Ravens Mock Draft: Instant Contributors Baltimore Can Find in Every Round

The 2015 NFL draft is inching closer and closer as the Ravens continue to finalize their big board.

Baltimore has routinely found impact players in nearly every round of the draft, whether it's in the first round or the seventh round. 

The Ravens tend to build their team mostly through the draft, and many projected starters for next year are former Baltimore draft picks. 

This mock draft features six players who can contribute from day one, whether it's as a starter, as a rotational player or on special teams. The reason it's six is because Baltimore doesn't have a seventh-round pick as of now. 

Now, let's take a look at players in the first six rounds who could be helping the Ravens in 2015. 

Round 1

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The Pick: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Baltimore badly needs to add another receiver after losing Torrey Smith in free agency.

With a deep receiver class this year, there's a good chance a quality pass-catcher is on the board when the Ravens make their first pick. 

Arizona State's Jaelen Strong would normally be long gone this late in the first round, but with his position being so deep, he falls to Baltimore at No. 26. 

Over the past two years in college, Strong caught 157 passes for 2,287 yards and 17 scores. He also boosted his stock at the scouting combine, recording a 4.44-second 40-yard-dash time to go with an eye-popping 42-inch vertical leap.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared him to former Chiefs Pro Bowler Dwayne Bowe. 

"

Good combination of height, weight and arm length for the position. Drives back to the ball from top of the route. Adjusts routes in space. Developed nifty inside release to defeat press. Comfortable from slot, using varying route tempo for separation.

Tracks ball well. Good strength in hands and makes contested catches. Decent leaper who will climb the ladder for a catch or sink and secure low throw. Strong lower body and physical after catch. 

"

Of all the players who could possibly be on the board this late, Strong might be the one who would have the greatest impact on Baltimore in 2015 and beyond. 

The 6'3", 215-pound Strong is an outstanding athlete, and the Ravens would get an instant-impact player by taking him in the first round. 

Round 2

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The Pick: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

The Ravens would be smart to add a cornerback early in this year's draft after the position was Baltimore's biggest weakness in 2014. 

Though injuries played a part in it, Baltimore can't allow the position to hurt it as much as it did last year if it wants to make a deeper playoff run. 

That's why the Ravens grab the best corner on the board in Round 2, and LSU's Jalen Collins would be another instant-impact player if they get him.

The 6'1", 203-pound Collins routinely was tasked with covering No. 1 receivers in the SEC, and he often succeeded in limiting their production. 

That's because Collins has a nice combination of height, weight and speed (4.48 40-yard dash) that allows him to cover most types of wideouts.

However, Collins underwent foot surgery recently, which likely keeps him from being a first-round pick. Baltimore might be able to get him with pick No. 58 in the second round, and it would be a huge pickup if it does. 

Round 3

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The Pick: Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana

Though Baltimore was able to re-sign Justin Forsett this offseason, it still needs a quality No. 2 running back behind him.

Bernard Pierce was waived earlier this offseason, and Lorenzo Taliaferro's fumble issues kept him off the field most of his rookie season. 

That's why the Ravens grab a running back in the third round who can play significant snaps as a rookie, and Indiana's Tevin Coleman fits that role.

In 2014, the 5'11", 206-pound Coleman rushed for 2,036 yards and 15 scores. He's also a solid pass-catching back, as Coleman caught 44 passes for 334 yards in the last two seasons.

He'd be the perfect change-of-pace back to pair with Forsett, who is a better north-and-south runner. Those two together would form one of the better NFL backfields in 2015 if Baltimore is able to draft Coleman. 

Round 4

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The Pick: Jeff Heuerman, TE, Ohio State

After losing Owen Daniels to Denver this offseason, the tight end position is a huge question mark for Baltimore heading into the draft. 

Dennis Pitta may be forced to retire due to recurring hip injuries, and he can't be counted on to contribute in a full-time role. That would leave seldom-used backups Phillip Supernaw and Crockett Gillmore as the top two tight ends, and that can't be allowed to happen. 

That's why Baltimore grabs Jeff Heuerman in the fourth round to come in and compete for a starting spot as a rookie. The Buckeyes tight end caught 26 balls for 466 yards (17.9 average) and four scores his junior year, and he was looking like a quality NFL prospect.

However, Heuerman suffered a broken foot during spring practice this past season. He did return in time for the regular season but didn't get off to a good start while working his way back.

Then Ohio State went through three quarterback changes throughout the season due to injuries. That led to the Buckeyes using a run-heavy offense that helped limit Heuerman to just seven receptions for 207 yards and two touchdowns last year.

If he can get back to his 2013 form, Heuerman will be a good pickup for a TE-needy team such as the Ravens. 

Round 5

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The Pick: Vince Mayle, WR, Washington State

The Ravens would be wise to add multiple receivers in this year's draft with so little depth at the position. 

After all, Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones are gone, and Steve Smith turns 36 in May. Lucky for Baltimore, it finds a guy capable of playing his rookie year in Washington State's Vince Mayle. 

Mayle was a monster for the Cougars this past season and a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist for the nation's top wide receiver.

Mayle tied for the Pac-12 lead with a school-record 106 catches to go with a school single-season record 1,483 receiving yards. He also had two games with more than 252 yards receiving against Arizona State and California. 

Though that production came in a pass-happy offense, any receiver who puts those kinds of numbers up in a BCS conference should be able to contribute at the NFL level. 

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared Mayle to current Patriots receiver Aaron Dobson: 

"

NFL COMPARISON Aaron Dobson

BOTTOM LINE Evaluators seem sure that Mayle is a moldable piece of clay who can become substantially better as a pro with more coaching and experience. Mayle clearly needs work with some of the basic fundamentals for the position, but with his size and an ability to win vertically, he has a high ceiling. 

"

Mayle should be able to come in and contribute as a rookie for a Ravens team that's dangerously thin at receiver. 

Round 6

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The Pick: Marcus Murphy, RB/WR, Missouri

The Ravens need to add a return man at some point in the draft after cutting Jacoby Jones this offseason. 

Marcus Murphy may not be drafted until Day 3, but he could be a valuable commodity for what Baltimore needs. The 5'8", 193-pound Murphy was one of the most electrifying players in the SEC over the past two years.

He finished his college career with 2,837 punt and kickoff return yards and seven touchdowns scored via kickoffs (five) and punts (two). Murphy also rushed for 1,525 yards and 13 scores in addition to catching 39 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns over the past two seasons. 

Because he played both running back and receiver in college, Baltimore will be able to get him on the field in a variety of ways as a rookie.