When you talk about “winners” through two days of the 2017 NFL draft, if the Baltimore Ravens aren’t in the discussion, let alone the leaders, well, then you’re just flat out wrong.
Ozzie Newsome continues to be a master at the draft, continuing his strong stretch of drafts Friday as the Ravens grabbed athletic pass rusher Tyus Bowser out of Houston at No. 47 overall, before grabbing Michigan’s Chris Wormley (No. 74 from Philadelphia) and Alabama’s Tim Williams (No. 78) to round of Day 2 of the draft.
Sensing a theme here?
Newsome is clearly trying to rebuild a declining defense, and talk about doing it in a hurry.
Bowser, whom we here at Steelers Depot really liked leading up to the draft, provides the Ravens with a clear heir apparent to veteran Terrell Suggs on the edge, while Wormley plugs a big whole on the defensive line due to the losses of Lawrence Guy (Patriots, free agent) and Timmy Jernigan (Eagles, trade) this off-season.
Williams is a high-risk, high-reward pass rusher from Alabama that could be a major steal at 78 overall for Baltimore if he stays clean off the field and develops into the pass rusher he can be with length and speed off the edge.
It’s quite clear the Ravens feel that the best way to get back to another Super Bowl is through a great defense, and Newsome is leaving nothing to chance, grabbing two pass rushers, a cornerback and a defensive lineman.
I doubt the Ravens are done addressing defense either. I can see another defensive lineman added to the mix before the purple and black shift their focus to offense to get Joe Flacco some help.
But as of now the Ravens might have the best draft in the league through three rounds.
