Every year, there are positions that are stacked in the NFL draft and those that are, well, not.
This year's draft is "really good altogether," according to Ravens Director of College Scouting Joe Hortiz, but it's different in terms of its strengths and weaknesses.
The strongest?
"In terms of strength, defensive line is really strong," Hortiz said. "It's a deep position this year. I would call that the strongest."
On ESPN draftnik Mel Kiper’s big board of the top 25 players in the draft, nine are defensive linemen. That's more than one-third.
To make one position particularly strong, it needs talent at the very top of the draft, a lot in the first round overall, then good depth in the middle and later rounds. Defensive line possesses that, led by top prospects such as defensive ends Joey Bosa (Ohio State) and DeForest Buckner (Oregon).
The Ravens don't have a massive need on the defensive line considering top starters Brandon Williams and Timmy Jernigan are returning. However, veteran Chris Canty's future at defensive end is unknown and the Ravens could always bolster their depth and starting talent.
Hortiz also sees good value at offensive line.
"Offensive line always has good depth, every year, for as long back as I can remember," he said. "There are some years where it's better than others, but it's a solid class."
Offensive tackles Laremy Tunsil (Ole Miss) and Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame) head the class and Kiper has four offensive tackles coming off the board in his latest mock draft.
So what are the weaknesses?
Ravens fans may not like to hear it, but Hortiz first pointed to wide receiver.
"Relative to recent drafts, there's a drop-off at wide receiver," he said. "I think we've benefitted from two outstanding classes the previous two seasons. If you want to say the weakest, I would say that."
The 2014 draft had an onslaught of talented receivers with five going in the first round and three putting up over 1,000 receiving yards in their rookie season (New York Giants' Odell Beckham Jr., Tampa Bay's Mike Evans and Carolina's Kelvin Benjamin). The other two receivers, Buffalo's Sammy Watkins and New Orleans' Brandin Cooks, both topped 1,000 yards in their second seasons.
Last year's draft also had a lot of star power at receiver with Oakland Pro Bowler Amari Cooper and five other receivers going in the first round. However, no other rookie receiver had nearly as much success as Cooper, including Baltimore's Breshad Perriman.
In this year's draft, Ole Miss' LaQuon Treadwell is expected to be drafted in the first round, but he may not crack the top 10. Kiper has Treadwell as his only first-round wide receiver.
In terms of other weaker groups, tight end also makes the list.
"Tight end is a thinner group so it's a good thing we've drafted three young tight ends the past two years, just because the depth of the class isn't so strong," Hortiz said. "That would probably be the one that lacks the most depth."
