Ravens' Top Needs Going into the Draft

**nfldraft2010** · 02-10-2010, 05:27 PM

I'm not convinced at all that the Ravens are going receiver in the first round. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I start to question whether they'll take a shot on any of the perceived first round receivers. The fact is the Ravens still have other needs besides receiver, so there's no point to reach, although I don't expect them to wait longer than round two to address the receiver position.

With that said, here's what I think are the Ravens' primary needs, and my early prediction for who I think they'll take in the first round.

http://www.pressboxonline.com/blog.cfm?ID=2012

**ravenjoe** · 02-10-2010, 05:53 PM

I'd really like to see the Ravens draft a good rush DE First; sign Mason as a no. 2; draft another corner in the second round; and pick up a no. 1 WR in the free agency, (if that's possible). We need a stronger pass rush first and foremost, imho.

**grayplay** · 02-10-2010, 06:37 PM

Needs as I see them, and my opinion is in no way humble:

1A. DE-not a hybrid, an actual DE (Pryce isn't even Pryce from the previous season, I'd still keep him on for situational downs)

1B. WR- somewhere in the realm of 3 should do it. Get rid of D-Will, Clayton and insurance if Mason retires. Kelly Washington was the second most consistent reciever on the team, he stays. (if for no other reason than his first down shimmy shake-it's always funny to me)

3. CB - They all played better down the stretch but let's not fool ourselves. There is no depth there.

4 and 5. QB/HB- Once we drop Mcgahee and Smith we will need a replacement for them.

**Jeremiah W** · 02-10-2010, 07:05 PM

We have the free agency period before the draft so the needs will be better defined by draft day, but most likley we will be in position to take BPA and maybe not thinking WR or DE by then.

Right now I think we also need young speedy DT and TE help.

This could be the best off season we ever see from the Oz. There are some restrictions, but not nearly as many as he and the Ravens have been dealing with by staying so close to the cap and with a lot of dead money limiting the number of moves he could make.

**Rxdoxx** · 02-10-2010, 07:07 PM

I like Pryce, but looked like he was most effective rushing from the middle on passing downs. With no cap, I can see us holding him and his salary for the coming year, but not after that. His role will be too limited for a bigger chunk of whatever the new cap turns out to be.
So DE is very much needed, just not sure that anyone worthwhile will be there at 25 and not be somewhat of a reach. I can see us trading down, picking up an extra second and a 1st next year which hopefully gets us a low teens for the position next year.
#1 WR is in the same boat, unless somebody unexpectedly falls, looks to be a reach for us at what will still be there at 25. Our #2 may also be a reach for remaining WR but if we can get a higher one (#2) in a trade, then should be someone available there.

Single dimension TE can be found in round 2, 3, 4. Not complete receiving/blocking packages, but real good at one aspect and an adequate project at the other.
I can see us getting a TE anywhere from 1 to 4 depending on how our board falls.
I still have CB on the radar, and wouldn't surprise me if we get one who hits BPA when we are on the clock.

The other thing I'm watching is what happens to our OL.
A big danger of other teams raiding there with very high offers for Gaither, Yanda, Chester and to a lesser degree Terry and Moll. Signing Bujnoch has me suspecting the FO expects us to take a hit there maybe on CHester.
So I'm expecting to see OL drafted in 3 or 4 depending on board and who we lose.

**grayplay** · 02-10-2010, 07:22 PM

Obviously any moves in the free agency will affect the draft needs, but at this point I stand by my list.

Also, the problem with best player available is sometimes you end up with 15 linebackers. For instance, you have 5 linebackers all ranging from average to good and no above average recievers. On the board is an above average WR and a good LB. You need a WR. "Best Player Available" dictates you take the LB, I would take the WR. Obviously this is a watered down example, but it's what I find frustrating about the BPA policy. Obviously you don't want to limit yourself, but not swaying from the BPA formula can do that to a team accidentally.

**Rxdoxx** · 02-10-2010, 07:30 PM

We had a long discussion about a year ago and the outcome was BPA really means BrPA )best relative player available.
Fortunately we haven't had to draft in the top 5-6 so true BPA has a lot of grey area, team value is also considered, but as a team, Ravens don't reach.

**Stealthbirds80** · 02-10-2010, 07:58 PM

Yeah the Ravens make out good by drafting out of that top ten with us being in the high teens and twenties. Usually by that time some team has either reached for a player, made a double move back into the first round (eliminates an additional team ), and/or traded out of the first round. These all create panic situations for the less talented front offices around the league thus leaving some great talent left on the board when they shouldn't have been. I'd say as long as the Raiders draft in front of us, we can guarantee that a Michael Oher type player will be left for us to pick up every year.

I think the Ravens need to grab Gresham if available since since they were going for the Heap replacement last year. Something in the first two rounds need to be Joe Flacco related (weapon wise) and I'm sure that is what we will see. I think that D-line and corner are next on the list, but in reality I'm not so sure that is a dire need. The secondary played pretty good considering there was a new D coordinator in the mix. I think that Webb should come back after he heals up, but I'm sure the depth wouldn't hurt either.

**Carey** · 02-11-2010, 08:27 AM

1. WR's
2. 3-4 DE
3. TE
4. CB depth
5. veteran back up QB?
6. HB(depending on Mcgahee situation)
7. safety depth(depending on what Ed does)

**Rxdoxx** · 02-11-2010, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by Carey

6. HB(depending on Mcgahee situation)

Agree with your list
I don't necessarily see the HB need though, it could be a FB.
A FB means McClain "replaces" McGahee and we have some history of finding decent FBs from Gash to Lorenzo, Ovie, Ayanbadejo. We tried Cook last year (fail), we may see a late pick (5th?) go to a FB instead of a HB.

**Carey** · 02-11-2010, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Rxdoxx

Agree with your list
I don't necessarily see the HB need though, it could be a FB.
A FB means McClain "replaces" McGahee and we have some history of finding decent FBs from Gash to Lorenzo, Ovie, Ayanbadejo. We tried Cook last year (fail), we may see a late pick (5th?) go to a FB instead of a HB.

Your right, i talked about that in a earlier post. FB's are not in high demand so we could wait to late in the draft and grab a blocking back in like the 5th or 6th round, even the 7th

**Beerracuda** · 02-11-2010, 09:31 AM

I would be surprised to see the Ravens take a WR at #25. This year's draft is not so great at that position, and anyone still available at #25 might be a wasted pick.

I can see us taking a DE at that spot.

As for McGahee, I don't think he's going anywhere with the size of his contract remaining. Smith is definitely a goner, so we have to look for a backup QB. I don't think we draft one, as backups are generally easy to find, not to mention already having Beck here.

I not very well-versed in every player available in the first round, but if a decent, fast, and tall DB falls to us at #25, I can see us going that route.

**CR_Dingley** · 02-11-2010, 10:46 AM

Does anyone see us trading up in the first round? and then snagging a DE in the 2nd?

**baltimore_hokie** · 02-11-2010, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by CR_Dingley

Does anyone see us trading up in the first round? and then snagging a DE in the 2nd?

Trading up for what? If a guy like Earl Thomas or Brian Price falls like Oher did last year, I could see us moving up a couple spots to get him.

I think we should trade down. Get two second rounders and snag a WR (D. Thomas) and DE (Alualu). That would be an incredible first day for me. Get a CB and TE for depth in the next few rounds and we get quality at the positions we need.

Tampa Bay has two early-to-mid second round choices.

**Carey** · 02-11-2010, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by baltimore_hokie

Trading up for what? If a guy like Earl Thomas or Brian Price falls like Oher did last year, I could see us moving up a couple spots to get him.

I think we should trade down. Get two second rounders and snag a WR (D. Thomas) and DE (Alualu). That would be an incredible first day for me. Get a CB and TE for depth in the next few rounds and we get quality at the positions we need.

Tampa Bay has two early-to-mid second round choices.

I agree trading down is much more likely, there will only be 2 to 3 WR's tops taken before 25 imo. I dont see one of the better D-Lineman lasting to 25 so i think we could trade down to the early 2nd, still get a WR like Lafell or Thomas and set ourselves to get more done in the draft. Look out for New England, they have 3 second round picks. Im a huge fan of Alualu, he looks like a Raven already.

**Rxdoxx** · 02-11-2010, 02:03 PM

I have also been trying to figure out a trade down partner, and one who has a high 2nd rounder but needs that can't be met there.
Looking at Buffalo, needing OL and DL (QB?) if they don't take OL first then maybe not, if they grab OL then I can see them having to move up to get a better DL.
NE is in the catbird seat because of the 3 #2, they can do pretty much what they want if they decide to trade.
Our Flacco trading partner is gone because NE has Jax's 2nd.

Oakland, does anyone know if Al trades draft picks on draft day? I know he does otherwise, but on draft day I can only remember him trading a player (Washington) for a pick, can't remember him trading picks. May mean he is not prepared to adjust his thinking in that way after he has assembled his board, so he may not know what to do with an extra #1 if the clock is ticking when he gets it. (not that he knows what to do with a #1 anyway LOL )

**effo5231** · 02-11-2010, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Rxdoxx

NE is in the catbird seat because of the 3 #2, they can do pretty much what they want if they decide to trade.

We seem to trade a pick with NE at least every other year... Ozzie has a good relationship with their front office. The trouble is that NE generally prefers to trade down and amass multiple talents in the 2-4 range who they turn into projects.

**Carey** · 02-11-2010, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by effo5231

We seem to trade a pick with NE at least every other year... Ozzie has a good relationship with their front office. The trouble is that NE generally prefers to trade down and amass multiple talents in the 2-4 range who they turn into projects.

Yea your absolutely right, hopefully they see a player they really really like and willing to make a deal.

**Stealthbirds80** · 02-11-2010, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by effo5231

We seem to trade a pick with NE at least every other year... Ozzie has a good relationship with their front office. The trouble is that NE generally prefers to trade down and amass multiple talents in the 2-4 range who they turn into projects.

I was thinking the same. You would think that us and NE are in cahoots on draft day, but I think it is mutual respect and familiarity. I think this is a good year to amass some picks in between the 2nd and fourth rounds. I say a bunch of future stars are in those rounds this year.

Also someone mentioned drafting fullbacks. That maybe the least drafted postion in the draft and sometimes either they are really late round or rookie free agent pickups. That position in the movement of the league to pass happiness has devalued the position entirely. Some teams dont even carry a FB during or for only part of the year. It's kind of sad.

**baltimore_hokie** · 02-12-2010, 09:14 PM

Tyson Alualu is an absolute beast. He is strong enough to hold up at the point of attack, but can penetrate and rush the passer when he needs to. At 6'3" 295 lbs, he is perfectly sized for a 3-4DE. We NEED to take this guy in the second round and give him a year behind Pryce before we unleash him in the future.

D. Thomas in the first, Alualu in the second.

Here are his highlights (don't watch for too long, you may fall in love):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72KQ_...om=PL&index=27