Draft Prospects

**wickedsolo** · 03-09-2012, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by srobert96

Notre Dame will have some stud defensive players coming out the next few years. Manti Teo next year. They have a couple of Stud dlineman in the pipe as well. That freshman Aaron Lynch will be a first rounder after his junior year barring injury. There defense was very good last year. They really lacked a good QB. They also have a potential 1st/2nd round TE coming out next year.

I know, but on a whole they have had some really underwhelming defensive players come out who were supposed to be "studs" at Notre Dame.

All I'm saying is that I hope they do their homework if they choose Harrison Smith.

**JAB1985** · 03-09-2012, 12:18 PM

Saw this article where Brian Billick ranked some prospects. Only has captions for the first 20 or so but its a good look at what a coach sees in them.

Brian Billick's Top 100

His thoughts on Upshaw:

9. Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama: May be best suited as a 4-3 defensive end as the evaluation process continues, but either way, he is an impact edge rusher.

**GOTA** · 03-09-2012, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by JAB1985

Saw this article where Brian Billick ranked some prospects. Only has captions for the first 20 or so but its a good look at what a coach sees in them.

Brian Billick's Top 100

His thoughts on Upshaw:

Cool! Always like to read Billick's opinions. Great stuff

**JAB1985** · 03-09-2012, 01:39 PM

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: Best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson, but the position as a whole has devalued his draft stock into the middle of the first round.

wonder what his thoughts on what Ray Rice is worth?

**wickedsolo** · 03-09-2012, 01:46 PM

I will say this, with the current cap situation the Ravens are going to really have to work hard to produce some draft picks that can contribute right away like they did with Torrey, Jimmy, and McPhee.

**JAB1985** · 03-09-2012, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I will say this, with the current cap situation the Ravens are going to really have to work hard to produce some draft picks that can contribute right away like they did with Torrey, Jimmy, and McPhee.

I think we have enough guys around to fill in for those departed but whos filling in for them? Thats another topic people arent talking about enough. were going to have some serious need for depth, which makes the idea of trading back seem more and more likely. Rookies are almost always cheaper than FAs, especially when considering potential to outplay. Our depth was one of our strengths last year and typically can be seen on who excels in the playoffs. one of my bigger worries, the injury bug was kind to us this past year, might not be this one.

**goodandfast** · 03-09-2012, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by JAB1985

I think we have enough guys around to fill in for those departed but whos filling in for them? Thats another topic people arent talking about enough. were going to have some serious need for depth, which makes the idea of trading back seem more and more likely. Rookies are almost always cheaper than FAs, especially when considering potential to outplay. Our depth was one of our strengths last year and typically can be seen on who excels in the playoffs. one of my bigger worries, the injury bug was kind to us this past year, might not be this one.

This, combined with a weak draft class, makes me think that trading back could be pretty likely. If they do, I'd imagine they'd want to get in the top of the second round, so come draft day it will be interesting to see which team with a top 5 pick wants to get back into the first round. But, then again, there'd have to be a player worth making that move for whatever team we would make that deal with.

**GOTA** · 03-09-2012, 01:58 PM

Billick seems to be very high on Upshaw, ranked 9. He must not like Perry, Konz and Hill who he has listed as below 1st round prospects.

**leachisabeast** · 03-09-2012, 02:22 PM

Tbh I think drafting Konz would be a mistake, yes he is a great player, but we have needs in other positions now with that new reported salary cap. We need to draft for 1 or 2 linebackers, a few offensive linemen, and a safety couldn't hurt either. I think drafting either Upshaw or Hightower in the first, and Zeitler in the second would make so much sense, because all of those players are very versatile, Zeitler can play left or right guard and center, people keep saying Konz could play guard for us, but I would rather have Zeitler playing center than someone who can't bench 225 lbs more than 20 times playing guard. Upshaw is a pass rusher at 3-4 OLB, an edge rusher in a 4-3, and can even fill in at ILB if he must, Hightower is the same, but the other way around with his specification at ILB of course. In the third I think you either go safety or get another lineman, maybe a developmental tackle. I have a feeling WR is going to be looked upon as more of a luxury in this draft rather than a need, which is why I think signing Eddie Royal could become a very likely scenario. With some luck maybe we could land a small school prospect in the 3rd or fourth, this draft is deep in WR's.

Don't forget defensive line either, we have depth issues here too, with Redding and Brandon McKinnie being FA's. We basically have a lot of depth issues tbh, and hopefully Ozzie can get it sorted. Btw I don't think we should trade down unless we get some good picks out of it, meaning we at least get a 2nd and a third out of it.

**BcRaven** · 03-09-2012, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I will say this, with the current cap situation the Ravens are going to really have to work hard to produce some draft picks that can contribute right away like they did with Torrey, Jimmy, and McPhee.

Rest easy wicked, I sent your post onto Ozzie. He said, "I'm working on it." ... Bc

**JAB1985** · 03-09-2012, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by GOTA

Billick seems to be very high on Upshaw, ranked 9. He must not like Perry, Konz and Hill who he has listed as below 1st round prospects.

He seems very high on him if you have a 4-3. Really having hightower right behind kuelchy and in his top 16 is impressive. Seems high on all the alabama guys.

**JMUpurkfool** · 03-09-2012, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by JAB1985

He seems very high on him if you have a 4-3. Really having hightower right behind kuelchy and in his top 16 is impressive. Seems high on all the alabama guys.

I think Hightower's versatility is really pushing his stock up.

**GOTA** · 03-09-2012, 05:47 PM

Billick called Hightower Brandon Spikes with better speed. Honestly that is not for someone we hope can replace Ray.

**JMUpurkfool** · 03-09-2012, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by GOTA

Billick called Hightower Brandon Spikes with better speed. Honestly that is not for someone we hope can replace Ray.

No one can replace Ray. Right now we don't even have anybody under contract worthy of playing the position.

**Lime in the Coconut** · 03-09-2012, 08:23 PM

I still say Upshaw can play 3-4 OLB. Suggs plays more of a 43 end role believe it or not so I think Upshaw, who is scheme diverse, would be a great pick. I also think he could lose some weight. Either he or Hightower to me are great picks. I think Hightower will be valued by two teams in the first round, us and Pittsburgh. I just hope that he can make it past the Steelers.

**Lime in the Coconut** · 03-09-2012, 09:37 PM

Washington trades 3 first round picks and a 2nd rounder for 2nd overall pick!

**GOTA** · 03-10-2012, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by JMUpurkfool

No one can replace Ray. Right now we don't even have anybody under contract worthy of playing the position.

True but that doesn't mean that you'll be able to find that guy in this draft. I'm a LSU fan and have seen of lot of Alabama since Saban returned. I never thought that Hightower was all that special. He's not dynamic the way Rolando McClain was. He's a good solid player but in a normal draft he's not a 1st round guy. I'm half hoping the Steelers take him.

**wickedsolo** · 03-10-2012, 09:15 AM

http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/201...g-draft-stock/

Joe Hortiz on Vontaze Burfict.

There is still a possibility that Burfict is a Raven come April...just more likely in the 4th or 5th rounds.

**Lime in the Coconut** · 03-10-2012, 12:40 PM

I would not mind Burfict in that area personally.

**BcRaven** · 03-10-2012, 02:27 PM

What if Ozzie could trade our 1st for an extra 2nd and 3rd round pick? Then use one of the 3rd rounders on Burfict. After all, didnt we spend a 3rd round pick on Tavaras Gooden? ... Bc