2015 NFL Draft Grades For The Baltimore Ravens

It’s amazing how NFL franchises that tend to draft at the bottom of the first round keep finding success, keep drafting at the end of the round and keep feeding this counterintuitive cycle of excellence. The Ravens are not exempt from this club, but did 2015 continue to mesh within Baltimore’s well-oiled draft machine?

2015 NFL Draft Grades For The Baltimore Ravens

It’s amazing how NFL franchises that tend to draft at the bottom of the first round keep finding success, keep drafting at the end of the round and keep feeding this counterintuitive cycle of excellence. The Ravens are not exempt from this club, but did 2015 continue to mesh within Baltimore’s well-oiled draft machine?

Round 1 (No. 26): Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida

If dropping passes in football is like “trouble with the curve” in baseball, then Breshad Perriman may flounder in the league. But there are reasons Perriman could prosper: 4.25 40-yard speed, a 6-foot-3, 209 pound frame and now a chip on his shoulder. For a late first-round pick with a little anger on his side, I give this pick a good mark.

Grade: A-

Round 1 (No. 26): Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida

If dropping passes in football is like “trouble with the curve” in baseball, then Breshad Perriman may flounder in the league. But there are reasons Perriman could prosper: 4.25 40-yard speed, a 6-foot-3, 209 pound frame and now a chip on his shoulder. For a late first-round pick with a little anger on his side, I give this pick a good mark.

Grade: A-

Round 2 (No. 55): Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota

According to NBC Sports Pro Football Talk, the Ravens may have traded up to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in drafting Maxx Williams. I hate making decisions based on speculation, even if this is speculation in and of itself and even if it’s a way to get stronger by keeping your enemies down. Yet Williams was a player projected to the first round, and in that essence the former Minnesota Gophers TE was a steal.

Grade: B+

Round 2 (No. 55): Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota

According to NBC Sports Pro Football Talk, the Ravens may have traded up to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in drafting Maxx Williams. I hate making decisions based on speculation, even if this is speculation in and of itself and even if it’s a way to get stronger by keeping your enemies down. Yet Williams was a player projected to the first round, and in that essence the former Minnesota Gophers TE was a steal.

Grade: B+

Round 3 (No. 90): Carl Davis, DT, Iowa

Carl Davis has beautiful size. Yes, size can be beautiful when you’re talking NFL Draft prospects. There’s a lot of dissent against Davis’ ability to rush the passer, but as a third-round project pick, don’t forget that the Ravens retrieved a 325-pound tackle.

Grade: B

Round 3 (No. 90): Carl Davis, DT, Iowa

Carl Davis has beautiful size. Yes, size can be beautiful when you’re talking NFL Draft prospects. There’s a lot of dissent against Davis’ ability to rush the passer, but as a third-round project pick, don’t forget that the Ravens retrieved a 325-pound tackle.

Grade: B

Round 4 (No. 122): Za’Darius Smith, DE, Kentucky

Za’Darius Smith’s stock hurdled low expectations through a strong performance in the East-West Shrine Game, in which Smith earned defensive MVP honors. Unfortunately this may be the peak of Smith’s football career, and will have to rely on more heart than upside to just make it through training camp.

Grade: D

Round 4 (No. 122): Za’Darius Smith, DE, Kentucky

Za’Darius Smith’s stock hurdled low expectations through a strong performance in the East-West Shrine Game, in which Smith earned defensive MVP honors. Unfortunately this may be the peak of Smith’s football career, and will have to rely on more heart than upside to just make it through training camp.

Grade: D

Round 4 (No. 125): Javorius Allen, RB, USC

Is Javorius Allen the next great NFL running back to come out of USC? 4.53 in the 40, 35.5 inches in the vertical, Allen appears to own the requisite explosion. If Allen can learn to run more patiently in the NFL, Justin Forsett may get a few more breathers.

Grade: B+

Round 4 (No. 125): Javorius Allen, RB, USC

Is Javorius Allen the next great NFL running back to come out of USC? 4.53 in the 40, 35.5 inches in the vertical, Allen appears to own the requisite explosion. If Allen can learn to run more patiently in the NFL, Justin Forsett may get a few more breathers.

Grade: B+

Round 4 (No. 136): Tray Walker, CB, Texas Southern

Tray Walker is a day-three enigma. We see that Walker has decent size (6-foot-2, 180 pounds), but performed poorly in the 40 (4.53 and 4.54) on his pro day. Walker grabbed seven picks over three seasons with Texas Southern, but this mystery man will take longer to evaluate as pro-ready.

Grade: B-

Round 4 (No. 136): Tray Walker, CB, Texas Southern

Tray Walker is a day-three enigma. We see that Walker has decent size (6-foot-2, 180 pounds), but performed poorly in the 40 (4.53 and 4.54) on his pro day. Walker grabbed seven picks over three seasons with Texas Southern, but this mystery man will take longer to evaluate as pro-ready.

Grade: B-

Round 5 (No. 171): Nick Boyle, TE, Delaware

I wonder if Nick Boyle and Joe Flacco know each other as another Blue Hen attempts to make it in Baltimore. But Will Nick Boyle make it? I don’t think so. The Ravens drafted toward their needs with Maxx Williams in the second round and I just don’t think Boyle’s 5.04, 40-yard speed can be improved or will help Boyle thrive in the NFL.

Grade: C-

Round 5 (No. 171): Nick Boyle, TE, Delaware

I wonder if Nick Boyle and Joe Flacco know each other as another Blue Hen attempts to make it in Baltimore. But Will Nick Boyle make it? I don’t think so. The Ravens drafted toward their needs with Maxx Williams in the second round and I just don’t think Boyle’s 5.04, 40-yard speed can be improved or will help Boyle thrive in the NFL.

Grade: C-

Round 5 (No. 176): Robert Myers, G, Tennessee State

Yet another compensatory pick, Robert Myers is a raw talent almost in the same breath as Michael Oher. Good size and long arms will hopefully go a long way in getting Myers onto the 53-man roster.

Grade: B+

Round 5 (No. 176): Robert Myers, G, Tennessee State

Yet another compensatory pick, Robert Myers is a raw talent almost in the same breath as Michael Oher. Good size and long arms will hopefully go a long way in getting Myers onto the 53-man roster.

Grade: B+

Round 6 (No. 204): Darren Waller, WR, Georgia Tech

Darren Waller is all size and upside. At 6-foot-6, it appears Waller is still growing into both his skill set and body. I see a lot of improvement coming out of Waller, but only if Baltimore is willing to be patient enough to develop this wideout that spans a TE's frame.

Grade: A

Round 6 (No. 204): Darren Waller, WR, Georgia Tech

Darren Waller is all size and upside. At 6-foot-6, it appears Waller is still growing into both his skill set and body. I see a lot of improvement coming out of Waller, but only if Baltimore is willing to be patient enough to develop this wideout that spans a TE's frame.

Grade: A