NFL Draft: 4 Players The Ravens Would Have To Trade Up To Get

Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) reacts after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of the 2017 Cotton Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

2015 was painful but being in the top 10 picks in the NFL Draft wasn’t. The Baltimore Ravens need a superstar but they may have to think about trading up to get one.

The NFL Draft is almost here. Let’s face it, the Ravens have little star power on their offense. Let’s face it, 16 picks is a long time to wait when you need a game changer. There has never been a year where trading up seemed like this good of an idea. Trading up is usually not Ozzie Newsome’s MO. Newsome is notorious for trading back and accruing more picks. It’s a solid policy. The Ravens

target a player they know they can get a little later, and they get more picks to improve their team with. The problem is the Ravens need a difference maker. This year quantity is less important than quality.

The Ravens need a player that keeps other teams’ coaches up at night. They need a receiver that cornerbacks can’t cover. They need a running back that goes from 0-60 before you know what hit you. The Ravens need a defensive back that can practically fly on the football field. Baltimore doesn’t need another run of the mill first round pick. They need a once in a life time player that can make them a completely different team.

Superstars make a decent team a great team. The New England Patriots are led by the biggest superstar in the game, Tom Brady. They beat the Steelers in the AFC Championship. Pittsburgh has three super stars in Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. The Falcons may have not been able to seal the deal but look how far their superstars got them. Julio Jones is incredible with a side of how in the world did he do that.

The point is that superstars get pretty far in the NFL playoffs. The Ravens have plenty of great players. Eric Weddle, C.J. Mosley and Marshall Yanda, for example are core players. What the Ravens need is a game changer that will help them change a close game into purple reign. Every team in the NFL has great players. The teams that have special players are the teams that separate from the pack. Let’s look at four prospects that would help the Ravens get some distance from their competition. I warn you though, the Ravens would have to trade up to get any of these players.

Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook warms up before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

4. Dalvin Cook:

I am not buying that Cook is falling to the 16th pick in the NFL Draft. It’s no longer taboo to take a running back in the first round. Cook is a lightning bolt of a football player. He has speed, vision, power and he can beat you every which way. Cook is like Ray Rice, but faster, stronger and more of a difference maker. The best comparison for Cook is Ladanian Tomlinson. There is simply nothing at the running back position that Cook cannot do.

When you look at the production that this prospect put up, it just wow’s you. He was the reason the Florida State Seminoles took down the mighty Michigan Wolverines defense in the Orange Bowl. In that game Cook, gained 145 yards on the ground and 62 in the air. That’s not even Cook’s best performance of the 2016 season; against South Florida he ran for 267 yards and had 62 yards as a receiver. This season he had nine games with over 100 rushing yards and two games over 200 rushing yards.

Cook has a chance to be special. Imagining what the Ravens could do with Cook joining Kenneth Dixon in the backfield, now that’s a dream come true. If Cook makes it past the top 10 picks, the Ravens would be justified in trading up to get him. They can justify moving up five to six spots if they feel comfortable to do so.

Dec 31, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) intercepts a pass intended for Clemson Tigers wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the second quarter during the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kadlubowski/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Sports

3. Malik Hooker:

The Ohio State Buckeyes have a couple interesting prospects coming from their secondary, but none more so than Malik Hooker. Hooker is an overly athletic safety who can play both roles in the back of the defense. He has been getting some comparisons to Ed Reed, which raises the interest here in Baltimore Ravens country.

Hooker had seven interception in the 2016 season. He ran three of those picks back for touchdowns. Hooker has play-maker written all over him. The Ravens added to their secondary in a big way when they got Eric Weddle. Tavon Young helped too. If the Ravens want to take the next step, a safety like Hooker is the best way to do it.

Hooker has speed and ball hawking skills. It is a potent combination. Hooker has a great football IQ which helps him fly around on the football field. Hooker is an aggressive defensive back, so it’s important to note that he has fantastic instincts. Every time I watch this player, I want to see him wearing purple and black.

Dec 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams (7) runs the ball after a catch against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

2. Mike Williams:

Mike Williams is pretty much the consensus number one receiver on the board, but I have him as my second ranked receiver. He is a special talent, and there is no doubt about it. In this draft the receiver position has two kings that have separated from the pack. Williams was the biggest play-maker at the receiver position for the National Champion Clemson Tigers.

Williams has 96 receptions for 1,361 yards and 11 touchdowns in the 2016 season. He has a big frame and a great ability to go up and get the football. Williams has great hands too. There really isn’t a lot to critique in Williams game. He is an exceptional target, especially in the red zone.

Williams would come in right away and be the biggest weapon the Ravens have. Let’s just put it this way, the Ravens have never had a receiver like Williams. If they don’t trade up they may never get a star like this.

Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) catches a touchdown pass in front of Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Sojourn Shelton (8) during the second half of the 2017 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

1. Corey Davis:

Every NFL Draft there is one player I always want, but know we’ll never get. Corey Davis is absolutely that player this year. Davis is the most unique receiver I have ever seen coming into the NFL Draft. He is Antonio Brown in Julio Jones’s body, that’s the best comparison I can think of. Davis is a burner but he can beat you on every route. If Davis was from a big school he’d get three times the hype.

Davis is one of those players that just put up insane production. The Western Michigan star totaled 331 receptions for 5,278 yards and 52 touchdowns in his four years as a Bronco. The 2016 season was his most ridiculously impressive performance to date. Davis caught 97 passes for 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns. When everyone on the field knows where the ball is going, and the play is consistently made, that receiver is unstoppable.

Davis is the most special player in this draft in my opinion. I have him as my number one player. When you watch Davis, the more you will be convinced that he is a once in a lifetime player. I buy that he could go after the top 10. He is generally thought of as the second receiver in this draft class. I know I like him more than most, but there’s no way this player falls to 16. When the draft comes, I will still dream.