The Baltimore Ravens, despite going 10-6 last year, have some pretty big needs on the roster.
The Ravens were decimated by injuries in their secondary last year and even though the team just re-signed top corner Jimmy Smith to a new deal, adding more bodies to the mix would be a plus. Baltimore also needs to replace departed wide receiver Torrey Smith. It's not like they can reliably count on Steve Smith Sr., who will be 36 next month, to continue churning out 1,000 yard seasons.
But neither of those positions may be addressed in the first-round of the NFL Draft. Why? Because sometimes you just have to take a good player and worry about needs later. That is why ESPN NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay projects Baltimore to select Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon with the No. 26 overall pick in his Mock Draft 5.0.
"The Ravens could look at a wide receiver or a cornerback here, but they also need depth at running back alongside Justin Forsett, who is coming off a career year but will turn 30 years old this season, and Gordon qualifies as a good value at this point," McShay wrote. "He's a great fit for Baltimore's zone-blocking scheme, as he excels at being patient in waiting for holes to develop, then accelerating quickly through the holes and reading the second level of defenses to exploit cutback lanes. He needs to improve as a pass-catcher and in pass protection to become a complete three-down back in the NFL."
Gordon is considered the second-best running back prospect in this year's draft class behind Georgia's Todd Gurley (who won't lack for suitors in the draft himself). Gordon rushed for a jaw-dropping 2,587 yards with 29 touchdowns on a 7.5 yards-per-carry average last year. He has also been linked to the Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars so the Ravens may have to trade up to get him.
Although a running back hasn't been selected in the first-round of the draft since 2012, Gordon may be an exception to the recent trend.
