CB Damarion ‘Pepe’ Williams

Other than punter Jordan Stout, Williams was the lowest-rated pick in the Ravens’ draft class, falling outside the top 250 in the media’s consensus big boards. He doesn’t have exceptional size (5-10, 183 pounds), speed (4.53-second 40) or quickness. At Houston, however, he excelled in coverage against talented passing attacks. He allowed just two catches for 23 yards against Jalen Hurts-led Oklahoma in 2019, two catches for 21 yards against Zach Wilsonled Brigham Young in 2020, one catch for 9 yards against Desmond Ridder-led Cincinnati later that year and no catches against Ridder and the Bearcats last season.

Draft analysts hailed Williams’ leadership skills and competitiveness, which should translate to special teams production in the NFL. But his versatility could make him a valuable reserve in the secondary. Williams floated around the Cougars’ secondary last season, lining up at left cornerback (57 coverage snaps), right cornerback (64), slot cornerback (127) and safety (124), and he joked that he can play linebacker, too.

“I think it’s huge, because it allows you to do a lot in coverage,” Hortiz said of Williams, whom he compared to safety Brandon Stephens. “Truly, he has played every spot in their secondary just this year. So you know you can say, ‘Hey, you know what? We have to bump him back to free safety, because he’s going to know it. He’s going to understand it. He’s a smart football player.’ So the ability and the intelligence are key. I think with both Brandon and Damarion, they are both able, and certainly, they’re very smart.”