5 Players to Watch During Friday’s Combine Drills: DBs and TEs

Linebackers and defensive linemen got combine festivities started yesterday in Indianapolis, with defensive backs and tight ends set to take the field today. There’s plenty to be excited about, as many consider this one of the deepest tight end classes in years, and we’ll also see some serious ball-hawks in the secondary. After a rocky season from the Ravens secondary in 2024, and questions surrounding the future of Mark Andrews with the team, Friday’s drills could feature a number of future Ravens.

Xavier Watts, Safety, Notre Dame

By far one of the more exciting players in this class, Xavier Watts is the definition of a ball-hawk. Recruited as a wide receiver, Watts took the transition to safety and grew into one of the most dominant defensive players in the country over the last two seasons. After leading the nation in interceptions with seven in 2023, Watts returned to South Bend for his senior season, racking up another six picks. Allowing just one touchdown in coverage over four seasons, Watts coverage skills and athleticism have him as one of the higher safety prospects in Indianapolis this week. Ravens GM Eric DeCosta has already expressed interest in addressing the safety position this offseason. Baltimore has already hit on one Notre Dame safety, and might have their next star taking the field Friday.

BEST GAMES: @ Texas A&M, Army, Georgia (CFP)

WORST GAMES: @ Navy, @ USC

Malaki Starks, Safety, Georgia

Malaki Starks is another exciting safety to keep an eye on when defensive backs take the field Friday. Starks’ track speed and pure athleticism make him one of the more intriguing safety prospects in the 2025 draft class. After shining on campus as a true freshman, Starks would go on to start in 40 of 41 games, becoming a true piece in Georgia’s championship-caliber defense. Six interceptions and 19 pass break-ups over three seasons pop out on the statsheet, despite limited targets his way in 2024. What Starks lacks in coverage, he backs up in the run game, eliminating underneath throws and destroying the run game. Starks finished the last two seasons with a PFF Run Defense Grade of 84.8 and 85.6, ranking top 25 in the country in both campaigns.

BEST GAMES: @ Kentucky, vs Mississippi St, @ Texas

WORST GAMES: @ Alabama, vs Georgia Tech

Latham Ransom, Safety, Ohio St

Getting a run stopping Safety could be extremely beneficial for a Ravens secondary that struggled in 2024. Getting Kyle Hamilton back to his “swiss army knife” type of play style will be crucial in getting those explosive plays back from the soon to be 4th year safety. Ohio State safety Latham Ransom is exactly the type of player to fit that need. Ransom is a pure box safety, with the upside to be a true chess piece in the right system. Playing over 2,000 snaps over his five-year career in Columbus, Ransom finished his career with 174 tackles and while also showing an ability to play in coverage with 10 PBU. Ransom’s hybrid style of play will make him an interesting prospect, with a chance to play some outside linebacker in certain schemes. The Ravens creative pressure packages could really bring out the best in Ransom, making him a player to keep an eye on during Friday’s drills.

BEST GAMES: vs Indiana, vs Michigan, vs Oregon (CFP)

WORST GAMES: @ Michigan St, @ Texas (CFP)

Trey Amos, Cornerback, Ole Miss

It’d be interesting to see the Ravens go cornerback for the second straight draft, should the team select one in the first round. Trey Amos however, brings a boundary presence the team just might look to pounce on. In 2024 Marlon Humphrey saw his highest uptick in slot corner snaps since 2020, taking 500 reps at position compared to 316 snaps at outside corner. Getting another boundary corner alongside Nate Wiggins can help the Ravens stay young, and upgrade the position with a cheap and immediate playmaker. Excelling in press-man, Amos uses his length and physicality to matchup well with X receivers on the outside. Considered as a potential Day 2 pick, Amos has an opportunity to show off his hips and footwork Friday, as he hopes to improve his stock in front of all 32 NFL teams and scouts.

BEST GAMES: @ South Carolina, @ LSU, vs Georgia

WORST GAMES: vs Georgia Southern, vs Kentucky

Mason Taylor, Tight End, LSU

It’s crazy to think at just 29 years old, the talks of Mark Andrews being shopped out of Baltimore have never been louder. Should the Ravens elect to move on from the future Ring of Honor member, this year’s draft class offers some of the deepest options we’ve seen in years. Mason Taylor could be the perfect TE3 next to Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar if Baltimore finds themselves searching to fill the position. Taylor found success in the SEC attacking zone coverage, and could translate that to the next level from the slot. Taylor’s sure hands were on full display in 2024, finishing the season with just one drop on a career high 79 targets. The struggles in the run blocking game could be detrimental in the stock of the LSU tight end, as his first year looks to be limited to a pass catching role. The eyes around the tight end group will continue to depend on the situation regarding Andrews and his cap hit in 2025. Taylor’s pass catching ability, and red zone presence makes him an intriguing player to watch in drills Friday.

BEST GAMES: @ South Carolina, v South Alabama, vs Alabama

WORST GAMES: vs Ole Miss, @ Texas A&M

Honorable Mention: Shavon Revel Jr., Cornerback, ECU

Although he won’t join his fellow cornerbacks for drills Friday, ECU corner Shavon Revel Jr. stated he has met with the Ravens at this year’s NFL Combine. Revel won’t partake in drills Friday after suffering a season ending ACL injury in September. The ECU standout is however, expected to be 100% by Week 1 according to his doctor, Daniel E. Cooper. Appearing in just three games this season, Revel still managed to finish the season with 2 INTs and 2 PBUs utilizing his length and speed to his advantage. Selecting Revel in this year’s draft will be considered a gamble in round 1, but the upside in his game is there. Revel’s ability to be left on an island and play press at an elite level gives him legit ties to a Ravens secondary that gave up the second most yards per game in 2024. Again, he won’t be on the field for workouts Friday, but after meeting with the Ravens in Indy, it’ll be interesting to see how the corners around his stock perform.

BEST GAMES: vs SMU 23’, @ UTSA 23’, @ Old Dominion

WORST GAMES: vs Charlotte 23’, vs Gardner-Webb 23’

The post 5 Players to Watch During Friday’s Combine Drills: DBs and TEs appeared first on Russell Street Report.

Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/02/28/ravens-draft-central/5-players-to-watch-during-fridays-combine-drills-dbs-and-tes/