Maxx Williams to Baltimore Ravens: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

With their first two picks in the 2015 NFL draft, the Baltimore Ravens addressed arguably their two biggest areas of need. 

After getting wide receiver Breshad Perriman in Round 1, the Ravens were sitting at pick No. 58 in Round 2. Instead of standing pat, Baltimore moved up in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals that got the Ravens the No. 55 pick in exchange for the No. 58 pick and a fifth-round pick.

It was well worth it, as Baltimore used that pick on Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams. This position was easily the biggest or second-biggest position of need coming into Day 2, and the Ravens addressed it right off the bat.

They did so with arguably the best tight end in the draft in Williams. Both CBS Sports and ESPN had him ranked as the No. 1 tight end in addition to a top-50 overall prospect. 

How Williams Fits the Ravens

Tight end is a big question mark heading into the draft. A big reason why is Owen Daniels' departure to Denver this offseason. He became the full-time starter last year when Dennis Pitta went down with a season-ending hip injury.

If Pitta recovers, he'll be the No. 1 tight end in 2015. However, there is a chance that the injury will force him to retire, and the Ravens won't know the final decision on his status until the summer. Crockett Gillmore showed flashes of potential as a rookie last year, but can he be counted on to be the No. 1 tight end if Pitta can't play?

The 6'4", 249-pound Williams led Minnesota in receptions (36), yards (569) and receiving touchdowns (eight) this past season. That made him a finalist for the 2014 John Mackey Award, which honors the nation's top tight end every year. 

He's not the biggest or most physical tight end you'll find, but Williams is a good route-runner with great hands and knows how to find an open zone. 

Here is an excerpt of Williams' scouting report by NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, who compares him to former Giants and Saints Pro Bowler Jeremy Shockey:

"

Primarily used as move tight end. Straight-line wheels to beat linebackers and safeties. Accelerates to top speed quickly on crossers and speed outs. Speed to chew up cushion and open a throwing window over the top. Will threaten seam and dominated defenders on wheel routes.

Red-zone winner. Can do damage after the catch and shows playmaking aptitude with tight end screens. Extends and goes all out for the catch. Got a foot inbounds on three circus catches. Eighty-two percent of his catches were for either a first down or touchdown. 

NFL COMPARISON: Jeremy Shockey

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Initial Reaction to Williams' Selection

With questions surrounding Baltimore's tight ends, Williams is good enough to come in and start Day 1. He's also good enough to be one of the top three pass-catchers on the team's offense as a rookie. 

The Ravens were very smart to trade up and secure this pick. It was at a point in the draft when Williams could have been picked at any moment, and Baltimore was not about to let him slip through its fingers. 

In fact, I projected a similar trade in my final mock draft in which the Ravens traded up to get Miami tight end Clive Walford in the second round. I did that with the assumption Williams would be off the board by then.

Because Williams fell further than expected, Baltimore moved up to end his slide and grabbed the best tight end in the draft. This was a huge pickup for the Ravens, and I expect Williams to play a lot his rookie year, if not start.