With the dust settled from the Ravens' 2024 draft, there's been time to break down the tape on Baltimore's class.
Here's the tape and my notes:
CB Nate Wiggins (Round 1)
- This is not just a track guy. His timed 4.28 speed shows up on tape, especially when he tracked down the North Carolina running back to force the goal-line fumble.
- He's not just straight-line fast. The acceleration, burst, and quickness are all there, too. He shows rare closing speed to break on passes.
- Wiggins only had three interceptions in college, but the ball skills are there. He made a nice adjustment to make the interception returned for a touchdown against Florida Atlantic.
- The chase-down play, among others, shows Wiggins's competitiveness. Not every cornerback would do that.
OT Roger Rosengarten (Round 2)
- Rosengarten's athleticism and mobility jumps off the film. He's an excellent puller, which is something the Ravens do a lot with their tackles (and other linemen)
- He also does well locating his blocks, including on the second level, which is paramount on pull blocks and screens.
- He has good hips. While Rosengarten isn't the most naturally powerful blocker, including in his lower half, the mobility and ability to torque his tips is a positive sign for more power blocking.
- He has quick hands, which are married to his feet. He does a good job resetting his hands if he loses leverage
OLB Adisa Isaac (Round 3)
- Isaac is a toolsy prospect with good length and explosive ability, shown by his vertical and broad jumps.
- He plays with a reckless, attacking style. He has a relentless motor. Plays like a Raven.
- See him crash down on ball carriers with lateral agility and tenacity.
- Has multiple moves but needs refinement with them. His snap anticipation is spotty, sometimes slow to get off the line.
WR Devontez Walker (Round 4)
- Walker's 4.36 speed is quite clear on tape. If he's even, he's leaving. He runs by cornerbacks with elite burst and another gear.
- His release is smooth. Cornerbacks are leery to press him because of his speed, but he also eats up cushion extremely fast.
- A lot of deep receivers will try to slow up on underthrown balls and draw defensive pass interference penalties. Walker has crafty hand usage down the field to create a little space and finish on deep throws.
- Not much in terms of yards after contact (YAC), but he has the size and speed to improve in that area if used on a more diverse route tree.
- Though drops have been cited as a concern (and were prevalent at the Senior Bowl), Walker's tape shows him making some contested catches in traffic. Pro Football Focus charted him with just three drops last season.
CB T.J. Tampa (Round 4)
- Premier size, length, and physicality to be a press-man corner. He's visibly confident in his abilities.
- Excellent special awareness, which translates well to zone coverage. Understands route concepts well and look for work.
- Very physical player. Looks to make receivers pay on contested catches.
- Part of the reason why Tampa was drafted much late than expected was his 40-yard dash time of 4.58 seconds, but his taped speed is better than his timed speed.
RB Rasheen Ali (Round 5)
- Explosive runner who bursts through run lanes. One cut and he's gone.
- Breakaway speed. He's a home run hitter. His Senior Bowl injury meant teams didn't get a timed 40-yard dash, but it would've been fast.
- Shows patience to follow his blocks on pulls and traps, then hits the seam. That also makes him effective as a receiver in the screen game.
- Shows soft hands in the passing game. Had 46 catches in 2021 and 28 in 2023.
- Tied for the second-most fumbles (five) last season and had six in 2021. Seems to be a fundamentals issue, as he held the ball too loose (away from his body) at times.
QB Devin Leary (Round 6)
- Premier arm talent. Ball jumps out of his hand. Can make any throw and likes to challenge down the field.
- Quick release with a good throwing platform.
- Shows toughness to stand in the pocket and made throws in the teeth of pressure. Also willing to make plays with his legs and shows toughness taking hits.
- Throws with anticipation, but threw too often to the other team last year (12 interceptions)
C Nick Samac (Round 7)
- Great movement ability with quick feet. He was one of the better pulling centers in the draft.
- He does a good job locating defenders on the second level and adjusting to make blocks.
- Scrappy Big Ten offensive lineman who plays with a nasty streak.
- A little undersized (6-foot-4, 307 pounds), so he'll give ground sometimes against bigger, stronger interior defensive linemen. Can improve that with better lower half strength.
S Sanoussi Kane (Round 7)
- Good hard-nosed tackler. Comes downhill fast and shows good technique, which should translate well to special teams.
- Has experience playing in the slot, showing some versatility at the next level.
- Processes coverages quickly
