Before the draft began, Ravens Assistant General Manager Eric DeCosta said he felt more pressure at pick No. 36 than at pick No 6.
That's because there's more "volatility" at the top of the second round, DeCosta said, and still an expectation that it should be first-round level talent.
"Our coaches and scouts have put together an outstanding board, and we love the top 36 players in this draft," DeCosta said Thursday night after the Ravens chose left tackle Ronnie Stanley. "So, we're going to get an outstanding player."
The Ravens will have options at different defensive positions of need, including pass rusher, cornerback and inside linebacker.
Here's some of the best talent remaining:
LB Myles Jack, UCLA
Jack was mocked to the Ravens by many in the first round before the seriousness of his knee injury became more evident in the days leading up to the draft. Jack himself said he may need surgery down the line and oddly expressed comfort in a possibly shortened career. Those comments sent the versatile, ultra-athletic linebacker tumbling out of the first round. The Ravens are still looking to add an impact defensive player. and Jack, who is excellent in coverage, as a blitzer and downhill run stopper, would be it if he can get on the field. At this point, teams are going to be willing to take a risk.
DT A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
The depth of the defensive tackle class has left one of the best defensive players in this year's class still waiting. The Ravens don't have much of a need at defensive tackle given that they're returning Brandon Williams and Timmy Jernigan, but if General Manager Ozzie Newsome stays true to his best-player-available mantra, Robinson will be alluring. He's a thickly built, heavy handed run plugger with raw power. And Newsome loves his Alabama prospects.
DE Kevin Dodd, Clemson
Dodd may be the best edge rusher still remaining. While Clemson teammate Shaq Lawson (No. 19 to the Bills) drew more acclaim, Dodd put up very similar numbers. Dodd had a breakout junior season upon becoming a starter, notching 24 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. Dodd put on a show against Newsome's Alabama in the national championship game with five tackles for loss, including three sacks.
DE Kamelei Correa, Boise State
Another fearsome edge rusher, Correa notched 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks last season. It was a bit of a drop from his sophomore stats when he logged 12 sacks and 19 tackles for loss. He's got good explosion off the snap and twitchiness. Correa also brings a chiseled physique and speed to track down ball carriers from sideline to sideline.
DE Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State
Ogbah brings a big frame at 6-foot-4, 273 pounds. He has a thick, powerful body to work through or around a block. While not as quick as Correa off the edge, Ogbah brings more power. He was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year as a junior after notching 17.5 tackles for loss and a conference-high 13 sacks.
DE Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
Spence is seen by many to be a first-round talent, but his off-field problems may be the reason he dropped to the second round. Spence was banned from Ohio State and the Big Ten after failing two drug tests and underwent treatment for an ecstasy addiction. He transferred to Eastern Kentucky and vows he's matured since. Spence has good burst and a strong motor coming off the edge, allowing him to notch 13.5 sacks last season and become an FCS All-American.
CB Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
With the Bengals and Steelers taking back-to-back cornerbacks in the first round with William Jackson III and Artie Burns, respectively, there isn't a whole lot of depth to the cornerback market in the second round. Five corners went in the first round overall. Alexander may be the best of the bunch remaining. He was one of the best cover corners in college football last year, but what's left him dropping is his size (5-foot-10) and the fact that he had zero interceptions in his three seasons.
CB Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech
Fuller isn't rated as highly as some of these other players by the media, but corners always get pushed up and teams could have him stacked higher. Fuller will be the fourth Fuller brother to suit up in the NFL, and he may be the most talented of all. Fuller has shown a knack for making plays (eight interceptions in 29 games) and is a tough competitor who has fought through injuries. He couldn't play through torn meniscus, however, and had to end his junior season after three games.
