Baltimore Ravens: Maxx Williams will shine in 2015

The Baltimore Ravens knew heading into the 2015 NFL Draft that they needed to bolster their tight end corps.

After losing Owen Daniels via free agency while Dennis Pitta continues to have his problems staying healthy, the Ravens knew that an infusion of talent was needed at the position. With their No. 23 pick in the second round, they traded up to ensure they would land tight end Maxx Williams.

At 6’4 and 249 pounds, Williams brings an incredible presence to the Ravens’ offense. Able to catch anything coming his way, quarterback Joe Flacco shouldn’t have any problems developing a nice relationship with him as Williams.

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In his college career of two years at Minnesota, Williams totaled 986 yards on 61 receptions, scored eight touchdowns and posted an average of 16.2 yards per catch. His speed and ability to make big plays in the clutch will make him a key contributor come next season.

Of course Williams isn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination as he will need to work on his route running skills as well as making sure to get enough separation from defenders to avoid interceptions and drops. It’s nothing too major but he should be able to overcome those obstacles with the right coaching and training.

Ravens’ tight end coach Richard Angulo has a knack for developing young raw talent like Williams and making sure he excels at the pro level. Williams will truly shine next year since he’ll be in a position to not only help offensively but also be a decent defender when it comes to pass protection and setting up rushing plays.

Truth of the matter is, with Pitta still recovering from his severe hip injury, there is no telling what will happen when he is able to resume football activities. There is no guarantee he’ll be the same player the Ravens need to succeed but Williams can thrive in this situation since he can learn so much from Pitta to make his transition into the NFL an even easier one.

Nov 29, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers tight end Maxx Williams (88) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Considering that the Ravens also drafted another tight end in this year’s draft with Nick Boyle, they can be one of the top teams that utilizes dual formations with both their new talented draft picks. It could quite the nasty situation against defenders considering how talented both are and the passing threats that each brings to the table.

Williams comes with a ton of potential since many experts actually had him as the top tight end in this year’s draft and rightfully so. With the fact that he can end up getting the most snaps as the Ravens’ starter, he could become the next big tight end to hit the NFL in quite some time.

Overall, keep an eye on Williams as he develops into a true threat, especially on a team that continues to be a force to reckon with. With a solid offseason and their successful draft so far, the Ravens are building something special to once again return to the Super Bowl and leave victorious.

Next: Breshad Perriman right pick, fit for Baltimore Ravens

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