OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Looking to add depth to their secondary following last year’s nightmarish run of injuries, the Ravens rolled the dice on Texas Southern cornerback Tray Walker with the final pick of the fourth round.
At 6-foot-2 and 191 pounds, Walker brings good size and could be used in press coverage. His selection continues the Baltimore tradition of not being afraid to draft FCS-level players as the organization has taken at least one in the fourth round in four straight years. In 42 career games at Texas Southern, Walker grabbed nine interceptions and made 159 total tackles.
As is frequently the case with players coming from the FCS level, Walker was not a well-known draft prospect and was projected by some to be selected in the final round or two or to be signed as a priority free agent.
“I was not highly recruited,” said Walker when asked about playing for the Tigers in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. “I was overlooked. I was a safety in high school.”
Cornerback was regarded by most as the Ravens’ third-biggest need behind wide receiver and tight end, the positions they drafted in the first and second rounds, respectively. Five cornerbacks ended the season on injured reserve including starter Jimmy Smith and No. 3 option Asa Jackson.
Without any further additions, Walker would likely compete with Jackson and Rashaan Melvin for the No. 3 cornerback job behind starters Smith and veteran Lardarius Webb.
