*Update - There apparently is a more comprehensive list floating around. Check it out. Thanks to MaLor for sharing.
It is no surprise that the Ravens will be doing their homework before the draft on Thursday April 30th. Some of that includes bringing in players for visits and workouts. While the list isn't official as the Ravens would like to keep a hat on things and surprise the other teams around them, we do have an unofficial list of players that have made the pilgrimage to Baltimore to be looked over.
Before we look at the list, it is important to note that the Ravens do have needs at a few positions and some of the visits will be a bit of a smokescreen or wishful thinking that a player drops down.
LOC - Local prospect
PV - Private Visit
WO - Workout
Defensive Backs
-- Jalen Collins, CB, LSU (PV)
-- Marcus Peters, CB, Washington (PV)
-- Damarious Randall, S, Arizona State (PV)
-- Eric Rowe, CB, Utah (PV)
-- Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest (WO)
-- P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State (PV)
Wide Receivers
-- Chris Dunkley, WR/CB, South Florida (PV)
-- Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma (PV)
-- R.J. Harris, WR, New Hampshire (LOC)
-- DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville (PV)
-- Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida (PV)
OLBs and DEs
-- Ryan Delaire, DE, Towson (LOC)
-- Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska (PV)
-- Shane Ray, OLB/DE/3-4OLB, Missouri (PV)
-- Benardrick McKinney, OLB/ILB, Mississippi State (PV)
Others
--Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State (PV)
-- Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana (PV)
-- Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin (PV)
-- A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina (PV)
-- La'el Collins, OT, LSU (PV)
-- Robert Myers, OT/G, Tennessee State (WO)
-- Jesse James, TE, Penn State (PV)
-- Clive Walford, TE, Miami (WO)
The Ravens clearly have identified their primary needs and it makes sense. Even though the Ravens just signed cornerback Jimmy Smith to an extension, the lack of healthy depth last season was the Ravens undoing down the stretch. With Lardarius Webb only having a few years left on his deal, the Ravens would be wise to grab someone and give them time to mature in the system.
Wide receiver is something that we talk about almost every year, but will be highlighting this offseason. After a career year last season, quarterback Joe Flacco could use the help that he has never really had in the passing game to take things to the next level, especially with Steve Smith not getting any younger and Torrey Smith taking his talents to San Francisco. Drafting a top receiving option would certainly make him happy. Some of the names that the Ravens have been associated with at their draft spot in the first round have been DeVante Parker, Breshad Perriman and Dorial Green-Beckham. DGB is one of the more interesting options because his talent would project him as a top 10 pick if not for maturity concerns. However, the Ravens have shown a desire in the past to overlook those things if they can be explained properly and atoned for by the player in question. You have to look no further than Jimmy Smith as a prime example of a guy that had red flags going into the draft that the Ravens nabbed because he passed their questioning.
Pass rushers are always in demand in the NFL and the Ravens are no exception to that. Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil are getting no younger and while the Ravens had one of the better pass rush attacks in the NFL in 2014, the Ravens would love to draft a guy that can either make an impact immediately or be groomed into the position once one of the older guys goes to pasture. Both Randy Gregory and Shane Ray should be long gone by the time the Ravens select at the 26th overall spot, but Ozzie and company have come out to say that they will go grab a player they are in love with. Maybe an indication of some players that Ozzie might love?
We've also made some mentions to rushers in our offseason coverage, so it is no surprise to see three rushers on this list. The Ravens must feel that Todd Gurley will be off the board ahead of time or just won't risk it with his health concerns as he isn't on the list. Melvin Gordon was a personal favorite of mine after watching his tape and clearly was someone that the Ravens have some interest in. Of course, we won't know if that means in the first round or in the second. Somewhat surprising is the lack of Maxx Williams on this list. The Ravens identified two tight ends that they wanted to come in and check out, but Williams was not one of them. Expected to be the top tight end in this year's draft, Williams should be available at the Ravens first round selection and could possibly slide to the top of the second round where the Ravens might find themselves if they trade back.
Who are some players that you would want to see the Ravens take a closer look at? Any players on the list that you think might indicate a top selection by the Ravens?