To kick off the second day of the draft, the Baltimore Ravens beefed up their defensive edge with two Rocky Mountain prospects. They look to give new selection Ronnie Stanley a little extra challenge in practice, as well as bring some havoc off tackle to the AFC North. Reports have trickled out that Baltimore may be transitioning to a 4-3 defense moving forward, making their selections even more interesting.
42nd Overall: Kamalei Correa, EDGE, Boise State
Correa was a popular player in the online draft community, with multiple analysts extolling his virtues as a potential late first round selection. He slipped slightly lower than that on Day 2, going 11 picks into the second round. At 6’3″ and 243 lbs, Correa has the size to hold up long-term at outside linebacker for the Ravens. However, he’s best in the mold of a true 3-4 outside linebacker and may not fit as well in a move to a 4-3.
At outside linebacker in a 3-4 for Baltimore, he will begin on the depth chart behind Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil and Za’Darius Smith. Barring a defensive change in scheme, that’s likely where he will sit and learn throughout his first season, allowing him to refine his hand usage and field ability. However, don’t sleep on his explosiveness and high motor, allowing him to make plays all over the field.
70th Overall: Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU
Standing 6’6″ and 285, Kaufusi is an NFL 3-4 DE on the hoof. His combine numbers, including 25 bench press reps, a 7.03 3 cone drill and 4.25 second short shuttle, show his explosiveness at the point of attack, but they don’t quite display what’s on the field. Kaufusi has the length and frame, but not the weight yet, meaning he might be undermatched for some NFL offensive lines. Projected as an early-Day 3 selection, he has a high motor and solid hand usage, not unlike Correa.
However, as it stands, Kaufusi is too lean to hold up long-term at 5t or 4t in a 3-4. With such a lanky frame, he will have room to bulk up for the next level, but that will also cost him maneuverability in space, something he already lacks. Luckily for Kaufusi, he walks into a situation where he will likely be a rotational piece on the defensive line to start his career behind Timmy Jernigan and Lawrence Guy.
