The Ravens will have at least one more quarterback on their roster by the time they open training camp this summer.
Backup Tyrod Taylor is heading into his fourth NFL season and final year of his contract, and the Ravens want to bring another signal caller into the mix. The Ravens tested the veteran market – they reportedly talked with former Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden before he signed with Dallas – but now the draft may be the best place to find another quarterback.
With franchise quarterback Joe Flacco locked up for the next five years, the Ravens likely aren't looking for a quarterback with their No. 17 pick, but here are some of the prospects they may consider in the later rounds:
Zach Mettenberger, LSU
Senior, 6-foot-5, 224 pounds; 3,082 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, eight interceptions
Projected round: 2-3
The LSU quarterback blossomed under former Ravens Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron last season. Mettenberger was considered a first-round prospect before he tore his ACL last season. Mettenberger has been working his way back to full strength during the pre-draft process, and he reportedly impressed NFL scouts during his pro day last week. If Mettenberger slips into the middle rounds, then the Ravens may leap at the chance to take him.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois*Senior; 6-2, 226; 5,050 yards, 53 touchdowns, 9 interceptions.
Projected round: 2-3 *
Garoppolo has come on strong during the pre-draft process and his stock appears to be on the rise. He has good arm strength and put up huge numbers as a four-year starter in college. Like Flacco, Garoppolo is a product of the Football College Subdivision, which lacks the traditional college powerhouses. He's a product of the same school as Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Garoppolo has to show pro teams that he can make the leap to the next level, and that playing at a small school in college won't hurt him in the NFL. He projects as a likely second- or third-rounder, which might make him too early of a pick for the Ravens.
A.J. McCarron, Alabama
*Senior; 6-3, 220; 3,063 yards, 28 touchdowns, seven interceptions
Projected round: 3-4 *
The Alabama quarterback led the Crimson Tide to two national titles during his time as the starting signal caller. General Manager Ozzie Newsome has been watching McCarron closely the last few years as a supporter of his alma mater. McCarron has to convince NFL scouts that he can succeed at the NFL level, and that he was more than just a facilitator for all the talented players around him.
Aaron Murray, GeorgiaSenior; 6-1, 210; 3,075 yards, 26 touchdowns, nine interceptions
Projected round: 3-4
Murray was a four-year starter at Georgia in the best conference in college football. He developed from a game manager from early in his career to the clear leader of the Georgia offense. He has experience running a pro-style offense against top-flight talent, and he is projected as a third-or fourth-round draft pick. Part of the concern with Murray is that he is also coming back from a torn ACL that he suffered near the end of last season. He is five months removed from ACL surgery, and has spent the pre-draft process rehabbing so that he's ready for a training camp this summer. If the injury causes him to fall, then Murray could be a fit with the Ravens because they aren't looking for someone to compete for the starting job.
Logan Thomas, Virginia TeachSenior; 6-6, 254; 2,909 yards, 16 touchdowns, 13 interceptions
Projected round: 7-FA
The Ravens already drafted one Virginia Tech quarterback with Taylor, and now Thomas is another to consider. He replaced Taylor in college, and he took over the job with a lot of hype surrounding him. He has the prototypical size of an NFL quarterback, and has a big arm to match it. He struggled to develop into a consistent player at the college level, and was often prone to turnovers. Thomas threw 39 interceptions during his college career, and he is projected as a late-round or undrafted prospect. Despite some of those miscues, Thomas still has talent and the Ravens could take him as a late-round prospect and give him time to develop.
Tajh Boyd, ClemsonSenior; 6-1, 225; 3,851 yards, 34 touchdowns, 11 interceptions
Projected round: 7-FA
Boyd was a highly productive college player who put up some gaudy numbers throwing to wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who is projected as a top-10 pick. Boyd is slightly undersized for the position, which is part of the reason many draft experts rate him as a late-round or undrafted player. He would have to improve his mechanics in the NFL, but the Ravens might be able to get him in the late rounds and give him time to develop in their system.
