With the 2017 NFL Draft just a mere three days away, the Ravens are making their final changes and adjustments to the draft board. With hundreds of prospects out there, the Baltimore Ravens will need to make sure that they hone in on and target players who will come in and contribute right away, whether it be as a starter or a solid backup. This year happens to be a great year for finding talent, as it is a very deep draft class. Teams can potentially find impact players in the later rounds, which are often ignored by many in favor of the flashy early rounds. The Ravens know they can find talent late in the draft, and will be paying close attention to some later round prospects. Here are three later round sleeper prospects that Ozzie Newsome and the Ravens should target.
D’Onta Foreman – RB, Texas – Projected Rounds: 3-5
D’Onta Foreman had a breakout junior year in 2016, where he amassed a total of 2028 yards, and led the FBS in rushing yards per game with a whopping 184.4 yards per game, an almost unheard of number. Foreman made a huge impact with the Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 in 2016, and is poised to continue to make an impact in the NFL. At 6’0″, 233 pounds, Foreman has good size for a downhill, ground and pound running back in the NFL. The Ravens have lost their run game since 2014, and could absolutely use a back that would be able to plow through the competition and into the endzone. Foreman could provide this, if given the opportunity. The best part about Foreman is his position in the draft. Since the draft is filled with running backs this year, he is projected to be a third to fifth rounder. If the Ravens can get him somewhere in those three rounds, they would be adding a very high quality back to the team, for very little cost.
Demarcus Walker – DE, Florida State – Projected Rounds: 2-3
The player projected to go the highest on this list, Demarcus Walker, is an explosive defensive end from Florida State. The 6’4″ 280 pound edge rusher was a top 50 recruit coming out of high school. He landed at at Florida State in 2013. His first two seasons were decent for a young player, but he really broke out in 2015 where he recorded 56 tackles, 14 for a loss, and 9 sacks. He greatly improved his play in 2016, where he totaled 67 tackles, 19.5 for a loss, and 16 sacks. Baltimore will be in need of new edge rushers to soon replace Terrell Suggs, who is now in the twilight of his career. With such a deep defensive class in this year’s draft, the Ravens would be foolish not to consider taking an edge rusher outside the first round. Demarcus Walker could be that edge rusher, and the Ravens should consider him as an option.
Ben Boulware – ILB, Clemson – Projected Rounds: 6-7
Ben Boulware was the starting inside linebacker for the Clemson Tigers, who under his leadership went to two straight National Championships in 2015 and 2016, winning the one in 2016. Boulware had a great career at Clemson, his best seasons being 2015 and 2016. In 2015 he totalled 81 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions, and in 2016 116 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and 1 interception. Boulware at 6’0″, 238 pounds is undersized for the position, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in his passion for the game. He plays every down like it is his last, and is a huge team player. Boulware will provide the depth the Ravens need, but also could develop into a solid inside linebacker within a few years. The Ravens should consider drafting Boulware late, they certainly won’t regret it. (And if you were wondering, no, he is not related to Ravens Ring of Honor member Peter Boulware.)
