If I had to guess (our draft pick)

[Ravenfan_11]

I believe we would take these players (in order) depending on who is available:

Hakeem Nicks - WR/UNC
Dariaus Heywood-Bey WR/Terps
Michael Oher - LT/ U Miss
Clay Mathews - DE / USC

I believe Brandon Pettigrew will not be available (going 24th to ATL)

Also, bear in mind, there are some schools, and even confrences for that matter that Ozzie does not pick from. I also don't believe they have been very high on Terps players over the years.

With Heywood-Bay, he supposedly does not run good routes, and can dissapear from games (we already have Clayton for that). Nicks is more consistent, and that is what we need right now. We need a 4 or 5 catch guy that also has speed.

In the 2nd round, I think n the 2nd round, I'm convined we will take Sean Smith, CB from Utah. He is the biggest corner in the draft (6-4) and I doubt we will target any short ones given what we have aquired in free agency.

I also would not be surprised to see us take a running back here.

Thoughts?


:229031_confused2:

[baltimore_hokie]

i don't think we would take DHB. this guy is going to take 2-3 years to be a real contributor, but i still don't think he will be around for our pick. i agree with nicks and would add britt into the WR category (size and blocking are the two biggest need points for us). on the defensive side of the ball i would add maualuga, ayers, and everette brown to the mix (ayers and brown will very likely be off the board, though. just my thoughts

[pyite32]

There is no way Bey is available in the second round.

Kenny Britt WR Rutgers (He will be the 2nd best receiver in this draft)
Jarron Gilbert DE San Jose St.
Mike Mickens CB Cincinnata
Frantz Joseph LB Fl. International
Alex Boone OT Ohio State
Ian Campbell DE/LB Kansas State.

[srobert96]

I believe we would take these players (in order) depending on who is available:

Hakeem Nicks - WR/UNC
Dariaus Heywood-Bey WR/Terps
Michael Oher - LT/ U Miss
Clay Mathews - DE / USC

I believe Brandon Pettigrew will not be available (going 24th to ATL)

Also, bear in mind, there are some schools, and even confrences for that matter that Ozzie does not pick from. I also don't believe they have been very high on Terps players over the years.

With Heywood-Bay, he supposedly does not run good routes, and can dissapear from games (we already have Clayton for that). Nicks is more consistent, and that is what we need right now. We need a 4 or 5 catch guy that also has speed.

In the 2nd round, I think n the 2nd round, I'm convined we will take Sean Smith, CB from Utah. He is the biggest corner in the draft (6-4) and I doubt we will target any short ones given what we have aquired in free agency.

I also would not be surprised to see us take a running back here.

Thoughts?


:229031_confused2:
I would be shocked if Ozzie took a player from USC. There are rumors that Clay Mathews is artificially enhanced. Kind of player that gets to the NFL and fizzles.

I also read that the Ravens did not care for Nick's attitude. Of course this could be a smoke screen.

I definitely could see Oher being the pick. Definitely Pettigrew if he is still there. It is definitely going to be interesting.

[Lee Van Cleef]

I think we take Britt or Nicks before we take DHB.

[JoeCool5]

Anyone know who Kiper currently has us selecting? He is usually right when it comes to the Ravens.

[Rayvens52]

Anyone know who Kiper currently has us selecting? He is usually right when it comes to the Ravens.

His latest mock has us taking Britt, which I think would be a great pick up.

[Rxdoxx]

Talk about a crap shoot, I have no idea. Some I'd like to see us get.

Figuring there is going to be a run on OT, Denver almost has to take a QB with one of their selections, so that could be 3 QB depending on where Sanchez falls. If more than 2 WR go before us, then at least one of the top 15 and probably 2 or 3 (from 16 to 26) on the Ravens board are going to be there.
Problem is I only know what I've been able to read, no idea of what the FO scouting reports says.
Toss in the presence of Cam as a wild card (we have a great OC in the evaluation mix this year), and there could be a push for a specific WR (like maybe he sees something in Robiskie).
But who drops that we can't pass on? Tyson Chandler? Pettigrew? Or if people we can pass on drop (like Freeman/Beanie) I can see us trading for a high 2nd +

The fact that we are looking at the Loadholts tells me that an OT is not expected to be there for 26.
My gut is saying a DE/LB like English/Ayers , Maybe Alphonso Smith .

[baltimore_hokie]

i think you mean tyson jackson. tyson chandler's gangly ass couldn't play anywhere on a football field.

[ed from Bel Air]

In the 2nd round, I think n the 2nd round, I'm convined we will take Sean Smith, CB from Utah. He is the biggest corner in the draft (6-4) and I doubt we will target any short ones given what we have aquired in free agency.


I hope he is still there in the second round when we pick again, but I don't think he will be. If the Ravens trade back and somehow get an earlier 2nd round pick, I think this would be a great pick up. Although I love what Ozzie has done with the CB's, I still have nightmares over some of the guys we have had back there over the years. You can never have enough good cornerbacks.

[Rayvens52]

His latest mock has us taking Britt, which I think would be a great pick up.

Sorry that was Todd McShay's, Kiper still has us taking the CB Davis from Nova.

[Dragz]

I like English, we need an heir to Trevor Pryce. I don't like picking up a WR in the first round. I think our offense will be just fine: We pick up Boldin and give teams fits tryin to cover him and Mason and Clayton in the slot, with LJ Smith at TE and McGahee or Rice in the backfield OR we keep Mason and Clayton outside (hopefully) Williams stays healthy and we have Heap and Smith at TE and McGahee or Rice in the backfield. Pick your poison...

[baltimore_hokie]

english does not play the same position as pryce -- he's a rush linebacker.

[f7eleven]

i don't see why everyone here is so all-up-ons for Britt. He's slower than DHB with the same questionable hands.

[afcnchamps]

I would love to see any of the big name receivers come to us. They're all very impressive to me. I think Britt and Nicks are both can't misses. Heyward Bey is a project since he isn't experienced but he has huge playmaker potential. I don't think we'll take him though because I recall DeCosta saying they're not going for a homerun they'd be satisfied with a double. Maybe that's a smoke screen though. I'd do cartwheels if we got any of the three. Would anybody other than me be happy to get Percy Harvin? He was a touchdown machine against tough SEC opponents. Maybe he'll slip to the second round with his failed drug test rumors and injury concerns.

[afcnchamps]

i don't see why everyone here is so all-up-ons for Britt. He's slower than DHB with the same questionable hands.

2089 receiving yards for DHB after three seasons. Britt has 3043 yards after three seasons. That's why.

[psuasskicker]

Someone ridiculous is gonna fall into our laps. I dunno who it is, but I want us to draft that guy. Who friggin' cares what position he plays...

Anquan Boldin would be a far better use of our first round pick.

- C -

[psuasskicker]

i don't see why everyone here is so all-up-ons for Britt. He's slower than DHB with the same questionable hands.

I've heard far less about Britt's having questionable hands than DHB. Where have you heard that? I've heard more about attitude/off-field issues...

- C -

[Raveninwoodlawn]

I only really watched Britt once...and that was 2 years ago when they played the Terps.

He had a drop and I noticed that like DHB...he just doesn't look natural catching the ball.

Watch Nicks or Crabtree when they catch, and it looks incredibly natural... no body catching, no juggling, no herky jerky movements.

With DHB (as much as I love the guy as a Terp) and Britt when I watched him before and his highlights, they both look unnatural catching the ball.

Just MHO

[baltimore_hokie]

Positives: Tall with a long frame. Lines up in the slot and outside. Surprisingly quick feet in and out of cuts. Good route-runner who finds seams against the zone. Reaches top speed quickly. Latches onto cornerbacks in run blocking. Strong runner after the catch, willing to bowl over corners and safeties to gain additional yards. Adjusts to low balls well. Makes most of his plays on crossing routes and is willing to give it up over the middle. Uses his body to shield defenders from the ball. Gives good effort blocking, using his long arms and feet to stay in front of a corner.

Negatives: Lanky frame lacking strength in the upper body. Has difficulty sustaining blocks downfield against linebackers and safeties. Will need to learn how to use his hands to get off the line. Displayed very inconsistent hands during his career due to poor concentration and hand strength, leading to body-catching too many passes. Should make more plays on jump balls and down the sideline. Does not have the speed to separate after the catch. Not especially quick off the snap, and hasn't faced much press coverage due to his size.

[Andon]

wo

[darb72]

I still think we take Robiskie in the first round. I have no clue as to why I think that, I just do.

In the second round, I would love to take the CB out of Utah. He has the speed, fluid hips and agility to stay with the best receivers in the league.

Third round I'd look at someone like Jared Cook if he's there. He's a rare talent who presents match up nightmares all over the field.

Second day picks I'd like to see some defensive depth. Sammie Lee Hill will probably need a year or so to develop but projects to end in a 3-4 scheme.

There's a DE/LB out of Texas that wasn't invited to the combine I think we should take a look at. Henry Milton played RB for two years before switching to DE his junior year. With the people we have now, he can sit for a year or two and learn the posistion like we've done with so many other LBers. Scott and AD came along this way and became pro-bowlers.
http://www.40acressports.com/2009/04/20/draft-profile-henry-melton/

[Dave Lap]

Someone ridiculous is gonna fall into our laps. I dunno who it is, but I want us to draft that guy. Who friggin' cares what position he plays...

Anquan Boldin would be a far better use of our first round pick.

- C -
Agree with both comments.:thumbup:

[Bez513]

We won't have a 1st pick because we'll get Boldin in a trade. :thumbup:

[awalt]

OK, here is my OFFICIAL guess as to the Ravens pick at #26. I am picking a sleeper that I think is really good, and Oz seems to be more deceptive the last few years so maybe he is thinking the same.

My pick is ----

OT Eben Britton, Arizona

I'll start out with a little sizzle from today, Kiper says: "Britton is "very interesting," Kiper said. He left college early, but if he had gone back to Arizona, he would've been a top-10 pick next year."

Facts - 6-6, 310. Seems to be rated around the 4th - 6th best OT in the draft, so let's look at them.

His 40 time is faster than any of the top 5 (Which I see as Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe, Andre Smith, Michael Oher, and Britton). He lifted more than alll but Jason Smith in the top 5.

This is a key - of the top 8 rated OTs in the draft, he is the ONLY ONE who has played RT! He played RT in fresh and soph year, LT in junior year. He is leaving a year early.

He is versatile, proven at both LT and RT. Ravens like that.

He was second team Pac-10 as a soph, Pac-10 first team as a junior.

Scouts say excellent footwork and long arms (no Marhall Yanda here). To me this is critical with the edge rushers we see in the NFCN defenses.

He is stronger actually in pass blocking than run blocking. Good. Lets the WRs get out in lanes.

He is projected around 25th - 40th in the draft. I think he will go sooner vs. later because he is really good and a bunch of lineman will be scooped up early.

So why OT?

1. I don't see the lower 1st round WRs being that much more of a sure bet than the 2nd and 3rd rounders. All the WRs we may have a crack at have negatives that are hard to forget for a 1st rounder.
2. I firmly believe better pass protection will help our passing game more - it lets us get the TE into passing lanes, and lets us do 3 and 4 wide formations more. I don't care who the WRs are, in obvious passing situations we sent 2 receivers out, 5 and 6 DBs can easily cover them!
3. A lot of above average receivers have great seasons when they are in a system where the QB can pass effectively. For instance -- TJ Whosyourmama, Eddie Royal, Greg Jennnings, Lance Moore, Steve Breaston, Jerricho Cotchery, the list goes on and on of "system" WRs who would struggle as a big time #1 go to WR by themselves. They are very good because of a QB and OL. Put Mark Clayton in the slot at Indy and he catches 70 balls for 1200 yards.

So there you have it - Eben Britton, 2009 Baltimore Ravens 1st round draft choice. I really think we need a good RT, and I want someone who has PLAYED it for a 1st pick. We'll see what Ozzie thinks :patriot:

[Raveninwoodlawn]

I would almost garuntee the Ravens have Britton graded as a second rounder at best.

I would not mind a tackle in the first round, but Britton would royally piss me off because he would really be a reach. He would remind me of the run on mediocre tackles last year when guys like Baker and Brown got picked when most people had them rated as 2nd and 3rd rounders.

I'd even rather have Loadholt than Britton in the first and Loadholt is a second rounder IMHO.

[RavenScallywag]

no way we go Robisikie in the first...his name has never even cracked the first round mocks, and I don't think he's a guy we're absolutely in love with.

at most, we'd drop down into early 2nd to grab him.

I'm looking at the following guys with our pick:

Hakeem Nicks
Kenny Britt
Brandon Pettigrew
Rey Mauguala
Andre Smith
Eben Britton
Robert Ayers
Larry English

[jonboy79]

My official guess is Pettigrew.


And to the guy asking why people are high on Britt now and not DHB? Becuase he is simply a FAR BETTER football player. I don't care who is the better athlete, i care who is the better football player. Britt wins hands down every day and twice on Sundays.

[awalt]

I would almost garuntee the Ravens have Britton graded as a second rounder at best.

I would not mind a tackle in the first round, but Britton would royally piss me off because he would really be a reach. He would remind me of the run on mediocre tackles last year when guys like Baker and Brown got picked when most people had them rated as 2nd and 3rd rounders.

I'd even rather have Loadholt than Britton in the first and Loadholt is a second rounder IMHO.

Interesting opinion, why do you feel that way? What did you see or read? why does this remind you of last year, because "most people have not rated him as a 2nd or 3rd rounder"? I have not seen anyone rate him lower than about #34, and quite a few have him going in the high 20s. Are you thinking about the right guy?

BTW Loadholt has lousy feet, and people are talking about him moving to RT because they don't think he is good enough to pass protect against LT. He is basically a load that isn't agile enough to pass block. I have not seen a single draft evaluator rate him higher than Britton. Have you?

Here is what another draft site said:


Not the quickest off the snap. Has a lot of trouble against speed rushers who are quick off the snap (Think Harrison and Woodley). Was dominated as a senior by Brian Orakpo of Texas. Has some trouble redirecting and sliding inside. Needs to continue developing his technique, particularly his hand placement. Suspended for a game as a senior due to an alleged offseason DWI.

So I think Loadholt would be a reach for sure - he seems to be a late second round pick from what I have seen.

[Lee Van Cleef]

I'm hoping that Pettigrew falls.

[NC Raven]

So why OT?

1. I don't see the lower 1st round WRs being that much more of a sure bet than the 2nd and 3rd rounders. All the WRs we may have a crack at have negatives that are hard to forget for a 1st rounder.
2. I firmly believe better pass protection will help our passing game more - it lets us get the TE into passing lanes, and lets us do 3 and 4 wide formations more. I don't care who the WRs are, in obvious passing situations we sent 2 receivers out, 5 and 6 DBs can easily cover them!
3. A lot of above average receivers have great seasons when they are in a system where the QB can pass effectively. For instance -- TJ Whosyourmama, Eddie Royal, Greg Jennnings, Lance Moore, Steve Breaston, Jerricho Cotchery, the list goes on and on of "system" WRs who would struggle as a big time #1 go to WR by themselves. They are very good because of a QB and OL. Put Mark Clayton in the slot at Indy and he catches 70 balls for 1200 yards.

I could not agree more, with all of the above. Whether it's Britton or another tackle, I've got the same feeling -- if one of the top tier of tackles remains on the board at that slot, that's who Oz will take. For the reasons you cite.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Interesting opinion, why do you feel that way? What did you see or read? why does this remind you of last year, because "most people have not rated him as a 2nd or 3rd rounder"? I have not seen anyone rate him lower than about #34, and quite a few have him going in the high 20s. Are you thinking about the right guy?

BTW Loadholt has lousy feet, and people are talking about him moving to RT because they don't think he is good enough to pass protect against LT. He is basically a load that isn't agile enough to pass block. I have not seen a single draft evaluator rate him higher than Britton. Have you?

Here is what another draft site said:



So I think Loadholt would be a reach for sure - he seems to be a late second round pick from what I have seen.

No, it's Britton.

I just think he is a reach at 26...I think there will be better players at other spots available. Britton is almost universally looked at as a second rounder...and while I'm not saying he won't be a good player, picking him at 26 just reminds me of last year...the Beatty guy from UConn too.

And yes, I agree that Loadholt is not a first rounder...never argued that he was. I just personally would prefer him over Britton who is a smaller guy who still has problems with speed rushers himself.

[baltimore_hokie]

Loadholt would be our second rounder, he's nowhere near the first round

[Jeremiah W]

OK, here is my OFFICIAL guess as to the Ravens pick at #26. I am picking a sleeper that I think is really good, and Oz seems to be more deceptive the last few years so maybe he is thinking the same.

My pick is ----

OT Eben Britton, Arizona

I'll start out with a little sizzle from today, Kiper says: "Britton is "very interesting," Kiper said. He left college early, but if he had gone back to Arizona, he would've been a top-10 pick next year."

Facts - 6-6, 310. Seems to be rated around the 4th - 6th best OT in the draft, so let's look at them.

His 40 time is faster than any of the top 5 (Which I see as Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe, Andre Smith, Michael Oher, and Britton). He lifted more than alll but Jason Smith in the top 5.

This is a key - of the top 8 rated OTs in the draft, he is the ONLY ONE who has played RT! He played RT in fresh and soph year, LT in junior year. He is leaving a year early.

He is versatile, proven at both LT and RT. Ravens like that.

He was second team Pac-10 as a soph, Pac-10 first team as a junior.

Scouts say excellent footwork and long arms (no Marhall Yanda here). To me this is critical with the edge rushers we see in the NFCN defenses.

He is stronger actually in pass blocking than run blocking. Good. Lets the WRs get out in lanes.

He is projected around 25th - 40th in the draft. I think he will go sooner vs. later because he is really good and a bunch of lineman will be scooped up early.

So why OT?

1. I don't see the lower 1st round WRs being that much more of a sure bet than the 2nd and 3rd rounders. All the WRs we may have a crack at have negatives that are hard to forget for a 1st rounder.
2. I firmly believe better pass protection will help our passing game more - it lets us get the TE into passing lanes, and lets us do 3 and 4 wide formations more. I don't care who the WRs are, in obvious passing situations we sent 2 receivers out, 5 and 6 DBs can easily cover them!
3. A lot of above average receivers have great seasons when they are in a system where the QB can pass effectively. For instance -- TJ Whosyourmama, Eddie Royal, Greg Jennnings, Lance Moore, Steve Breaston, Jerricho Cotchery, the list goes on and on of "system" WRs who would struggle as a big time #1 go to WR by themselves. They are very good because of a QB and OL. Put Mark Clayton in the slot at Indy and he catches 70 balls for 1200 yards.

So there you have it - Eben Britton, 2009 Baltimore Ravens 1st round draft choice. I really think we need a good RT, and I want someone who has PLAYED it for a 1st pick. We'll see what Ozzie thinks :patriot:

I agree he is a good posibilty. The Ravens have been kicking a lot of tires on potential RTs in free agency and draftables. They also were not very interested in hosting any FA WRs. I would have thought they at least check Torry Holt and even T.O. out and see what kind of condition they are in if they are looking to upgrade the #1 oe #2 Wr spots this season via anything other than the draft or Boldin trade.

I also think that if we did not need Heap and or a running back to help block Woodley we could have opened up the WRs more with route combinations and not just great route running. I did not feel like our WRs were overmatched by Cbs very often last year, and not nearly as often as the RT was overmatched by a speed rusher or a guy with both speed and power like Woodley.

We do have as many as 4 guys capable of starting at RT on the roster right now though. Big Willy and Terry are at least solid ther when healthy. Yanda was very good in the run game, not so good at pass pro at RT, and Cousins was a 3rd round pick with the size and attitude to be the guy there, but as a 3rd rounder is a project that may not be ready yet. Hale was a guy I was trying to get on the P squad last year so we could keep another RB, WR or TE on the roster, but as a 4th round pick stuck around despite not doing anything in the preseason other than get steamrolled.

[psuasskicker]

no way we go Robisikie in the first...his name has never even cracked the first round mocks, and I don't think he's a guy we're absolutely in love with.

at most, we'd drop down into early 2nd to grab him.

Yeah, pretty much.


FWIW, over on my blog in my mock draft (www.oblongspheroid.com), I've got the Ravens taking Aaron Maybin.

Dunno if we'd actually do it or not, but I can certainly see the logic.

- C -

[caliraven]

Like most/many, I'd guess WR, because it's time to hook Joe and Cam up and complete the 'triplets' (along with #27). Here's how I see the WR crop:
There are speedsters (DHB, Harvin), hands/skill guys (Nicks, Robiskie), and a beast (Britt).

When you look at the top receivers in the game right now, and in recent years, the speedster category has rarely been represented. It's been beasts (T.O., Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Plaxico, Brandon Marshall) and hands/skill guys (Reggie Wayne, Chad, Holt, Fitzgerald- though he's got beastly qualities). For this reason, among others, I see our order of preference as:
Robiskie (great hands, professional skill, excellent size, good speed)
Britt (absolute beast and only 20 yrs old, good speed, sufficient hands--the guy holds all the big east records, so he must be able to catch; it's not like Rutgers was pass-happy, they ran Ray Rice 30 times a game in all Britt's seasons but one)
Nicks (great hands, saavy, good size, good functional speed)
DHB (ridicufying speed, hard worker, huge upside)
Harvin (great speed, playmaker, herbal healer)
I think any of these guys would be a win in the 1st.

[RavenScallywag]

last year, when I was looking at the top 5 QBs, I just got a feeling about Joe Flacco, saying he was an interesting prospect and a guy I felt would suit the Ravens best, even though the popular opinion was we'd either go up for Ryan or grab Henne in Round 2...Joe Flacco's name just stuck with me.

I feel the same way about Kenny Britt. The stats on this guy are just monstorous. He seems like he's got the best combination of skills out there, I just hope we get a shot to take him at the right spot.

[jonboy79]

Like most/many, I'd guess WR, because it's time to hook Joe and Cam up and complete the 'triplets' (along with #27). Here's how I see the WR crop:
There are speedsters (DHB, Harvin), hands/skill guys (Nicks, Robiskie), and a beast (Britt).

When you look at the top receivers in the game right now, and in recent years, the speedster category has rarely been represented. It's been beasts (T.O., Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Plaxico, Brandon Marshall) and hands/skill guys (Reggie Wayne, Chad, Holt, Fitzgerald- though he's got beastly qualities). For this reason, among others, I see our order of preference as:
Robiskie (great hands, professional skill, excellent size, good speed)
Britt (absolute beast and only 20 yrs old, good speed, sufficient hands--the guy holds all the big east records, so he must be able to catch; it's not like Rutgers was pass-happy, they ran Ray Rice 30 times a game in all Britt's seasons but one)
Nicks (great hands, saavy, good size, good functional speed)
DHB (ridicufying speed, hard worker, huge upside)
Harvin (great speed, playmaker, herbal healer)
I think any of these guys would be a win in the 1st.

I think your categories could use a bit more description. For example, what is it that makes Britt a beast but not Nicks? That .03 seconds in the 40? The inch in height? BEcause on the field they play a very similar game, only Nicks has better hands.

[ed from Bel Air]

OK, here is my OFFICIAL guess as to the Ravens pick at #26. I am picking a sleeper that I think is really good, and Oz seems to be more deceptive the last few years so maybe he is thinking the same.

My pick is ----

OT Eben Britton, Arizona

I'll start out with a little sizzle from today, Kiper says: "Britton is "very interesting," Kiper said. He left college early, but if he had gone back to Arizona, he would've been a top-10 pick next year."

Facts - 6-6, 310. Seems to be rated around the 4th - 6th best OT in the draft, so let's look at them.

His 40 time is faster than any of the top 5 (Which I see as Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe, Andre Smith, Michael Oher, and Britton). He lifted more than alll but Jason Smith in the top 5.

This is a key - of the top 8 rated OTs in the draft, he is the ONLY ONE who has played RT! He played RT in fresh and soph year, LT in junior year. He is leaving a year early.

He is versatile, proven at both LT and RT. Ravens like that.

He was second team Pac-10 as a soph, Pac-10 first team as a junior.

Scouts say excellent footwork and long arms (no Marhall Yanda here). To me this is critical with the edge rushers we see in the NFCN defenses.

He is stronger actually in pass blocking than run blocking. Good. Lets the WRs get out in lanes.

He is projected around 25th - 40th in the draft. I think he will go sooner vs. later because he is really good and a bunch of lineman will be scooped up early.

So why OT?

1. I don't see the lower 1st round WRs being that much more of a sure bet than the 2nd and 3rd rounders. All the WRs we may have a crack at have negatives that are hard to forget for a 1st rounder.
2. I firmly believe better pass protection will help our passing game more - it lets us get the TE into passing lanes, and lets us do 3 and 4 wide formations more. I don't care who the WRs are, in obvious passing situations we sent 2 receivers out, 5 and 6 DBs can easily cover them!
3. A lot of above average receivers have great seasons when they are in a system where the QB can pass effectively. For instance -- TJ Whosyourmama, Eddie Royal, Greg Jennnings, Lance Moore, Steve Breaston, Jerricho Cotchery, the list goes on and on of "system" WRs who would struggle as a big time #1 go to WR by themselves. They are very good because of a QB and OL. Put Mark Clayton in the slot at Indy and he catches 70 balls for 1200 yards.

So there you have it - Eben Britton, 2009 Baltimore Ravens 1st round draft choice. I really think we need a good RT, and I want someone who has PLAYED it for a 1st pick. We'll see what Ozzie thinks


Great analysis. I too think Ozzie will look at an OT. He looked at Pace, and as I look at the salary cap situation, I believe Ozzie will most likely cut Willie Anderson, because it is one of the few places he can go to free up cap space.

I am not familiar enough to with Britton to determine if he is a reach at 26, but I would like to see Ozzie try to trade back, and turn our current 1st and second round picks into a later first and earlier second rounder.

Maybe he could get Britton and one of the WRs early in the second round.


I am not to worried about the overall number of picks we ultimately end up with. With the players we have coming back from IR as well as the new draft choices, there will not be a lot of open roster spots. I think this year we go for quality over quantity.

IN OZZIE WE TRUST!!!!!!!!

[caliraven]

The categories are meant to be defined by the NFL receivers listed as prototype for them.
Britt qualifies as a beast because of his build. It's about having the size to consistently manhandle CBs and run through and past safeties and even linebackers. By measurement the size difference between Nicks & Britt is 2 inches and 6-8 pounds (only 1 inch and 8lbs between Britt & DHB), but height weight numbers don't tell the story necessarily. Andre Johnson is listed 6'3" 223lbs, T.O. at 6'3" 218lbs (just like Britt). By comparison, Travis Taylor is currently listed at 6'1 210lbs (like Nicks). As stated, it's more about how the height and weight are carried. Plus, being only 20yrs old, Britt is still growing into his man-body.

Nicks is well built and runs strong after catch. I really like him and his game. I was using the beast term to describe a body type/playing style as opposed to describing how much game a player has.

[baltimore_hokie]

Yeah, pretty much.


FWIW, over on my blog in my mock draft (www.oblongspheroid.com), I've got the Ravens taking Aaron Maybin.

Dunno if we'd actually do it or not, but I can certainly see the logic.

- C -

a few weeks back i wouldn't have thought that was possible, but i think that either maybin or brown could fall to us. i think we would snatch them up in a heartbeat, but the question is what would happen to suggs? do we keep both of them to have a disruptive tandem on the edges? or do we deal suggs / let him walk and free up cap space with a viable backup on the squad? it'll be interesting to see...

[HoustonRaven]

Homer PSU Pick!

;)

[srobert96]

a few weeks back i wouldn't have thought that was possible, but i think that either maybin or brown could fall to us. i think we would snatch them up in a heartbeat, but the question is what would happen to suggs? do we keep both of them to have a disruptive tandem on the edges? or do we deal suggs / let him walk and free up cap space with a viable backup on the squad? it'll be interesting to see...

I don't think there is any way you cannot retain Suggs. He is a Top 10 defensive player. He is the 2nd best player on the Ravens defense behind Reed. Although it is very close with Ngata. If you bring in Maybin you look at him as a potential upgrade to Jarret Johnson.

[psuasskicker]

Homer PSU Pick!

;)

I wish.

I actually think he's got hardcore "bust" written all over him. It's gonna take a team that can make him a great tweener to get anything out of him. He's a pure pass rusher, but he's undersized. Those guys usually aren't big enough to play DE full time, and aren't versatile enough to play OLB full time.

I literally think there are maybe three or four teams in the NFL that can keep him from being a big-time bust. Us, the Steelers, the Patriots, and maybe the Chargers.

Tamba Hali with the Chiefs is a great example. And bottom line, I'm not convinced even the four above can make him great...just that we've got a far better shot to keep him from being a bust than anyone else in the NFL.

That said, I hope he works out great for whoever. And I've been dying for us to draft a PSU guy for years...

- C -

[jonboy79]

I don't think there is any way you cannot retain Suggs. He is a Top 10 defensive player. He is the 2nd best player on the Ravens defense behind Reed. Although it is very close with Ngata. If you bring in Maybin you look at him as a potential upgrade to Jarret Johnson.

FWIW, I think Ngata is clearly better. NOt a slam on Suggs, but IMHO, Ngata i sone of the very best defensive players at any position in the league already. He proved that last year to me when he allowed Justin Bannan to make me say Kelly WHo? Bannan is clearly an inferior player to a healthy KG but wemay have had better DL play last year.

I have both Maybin and Brown rated over Pettigrew or Malauluga. That is high praise coming from me. They are probably right behind Andre Smith on the duh factor if they somehow fall.

[Jeremiah W]

FWIW, I think Ngata is clearly better. NOt a slam on Suggs, but IMHO, Ngata i sone of the very best defensive players at any position in the league already. He proved that last year to me when he allowed Justin Bannan to make me say Kelly WHo? Bannan is clearly an inferior player to a healthy KG but wemay have had better DL play last year.

I have both Maybin and Brown rated over Pettigrew or Malauluga. That is high praise coming from me. They are probably right behind Andre Smith on the duh factor if they somehow fall.

Suggs is very highly rated outside of Baltimore, Nagta is also by people who know the game, but not by probowl voters and casual fans. Sizzle was/ is the #2 ranked free agent on the market this offseason on scout.com behind only Haynesworth.

I do not think Maybin is big enough to be a front side pass rusher. I like Connor Barwin as a possible pick at 26. The guy is a beast, has the all around skills, can cover and catch, can play TE and should be as good off the edge in the NFL as Maybin.
I also like Micheal Johnson from GT. He has the tools to dominate, and I think our coaches like Clarence Brooks, would teach him the skills to be a dominant DE at the NFL level, and possibly be the replacement to Pryce. Jaron Gilbert and Sidbury, Larry English and I like Ayers and Ziggy Hood as well as the pass rushing DT Jerry. I do not think you can have enough good players in your front 4 (or in our scheme 5) rotation and the best value left on the board early may be at pass rusher if there is a run on OT and WR like is projected.

[Sua Sponte]

Ngata is a beast, he is comparble to Sam Adams (in his prime) and all other top DT's. Ngata is one guy I don't want to see go anywhere anytime soon, plus I just bought a Ngata jersey. #92 HOFer he continues to play at that level

[3RDRowRaven]

I think the Ravens draft pick is gonna be....... Hakeem Nicks - WR/UNC.

JMO.......:ref:

[psuasskicker]

I would bet my house we won't be drafting Connor Barwin at #26 overall.

- C -

[baltimore_hokie]

I would bet my house we won't be drafting Connor Barwin at #26 overall.

- C -

agreed.

[Jeremiah W]

Maybe we trade down and take him, but I know for fact that Decosta loves him, unless he was flat out lying.

I will take the bet though as long as I get the proper longshot odds i know that he is at 26.

[Dragz]

english does not play the same position as pryce -- he's a rush linebacker.

Convert him. Speed coming from the outside, good complement to Suggs.

[psuasskicker]

Maybe we trade down and take him, but I know for fact that Decosta loves him, unless he was flat out lying.

No, you're definitely right. Those guys NEVER lie before the draft!

- C -

[Jeremiah W]

No, you're definitely right. Those guys NEVER lie before the draft!

- C -

Maybe, but rather than lie they just tend to say they love all the prospects rated in the top 50 that have not proven to be knuckle heads. So far they love about 30 of the top 50 players but are only going to get 2 or 3.

[NC Raven]

Maybe we trade down and take him

At least one mock has him going ahead of us. But then, there's a mock out there that says pretty much anything anyone can think of.

Anyway, I seriously doubt anybody is dying to move up to get to that coveted 26th slot. Only way that pick gets traded is for Boldin, or if some crazy player like Crabtree or Malcolm Jenkins gets "Brady Quinned" and falls all the way to that slot and another team decides it has to move up and grab him. But if that happened, we probably would just take the guy.

[Jeremiah W]

At least one mock has him going ahead of us. But then, there's a mock out there that says pretty much anything anyone can think of.

Anyway, I seriously doubt anybody is dying to move up to get to that coveted 26th slot. Only way that pick gets traded is for Boldin, or if some crazy player like Crabtree or Malcolm Jenkins gets "Brady Quinned" and falls all the way to that slot and another team decides it has to move up and grab him. But if that happened, we probably would just take the guy.

I saw one today that had us taking Beanie Wells. He would most likley make better trade bait than most, and Ziggy Hood, Alex Mack and Ayers were still on the board as well as Barwin and a bunch of good Cbs.

[Marcel#52]

I saw one today that had us taking Beanie Wells. He would most likley make better trade bait than most, and Ziggy Hood, Alex Mack and Ayers were still on the board as well as Barwin and a bunch of good Cbs.

I saw that on PFT. I thought it was some kind of joke. But realistically. He'd be a nice addition.

[Jeremiah W]

I had been thinking about the possibility for a while since he came in for a visit. I have always been impressed by him. he always passed the eye ball test of a great RB. The injury history is a little concerning, and I feel like we have 4 guys on the team that are better than good at running the ball, but he does remind me a lot of Jamal or Peterson. He is just a little bigger and a little faster than the defenders seem to think as they approach with a bad angle and get stiff armed to the ground. He breaks an awful lot of long runs right up the gut, and has outside speed as well.

It would be very interesting to see what happens if he is still there and the top WRs pass ruhers and OTs are not.

[psuasskicker]

Maybe, but rather than lie they just tend to say they love all the prospects rated in the top 50 that have not proven to be knuckle heads. So far they love about 30 of the top 50 players but are only going to get 2 or 3.

So you know for a fact we love him except that you really don't...

Awesome.

- C -

[Jeremiah W]

So you know for a fact we love him except that you really don't...

Awesome.

- C -

I am just telling you what I heard and what I thought of it. Take it or leave it.

[NC Raven]

I could not agree more, with all of the above. Whether it's Britton or another tackle, I've got the same feeling -- if one of the top tier of tackles remains on the board at that slot, that's who Oz will take. For the reasons you cite.

Could not resist digging this one up!!! :D