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Defensive back Jalen Ramsey's athleticism makes him a valuable candidate with the Baltimore Ravens 6th overall pick

The Baltimore Ravens like guys who can play multiple positions. It's part of the reason why Ravens head coach John Harbaugh likes to sign players who play on special teams. Jalen Ramsey's versatility provides great value for the Ravens with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

By Wola Odeniran
USA Today Sports
USA Today Sports
Steve Mitchell

The Baltimore Ravens as we all know hold the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft and with a team that is coming off of a disappointing 2015 season where they finished 5-11, they have a lot of needs. One would argue that the secondary is the biggest area of concern for the team. After all, they did allow 30 touchdown passes this year. Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey is high on just about every draft board there is.

Ramsey's athleticism in terms of being able to play the cornerback position as well as the safety position provides value for the Ravens that they have historically coveted under head coach John Harbaugh.

Since Harbaugh arrived as the Ravens head coach in 2008, one thing that you have known if you follow the Ravens closely is the fact that they like to be multidimensional all across the board if possible. The Ravens really like players who can play multiple positions.

Lets take a look at some of the players the Ravens have, or have had who can play multiple spots:

  • Terrell Suggs can play as a defensive end or an outside linebacker
  • Lardarius Webb can play corner or safety
  • Marshal Yanda can play all five positions on the offensive line
  • Ray Rice can play at running back or split out wide as a wide receiver
  • Pernell McPhee can play outside linebacker or be an interior pass rusher or a defensive end on obvious pass down situations
  • Kyle Juszczyk can play at fullback or at tight end
  • Justin Tucker can be a field goal kicker or a punter
  • John Urschel can play at center or at guard
  • Kelechi Osemele can play at left tackle, right tackle, or either guard position
  • Paul Kruger can line up as a defensive end on obvious passing down situations or be an outside linebacker
  • Courtney Upshaw can play at outside linebacker or be an interior defensive lineman
  • Haloti Ngata can line up as a defensive end, nose tackle, or defensive tackle or even as a fullback in goal line situations
  • Ed Reed can play free safety or strong safety
Those are just a few players who showed their value to the Ravens organization under Harbaugh's tenure and with Ramsey's skill, if drafted by the Ravens, can provide unique matchups for the defense where they can use him as a rover all over the secondary. His skill can potentially make it really hard for opposing offenses to get a good idea about where he is going to be.

In a defense looking to provide more confusion under defensive coordinator Dean Pees, Ramsey is a player who is as valuable as a defensive player can be in this day and age in the NFL. Not to mention his talent makes it a lot easier for everyone else on defense to do their jobs.



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