offensive coordinator Marc Trestman's system is his ability to catch the ball. Pro Football Focus had Dixon as the highest-graded pass-catching running back. Last season, Dixon he rushed for 1,070 yards with 19 touchdowns and added 467 yards and seven touchdowns as a receiver. He has all the characteristics to be a three-down starter in the NFL.
Round 5, Pick 146 Matt Judon, OLB, Grand Valley St. | Highlights
My take: The Ravens continue their theme of improving the team's pass rush. That's what happens when owner Steve Bisciotti says he wants to get younger at that spot.
Judon is a small school player with big numbers. He led all of college football with 20 sacks last season. He has the look of an NFL player, but he is raw from a technique standpoint.
Baltimore has certainly addressed the age at outside linebacker, where Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil are in their 30s. The Ravens drafted Boise State's Kamalei Correa in the second round and added Judon in the fifth. This was the additional pick the Ravens received from the Jacksonville Jaguars to move from No. 36 to No. 38 in the second round.starter in the NFL.
Round 6, Pick 182 Keenan Reynolds, WR, Navy
With the No. 182 pick, the Baltimore Ravens selected Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds in the sixth round.
My take: This is one of the most intriguing late-round picks in Ravens history. Reynolds has the skill set to be an impact returner and could develop into a slot receiver. His strength is getting the ball in space, and he's been working on returning kicks with Brian Mitchell, who is considered one of the best returners in NFL history. As a quarterback for Navy, Reynolds set FBS records for career touchdowns (88) and rushing yards by a quarterback (4,559). This sets up a good training camp battle with other receiver-returners Michael Campanaro and Kaelin Clay.
Service commitment: Reynolds is hoping the Navy allows him to pursue his NFL dream. The Navy gets a five-year service commitment from Reynolds in exchange for his undergraduate education. Reynolds said he is optimistic that he can pursue his NFL dream while honoring his service commitment like Joe Cardona, who is the New England Patriots' long-snapper as well as an active member of the Navy.
Round 6, Pick 202 Maurice Canady, CB, Virginia | Highlights
My take: It's a smart move for the Ravens to address the thinnest position on the team. Canady is an experienced three-year defender who started 33 of 44 games. He has good size (6-foot-1) and fluidity. The Ravens only had five corners before drafting Temple's Tavon Young in the fourth round and Canady in the sixth round.