Draft Prospects

**The Excellector** · 04-09-2012, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

Hightower will be gone before the Ravens' first pick. I'd bet money on it. There aren't a whole lot of 3-4 ILB's and there are some teams picking before us that need a 3-4 ILB even more than the Ravens do.

I bet you two fire magic spells that Hightower goes in the second round.

**GOTA** · 04-09-2012, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

I bet you two fire magic spells that Hightower goes in the second round.

Even if he did go in the 2nd round do you really think he would still be available where the Ravens pick?

**bmorecareful** · 04-09-2012, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

I bet you two fire magic spells that Hightower goes in the second round.

If he goes in the second round (15% chance of that happening I reckon,) he won't fall past Pittsburgh at #56. Even that is way too low, as he would be a huge bargain pick for any 3-4 team in the 2nd.

I think you can pretty much pencil in Hightower to Pittsburgh at #24. They have a huge need at ILB next to Timmons and he fits their scheme perfectly. The only way Pittsburgh doesn't see him as BPA on their board at #24 is if Cordy Glenn is on the board at that pick. They would jump at the chance to add him at LG and he would be the clear BPA. But then Hightower has to clear Houston, New England, and Green Bay, all 3-4 teams who Hightower would fit in great with and possibly be BPA.

The fact that Hightower can play ILB or rush OLB really makes him attractive to 3-4 teams. I don't think he fits in a 4-3 at all, but I actually have Hightower ranked as the #4 rush OLB in the class in addition to #1 3-4 ILB. He would be top 25 on my big board as well.

I don't see that player going in the 2nd at all unless something bizarre happens, and even then he would go before our 2nd pick anyway.

**The Excellector** · 04-09-2012, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

Even if he did go in the 2nd round do you really think he would still be available where the Ravens pick?

My idea was that they use a late round pick to move up to the middle of the second and take him.

**Lime in the Coconut** · 04-09-2012, 11:51 AM

Mychal Kendricks visiting Ravens this week

**LukeDaniel** · 04-09-2012, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Lime in the Coconut

Mychal Kendricks visiting Ravens this week

If you go to the "7 round draft" thread, he is the guy I'm mocking to us once we trade down into the 2nd round. I think he will be a better NFL LB than Hightower.

**bmorecareful** · 04-09-2012, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by LukeDaniel

If you go to the "7 round draft" thread, he is the guy I'm mocking to us once we trade down into the 2nd round. I think he will be a better NFL LB than Hightower.

Kendricks is a really good player and would be a great scheme fit for us. He was the most athletic and fluid ILB at the Combine, and if he develops his instincts he could be a very solid pro. He would be a great pick in the 2nd, but as you said we would probably need to trade down to have a shot at him. I think he goes in the first 10 picks of the 2nd.

If we were to trade down, I feel very good about the prospects available through the 2nd and into the early 3rd.

**wickedsolo** · 04-09-2012, 12:14 PM

Cal runs some 3-4 sets, so there is reason to think that Kendricks could be a decent fit in the 3-4.

**Shas** · 04-09-2012, 12:46 PM

Not a ton of info, but if you want to read it, here is the original report about Kendricks visiting the Ravens. FWIW, I know that in the past the team has favored players with football-family pedigrees, and his dad, Marv, was a running back at UCLA. His brother, Eric, is a rising sophomore LB at UCLA.

**BcRaven** · 04-09-2012, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

Kendricks is a really good player and would be a great scheme fit for us. He was the most athletic and fluid ILB at the Combine, and if he develops his instincts he could be a very solid pro. He would be a great pick in the 2nd, but as you said we would probably need to trade down to have a shot at him. I think he goes in the first 10 picks of the 2nd.

If we were to trade down, I feel very good about the prospects available through the 2nd and into the early 3rd.

Kendricks may drop due to his lack of height (5' 11"), and that could work in the Ravens favor. Here are his stats :
http://www.draftcountdown.com/Scouti...-Kendricks.php
... Bc

**JAB1985** · 04-09-2012, 12:55 PM

personally i like kendricks. the only knock on him is his height which is only an inch less than our own GOAT Ray Lewis. I think its possible he comes here, beefs up to 250-255 and plays a productive career even at that height and may just be a steal if hes around in the late second.

**Carey** · 04-09-2012, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I actually think next year's crop of running backs is a lot better than this one.

Isaiah Crowell
Michael Dyer
Mike Ford
DJ Adams
Montee Ball
James White
Marcus Lattimore
Christine Michael
Washaun Ealy

Love Montee Ball, i think he's gonna be a stud in the NFL.

**wickedsolo** · 04-09-2012, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by Carey

Love Montee Ball, i think he's gonna be a stud in the NFL.

He should have come out this year. Prob would have been a 1st rounder.

**wickedsolo** · 04-09-2012, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by JAB1985

personally i like kendricks. the only knock on him is his height which is only an inch less than our own GOAT Ray Lewis. I think its possible he comes here, beefs up to 250-255 and plays a productive career even at that height and may just be a steal if hes around in the late second.

He's 240lbs and he's a SOLID 240lbs. Considering his height I'd be concerned with him losing quickness if he bulked up too much.

I'm also kind of wary of work out warriors...

However, he really can fly around the field. I'm just reminded of Tarvares Gooden.

**Carey** · 04-09-2012, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

He should have come out this year. Prob would have been a 1st rounder.

Well he said he didnt because the advisory commitee gave him a 3rd rd grade, which is still baffling to me he'd be easily the 2nd best running back in this draft and maybe better value then taking T-Rich in the top 10.

**Raveninwoodlawn** · 04-09-2012, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

He's 240lbs and he's a SOLID 240lbs. Considering his height I'd be concerned with him losing quickness if he bulked up too much.

I'm also kind of wary of work out warriors...

However, he really can fly around the field. I'm just reminded of Tarvares Gooden.

Eh...dude was Pac 10's conference player of the year...he can play.

Tavares Gooden can only dream of the production Kendricks had...

In 4 years, Gooden had only 5 tackles for loss and had a hand in only 3 turnovers.

Kendricks had 36.5 tackles for loss and had a hand in 7 turnovers.

I love his athleticism and he seems more than willing to be as physical as he can (as opposed to Gooden) and he stayed healthy in college and he was productive.

I just worry about his size in a 3-4. Our DL would have to do a better job of keeping him clean.

**Shas** · 04-09-2012, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by The Excellector

How does D. Martin, the RB from Boise State, compare to Ray Rice?

Worth checking out the interview on NFL.com where Doug compares himself to Ray. I think he goes about the same spot in the draft as Ray (55th).

**JAB1985** · 04-09-2012, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

He's 240lbs and he's a SOLID 240lbs. Considering his height I'd be concerned with him losing quickness if he bulked up too much.

I'm also kind of wary of work out warriors...

However, he really can fly around the field. I'm just reminded of Tarvares Gooden.

just comparing him to the build Lewis was 6' 245 and what he is now 6' 255. Its possible hes fine just the way he is. the guy is known as a solid run stopper as is but maybe 245 he wears down a little and 255 he doesnt. i have no idea, just saying its an option. I like him as a player and think he will be a solid player. I wonder if he was 6'2 250 if he would still be considered a second rounder, i doubt it with his pedigree and measurable.

**JAB1985** · 04-09-2012, 02:31 PM

Im just happy the team brought in Stephen Hill.

Link if nobody else did.

stephen hill visited ravens

**JustaslowZ06** · 04-09-2012, 03:09 PM

I'm still hoping Upshaw is there for us. I think he can fill JJ's role nicely as those were his strengths in reading screens and locating ball carriers. Good at setting that edge and he has the ability to rush the psser when needed. PERFECT opposite Suggs and would give us the best OLB tandem in th NFL for along time. And a distinct possability he might slide enough for us to grab him. Previous mock's had him in the teens to early 20's but he busted his proday from what I've read. Didn't Suggs have a similar outcome?

Was hoping for Jeffries but now thinking we can get him in the 2nd, ALL the hype seems to have gone away on him because he didn't light up the 40 time. I could care less, can he get seperation and will he go up and get the ball? The answer is yes to both, let the Raiders go get the 40 time wonders that bust.