Revisiting every Ravens draft since SBXLVII: 2015

Since winning Super Bowl XLVII, the Ravens have only made the playoffs twice. A major criticism among fans has been the lack of talent drafted since 2012, especially on the offensive side of the ball. This series looks at all of Baltimore’s drafts following their Super Bowl victory. 2015 is headlined by Baltimore’s worst first-round pick since taking home the Lombardi.

2015 Draft Picks

• Round 1, Pick 26 WR Breshad Perriman
• Round 2, Pick 55 TE Maxx Williams
• Round 3, Pick 90: DT Carl Davis
• Round 4, Pick 122 DE/OLB Za’Darius Smith
• Round 4, Pick 125 RB Javorius ‘Buck’ Allen
• Round 4, Pick 136 CB Tray Walker
• Round 5, Pick 171 TE Nick Boyle
• Round 5, Pick 176 G Robert Myers
• Round 6, Pick 204 WR/TE Darren Waller

The 2015 class has yielded the worst results so far, with only one player remaining with the team. Wide receiver Breshad Perriman is one of Ozzie Newsome’s biggest first-round blunders as GM. Perriman was the fifth receiver taken in what would turn out to be a very disappointing group years later.

After missing his entire rookie season with a knee injury, Perriman had a decent debut season in 2016, catching 33 passes for 499 yards and three touchdowns. The next season was a disaster, and Perriman failed to reach 100 receiving yards or a score single touchdown despite being healthy for the majority of the year. This past season was Perriman’s last in Baltimore, making his stint with the Ravens a very frustrating one.

Baltimore went with another pass-catcher in the second, selecting the draft’s top tight end Maxx Williams. Williams played out his entire rookie contract with the Ravens, catching 63 passes for 497 yards and three touchdowns. Like Perriman, William’s career was plagued by injury early on, with questions regarding his future in the NFL arising at one point. Though never becoming the receiving threat Baltimore hoped he would be, Williams earned his stripes as a willing and tough-nosed blocker. Williams is currently a free agent.

The next three selections were all solid contributors for the Ravens over the past few years. Defensive tackle Carl Davis was a solid rotational piece on the defensive line, although he only played for the Ravens for three seasons.

Za’Darius Smith flashed potential every season until finally breaking out in 2018 with 8.5 sacks. Smith’s versatility as both an outside and inside pass rusher proved quite valuable to Baltimore’s top-ranked defense last season. This offseason, Smith signed a huge four-year deal with the Green Bay Packers in free agency worth $60 million.

Running back Buck Allen was a piece of the Ravens backfield for the past four seasons, contributing 1,249 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. Cornerback Tray Walker, selected in the fourth round, tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident before the start of the season.

Tight end Nick Boyle was taken next and is the only player still on the roster. Boyle’s role was increased last season where he flourished as a run blocker. He recently signing a three-year contract extension worth $18 million, and he has earned a reputation as one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL.

Baltimore received very little contribution from their last two picks. Darren Waller showed potential when he switched from wide receiver to tight end. At 6’6”, Waller possesses a rare combination of speed and size. Unfortunately, Waller had several off-the-field issues and was suspended more than once, leading to his eventual release in 2018.

Overall, the Ravens 2015 draft class missed the marked and was certainly the worst since 2013.

Verdict:

Best pick: Nick Boyle

Worst pick: Breshad Perriman