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The Baltimore Ravens have built a reputation for identifying and acquiring elite talent. Two of their current stars recently received recognition for proving just how valuable non-first-round draft picks can become.
Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker recently released his rankings of the most valuable non-first-round NFL Draft selections since 2016. The Ravens were represented by two players who have dramatically outperformed their draft positions and established themselves among the best at their respective positions.
Sometimes, it's hard to believe that Derrick Henry wasn't a first-round selection, but he wasn't. He was chosen 45th overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2016, 37 spots after they also took Jack Conklin in Round 1.
Henry landed at No. 12 on Locker's list. Since his NFL debut, he has built a resume that places him among the most dominant running backs of his generation. As Locker suggests, he leads all running backs drafted since 2016 in both PFF rushing grade and Wins Above Replacement.
His combination of power, durability, and production has helped him force an astonishing 563 missed tackles during his NFL career. Even as he has advanced into the later stages of his career, Henry has remained one of football's most reliable offensive weapons.
Just ahead of Henry was Ravens edge rusher Trey Hendrickson at No. 10, who entered the league as a third-round selection by the New Orleans Saints in 2017. While Hendrickson required some time to fully emerge during his first two NFL seasons, he has since developed into one of the league's most productive pass rushers.
Locker highlighted Hendrickson's 90.0 overall PFF grade over the past five seasons, along with a pass-rush grade of 92.2 and a pressure rate of 16.8 percent. Those numbers place him among the NFL's elite defenders and help explain why Baltimore aggressively pursued him this offseason.
The Ravens strengthened their pass rush by signing him to a four-year, $112 million contract in March. If his recent production continues, that investment could look like another smart move by a front office that has rarely been afraid to bet on proven talent. For Baltimore, having two players ranked among the NFL's most valuable non-first-round picks serves as further evidence that draft position often matters far less than what happens once a player reaches the professional level.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: How Ravens benefited from two elite non-first-round picks
Continue reading...
Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker recently released his rankings of the most valuable non-first-round NFL Draft selections since 2016. The Ravens were represented by two players who have dramatically outperformed their draft positions and established themselves among the best at their respective positions.
Derrick Henry's Hall of Fame career continues
Sometimes, it's hard to believe that Derrick Henry wasn't a first-round selection, but he wasn't. He was chosen 45th overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2016, 37 spots after they also took Jack Conklin in Round 1.
Henry landed at No. 12 on Locker's list. Since his NFL debut, he has built a resume that places him among the most dominant running backs of his generation. As Locker suggests, he leads all running backs drafted since 2016 in both PFF rushing grade and Wins Above Replacement.
His combination of power, durability, and production has helped him force an astonishing 563 missed tackles during his NFL career. Even as he has advanced into the later stages of his career, Henry has remained one of football's most reliable offensive weapons.
Trey Hendrickson continues to outperform expectations
Just ahead of Henry was Ravens edge rusher Trey Hendrickson at No. 10, who entered the league as a third-round selection by the New Orleans Saints in 2017. While Hendrickson required some time to fully emerge during his first two NFL seasons, he has since developed into one of the league's most productive pass rushers.
Locker highlighted Hendrickson's 90.0 overall PFF grade over the past five seasons, along with a pass-rush grade of 92.2 and a pressure rate of 16.8 percent. Those numbers place him among the NFL's elite defenders and help explain why Baltimore aggressively pursued him this offseason.
The Ravens strengthened their pass rush by signing him to a four-year, $112 million contract in March. If his recent production continues, that investment could look like another smart move by a front office that has rarely been afraid to bet on proven talent. For Baltimore, having two players ranked among the NFL's most valuable non-first-round picks serves as further evidence that draft position often matters far less than what happens once a player reaches the professional level.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: How Ravens benefited from two elite non-first-round picks
Continue reading...
