During last weekend’s draft, the Ravens got a lot of new toys. Now, after nearly a week of waiting, they get to see all the fun things those toys can do.
It will be a short two days, but the Ravens’ rookie minicamp will provide a first glimpse at the potential of a draft class that is being lauded by national pundits.
The 11-man class has a lot of talent, but there’s work to do to reach their ceiling, or even to make a big contribution in 2016. Here’s what each rookie has to prove, starting this weekend:
Round 1: OT ![]()
Will he be ready to start from Day 1?
If Stanley is going to be trusted with the starting left tackle job against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 11, which many pundits believe he can handle, he’s going to have to prove it this summer. The job won’t just be given to him. Stanley has all the tools and owned top-level college pass rushers, but the NFL will be a step up. If the Ravens opt to keep ![]()
Round 2: OLB ![]()
Can he set the edge?
Correa is an explosive pass rusher off the edge who notched 18 sacks over the past two seasons. The Ravens will likely often employ him as a quarterback-seeking missile. However, he’ll also need to be able to handle run-stopping duties after Courtney Upshaw departed in free agency. Correa brings the right aggressive mentality to the job, but he’ll have to prove he can do it despite being smaller than Upshaw and the Ravens’ other current outside linebackers. ![]()
Round 3: DE ![]()
How quick of an impact can he make?
The Ravens have an opening at starting defensive end with the departure of Chris Canty. Kaufusi has the 6-foot-6, 285-pound size and skillset to step into that role, but he’ll have stiff competition with the likes of ![]()
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Round 4: CB ![]()
Will his size be a problem?
Young’s task is the same as it’s been his entire football career. He must show that his size isn’t a problem. The 5-foot-9 cornerback did it throughout his time at Temple and needs to transfer that to the NFL. There’s a difference between being small and playing small. While Young will have tough matchups in terms of height, his feistiness and athleticism can make up the difference. It will be also be important to see how well Young handles the complexities of slot nickel duties as that’s where he projects to play.
Round 4: WR ![]()
Is he more than a big-play threat?
Moore is a dynamic playmaker who averaged 19.3 yards per catch over his four-year college career. He’ll have to prove he can still make those big plays in the NFL even though he doesn’t have elite timed speed (40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds). But the biggest transition will likely be when he’s asked to run more routes than he did in college. Moore is confident he can do it, saying he just played that big-play role in Cincinnati because it’s what coaches wanted. Baltimore’s coaches will ask him for more.
Round 4: OT ![]()
Is he starter material in Year 1?
There isn’t a clear answer as to who will be the starting left guard next year in the wake of Kelechi Osemele’s exit to Oakland. As of now, the competition will be between ![]()
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Round 4: DT ![]()
What’s the next step in his maturation?
Henry surprised many when he declared for the draft early at just 21 years old. While he’s definitely flashed potential, there’s more growing to do to fill out that high ceiling. With ![]()
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Round 4: RB ![]()
How does he separate himself in RB competition?
No rookie draft pick has more competition from the second they walk in the door than Dixon. With ![]()
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Round 5: OLB ![]()
Can the small-school prospect still dominate at the higher level?
This is the same question any small-school FCS product gets when they are drafted into the NFL. Judon’s 20 sacks last season led the nation – at any level. But no rookie in this year’s Ravens class has a bigger jump in competition to the NFL. The Ravens feel sack production translates at any level. There are multiple examples, from Robert Mathis (Alabama A&M) to DeMarcus Ware (Troy). Judon will try to prove that he can still dominate whoever lines up opposite him.
Round 6: WR ![]()
Can he adjust to being a wide receiver and return specialist?
Forget Judon having the biggest adjustment to make. Reynolds really has his work cut out for him. After being a record-breaking quarterback at Navy, Reynolds will shift to wide receiver and return specialist in the NFL. And he’ll have a tight competition from the start. Reynolds has the drive, smarts, instincts and athleticism to accomplish whatever he sets his mind to. It’s a matter of how much time it takes.
Round 6: CB ![]()
Will he be physical enough for the AFC North?
Canady looks excellent on paper. He’s a long, 6-foot-1, 195-pound cornerback who produced five career interceptions and has four years of starting experience. The reason why he fell to the sixth round, in pundits’ eyes, is because he wasn’t very physical on the edges. Canady shined at the Senior Bowl and the Ravens don’t draft players who they don’t think can handle the rough-and-tumble AFC North. They’ll test his limits once contact begins.



