<
        >

          NFL Nation

          Ravens draft primer: Dominique Easley

          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterApr 22, 2014, 05:00 PM ET
            Close
              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
            Follow on X

          With 16 days until the NFL draft begins, here is another potential draft prospect for the Baltimore Ravens:

          DOMINIQUE EASLEY

          Position: Defensive tackle

          School: Florida

          Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 288

          Round projection: Second or third

          File this away: Easley tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in 2011 and right ACL in 2013.

          Good:Easley has first-round talent. He's explosive off the snap. He's disruptive inside, whether it's hitting running backs in the backfield or pressuring the quarterback. He plays with a great motor and is excellent in pursuit. In 32 games, Easley recorded 72 tackles (18 for a loss) and 5.5 sacks.

          Bad: Injury history makes him a risk. It's the biggest reason he's not a top-20 pick. Easley tore his right ACL in the third game last year and missed the rest of the season. He estimated that his knee was 80 percent when he worked out for teams this month. The only other negatives are his lack of bulk and short arms.

          Bottom line: The Ravens were one of 18 teams who attended Easley's workout last week. Ravens defensive line coach Clarence Brooks worked him out. Defensive line is a need, although not a pressing one. Easley could help fill the void left by Arthur Jones, who signed with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency. The Ravens also could be looking to the future if extension talks don't work out with Haloti Ngata next season. That's why I wouldn't rule out Easley or any other defensive lineman in the second round. If the Ravens take Easley that high, they have to be confident that his injury history in college won't carry over to the NFL.

          What Easley said: "I tore my ACL in 2011 [and] I got faster in 2013. So when I get back from this ACL, it's going to make me nothing but faster. It's frustrating, but everything happens for a reason."

          Here is a recap of the prospects already profiled:

          Quarterback: Jimmy Garoppolo.

          Running back: Carlos Hyde.

          Wide receiver: Mike Evans, Kelvin Benjamin, Martavis Bryant.

          Tight end: Jace Amaro, Eric Ebron.

          Offensive line: Joel Bitonio.

          Cornerback: Bashuad Breeland.

          Safety: Terrence Brooks, Deone Bucannon, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.