Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome's fondness for drafting players out of Alabama is well known in scouting circles, but could he end up drafting a pair of prospects out of the school that beat the Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff last season?
That might be a scenario that plays out at the 2015 NFL Draft if Newsome uses it to fill the voids left on the roster by the departures of wideout Torrey Smith and tight end Owen Daniels, starting with his first pick at No. 26.
"Torrey Smith brought you that speed, so I think you try to replace that speed through the draft and you have some good options," NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah said on NFL Network's "Path to the Draft" Tuesday. "I look at Devin Smith out of Ohio State at pick No. 26 -- that's a legitimate option for this football team that can get down the field."
As for Round 2, when the Ravens are slated to pick at No. 58, Jeremiah sees Ohio State's Jeff Heuerman as a potential fit at tight end.
"Owen Daniels is gone and Dennis Pita has had some injuries so (tight end) is a position they could address," Jeremiah said. "Maxx Williams, I don't think he'll make it to No. 58 (in the second round) and it's probably too rich for the Ravens to take him at No. 26. Jeff Heuerman out of Ohio State at pick No. 58 could really help you in the run game. He can be a dominant run blocker. He's great in pass protection as well, something we don't talk about often with tight ends. And he's got that speed to get down the hash."
The addition of the two Buckeyes would make plenty of sense for Baltimore, as it would give quarterback Joe Flacco a couple more weapons and the Ravens wouldn't be reaching to take Smith at No. 26 and Heuerman at No. 58.
As we all know, though, the Ravens frequently go with the "best player available" philosophy in the draft, and NFL Media's Charley Casserly noted on "Path to the Draft" that the strategy could lead them to a player that would give their secondary a boost.
"For today, we're going to give (Newsome) a corner (in the first round) because there's depth at wide receiver in the second round: Kevin Johnson out of Wake Forest," Casserly said. "As good a position workout as any -- any -- corner at the (NFL Scouting) Combine. He is athletic, he's got (good) feet, he's got quickness and excellent zone instincts."
No matter what direction the Ravens go when they get to Chicago for the draft, it's pretty clear there are plenty of good options for the team as it looks to rebuild after a number of losses in free agency.
You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
