With the 61st pick the Baltimore Ravens select...
Ronnell Lewis - OLB, Oklahoma
Lewis is a very intriguing prospect because he is an all-around player at LB. What I mean by that is that he can rush the passer, play the run, and has versatility across the formation. He is not an elite pass rusher, but the Ravens aren't looking for that in the LB they line up across from Terrell Suggs (see Jarrett Johnson). He must have the versatility to rush the passer as well as be stout against the run and Lewis can do this. He will also fit into the Ravens hybrid 3-4/4-3 system.
OLB may not seem like a huge need for Baltimore because of all the talent the Ravens have stockpiled on the roster, but the situation is actually pretty dire. You have Terrell Suggs, who is an absolute beast, but the other starter, Jarrett Johnson, is a Free Agent and is unlikely to return. On the bench you have Paul Kruger, Sergio Kindle, and Michael McAdoo. Kruger is an excellent pass rusher, but is not a three-down LB. Kindle has yet to see meaningful playing time off the bench and may not ever get on the field. McAdoo has a world of potential but is extremely raw. He could possibly be groomed as Suggs successor.
I see Lewis contributing on defense as a rookie at OLB. He would likely start at OLB in the 4-3 setup and would platoon with Kruger at the OLB spot across from Suggs in the 3-4. I say platoon because Kruger is a great pass rusher but is not good in coverage so you can run Lewis in there. Lewis is also excellent on special teams and would contribute on the unit as a rookie. If Kruger proves himself as a capable every down OLB then Lewis could move inside to ILB in the 3-4 since Baltimore has a need there as well.
