Ideal first round Ravens targets at need positions

With NFL draft talk beginning to heat up and the scouting combine underway, the Baltimore Ravens are already in the process of evaluating their options at the sixteenth overall selection. With that in mind, let's take a way too early look at who some of those players could possibly be.

Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida

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Currently, it's tough to get a read on Tabor’s draft positioning. Some mocks have him in the top 10, while other mocks have him going in the 20’s.

Assuming he falls somewhere in the middle of this disparity, I think the Ravens would be happy to select him at sixteen. The 6’0 corner is physical, competitive, and aggressive on the ball.

As a two-time all-SEC selection, he has shown that he can compete at one of the highest levels in college football, and the Ravens have shown a propensity to go after players from the biggest schools in the country. He could slide in next to Jimmy Smith and Tavon Young, and the Ravens would presumably have their next cornerback of the future.

John Ross, WR, Washington

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For the 21st consecutive season, the Ravens are in the market for a playmaking number one receiver, and depending on what happens in free agency, they could be looking to fill this need with their top pick.

Ross is explosive with the ball in his hands, and has drawn comparisons to his mentor DeSean Jackson. Having said that, he his widely considered to be the third best receiver in this draft behind Clemson’s Mike Williams and Western Michigan’s Corey Davis.

If the Ravens are unable to bring in a veteran receiver to compensate for the loss of Steve Smith Sr., an offense containing Mike Wallace, Breshad Perriman and Ross would probably contain enough horsepower to outrun a jet plane. If this pick were to happen, there may be reason to get excited about what was a moribund offense in 2016.

Tim Williams, LB, Alabama

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This would be a classic Ozzie Newsome pick. Williams was a monster at outside linebacker for Newsome’s alma mater Alabama, racking up eight and a half sacks and two forced fumbles in 2016.

It isn't just those numbers that make him an option for the Ravens in the first round though. Williams is an exceptional run defender, and is often seen behind the line of scrimmage when watching his tape.

This multi-tool player is exactly someone the Ravens could use in their front seven. Williams would eventually prove to be a nice replacement for Terrell Suggs.