The Ravens will almost certainly add a tight end at some point in the draft.
With Owen Daniels' departure and Dennis Pitta's uncertainty, the Ravens need depth at the position. General Manager Ozzie Newsome already the Ravens will look to add at least one more tight end to the mix.
Here are five prospects who make sense for the Ravens:
Maxx Williams, Minnesota
Redshirt sophomore, 6-foot-4, 254 pounds
2014 Stats: 36 catches, 569 yards, 8 touchdowns
Projected Round: 1st-2nd
Scouting Report: Williams is the consensus leader in this year's crop of tight ends. The Minnesota product has good speed and strong hands, and he also has the size to help as a blocker in the running game. Williams has speed to outrun linebackers and some safeties, and his catching ability makes him a threat down the middle of the field. Williams grew up in a football household, as his dad also played in the NFL.
Why He Makes Sense: He is the best tight end in the draft, and the Ravens need help at that position. He would fill an immediate need and could likely end up in the starting lineup if the Ravens draft him. The question with Williams is whether he ends up being first-round pick. After he was a popular pick to Baltimore in early mock drafts, he could slide to the second round where the Ravens could get him as steal.
Clive Walford, Miami
Junior, 6-foot-4, 263 pounds
2014 Stats: 44 catches, 676 yards, 7 touchdowns
Projected Round: 2nd-3rd
Scouting Report: Walford is a big-bodied, long target who showed his ability with a highly productive senior season. He doesn't have elite speed, but he's fast enough to find holes in the coverage to move the chains. He also is considered a reliable blocker, and Miami used him on the line of scrimmage.
Why He Makes Sense: Walford would give the Ravens another big target in the passing game, and he still has the ability to put his hand in the dirt as a blocker when needed. His size creates matchup problems, especially in the red zone, which is an area where quarterback Joe Flacco likes to target his tight ends.
Nick O'Leary, Florida State
Senior, 6-foot-3, 247 pounds
2014 Stats: 48 catches, 618 yards, 6 touchdowns
Projected Round: 3rd-5th
Scouting Report: The Florida State product was a reliable chain mover in an explosive offense the last two years. O'Leary is a reliable pass catcher, but not a dynamic weapon. He doesn't have great speed, and his stock may have taken a hit when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.94 seconds at the combine. He comes from athletic bloodlines, as his grandfather is golfing legend Jack Nicklaus.
Why He Makes Sense: The Ravens need a tight end who can make first-down grabs to keep drives alive, and O'Leary thrived in that role at Florida State. He also has connections with some current Ravens, a he played collegiately with Timmy Jernigan and Terrence Brooks, and also high school ball with Matt Elam.
Wes Saxton, South Alabama
Senior, 6-foot-3, 248 pounds
2014 Stats: 20 catches, 155 catches, 0 touchdowns
Projected Round: 4th-6th
Scouting Report: Saxton is a fantastic athlete, and he put that on display at the combine with a 40-yard dash time of 4.65 seconds, which was the best of any tight end. He also topped his position group with his performance in the vertical jump and broad jump. He has all the measurables to make him an attractive prospect, but he wasn't highly productive in college. Injuries limited him last year, but he has all the tools to develop into a playmaker at the NFL level.
Why He Makes Sense: In addition to looking for another reliable tight end, the Ravens also want to add playmakers to the offense. Saxton has the tools to develop into that kind of threat. Saxton would be a mid-to-late round pick.
Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State
Senior, 6-foot-5, 254 pounds
2014 Stats: 17 catches, 207 yards, 2 touchdowns
Projected Round: 3rd-5th
Scouting Report: Heuerman is a big tight end who is just as comfortable in the passing game as he is clearing the way for running backs. He has decent speed and can hurt defenses over the middle of the field. Heuerman's production was minimal last year as Ohio State shied away from using the tight end as a marquee piece of the offense. The previous year, however, he had 466 receiving yards, showing that he has the ability to put up more production.
Why He Makes Sense: Heuerman has ideal size for an NFL tight end, and he would be a good fit in double tight end packages along with Crockett Gillmore. His ability as a blocker and a sure-handed pass catcher make him an attractive mid-round option.
