Your Favourite Prospects for this Draft

**UKRavenStockers** · 03-30-2008, 12:04 PM

Ok, so the traffic in the forum is down with the off-season and we just seem to being round in circles discussing just the #8 pick and what's to be done with it and the players that we deem to be available and value there so I feel like opening things up a bit. I'd be interested to see (and I'm gonna share mine) which prospects you like are, how you see them fitting for the Ravens, whether you think it's just the raw talent, they fit our systems, we're lacking that type of player, they're an upgrade on what we've got, whatever, have at it.

Here's my list (might get a little long):

- Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida - He is my favourite 4-3 DE in this draft and I think he has the best pass rushing skills as well, better than Gholston. He's got the bulk (271lbs) to be strong at the POA, he's got speed off of the edge, he's got a range of pass rush skills, he reads plays well, he stepped up as a leader on a young Florida team this year (team captain in his junior season) and he stepped up with an MVP performance in the biggest game of his life (MVP of the 2007 BCS Title game win for Florida). To me he's got everything you look for in a DRE in a 4-3. I'd love to take him at #8 and use it as pressure on Suggs to sign a long term deal, but also for us to be able to say to Suggs that if he wants Freeney money then he can go elsewhere for it, because good as he is, he's not worth that much.

- Anthony Alridge, HB/WR/Gadget, Houston - Speed to burn from either the backfield or the slot. He's under sized (5'8, 175) and won't fit as a conventional running back or wide receiver, but as a second day luxury type of pick he can make a real impact IMO if you let him line up in a variety of places on the defence. He'll out run linebackers out of the backfield, he's got the short area quickness to get away from defensive backs, give him the ball around 5 times a game and he could come up with some big plays.

- James Hardy, WR, Indiana - OK so wideout isn't the pressing need it was in Baltimore for around 5 years or so but I'm still a little uneasy about the lack of separation that our receivers seem to be able to get at times, and the fact that with Williams hurt, we're very samey with our guys split wide, they're all very small. Hardy provides something completely different, the ability to go vertically both down the field and in the air. At 6'6 he's a mis match for any DB on a jump ball and he can be a better version of what Clarence Moore looked like he might become when he first came into the league. Seen him compared to a Harold Carmichael and Plaxico Burress type of receiver, not sure how apt those comparisons are but I certainly liked what I saw from him in the college ranks to add another dimension to our receivers.

- Craig Stevens, TE, California - The blocking from our tight ends is not good enough in my opinion, Stevens provides an immediate upgrade in that respect and would really help out our young tackles blocking on the edge.

- Jordan Dizon, LB, Colorado - Undersized for playing in a base defence but he just tackles everything that moves. I think he was the Big XII defensive player of the year this past season, I think he'd also fit in well with the new coach's ability to improve our special teams (I should imagine that as an ST oriented HC he'll want his unit to be amongst the best in the league), great energy, great form tackler, not a great deal of upside as a player on a base defence is the only real downside.

- Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa - Versatility personified. He played CB and safety for the Hawkeyes and contributed on special teams as well. He'll upgrade our depth in the secondary and with the ability to play both numerous positions in the secondary can also open up a roster spot for another pass rusher (you can never have too many) or another offensive weapon, or whatever.

- Andrew Crummey, G, Maryland - Got to have a Terp in the list somewhere. Crummey is coming off of a broken leg that he fought back from at the start of his senior season to play in the Terps' final two games this year. Unfortunately he re-aggravated in the bowl game defeat to Oregon State which has left him unable to participate in pre-draft workouts and may well rule him out for his entire rookie season. As a result he could well be available as an undrafted free agent. I'd love for us to sign him as a UDFA, stick him straight on injured reserve and just wait for him to get healthy. Were it not for the broken leg he'd have been one of the top guards in the draft and would add great depth and competition for a starting job on our interior line when he gets healthy probably for the 2009 season.

Don't like what you see? Say so, agree, ditto, more suggestions, fire away. Interested to see what prospects everyone else is looking at.

**jonboy79** · 03-30-2008, 02:22 PM

NIce list. I head an interview recently where DeCosta essentially aid. "Godfrey is going to be a good CB for someone else, a team like the Bears or the Bucs..." i got the distinct impression he sees him as a cover 2 corner only.

**UKRavenStockers** · 03-30-2008, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by jonboy79

NIce list. I head an interview recently where DeCosta essentially aid. "Godfrey is going to be a good CB for someone else, a team like the Bears or the Bucs..." i got the distinct impression he sees him as a cover 2 corner only.

Yeah now I think about it he probably does have that limitation, probably not physical enough for our scheme.

**flraven** · 03-30-2008, 03:37 PM

UK, that is quite an impressive list and breakdown. And to think you are 3000 miles away. Nice job!

As for myself, I confess to not following the draftees that closely and am just an interested spectator on draft day. Guess I'm too busy ogling the birds (chicks) that come down here for Spring Break.

**ravenjoe** · 03-30-2008, 06:30 PM

Quite an impressive list, UK! Looks like you're actually doing something more constructive with the off-season ravens, than simply enjoying the lush taste of some cold Bass ale. I only hope the Ravens get an impact player with the 8th pick, someone who will enhance our chances of sweeping the Stillers this season!

**highwater** · 03-31-2008, 07:01 AM

Interesting list, UK -- I'm particularly intrigued by your description of Derrick Harvey, who really sounds like a winner. He hadn't really been on my radar before, but he sounds like a great prospect.

Of course, I should point out that I hadn't really paid much attention to any mock drafts until this weekend, and I was surprised at what I read. I have previously insisted on this board that there wasn't much point in discussing the idea of drafting Matt Ryan because I felt that there was no way Atlanta woudn't take him at number three. Well, I looked at four mock drafts this weekend, and three of the four had the Ravens taking Ryan. I'm still skeptical that he'll end up with us, but apparently, Atlanta taking him is not the lock I thought it was.

**jonboy79** · 03-31-2008, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by UKRavenStockers

Yeah now I think about it he probably does have that limitation, probably not physical enough for our scheme.

He was more concerned about his hips and there fluidity. I think We'd draft him at a certain level as a Nickel/Dime/Safety, but he seemed to think he'd make a top notch Cover-2 corner with great ball skills and big size... Sounds like he will have second value for some, and 4th-5th for us.