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What Each Ravens Draft Pick Needs To Prove

Posted May 1, 2017

Baltimore is bringing in a talented seven-man class, but the group has work to do to live up to its potential.


The Ravens have picked their 2017 draft class, and now the work begins.

Baltimore has a very talented draft class looking to make a quick impact on the field.

Here’s what each rookie needs to prove, starting at this weekend’s rookie minicamp:

Round 1: CB Marlon Humphrey

Can he cut down on big gains?

Humphrey can shut down an opposing wide receiver at the line of scrimmage with his physical press coverage. What Humphrey will be especially working on is his coverage technique down the field. Humphrey gave up more than 19 yards per completion as a starter, and at times didn’t locate the ball well. The Ravens want to disrupt teams’ quick passing offenses, but the last thing they want is to give up big plays. Humphrey has the speed to hang with anybody; now the 20-year-old could get even better with some refinement.

Round 2: OLB Tyus Bowser

Will he make the most of his athleticism?

Bowser has explosive athletic traits that make him difficult to block around the edge and very effective in coverage. Now he just needs to learn how to best use those tools. The former basketball player can get better with his hands and stronger against the run. If he’s going to turn into a three-down linebacker, he’ll need to be very physical and learn the game more. He should be helped a great deal by veteran Terrell Suggs.

Round 3: DE Chris Wormley, Michigan

Will he turn into a top-notch pass rusher?

Wormley has the size, athleticism and attitude to be a special player. He’s very strong at the point of attack, setting a strong edge and working well off blocks. He has the speed to get to the edge as well. If he’s going to be a dominant NFL player, he’ll have to take the next step as a pass rusher. Wormley had 17.5 sacks in four years at Michigan. He has the tools to translate, or improve on, those numbers in the NFL.

Round 3: OLB Tim Williams, Alabama

Will he become an all-around player?

Williams was almost exclusively a quarterback hunter at Alabama. While that’s a great skill to have, and one the Ravens and every NFL team covets, Williams could take the next step in his development if he improves the other parts of his game. Williams improved as an edge setter at the point of attack during his career, but he still has room to grow.

Round 4: OG Nico Siragusa, San Diego St.

How much position flexibility does he have?

Siragusa started all 41 games over the past three years at left guard. The Ravens would only have an opening there if Alex Lewis moves to right tackle or center. Could Siragusa play center? He said he doesn’t have any experience there outside of backyard football, but is more than willing. Siragusa has a lot of power and can maul opponents in the run game and anchor against strong pass rushers.

Round 5: G/T Jermaine Eluemunor, Texas A&M

Can he become a polished football player?

Eluemunor got a late start to the game as he moved from North London to New Jersey when he was 14 years old. The former soccer and rugby player had to learn the game from scratch, and there were growing pains along the way. Eluemunor has come a long way, but still has a lot to learn. He has the athletic traits and desire, and he got a good foundation from Offensive Line Coach Jim Turner. Now Eluemunor will have to apply the coaching of Joe D'Allesandris to take the next step.

Round 6: Chuck Clark, Virginia Tech

Will he excel on special teams?

Clark was a three-year starter in Virginia Tech’s backfield, but (barring injury) won’t be starting in Baltimore anytime soon with Eric Weddle and Tony Jefferson in place. General Manager Ozzie Newsome said Saturday that the Ravens envision an immediate special teams role for Clark, who had more than 200 tackles the past two years. The question is whether he can become a key cog in the likeness of safety Anthony Levine, for example. Clark was always around the ball in college, and the Ravens will ask him to do the same under Special Teams Coordinator Jerry Rosburg.

Please Note

The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed on BaltimoreRavens.com represent those of individual authors, and unless quoted or clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of the Baltimore Ravens' organization, front office staff, coaches and executives. Authors' views are formulated independently from any inside knowledge and/or conversations with Ravens officials, including the coaches and scouts, unless otherwise noted.

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