As the Baltimore Ravens prepare for the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis Feb. 28-March 6, they do so with some holes throughout the defensive depth chart, all of which figure to receive attention either in free agency or the draft.
Mel Kiper Jr., a Baltimore native and NFL draft analyst for ESPN since 1984, joined Glenn Clark Radio Feb. 17 and discussed a handful of players the Ravens could target in the draft to shore up their defense. Two spots in particular that Kiper touched on were cornerback and pass rusher.
The Ravens lack depth at cornerback behind Jimmy Smith and Tavon Young. Smith is a quality No. 1 cornerback but has played 16 games just twice during his six-year career; Young was a deft find in the fourth round last year, but at 5-foot-9, he is probably best suited to cover the slot. Kiper's latest mock draft addresses the Ravens' need in the secondary by slotting Sidney Jones, a 6-foot, 181-pound cornerback out of Washington, at No. 16 overall.
