The Baltimore Ravens hold the No. 16 overall pick in the NFL Draft, and after missing the playoffs in the 2016 season, they are looking to pick several young players that can contribute immediately going into next season. With the draft fast approaching, here are all the latest Ravens rumors you need to know from Chat Sports.
Baltimore targeting Mike Williams in draft?
The Ravens will be hosting Clemson WR Mike Williams on a pre-draft visit, and with a need at the position, he appears to be one of Baltimore's top targets. SB Nation's latest mock draft has him going to the Ravens, with Kyle Barber of Baltimore Beatdown breaking down the fit:
The biggest needs for the Baltimore Ravens include wide receiver, pass rush, and tackle; with Mike Williams dropping to 16, Baltimore Beatdown is thrilled with this pick.
Baltimore needs offensive production. Joe Flacco needs weapons, and it starts with a strong wide receiving corps. As of now, the pass-catchers for Baltimore include only speed receivers and big tight ends. It’s something teams adjusted to by halftime, creating difficulty for the Raven offense to move the chains. With Mike Williams, the Ravens now have a weapon standing 6’4 and 218 pounds. The prototypical size of a star receiver, with a highlight reel of catches in college to flaunt, it’s a no brainer for Baltimore to take a number one receiving prospect.
Over the past few seasons, the Ravens always had a tough receiver with strength and tenacity, from Anquan Boldin to Steve Smith Sr. With Smitty’s retirement, the Ravens need a receiver capable of third down catches and big play ability. We believe Mike is “the guy.” With his youth, Baltimore can pair him with the also-young Breshad Perriman. If both can grow into their potential, the Ravens offense may become more high-flying than previously thought possible.
Williams caught 98 passes for 1,361 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
Takkarist McKinley another target?
Another possibility for the Ravens in the first round is UCLA DE/OLB Takkarist McKinley, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley.
The Baltimore Ravens are taking a closer look at UCLA pass-rusher Takkarist McKinley and his surgically repaired right shoulder.
McKinley is scheduled to visit the Ravens along with the other three teams in the AFC North this week, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. One of the top edge rushers in this draft, McKinley is considered a rising first-round prospect.
Adding a pass-rusher is one of the top priorities for Baltimore. The Ravens ranked 24th in the NFL last season with 31 sacks, and they cut Elvis Dumervil this offseason.
McKinley had 61 tackles with 10 sacks last season.
Terrance West currently RB starter, team looking to upgrade position
Baltimore is looking to upgrade their running back position, and while Terrance West is currently their starter, Hensley reports that they may still add a back in the draft.
West is basically the starter right now by default. Kenneth Dixon has been suspended for the first four games of the 2017 season after violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Danny Woodhead is more of a receiver out of the backfield (he's averaged six carries per game in his last two full seasons). Buck Allen was a healthy scratch for half of last season. And Lorenzo Taliaferro can't stay healthy.
The question is whether West will remain the Ravens' top back. The draft is loaded at running back. There should be three running backs (LSU's Leonard Fournette, Florida State's Dalvin Cook and Stanford's Christian McCaffrey) taken in the first round. Others like Tennessee's Alvin Kamara, Toledo's Kareem Hunt and Clemson's Wayne Gallman will go in the second or third rounds.
The concern is that Baltimore lacks that explosive back on first and second downs like an Ezekiel Elliott or Le’Veon Bell. West has never averaged more than four yards per carry in each of his first three NFL seasons, and he only has seven career runs of 20 yards or more (an average of one every 51.4 carries).
West ran for 774 yards with five touchdowns last season.
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