Draft Prospects

**bmorecareful** · 04-14-2012, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by Lime in the Coconut

Everyone spare yourself from reading Casserly's 2 round mock. He has us taking Konz (ugh) when Kendall Wright, Hightower, Upshaw, and Cordy Glenn are all on the board. That would never happen, never. I really don't want Konz and am sick of that repetitive pick which won't happen anyway unless we trade back IMO.

Not to mention he has Hightower going to the Giants which would be a horrible fit IMO because they're a straight 43 team.

Then, he has us taking Givens in round 2 with Brandon Brooks on the board.

This makes me sick! Glad to know this would never occur because we have a great GM.

I warned you guys before, Charley Casserly doesn't have a clue what's going on. He's awful, probably the least informed pundit in the NFL media world. I really mean that--he is constantly trying to put out stories that get discredited immediately and he has no knowledge of the workings of any NFL teams, even though he pretends to be an "insider."

I have consistently said that Konz is a good pick for the Ravens, and he is a much better player than people are giving him credit for, but the Ravens WILL NOT pick him over ANY of those 4 players. Does anyone seriously think ANY of those 4 players fall out of the 1st round? That is absolutely stupid.

Of those 5 players Casserly has available, here's the ranking: 1) Glenn 2) Upshaw 3) Wright 4) Hightower 5) Konz. I like Konz a lot, but he is thoroughly behind those other 4. Glenn and Upshaw particularly are top-15 talents.

Honestly, if those 5 guys are all on the board at #29, if I'm Ozzie, I pick Cordy Glenn and then strongly consider moving up into the top of the 2nd if Wright, Hightower, or Upshaw are still on the board.

**GOTA** · 04-14-2012, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by BcRaven

I don't think the Ravens can afford to wait until 2013 to draft a Center. FA (like Gurode) aside, I believe we need Birk's successor on the team in 2012. IF we can trade down a couple of spots, gain an extra pick, then draft Konz that may our best scenario... Bc

There seem to be some pretty good Centers in free agency every year. I don't think we have to take a Center in this draft if there isn't one they like. I'm more worried about finding a LT of the future since those seem to be in short supply and very expensive. As long as they at least bring a couple of undrafted free agent Centers like they did last year, I'm happy

**GOTA** · 04-14-2012, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

I warned you guys before, Charley Casserly doesn't have a clue what's going on. He's awful, probably the least informed pundit in the NFL media world. I really mean that--he is constantly trying to put out stories that get discredited immediately and he has no knowledge of the workings of any NFL teams, even though he pretends to be an "insider."

I have consistently said that Konz is a good pick for the Ravens, and he is a much better player than people are giving him credit for, but the Ravens WILL NOT pick him over ANY of those 4 players. Does anyone seriously think ANY of those 4 players fall out of the 1st round? That is absolutely stupid.

Of those 5 players Casserly has available, here's the ranking: 1) Glenn 2) Upshaw 3) Wright 4) Hightower 5) Konz. I like Konz a lot, but he is thoroughly behind those other 4. Glenn and Upshaw particularly are top-15 talents.

Honestly, if those 5 guys are all on the board at #29, if I'm Ozzie, I pick Cordy Glenn and then strongly consider moving up into the top of the 2nd if Wright, Hightower, or Upshaw are still on the board.

It makes me wonder who Charley thinks is going to get drafted if all those guys are available at #29. He must have some pretty wacky picks.

**arnie_uk** · 04-14-2012, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by GOTA

It makes me wonder who Charley thinks is going to get drafted if all those guys are available at #29. He must have some pretty wacky picks.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000...module=HP11_cp

Theres the link, Mike adams goes very high, Harrision Smith in the first, along with Zietler, Randle, Jerel Worthy, Shea McClellan, Chandler Jones

**leachisabeast** · 04-14-2012, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by GOTA

There seem to be some pretty good Centers in free agency every year. I don't think we have to take a Center in this draft if there isn't one they like. I'm more worried about finding a LT of the future since those seem to be in short supply and very expensive. As long as they at least bring a couple of undrafted free agent Centers like they did last year, I'm happy

There really isn't any good centers who will be FA's in 2013, the best of the bunch is Brad Meester who will be 36 by then.

**The Excellector** · 04-14-2012, 03:51 PM

I wonder if some front office people are padding Casserly's pockets or if the producers are muscling him into living on the wild side.

As for Peter Konz, if he is only a notch below Nick Mangold, the best C in the league, that is fine by me.

**Lime in the Coconut** · 04-14-2012, 04:45 PM

Maybe it's just me, but I really don't want Konz for the Ravens and hope someone of note is on the board. I just don't like him for us, but like I said, just me. Who knows, if we take him maybe he turns out alright, but right now I really hope we go in a different direction and I believe we will. His injuries are a bit of a red flag too.

**leachisabeast** · 04-14-2012, 04:48 PM

The Ravens have worked out LB Zach Brown (6'1, 240 lbs), and have scheduled a meeting with C Ben Jones (6'3, 303 lbs).

http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=1...=5420019&fhn=1

http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=127&p=9&c=2&cid=1177320&nid=5748250&fhn=1

Personally speaking, not a fan of either. Ben Jones gets beat in pass protection too much, doesn't seem like a ZBS type of guy, and to me is a 4th round prospect, not a 3rd and certainly not a 2nd. Although if he sits behind Birk for a year, there is nothing stopping him learning well and becoming a more refined player in 2013, the potential is certainly there. I prefer Philip Blake, Michael Brewster, and Peter Konz.

As for Zach Brown, he seems like everything a Raven isn't all about. Sure he's athletic as hell, but he seems to have questionable toughness, and character issues. Isn't really a good fit for a 3-4 OLB, and not sure if he'd fit in as a 3-4 ILB either.

**bmorecareful** · 04-14-2012, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

The Ravens have worked out LB Zach Brown (6'1, 240 lbs), and have scheduled a meeting with C Ben Jones (6'3, 303 lbs).

http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=1...=5420019&fhn=1

http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=127&p=9&c=2&cid=1177320&nid=5748250&fhn=1

Personally speaking, not a fan of either. Ben Jones gets beat in pass protection too much, doesn't seem like a ZBS type of guy, and to me is a 4th round prospect, not a 3rd and certainly not a 2nd. Although if he sits behind Birk for a year, there is nothing stopping him learning well and becoming a more refined player in 2013, the potential is certainly there. I prefer Philip Blake, Michael Brewster, and Peter Konz.

As for Zach Brown, he seems like everything a Raven isn't all about. Sure he's athletic as hell, but he seems to have questionable toughness, and character issues. Isn't really a good fit for a 3-4 OLB, and not sure if he'd fit in as a 3-4 ILB either.

Agree with everything you said. They're probably bringing them in so they can see for themselves if these guys measure up similarly to their reputations. Maybe they impress, maybe they don't, but neither one of them seems like the kind of player we'd be itching for.

They both have potential, I suppose. Zach Brown has the athleticism to be a nickel LB, so he could catch on with us as an Ayanbadejo-type ST and 3rd down player. I am of the opinion that you can't teach physicality, though, so I don't think Brown could ever be a starting LB on our defense.

**leachisabeast** · 04-14-2012, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

Agree with everything you said. They're probably bringing them in so they can see for themselves if these guys measure up similarly to their reputations. Maybe they impress, maybe they don't, but neither one of them seems like the kind of player we'd be itching for.

They both have potential, I suppose. Zach Brown has the athleticism to be a nickel LB, so he could catch on with us as an Ayanbadejo-type ST and 3rd down player. I am of the opinion that you can't teach physicality, though, so I don't think Brown could ever be a starting LB on our defense.

Very true, I think I would only consider either in the 4th round at best.

**Carey** · 04-14-2012, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

The Ravens have worked out LB Zach Brown (6'1, 240 lbs), and have scheduled a meeting with C Ben Jones (6'3, 303 lbs).

http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=1...=5420019&fhn=1

http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=127&p=9&c=2&cid=1177320&nid=5748250&fhn=1

Personally speaking, not a fan of either. Ben Jones gets beat in pass protection too much, doesn't seem like a ZBS type of guy, and to me is a 4th round prospect, not a 3rd and certainly not a 2nd. Although if he sits behind Birk for a year, there is nothing stopping him learning well and becoming a more refined player in 2013, the potential is certainly there. I prefer Philip Blake, Michael Brewster, and Peter Konz.

As for Zach Brown, he seems like everything a Raven isn't all about. Sure he's athletic as hell, but he seems to have questionable toughness, and character issues. Isn't really a good fit for a 3-4 OLB, and not sure if he'd fit in as a 3-4 ILB either.

I agree, hopefully this is just some smoke and mirror action...hopefully to get teams to think we want these guys instead of Ronnell Lewis, Phillip Blake, Bobby Wagner, etc.

**Raveninwoodlawn** · 04-14-2012, 08:08 PM

Every player the Ravens bring in is not because they intend on using a high pick on them.

Just doing due diligence to check them out and to see if they'd take them if they fell to the spot the Ravens feel like they are worth taking.

I agree though on Brown, dude has all the athleticism in the world, but is one of the softest LB's out there. Shame.

And Jones is a guy who some feel can be in the Blake/Brewster group in middle rounds.

**Ravenswintitle** · 04-14-2012, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Lime in the Coconut

Maybe it's just me, but I really don't want Konz for the Ravens and hope someone of note is on the board. I just don't like him for us, but like I said, just me. Who knows, if we take him maybe he turns out alright, but right now I really hope we go in a different direction and I believe we will. His injuries are a bit of a red flag too.

It's not just you

**Ravenswintitle** · 04-14-2012, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by Raveninwoodlawn

Every player the Ravens bring in is not because they intend on using a high pick on them.

Just doing due diligence to check them out and to see if they'd take them if they fell to the spot the Ravens feel like they are worth taking.

I agree though on Brown, dude has all the athleticism in the world, but is one of the softest LB's out there. Shame.

And Jones is a guy who some feel can be in the Blake/Brewster group in middle rounds.

PAt Kirwan said they would bring players in just to build a file on them in case they were available in free agency down the road.

**runrayrun27** · 04-14-2012, 09:02 PM

Upshaw falling to 48? That'd be a steal for the Pats. Chris Givens is not worth a second round pick

**BcRaven** · 04-15-2012, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

There seem to be some pretty good Centers in free agency every year. I don't think we have to take a Center in this draft if there isn't one they like. I'm more worried about finding a LT of the future since those seem to be in short supply and very expensive. As long as they at least bring a couple of undrafted free agent Centers like they did last year, I'm happy

Sure, without a doubt I'd take a LT before a Center, but is there one worth drafting this year (?) Now if Cordy Glenn fell, then I'd plug him into LG, and move him to LT in 2013... Bc

**Lime in the Coconut** · 04-15-2012, 08:53 AM

I really would love Lewis at 60. The guy can do it all, has good size and speed along with great strength and toughness. He flies around, makes plays, and is only going to get better as a pass rusher. I was thinking about this last night and perhaps it is unrealistic and just idiotic, but could you see us taking Upshaw or Hightower in the 1st and then selecting Lewis in the 2nd? I can't see it because of our OL mainly and the need to add a quality guy, but when you think about it, we could use an ILB and OLB. Again, I doubt it, but was just something I was thinking about.

If Glenn is available, somehow (don't know what Casserly was thinking) for the Ravens to select, I'd have to imagine that's who we'd select.

**BigPlayReceiver** · 04-15-2012, 08:56 AM

Cycling through the WRs again, for the last time, most likely...and I can totally see someone grabbing Alshon Jeffery in the 1st. I'm saying that is where I value him, but I can see it happening. Could he be another Mike Williams? Possibly...in CIN, JAC, NYJ, but probably not in an organization like ours, NE's, PIT's, STL's.

Why not us in the 2nd (where I have him valued)? Comparing him to a known product...

Speed: TSmith (by more than a step)
Routes: Even (both need work)
Hands: AJ (significant difference at 10 1/4)
vs. Press: AJ
vs. Cover 2: TSmith (not even close)
Character: TSmith
YAC: TSmith
Jump ball/Red zone: AJ

**MrPoeJangles** · 04-15-2012, 09:25 AM

Why does everyone think Glenn won't be available? In watching Path to the Draft the other night it seemed like it was a consensus he was not worth a first round pick. Mayock said he would be a reach before the mid second round. In an excerpt from the Ravens pre draft press conference here is what Decosta had to say:
"What strength do you see in centers and guards in the first and second rounds of this draft? (Aaron Wilson)
(DECOSTA) "I think there are some good players. Obviously, [David] DeCastro from Stanford is a guy that a lot of teams are looking at as a guard. He's a tough guy, a good player. [Kevin] Zeitler from Wisconsin is another guard – a good player [who] had a good week at the Senior Bowl. [He] played really well in the game, not as well in the practices. He's a good player. I think his teammate [Peter] Konz is another good player at center. He's had some injuries. All those guys, you figure they get picked in the latter half of the first round, the early part of the second round. Another guy is Cordy Glenn from Georgia. He's played some tackle, he's played some guard. He's a swing guy. He's played some left tackle, left guard, right tackle, right guard – has some versatility. He'll probably get picked between pick 50 and pick 35, right in that range, too."

**leachisabeast** · 04-15-2012, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by MrPoeJangles

Why does everyone think Glenn won't be available? In watching Path to the Draft the other night it seemed like it was a consensus he was not worth a first round pick. Mayock said he would be a reach before the mid second round. In an excerpt from the Ravens pre draft press conference here is what Decosta had to say:
"What strength do you see in centers and guards in the first and second rounds of this draft? (Aaron Wilson)
(DECOSTA) "I think there are some good players. Obviously, [David] DeCastro from Stanford is a guy that a lot of teams are looking at as a guard. He's a tough guy, a good player. [Kevin] Zeitler from Wisconsin is another guard – a good player [who] had a good week at the Senior Bowl. [He] played really well in the game, not as well in the practices. He's a good player. I think his teammate [Peter] Konz is another good player at center. He's had some injuries. All those guys, you figure they get picked in the latter half of the first round, the early part of the second round. Another guy is Cordy Glenn from Georgia. He's played some tackle, he's played some guard. He's a swing guy. He's played some left tackle, left guard, right tackle, right guard – has some versatility. He'll probably get picked between pick 50 and pick 35, right in that range, too."

That's pretty interesting to hear that Glenn is only considered a early second round grade by DeCosta, I mean he is arguably better at guard than DeCastro being the bigger and stronger player. If we could trade back and grab Glenn in the second, that would be huge. But I really think the Bengals are taking him tbh.