The wait is almost over.
After several months of breaking down just about every potential angle related to the NFL Draft, Baltimore will soon find itself on the clock.
The Ravens have 10 picks at their disposal, and here are some of the biggest topics to preview before the action begins Thursday night at 8 p.m.:
Ravens' Three Biggest Needs
Pass CatcherThe Ravens have a significant need to get another target for quarterback Joe Flacco. The tight end position is a question mark because of the uncertainty surrounding Dennis Pitta, and the offense also has to replace big-play receivers Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones. This year's draft features a deep class of receivers, and the possibility exists for the Ravens to nab offensive playmakers in the first few rounds.
CornerbackThe injury bug took a significant toll on the secondary last year, and the Ravens want to bring in depth to prevent a similar situation in 2015. The Ravens already extended Jimmy Smith to a long-term deal and worked out a re-negotiation with Lardarius Webb, but adding a young corner to the mix would give them much-needed support in case there is a another injury. The cornerback class presents some quality options in the first two rounds with players like Washington's Marcus Peters, Wake Forest's Kevin Johnson, LSU's Jalen Collins and Miami's Quentin Rollins.
Pass RusherOwner Steve Bisciotti made it clear during a conference call with PSL holders last month that he would love to see the Ravens pick up another pass rusher, potentially even in the first round. Pernell McPhee's departure to Chicago left a void in the defense, and the Ravens are looking for somebody to fill it. Elite pass rushers typically aren't available at the end of the first round, but this year may be an exception because some of the top talents have off-the-field concerns. Missouri's Shane Ray and Nebraska's Randy Gregory are two pass rushers with top-10 talent, but Gregory failed a drug test at the combine and Ray was cited with marijuana possession this week.
Three Biggest Questions
Who Falls?The Ravens have a history of snagging players with elite talent who slip down the draft board. It happened in 2003 with Terrell Suggs, 2009 with Michael Oher and 2011 with Jimmy Smith. A similar situation could happen again this year. If a top-flight player slides, then the Ravens may surprise everyone by taking a player at a position that isn't a significant need on the roster.
Will Ozzie Trade?Newsome has a history of moving around the draft board, and he's made a first-round trade in five of the last nine years. Those trades have included moving up or trading back into the second round. The Ravens hate giving up draft picks, but with 10 picks they have plenty of ammunition to move up to get a coveted player. Even if the Ravens don't trade in the first round, he could make a move at some point during the seven rounds just like he has done in 13 straight years.
Impact of Off-Field ConcernsThe Ravens have said the team is taking a close look at character concerns for prospects to determine whether those issues would knock players off Baltimore's draft board. Newsome said that the team did its due diligence with players like Gregory, Peters and wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham by bringing them to Baltimore for pre-draft visits. After getting as much information as possible about players with red flags off the field, the Ravens have to determine whether they are comfortable spending a draft pick on them.
Full Draft Order
Round 1: No. 26
Round 2: No. 58
Round 3: No. 90
Round 4: No. 122
No. 125
No. 136 (compensatory, untradeable)
Round 5: No. 158
No. 171 (compensatory, untradeable)
No. 175 (compensatory, untradeable)
Round 6: No. 203
