The Baltimore Ravens' Round 1 Big Board Before Combine

The Baltimore Ravens have routinely been one of the better drafting teams in the NFL. Looking at their current roster, their best players have come via the NFL draft.

Joe Flacco, Terrell Suggs, Marshal Yanda, Torrey Smith, Haloti Ngata and CJ Mosley are easily among the 10 best players on Baltimore's roster, and all of those guys were originally drafted by the Ravens. 

General manager Ozzie Newsome is one of the best in the business when it comes to draft success. With another good draft haul, he'll have Baltimore contending for the Super Bowl in 2015. 

Newsome and his staff will be at the NFL Scouting Combine, which will run from Feb. 17-23 in Indianapolis, where they will scout some of this year's top draft prospects. 

I've put together a list of five first-round big board prospects that the Ravens will watch closely at the combine. This a list of players I expect to be on the board at pick No. 26, where Baltimore's first pick of this year's draft is. 

Note: All measurements unless otherwise noted are courtesy of ESPN. 

Melvin Gordon

Running Back, Wisconsin

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 207 lbs.

The Ravens will be in the market for a new running back if Justin Forsett leaves via free agency. In 2014, Forsett was fifth in the NFL in rushing yards (1,266) to go with eight scores.

However, he signed just a one-year deal last year, and now he's set to hit unrestricted NFL free agency. If he leaves, Baltimore will need to add a running back early in this year's NFL draft.  

Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon is easily the best RB prospect in this year's draft, and there's a good chance he's on the board when the Ravens are selecting at pick No. 26. 

Because the RB position has been devalued, even a world-class talent like Gordon could still fall into the latter part of the first round, allowing a team like Baltimore to pounce and add an instant-impact player with its first pick.

In Baltimore's offense, Gordon would easily become the No. 1 RB and help make this offense one that no NFL team wants to face. 

Jalen Collins

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Cornerback, LSU

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 193 lbs.

The Ravens' biggest weakness in 2015 was their secondary, particularly at cornerback. Injuries knocked out Jimmy Smith and Asa Jackson for much of the year, and Lardarius Webb continued to regress from his former Pro Bowl self.

Webb finished with the fourth-worst grade of any Baltimore defender this past year, according to Pro Football Focus. PFF also ranked him 41st out of 54 corners who played in at least 60 percent of their team's defensive snaps.

Needless to say, Baltimore needs to add a quality cornerback this offseason, and there will be several guys likely on the board at pick No. 26.

Jalen Collins should be one of them after the former Tigers corner shut down many opposing receivers this past year. 

NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein said Collins has a "rare combination of height, weight and speed." You don't often see six-foot corners that can move and cover like Collins does so well, and that's why Baltimore should have him on its first-round board heading into the draft. 

Marcus Peters

USA TODAY Sports

Cornerback, Washington

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 193 lbs.

As mentioned before, the Ravens need to add another cornerback this offseason, and they may do so with their first-round pick. 

Marcus Peters is being touted as one of the top CB prospects in this year's NFL draft, and ESPN's Kevin Weidl believes Peters is this year's No. 1 CB. 

"

Peters has the most complete package of any cornerback in the class. He has good size and strength and is loaded with athletic ability. He also shows impressive overall awareness and recognizes route concepts, and he quickly locates and plays the ball.

"

The problem with Peters is the off-field concerns he brings to the table. He was kicked off the Washington Huskies team this past year for repeated disciplinary infractions, according to Pro Football Talk.

Had he finished out his collegiate career without he off-field issues, Peters would probably be projected to be selected before Baltimore had the chance to get him at pick No. 26. 

The scouting combine will offer teams like Baltimore a chance to interview Peters one-on-one and try to determine if he's matured since then or if he still has too many concerns to warrant spending a first-round pick on. 

Either way, the cornerback-needy Ravens will be a team to watch out for when/if they're on the clock and Peters is still on the board. 

Alvin 'Bud' Dupree

Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Kentucky

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 264 lbs. 

The Ravens' pass-rush could take a step back in 2015 after being the team's strength in 2014. Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee registered 7.5 sacks this past year, but he's set to hit free agency. 

Elvis Dumervil and Suggs combined for 29 sacks this past year, but both are hitting the latter parts of their great NFL careers.

Suggs is 32 heading into his 13th NFL season in 2015. Dumervil turned 31 on January 19, so Baltimore would be wise to add a young pass-rusher in this year's draft. 

Kentucky's Alvin "Bud" Dupree was one of the best pass-rushers in college football over his career after getting 21.5 sacks over the past three seasons. 

Dupree was also a force in the run game after leading all SEC defensive linemen with 74 total tackles to go with 12.5 tackles for loss this past year, per UK Athletics. 

He would be a great OLB to add to Baltimore's aging defense to ensure it remains elite for the foreseeable future. 

Maxx Williams

John Raoux/Associated Press

Tight end, Minnesota 

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 240 lbs. 

The Ravens love using their tight ends, but after Owen Daniels played a pivotal role in the offense this past year, he's set to hit free agency after signing just a one-year deal.

After Dennis Pitta went down with a season-ending hip injury, Daniels stepped in and became the full-time starter for the final 16 games, including the playoffs. In addition to Daniels potentially leaving, Pitta may not be able to resume his playing career because of chronic hip issues. 

According to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, the Ravens remain cautiously optimistic Pitta will return next year, but it's no certainty.

If Baltimore loses Pitta and/or Daniels, they'll need to add a TE early in the NFL draft, and Maxx Williams could fit the bill. 

As a redshirt sophomore this past season, Williams led the Gophers in receptions (36), yards (569), receiving touchdowns (8) and was fourth in yards-per-reception (15.8), per the school's official website. He was also a finalist for the 2014 Mackey Award, which honors the nation's top TE each year. 

If Baltimore looks to add a TE early in this year's draft, Williams should be at the top of its board at that position. 

DeVante Parker

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Wide Receiver, Louisville

Height: 6' 3"

Weight: 208 lbs.

The Ravens could have a big need at receiver if they lose Torrey Smith in free agency. Even if they don't lose Torrey, they still have a need at that position with Steve Smith Sr. being the only other consistent pass-catcher on the roster.

Smith Sr. turns 36 in May, and he's now at the age where retirement is a possibility every year going forward. After Torrey and Steve, Baltimore got little production from its other receivers, who combined for just 64 catches and four scores last year.

Adding a young WR through the draft is something Baltimore needs to do early, and maybe even in the first round with the 26th pick.

DeVante Parker out of Louisville is one of the best pass-catchers in this draft, and the Ravens would love to add a guy with his talent.

Through his four years in college, Parker caught 156 passes for 2,775 yards (17.7 avg) and 33 scores. He'd be the perfect player to add to Baltimore's aging WR unit.