Draft Prospects

[Dirt1]

Interesting...

Cossell's comments on Mike Adams:
Asked about Adams. Could make argument most purely athletic LT in draft. Games I watched he was excellent. OSU not a pro passing offense.


I follow him on twitter also.

Have the Ravens scheduled a visit with Mike Adams yet?

[wickedsolo]

Have the Ravens scheduled a visit with Mike Adams yet?

I know they met with him a few times down at the Senior Bowl, but I don't think they've met with him officially yet.

[GOTA]

The Ravens have scheduled a visit with Utah LB Bobby Wagner, per Aaron Wilson.

http://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider

Sweet. He's my favorite ILB in this draft. He's the kind of player that inside linebackers are going to start to turn into. In this new NFL you need an ILB to be a great tackler, quick and athletic more than you need a run stuffer. The game has changed and this is one of those positions that will evolve

[Carey]

Sweet. He's my favorite ILB in this draft. He's the kind of player that inside linebackers are going to start to turn into. In this new NFL you need an ILB to be a great tackler, quick and athletic more than you need a run stuffer. The game has changed and this is one of those positions that will evolve

I completely agree, you need guys that can operate in space. He's physical enough and has the temperment to be able to play the run inside imo, and having Ngata and Cody in front of you certaintly helps as well.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

Interesting...

Cossell's comments on Mike Adams:
Asked about Adams. Could make argument most purely athletic LT in draft. Games I watched he was excellent. OSU not a pro passing offense.


I follow him on twitter also.

Yeah, I've heard him on interviews also comment on the "lazy/inconsistent effort" stuff...he basically said that he watched about 4 or 5 games of Adams and never saw any inconsistent effort.

[BigPlayReceiver]

Sweet. He's my favorite ILB in this draft. He's the kind of player that inside linebackers are going to start to turn into. In this new NFL you need an ILB to be a great tackler, quick and athletic more than you need a run stuffer. The game has changed and this is one of those positions that will evolve

Seems that's the direction in which we're going (i.e., dynamic ILBs), in-light of taking a hard look at Hendricks.

Hmmm...so does this mean that we would pass on Hightower/trade down if he's there at 29?

[arnie_uk]

is it not Kendricks?

Seems that's the direction in which we're going (i.e., dynamic ILBs), in-light of taking a hard look at Hendricks.

Hmmm...so does this mean that we would pass on Hightower/trade down if he's there at 29?

[GOTA]

Seems that's the direction in which we're going (i.e., dynamic ILBs), in-light of taking a hard look at Hendricks.

Hmmm...so does this mean that we would pass on Hightower/trade down if he's there at 29?

I would. Hightower is a great college player but what made him great matters less and less in the NFL. Put Hightower in a 3-4 next to one of these quick, athletic inside linebackers and he's going to do well. Put him next to an old Ray Lewis and offenses are going to throw right over him. Hightower to me is the classic case of a good player but not a good fit for this team.

[BigPlayReceiver]

is it not Kendricks?

lol...yeah, thanks. I've been screwing that up all spring.
Somewhere in a past life, I must have known a Michael [Mychal] Hendricks.

[RavensNest]

I'm telling you Adams is going to be a very good pro LT. He needs to get stronger but he is phyiscally gifted and I wouldn't be opposed to us taking him in the first.

[leachisabeast]

I agree with you guys on the more dynamic ILB's. In this day and age, you don't need run stuffing ILB's like Hightower. I think Hightower is going to be a great run stuffe rin the NFL, but for me he is not going to be an every down LB. That's why I like the fact that we are looking at players like Wagner or Kendricks who can probably play a little at SAM too since they are so dynamic. Personally I prefer Kendricks and Ronnell Lewis over Wagner, but I would be happy with Wagner in the second round either way.

[BcRaven]

Originally Posted by houstonravensfan
Finally, a rational response. I understand the attraction of an exciting WR. And we do need to add one in the draft (rounds 3-5, IMHO) and preferably another vet FA. But let's remember: both of our starters return at WR. That is not true of OLB or DE (though we do have some potential fill-ins at those positions). Worse, our C is one good whack from retirement with NO ONE behind him. We have NO ONE at LG and only a UDFA on the roster. Our LT is arguably over-aged, over-weight, and under-motivated, with NO proven LT behind him (Oher IMHO, has proven he is not a quality LT). We not only need a STARTER at G, we need a C who MIGHT need to start in the near-term. What if . . . we take a G in the 2nd or 3rd and he's a bust? It happens. What if . . . we take a C in the 3rd and Birk goes down in game 1? It happens. Botom line: we need two starting (or "near-starting") quality O line guys, and that could mean we need more than two draft picks dedicated to those positions. I'd love to see a bullet fast WR across from T Smith, but I still hold the old-fashioned idea that you build a great team from your lines on up.

You could make those same assumptions and dire predictions about any position. What if . . . the Ravens take a WR in the 3rd round and Boldin goes down in game one . . . or that 4th rounder is a bust and can't get on the field . . . or Torrey Smith is one whack away from a debilitating knee injury . . . what if Ray Rice sits out and refuses to play . . . what if Flacco gets in a car wreck on the way to practice . . . etc, etc, etc.

Oh, and why draft a center or a tackle? The Ravens starters at C and LT are returning - same as the WR positions. Hardly an argument to not seek upgrades at positions where the fans think there are starters.

The draft is not the only way the Ravens are going to add players to their team. They should go for the best valued player, and to freak out over a need (real or perceived) is the way to a bad draft. Reaching for a position doesn't generally pan out well. If the best guy on the board in the first round is a WR with value at that spot, the Raven should take him. They have already indicated they need to upgrade the WR corps, and that isn't happening in free agency - those guys simply aren't out there.

a b, dire predictions about receivers, keeping in mind we have Boldin/T. Smith/Dickson/Pitta, are not the same as having an inadequate Oline. Jerry Rice couldn't catch a pass if Montana was being constantly harassed, much less our WR/TEs. hrf is correct that our aging guys (Birk and McKinnie) and our huge hole @ LG are major concerns. Joe needs time to throw, and our running game need holes to open, so who are going to provide this? ... Bc

[bmorecareful]

I would. Hightower is a great college player but what made him great matters less and less in the NFL. Put Hightower in a 3-4 next to one of these quick, athletic inside linebackers and he's going to do well. Put him next to an old Ray Lewis and offenses are going to throw right over him. Hightower to me is the classic case of a good player but not a good fit for this team.

I think Hightower still has value in that he could be a good fit in the Jarrett Johnson role at SAM linebacker for us in 2012. A base LB group of Suggs, McClain, Lewis, and Hightower is strong on paper--good against the rush, and Hightower would be protected from having to cover any deeper zones at SLB. Just like JJ, he would be covering the flat and short zones nearer the LOS, where he is stronger in pass defense, as opposed to needing to flip his hips and run with backs and TEs up the seams.

I think you work some kind of rotation out at the SLB spot to get Kruger in there as much as possible (nickel sets, etc) as well. You'd take care of some of your depth issues that way and let Hightower acclimate to the NFL in a smaller, more defined role. In 2013 he would move inside to replace Ray with his physicality and strength.

The thing I don't get is why Hightower is so heavy. At 265 he looks like a OLB, not an ILB. If he can't gain some quickness and fluidity at a lower weight, I don't think he'll ever be a 3-down MLB/ILB in this league and a guy without that upside isn't worth a 1st round pick. It all depends on how the team projects him.

[JAB1985]

a b, dire predictions about receivers, keeping in mind we have Boldin/T. Smith/Dickson/Pitta, are not the same as having an inadequate Oline. Jerry Rice couldn't catch a pass if Montana was being constantly harassed, much less our WR/TEs. hrf is correct that our aging guys (Birk and McKinnie) and our huge hole @ LG are major concerns. Joe needs time to throw, and our running game need holes to open, so who are going to provide this? ... Bc

OL is without question the most important position as a whole than any other one position, including QB. It allows your qb to throw, your RB to run and if all goes well your defense to rest. With that in mind, having 1 opening and possibly 2-3 more next year, its pretty obvious we need some depth. I figure we will double dip on OL one early and one later, how much later im unsure.

[bmorecareful]

OL is without question the most important position as a whole than any other one position, including QB. It allows your qb to throw, your RB to run and if all goes well your defense to rest. With that in mind, having 1 opening and possibly 2-3 more next year, its pretty obvious we need some depth. I figure we will double dip on OL one early and one later, how much later im unsure.

At the absolute bare minimum, they need to add someone who can compete to start at LG, depth at C, and depth at OT. The Ravens have always prioritized versatility among their OL and usually draft linemen who can play multiple positions, so I think they could possibly get away with only drafting 1 OL if they think he can compete to start at LG and be a future depth player at C or OT as well. 2 OL is possible if the board shakes out that way. It all depends on who the BPA is.

Peter Konz fits because he plays LG in 2012 and takes over at center when necessary. They're risking their depth at OT if they do that, but they obviously like Jah Reid as their backup swing tackle. Maybe they're confident that's all they need.

Cordy Glenn is still my dream 1st round pick as I think he'll be the best guard in the draft while having the potential to play both RT and LT. I have to think he's very high on the Ravens big board, not that he'll last to 29.

There are a lot of high upside guys in the late rounds. I would love to see the team pick up Andrew Datko in the 3rd or 4th and give him a redshirt year in 2012.

[Shas]

I've been on the Ronnell Lewis bandwagon for a while as well. Great kid, could fill a number of holes on our defense or be an extremely solid rotational/ST guy at the very worst.

I don't have a very good handle on where he'll end up, though. I've seen anywhere from bottom of the 1st to middle of the 3rd. I think he is probably going to end up in the second round, but he's the kind of guy that to me is difficult to fit onto the big board because we don't know what he'll be at the next level.

I am curious if anyone else but you and me and Carey are on the Lewis bandwagon? I think I recall JAB saying he likes him as a prospect. (Too many pages on this thread!)

Everytime I watch the guy I come away impressed. He is simply more explosive than anyone else on the field. He looks way more like and NFL linebacker to me than anyone else I try to watch.

I think Oklahoma hurt his stock by moving him from linebacker to defensive end. He was too easily pushed around on the d-line by offensive tackles. It didn't look like he had been taught any line technique at all. But in space he is explosive and fights off blocks well. His quickness on the field is off the charts.

Also, he REALLY stood out on special teams.

I think the variety of opinion on him stems from having been moved around and looking better in some roles more than others. I really like him at the SAM for a team like the Ravens and think he'd be a good value later in the second round where they pick.

[The Excellector]

Doss has some potential.

Laquan will never be a legit NFL WR.

David Reed is almost out of chances to be a contributer at WR.

This sums it up. The issue with Doss is that he's another Boldin, which means Boldin's in front of him. If Boldin is gone, Doss will be the front runner for the third spot. I know that Boldin is at the X, but they really want him at the Y, which is where he was when they finally got Evans and Smith together.

For example, if Hill becomes a Raven. He'll be the X, Boldin will be the Y. After the season, if Boldin is released, it will be Doss' spot to lose.

They don't run three wide that often, because they haven't had the three wide. That's what they are trying to get.

[The Excellector]

Let's not forget what makes the Ravens defense so good. If the Ravens play a sixteen game season, at least twelve of those opposing teams will come into the game one dimensional, because they know they can't run on the Ravens.

Let's not get too cute in thinking that we have to keep up with everyone else. The Ravens defense dictates. Ayanbadejo was the only Ravens LB that could cover in man, worth a darn, and they did just fine. It was still a top 5 defense.

If Hightower is there with Hill, it becomes a difficult decision, because Hill is really enticing. However, I still think that Hightower is a great fit for this defense.

[houstonravensfan]

Originally Posted by houstonravensfan
Finally, a rational response. I understand the attraction of an exciting WR. And we do need to add one in the draft (rounds 3-5, IMHO) and preferably another vet FA. But let's remember: both of our starters return at WR. That is not true of OLB or DE (though we do have some potential fill-ins at those positions). Worse, our C is one good whack from retirement with NO ONE behind him. We have NO ONE at LG and only a UDFA on the roster. Our LT is arguably over-aged, over-weight, and under-motivated, with NO proven LT behind him (Oher IMHO, has proven he is not a quality LT). We not only need a STARTER at G, we need a C who MIGHT need to start in the near-term. What if . . . we take a G in the 2nd or 3rd and he's a bust? It happens. What if . . . we take a C in the 3rd and Birk goes down in game 1? It happens. Botom line: we need two starting (or "near-starting") quality O line guys, and that could mean we need more than two draft picks dedicated to those positions. I'd love to see a bullet fast WR across from T Smith, but I still hold the old-fashioned idea that you build a great team from your lines on up.



a b, dire predictions about receivers, keeping in mind we have Boldin/T. Smith/Dickson/Pitta, are not the same as having an inadequate Oline. Jerry Rice couldn't catch a pass if Montana was being constantly harassed, much less our WR/TEs. hrf is correct that our aging guys (Birk and McKinnie) and our huge hole @ LG are major concerns. Joe needs time to throw, and our running game need holes to open, so who are going to provide this? ... Bc

BC, I think you and I agree that Cam Newton's brother, Justin Boren, Ramon Harewood, and some guy named Barbereri do NOT constitute SB-quality OL depth. Bring back Tony Moll and Joe Reitz!

[wickedsolo]

I am curious if anyone else but you and me and Carey are on the Lewis bandwagon? I think I recall JAB saying he likes him as a prospect. (Too many pages on this thread!)

Everytime I watch the guy I come away impressed. He is simply more explosive than anyone else on the field. He looks way more like and NFL linebacker to me than anyone else I try to watch.

I think Oklahoma hurt his stock by moving him from linebacker to defensive end. He was too easily pushed around on the d-line by offensive tackles. It didn't look like he had been taught any line technique at all. But in space he is explosive and fights off blocks well. His quickness on the field is off the charts.

Also, he REALLY stood out on special teams.

I think the variety of opinion on him stems from having been moved around and looking better in some roles more than others. I really like him at the SAM for a team like the Ravens and think he'd be a good value later in the second round where they pick.

I tossed up some Ronnell Lewis stuff back in the fall. That kid is a monster. At the time I was thinking he may be a 1st rounder, but now he seems to have dropped a bit to the 2nd round. Still, I've been big on Ronnell Lewis for a while now.