Originally Posted by
leachisabeast
I will release my full mock draft later but here are who I expect the Ravens to go with, or there abouts.
1. (projected at pick 26 right now)- Taylor Lewan (6'8, 302 lbs), OT, Michigan.
The Ravens need to rebuild what has made them a great team for the last decade, the trenches on both sides of the ball. People are screaming for a LB, but that can wait for now, I am a strong believer that you win in the trenches. Taylor Lewan not only addresses our need at LT, but it also allows everyone on our line to move around into their best possible positions. Taylor Lewan is a natural LT, who is a better run blocker than pass blocker at this point, but there are only some small issues he needs to address in pass protection, other than that, he holds up pretty well in pass pro. Against Alabama he held his own against one of the better front 7 in college ball. If this pick goes through, the projected 2013 Oline should be Lewan-KO-Gino-Yanda-Oher. That is a much stronger line IMO and is a big athletic line that can work perfectly in both a ball control offense, but also a sugar huddle offense at the same time.
2. Louis Nix (6'5, 335 lbs), NT/DT, Notre Dame
Louis Nix is just slightly below Jon Jenkins as a NT, but he is also more versatile than Jon Jenkins. Nix can play in both a 4-3 and a 3-4, and would be a perfect fit as a NT in our 3-4 scheme. NT is the biggest need on out team right now, as Terrance Cody or Kemo just can't get it done, which is effecting our whole front 7, particularly our ILB'S. ILB is a big need, but whoever we have there next year is going to look a whole lot better with an upgrade at the NT position. Nix brings a lot of pressure up the middle, and has been having a very very solid season for Notre Dame. I would be slightly surprised if he actually falls to us in the second once the combine comes and goes, but for now, he has a second round projection. In a pinch, I actually think Nix could move over to 5 technique if needed, as he is very athletic for his size.
3. Kevin Riddick (6'3, 240 lbs), ILB, North Carolina.
Kevin Riddick was a fringe first round pick before this year, he has been having disappointing senior year so far. I think this is why he may fall to the third round, which would give us the perfect opportunity to draft a guy with huge upside, and somebody who could offer us something we just don't have on the team, which is a very athletic LB who can drop back into coverage. Riddick is arguably the most athletic ILB in this class, but he has to be more consistent as a player on the field. ILB is a big need on this team, and I think if you get a big NT who can eat up blockers, our ILB's will look better. We could release Jameel McClain as he's been disappointing since signing that contract with us, resign Dannell Elerbee to a cheap price, and maybe bring in a Erin Henderson through FA, or even a bigger name like Daryl Smith, then your ILB corps looks a lot better than it has this year. Of course there is always the chance of Ray Lewis returning for one more year, which would be a great boost for the LB corps.
