Is Demaryius Thomas the Ravens' Answer at WR?

**nfldraft2010** · 02-11-2010, 01:37 PM

Thomas may be the most physically gifted receiver in the draft, and has a chance to eventually be an Andre Johnson or Calvin Johnson type player in the NFL. His value will only go up after the combine.

See for yourself:

http://www.pressboxonline.com/blog.cfm?ID=2015

**Jeremiah W** · 02-11-2010, 02:41 PM

I think so and have him as the #2 WR on the board, very draftable at #25.

**Carey** · 02-11-2010, 03:05 PM

I think so, however i am a tiny bit skeptical. I want to see him run at the combine and also see how fluid he is and how he runs routes. I've heard mixed reviews on him and saw a very disappointing scouting on him. Im still for taking him tho for the most part, as far as fit its between him and Lafell for me. Here's that scouting report.....

http://http://www.walterfootball.com...010dthomas.php

**73doubledown73** · 02-11-2010, 04:45 PM

what am i missing?why is this guy pimpin pressbox on 24x7's website?

**edreedisgod20** · 02-12-2010, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by 73doubledown73

what am i missing?why is this guy pimpin pressbox on 24x7's website?

He has been for a little while, but he's starting to get lazier with the actual contribution to discussion on the board itself.

**nfldraft2010** · 02-12-2010, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by 73doubledown73

what am i missing?why is this guy pimpin pressbox on 24x7's website?

Lol not trying to pimp Pressbox, just looking for a little feedback on the article. I'm a big fan of Thomas and wanted to see what you guys thought. I think he may be a slight reach at 25, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if he goes from being a perceived 2nd or 3rd round pick to a mid-late first rounder with a good combine.

**nfldraft2010** · 02-12-2010, 12:20 PM

He'll probably take a couple years to develop, especially coming out of an offense that didn't really demand much of him as a route runner, but he has as much potential as any receiver in the draft, and I think will eventually be the second best receiver to come out of this class. I also think Dezmon Briscoe is a little bit of a sleeper.

**Jeremiah W** · 02-12-2010, 01:20 PM

I love the guy at 25 right now even though I just saw a mock that had us passing on him in the 2nd round.

Last year I liked the idea of drafting DHB at #25 knowing it would be a 2 or 3 year wait, but he ran like the wind and went 7th.

Thomas looks much more NFL ready than DHB and is much, much better at finding the ball and snatching it out of the air in traffic because it is almost always way underthrown. He also blocks like he means it.

The combine is going to change everything, but I trust the mocks and big boards built before the combine more most of the time because they are based on football more than workouts.

I can see Thomas turning into the most productive WR from the class right away, even though I would try to trade up to 11 and get Dez Bryant if he is there.

**baltimore_hokie** · 02-12-2010, 01:23 PM

I think Thomas' career will follow a similar path to that of Roddy White. "Experts" would consider him a reach in the late first, but he will develop into a very good, physical WR in a few years. A few guys (Damian Williams, Golden Tate) may go before him, but like Mark Clayton, they will suck.

I'm high on Thomas and am willing to wait a year or two and let him grow with Flacco. Thomas - Mason - Washington - Walter/Harper/D-Will seems good enough for me.

**baltimore_hokie** · 02-12-2010, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by Jeremiah W

Last year I liked the idea of drafting DHB at #25 knowing it would be a 2 or 3 year wait, but he ran like the wind and went 7th.

Why would you admit to that. Did you catch any of the Oakland Raiders' games last season??

**Jeremiah W** · 02-12-2010, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by baltimore_hokie

Why would you admit to that. Did you catch any of the Oakland Raiders' games last season??

I am not ashamed that I wanted the Ravens to take DHB at 25. At the time that was looked at as a reach and most of the board did not like it or trading the pick for Peppers. The combine and draft come along and DHB goes from a late 2nd who was a reach at 25 to the 7th freaking pick and 1st Wr off the board.

WR and pass rush were the biggest question marks I had going into the year, but the 20 mil in dead money and last capped season rules made it tough to do more than they did.

This year I think we can fill all the holes with the right players and not have to worry as much about the price. Also I think we can draft and build a WR group like the one in SD with what we have now and 2 or 3 guys from this class. That pretty much is the final peice on O, and a double digit sack guy who draws and beats double blocking is what the rest of the young pass rushers need to get off as a group like back in 2006 when Pryce set the pace with 13, such as Peppers.

**baltimore_hokie** · 02-12-2010, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Carey

I think so, however i am a tiny bit skeptical. I want to see him run at the combine and also see how fluid he is and how he runs routes. I've heard mixed reviews on him and saw a very disappointing scouting on him. Im still for taking him tho for the most part, as far as fit its between him and Lafell for me. Here's that scouting report.....

http://http://www.walterfootball.com...010dthomas.php

Strengths:
Very big frame
Great bulk and strength
Elite blocker; very physical
Good hands at LOS to get off jam
High points football at apex
Difficult to bring down; strong runner
Uses body to shield opponents from ball
Willing to go over the middle

Weaknesses:
Extremely poor route runner
Too straight up when going into breaks; doesn't sell
Struggles to separate
Below average speed
Inconsistent hands
Loses focus
Lacks deep speed
Lacks agility
Unimpressive vision after catch
Limited upside

Now, I have some issues with the weaknesses this guy has listed:

Poor route runner / struggles to separate - I haven't watched too much film of him, but he doesn't seem THAT bad to me. He seems to get open plenty to me, beating man coverage regularly.

Lacks deep speed - Huh? I saw him outrun an entire SEC defense, weighing about 40 lbs more than any of the guys he blew past. I think he will dispel this notion at the Combine.

Unimpressive after catch - Again, what?? That's where he's most impressive to me. He's a threat to score every time he gets near the ball, whether it be on a pass, bubble screen, reverse, or whatever.

Limited upside - ?????? His size, speed, performance in an offense that doesn't necessarily provide that many chances make his upside better than Dez Bryant's to me. He's relatively unknown, and to me, that makes him that much more gifted with upside.

Am I looking past something or watching a different guy?

**Jeremiah W** · 02-12-2010, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by baltimore_hokie

Now, I have some issues with the weaknesses this guy has listed:

Poor route runner / struggles to separate - I haven't watched too much film of him, but he doesn't seem THAT bad to me. He seems to get open plenty to me, beating man coverage regularly.

Lacks deep speed - Huh? I saw him outrun an entire SEC defense, weighing about 40 lbs more than any of the guys he blew past. I think he will dispel this notion at the Combine.

Unimpressive after catch - Again, what?? That's where he's most impressive to me. He's a threat to score every time he gets near the ball, whether it be on a pass, bubble screen, reverse, or whatever.

Limited upside - ?????? His size, speed, performance in an offense that doesn't necessarily provide that many chances make his upside better than Dez Bryant's to me. He's relatively unknown, and to me, that makes him that much more gifted with upside.

Am I looking past something or watching a different guy?

I do not get it either. The knocks on DHB were legit. He did and does have the dropsies and he did not have the type of production a guy with his ability should have, but that does not apply to Thomas who put up the stats with a QB that ran more than he threw. Thomas is the best Wr coming out of the ACC since Calvin Johnson. He is not quite as tall but it looks like Andre Johnson or T.O. are in a GT uni for practice on some of those highlights.

I really think the only way he is there at 25 is if he runs a 4.6 or something, and I think he would have to have a bad day to be that slow. Fitz and Boldin ran @4.6 at the combine, but always play fast enough to dominate. I think some of the big WRs lose some speed bulking up for the combine, but once summer practice is over they are back up to game speed, which is plenty fast enough.

**Carey** · 02-12-2010, 02:12 PM

I am absolutely counting the days to see this guy at the combine. Im not 100 percent sold on him but i'd say im 95 %. Even if he ran a 4.6, with his other physical tools and the fact that the scouting reports say he is a elite blocker i still think he is a player. Im anxious to see him run routes and catch the ball, i just wanna see how fluid he is.

**baltimore_hokie** · 02-12-2010, 02:27 PM

Admittedly, I'm watching his highlight tape but I see the kid running some great routes. He runs a brutal comeback route that the CB's have to leave open. He mixed some CB's up with solid footwork, got open for the intermediate pass, and excelled in winning on deep balls. I'm impressed. I see a beast mode version of Roddy White.

Carlton Mitchell out of USF reminds me a lot of White too. Another guy that I would love in rounds 2 or 3.

**Carey** · 02-12-2010, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by baltimore_hokie

Admittedly, I'm watching his highlight tape but I see the kid running some great routes. He runs a brutal comeback route that the CB's have to leave open. He mixed some CB's up with solid footwork, got open for the intermediate pass, and excelled in winning on deep balls. I'm impressed. I see a beast mode version of Roddy White.

I gotta find me some tape on him and look more, i saw him in spurts this season and he was always making plays. I wanna see how that translates to the NFL. He doesnt have to be Jerry Rice as a route runner right off the bat. He just has to be capable and willing and able to improve. I've heard he has a excellent work ethic. If we could get him at 25, or trade down to get him in the early 2nd, then get Carlton Mitchell in the 3rd i'd be ecstatic!

**nfldraft2010** · 02-12-2010, 07:05 PM

Just a few interesting stats about first round receivers:

Over the last 10 years, only 15 of the 42 receivers selected in the first round have gone on to become 1,000 yard receivers in the NFL.

Only seven of those 15 have recorded multiple 1,000 yard seasons.

Of the top 30 receivers in the NFL last season - based on receiving yards - only eight were drafted in the first round. Seven were second round picks, six went in the third round, four in the fourth, three in the seventh, and two were undrafted.

**Stealthbirds80** · 02-12-2010, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by baltimore_hokie

Now, I have some issues with the weaknesses this guy has listed:

Poor route runner / struggles to separate - I haven't watched too much film of him, but he doesn't seem THAT bad to me. He seems to get open plenty to me, beating man coverage regularly.

Lacks deep speed - Huh? I saw him outrun an entire SEC defense, weighing about 40 lbs more than any of the guys he blew past. I think he will dispel this notion at the Combine.

Unimpressive after catch - Again, what?? That's where he's most impressive to me. He's a threat to score every time he gets near the ball, whether it be on a pass, bubble screen, reverse, or whatever.

Limited upside - ?????? His size, speed, performance in an offense that doesn't necessarily provide that many chances make his upside better than Dez Bryant's to me. He's relatively unknown, and to me, that makes him that much more gifted with upside.

Am I looking past something or watching a different guy?

All these things that were listed are something the coaches will correct. Deep speed bah, I hate forty times b/c it has nothing to do with game speed. I will say this, he gives an awe inspiring effort at the combine and he's gone possibly before 25. We have a couple other teams out there that are Raider like in their drafting especially the last couple years(Buffalo and Jacksonville) with reaching for players and they not panning out compared to thier draft slot. Not saying that all the picks were bust, but at the position they were picking I'm sure they expected day one starters. Both of the teams I named are starving for some excitement. I do however like Thomas a lot as a 2nd round pick, but I think the buzz this kid looks to soon be getting he will get hyped into him getting picked within the first 20 picks or so possibly.

**808 Raven** · 02-12-2010, 08:27 PM

I don't think Thomas is the answer, but drafting him would be a start. The guys upside is ridiculous and I honestly think he has the potential to be an Andre Johnson type receiver. 25 might be a little early for him, but I just don't think he'll be around again at pick 57. If we can drop back and pick up Thomas early second, Gilyard in the fourth, and Peek in the fifth, I would be ecstatic. Then again, Thomas might run a 4.3 at the combine and get drafted by the Raiders at 8.

**baltimore_hokie** · 02-12-2010, 09:33 PM

Perfect draft for me:

Round 1 -- Demaryius Thomas WR Georgia Tech 6'3" 230 lbs... May seem like a bit of a reach now, but if he runs a 4.5 it won't be. Deep threat in the passing game, big target in the red zone, and physical presence in the running game will make him an instant contributor.

Round 2 -- Tyson Alualu DE/DT Cal 6'3" 295 lbs ... Perfect 3-4 DE specimen. Plays like a Raven. Versatile, strong, and quick.

Round 3 -- Carlton Mitchell WR USF 6'4" 215 lbs ... Big, physical, and fast. This is exactly the type of guy you take a chance on in a middle round that could be the next Brandon Marshall. Definitely a project, but he could have made a lot more noise if he would have stayed in school. Like Thomas in Round 1, we would probably be getting a deal for an underclassman.

Round 4 -- Colin Peek TE Alabama 6'6" 255 lbs ... May not be the most explosive weapon in the passing game, but he seems like a Brent Celek clone (Celek was selected in the 5th round).

Late Round Options:

Stephan Virgil CB Virginia Tech

LeGarette Blount RB Boise State

Brian Schofield DE/OLB Wisconsin

Chris Cook CB Virginia

This would provide us with a re-tooled WR corps, a replacement for Trevor Pryce who could provide immediate pass rush help, and a replacement for Heap. Add in a few high risk/high reward late round picks (since they probably won't make the team anyway), and that is a draft that could put this franchise on the right track.