With the 2017 season now completed, we at Baltimore Beatdown continue to take a look back, with full hindsight, at moves the Ravens made during the past year. Based on their performances in the 2017 season, I have given each new grades for each of the Ravens draft picks in the 2017 draft. Sports Illustrated graded the Ravens first four picks as they were made during the draft, and I used those grades as reference compared to where we are now.
First round: Marlon Humphrey
Sports Illustrated grade: C
Re-grade: A
Humphrey was easily the Ravens best selection of the 2017 draft. While many, including myself, criticized the Ravens for selecting Humphrey over O.J. Howard, Humphrey has been excellent on the field for the Ravens. Humphrey had two interceptions, 11 passes defended and 34 total tackles. The Alabama product gained a starting job after Jimmy Smith’s season was cut short due to injury. Though whether starting or not, Humphrey was fantastic in coverage against everyone, including facing receivers like Antonio Brown and A.J. Green. Humphrey was excellent all throughout the 2017 season, and has the makings of a star corner for years to come in the NFL.
Second Round: Tyus Bowser
Sports Illustrated grade: A-
Re-grade: B-
Bowser had a fantastic Week 2 game against the Browns, recording a sack and an interception en route to winning rookie of the week. Though outside of that Week 2 game, Bowser didn’t have a big impact on the 2017 season. Bowser did have three sacks, but only 11 total tackles. Because Matt Judon had a great season, the Ravens kept him on the field much more than Bowser.
Third Round: Chris Wormley
Sports Illustrated grade: A-
Re-grade: C-
Wormley only played in seven games this season, and had just five total tackles. Injuries certainly didn’t help his cause. The Michigan product was considered a steal for the Ravens at the draft, though he didn’t give any impact in his rookie year.
Third Round: Tim Williams
Sports Illustrated grade: A-
Re-grade: C-
Williams only played in eight games in 2017, and didn’t produce much either. Williams had six total tackles all season and no sacks. Williams was regarded as a first round talent who slipped due to off the field concerns. Williams certainly didn’t produce to that level in his rookie campaign. His speed was unable to spark a stagnant Ravens pass rush when he saw the field at all. Williams had 125 total snaps. Though his 68.4 Pro Football Focus grade isn’t terrible.
Fourth Round: Nico Siragusa
Re-grade: N/A
Siragusa was injured during training camp and missed the entire season. There isn’t enough to give him a grade.
Fifth Round: Jermaine Eluemunor
Re-grade: C+
Eluemunor was awfully inconsistent in 2017. He showed some good moments, and did have the third highest snap count among guards, but he also had some big low lights. Eluemunor didn’t see a snap after Week 7, though he did have a shoulder injury which contributed to that. Eluemunor received a 39.3 grade on Pro Football Focus. Eluemunor was named to the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie team, though that may have been largely as a testament to the lack of rookie guards.
Sixth Round: Chuck Clark
Re-grade: B
Clark probably had the second biggest impact on the team of the Ravens draft picks behind Humphrey. Clark’s role increased as the season went on. The Virginia Tech product saw his snap count increase over the course of the year, up to 26 in Week 17. Clark became a role player for the Ravens on both defense and special teams.
How would you grade the Ravens 2017 draft picks?