Draft / FA / Offseason Roster Moves (Merged)

[Justlovemybirds]

Bucky Brooks and Daniel Jeremiah on the draft


http://www.nfl.com/podcast/nfl-draft-tracker-podcast

Good stuff

[wickedsolo]

NFL.com has us taking Eric Reid in round 1 right now.

I wouldn't be overly excited about that, but I will say that when Eric Reid had top tiered talent around him at LSU, he was pretty solid as a deep cover safety.

At least in Baltimore (assuming he is the pick), he would have a lot of talent surrounding him. He has nice size, speed, and ball skills. Can't coach those things.

[The Excellector]

Ray Rice was a need, McGahee needed a backup. Jimmy was a need. Foxworth was a dud and Webb was inconsistent and C. Williams was a PS guy. Heap was close to done so Pitta and Dickson were needs. Austin is good but I doubt he's higher than some of the defensive players on the Ravens board. It seems the Ravens always draft according to their board and need. They wouldn't draft a WR every year like the Lions, regardless if WR was highest on the board.

I wasn't talking about Jimmy Smith. By the way, I didn't know we were in the business of drafting backup RBs in the second round. I'm sure backup RB was not a bigger need than some others that were taken care of later.

[LouisianaRaven]

I wasn't talking about Jimmy Smith. By the way, I didn't know we were in the business of drafting backup RBs in the second round. I'm sure backup RB was not a bigger need than some others that were taken care of later.

Didn't we draft Pierce in the 3rd to be a backup? It wouldn't be out of the question to draft a backup Rb in the second rd. This is a 2 back league anyway. We're not drafting Austin in the 1st rd. Our defense is still very much an issue.

[NC Raven]

NFL.com has us taking Eric Reid in round 1 right now.

I wouldn't be overly excited about that, but I will say that when Eric Reid had top tiered talent around him at LSU, he was pretty solid as a deep cover safety.

At least in Baltimore (assuming he is the pick), he would have a lot of talent surrounding him. He has nice size, speed, and ball skills. Can't coach those things.

I like Reid and think he's the best natural fit to replace Ed if Ed does in fact leave.

That said, while I like the guy and all, I can't imagine he's BPA on the board when we pick.

Then again, if we lose Reed and don't bring back Ihedigbo, we have Pollard, and a mess of IR/PS guys at Safety. So I could see a scenario (Reed and Ihedigbo leaving, and say Ellerbe coming back) where suddenly FS becomes the biggest need, as there is DL depth in the draft to help us fill at NT, or a cheap vet to play NT. So I could envision FS becoming the biggest void overall (ie -- largest gap between "talent on roster" and "quality required at position to contend").

[s.r.genovese]

This is a 2 back league anyway. We're not drafting Austin in the 1st rd..

It's a 3 receiver league anyway....

And Boldin and/or JJ may be gone next year.

So the argument is the same. Like Ex said, there have been plenty of times when Ozzie has drafted BPA over need.

[Paintballguy]

We're not drafting Austin in the 1st rd.

Wouldn't be so sure. It depends how Ozzie has his board setup. It could come down to where Austin is the highest player on his board.

[s.r.genovese]

Wouldn't be so sure. It depends how Ozzie has his board setup. It could come down to where Austin is the highest player on his board.

It also depends on who we let go this offseason. If JJ is gone, the 3rd receiver/Returner position becomes an immediate need. Austin can do both. We know that Ozzie does factor "need" in his "BPA" mantra. So that would move Tavon higher up the big board most likely.

We also don't know what's happening with Boldin yet. Hopefully he is extended but who knows.

[LouisianaRaven]

It's a 3 receiver league anyway....

And Boldin and/or JJ may be gone next year.

So the argument is the same. Like Ex said, there have been plenty of times when Ozzie has drafted BPA over need.

Well, IF, Boldin is extended then no way we draft Austin. There, I fixed it.

[wickedsolo]

I like Reid and think he's the best natural fit to replace Ed if Ed does in fact leave.

That said, while I like the guy and all, I can't imagine he's BPA on the board when we pick.

Then again, if we lose Reed and don't bring back Ihedigbo, we have Pollard, and a mess of IR/PS guys at Safety. So I could see a scenario (Reed and Ihedigbo leaving, and say Ellerbe coming back) where suddenly FS becomes the biggest need, as there is DL depth in the draft to help us fill at NT, or a cheap vet to play NT. So I could envision FS becoming the biggest void overall (ie -- largest gap between "talent on roster" and "quality required at position to contend").

LSU players just scare the shit out of me as prospects. When you look back over the last 6 or 7 drafts it is kind of shocking how much top tiered talent comes out of LSU only to underwhelm or just flat out disappoint. Patrick Peterson is the only one that I can think of who has been worth their pre-draft status. I guess Morris Claiborne was solid for Dallas last year.

Tyson Jackson
Glenn Dorsey
Michael Brockers
LaRon Landry
Brandon LaFell
Buster Davis
Jamarcus Russell


I just cant tell if Eric Reid is good and just had a down year? Or, he is just average and was given a boost by playing with a tremendous amount of talent around him.

Frankly, if they are going to take a safety, it better be DJ Swearinger. I like Elam and Vaccsaro, but Swearinger is a no bullshit free safety with stellar coverage skills.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Forum Runner

[LouisianaRaven]

LSU players just scare the shit out of me as prospects. When you look back over the last 6 or 7 drafts it is kind of shocking how much top tiered talent comes out of LSU only to underwhelm or just flat out disappoint. Patrick Peterson is the only one that I can think of who has been worth their pre-draft status. I guess Morris Claiborne was solid for Dallas last year.

Tyson Jackson
Glenn Dorsey
Michael Brockers
LaRon Landry
Brandon LaFell
Buster Davis
Jamarcus Russell


I just cant tell if Eric Reid is good and just had a down year? Or, he is just average and was given a boost by playing with a tremendous amount of talent around him.

Frankly, if they are going to take a safety, it better be DJ Swearinger. I like Elam and Vaccsaro, but Swearinger is a no bullshit free safety with stellar coverage skills.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Forum Runner

In defense of my fav school, LSU, that could be said of every school. I will say that Bowe is a stud. Kyle Williams is a real good DT. Lafell's been a real solid #2. Addai had some good years and Ridley is really good. Also Doucet, when healthy, is a good slot WR. Like you said though, there are busts. Jackson, Davis, and Russell have been duds. Blockers, PP, and Claiborne are 1st and 2nd yr guys. It's kinda early to judge them. I think it just evens itself out.

[alien bird]

Frankly, if they are going to take a safety, it better be DJ Swearinger. I like Elam and Vaccsaro, but Swearinger is a no bullshit free safety with stellar coverage skills.

I've been driving the Swearinger bandwagon from the outset. I would really like it if he ended up in Ravens' purple. That being said, there are more than a few decent safeties in this draft.

[leachisabeast]

I would hate it if we took Eric Reid in the first round. He is so overrated.

[wickedsolo]

In defense of my fav school, LSU, that could be said of every school. I will say that Bowe is a stud. Kyle Williams is a real good DT. Lafell's been a real solid #2. Addai had some good years and Ridley is really good. Also Doucet, when healthy, is a good slot WR. Like you said though, there are busts. Jackson, Davis, and Russell have been duds. Blockers, PP, and Claiborne are 1st and 2nd yr guys. It's kinda early to judge them. I think it just evens itself out.

My point is that we were talking earlier about how some schools have prospects that are ridiculously overrated just because of the school they are (Notre Dame being one, USC another) and I think LSU is definitely one of those schools.

You're right though. Ridley looks like a solid back.

Early Doucet is decent...but he isn't anything special IMO.

PP is one of the better corners in the league. No doubt about it.

Claiborne looked good his first year. IMO, he definitely lived up to 1st round expectations.

Michael Brockers...ehhh...I'll give him the benefit of the doubt since he was hurt after the Ravens pre-season game, but he didn't do anything special IMO.

I'm just saying...everyone is putting Eric Reid up on a pedestal right now and I don't know if I buy it or not. He looks the part, but so did a lot of these other guys.

[BigPlayReceiver]

I don't think Reid is the 1st round talent we're looking for.

[wickedsolo]

I don't think Reid is the 1st round talent we're looking for.

I think he could be a decent player, but I do agree that there are better options in round 1.

[arnie_uk]

Good question. I see the need for a TE who can block (hence your selection of Williams, he certainly does block very well) but I don't like the idea of adding a guy who can't be a difference-maker in the passing game as well given that Dickson and Pitta are both free agents after 2013.

So, a TE who can block or has the potential to be a good blocker AND can contribute as a pass catcher... in the 5th round. Nick Kasa? Philip Lutzenkerchen? Possibly Dion Sims or Levine Toilolo if they don't work out well? It's hard to drill down into a specific round for some of those guys.

IMO the sweet spot for TEs in this draft is the 2nd and 3rd rounds... where guys like Tyler Eifert, Zach Ertz, Jordan Reed, Gavin Escobar, and Travis Kelce will be found. Those are my top TEs and I'd like to see the Ravens get one of them.

BTW check out film on Kyle Juszczyk, FB/HB/TE out of Harvard. The Ravens have got to go and get him in the later rounds... very versatile and excellent player. Good replacement for Leach in Caldwell's offense.

I've heard a lot about that full back but haven't got to look much at him, limited here in the uk and don't have a lot of Harvard recordings to watch.

Yea I'd like one of those tight ends but I just couldn't slot one in any earlier.

[bmorecareful]

I don't think Reid is the 1st round talent we're looking for.

Agreed. I have a very hard time seeing him as the BPA at a position of need. If Matt Elam and Kenny Vaccaro are off the board, no FS in the first--better BPA options are probably at ILB, DT/NT, DE/OLB, WR, or TE.

[wickedsolo]

Alabama CB has a torn shoulder labrum.

He is still participating in the combine (probably not bench press), but will have surgery directly following the combine.

[Paintballguy]

What about Jonathan Cyprien?