Way Too Early 2013 Draft/FA Thread: Fixing the Defense

**wickedsolo** · 11-07-2012, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by srobert96

Martin can definitely play LT in the NFL. He was one of the better LTs in the country last year. He regressed a little bit early this year but has really come on strong. If he comes out this year I am guessing he will be a fringe first rounder. Very athletic. It is up in the air whether he returns for his 4th year or not. he is a RS soph this year with two more years of eligibility. His younger brother will probably be a starter next year and they may want to play together for year.

Motta is probably a late 2nd rounder or early 3rd based on combine. He is a bit bigger than Harrison Smith and not as fast. He is very instinctual and is a big hitter. He plays with reckless abandon. He could definitely play the Bernard Pollard role on the Ravens defense. If he does well at the combine he will go higher.

Eifert is probably a bit more athletic than Witten. He plays a lot of wr for ND. He has great hands and is great at going up and snatching the ball.

Riddick will be a good third down back. He is great catching the ball. Hard Runner but does not have the best vision.

Braxton Cave the center is someone to take a look at with a late pick. Coming back from injury this year and started slow. Has come on of late. One of the stronger guys in all of college football. Should have an impressive Bench at the combine. Not the most athletic guy is the knock.

I can't see Martin as a fringe 1st rounder. If he were 6'6" or something, I could see it. Notre Dame has him listed at 6'4", which in reality he is probably about 6'3"...maybe slightly taller.

**leachisabeast** · 11-07-2012, 11:14 AM

On the FA front, I realized today that Terrance Knighton is a FA in 2013, and has been a very good NT for the Jags over the years on an underrated D. He wont be all that expensive, and would be a great solid move as IMO NT is still the biggest hole on this team. He brings a lot of pressure, but is truly an elite run stopper from the NT position.

You pair him with Ngata, and resign McBean, maybe draft a Sheldon Richardson, and hopefully a guy like DeAngelo Tyson steps up, the Dline then all of a sudden looks much better on paper at least.

**srobert96** · 11-07-2012, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I can't see Martin as a fringe 1st rounder. If he were 6'6" or something, I could see it. Notre Dame has him listed at 6'4", which in reality he is probably about 6'3"...maybe slightly taller.

If he comes out this year probably not as there are a bunch of good oline prospects coming out. He is probably not a LT in the NFL but he is a good pass blocker and is athletic. A lot is going to depend on his measurements. He is a smart hard worker. There are a lot of prospects that will be rated higher because of measurables but do not seem as good. Xavier Nixon of Florida is one of those guys or DJ Fluker of Alabama. They have the size and athleticism but are inconsistent. I could be off but Martin is a guy that at the end of the 2nd or in the 3rd would be a good pickup. He has some value in that he would be able to play inside and out. Question is are the Ravens going to build a mauling oline or an athletic oline. He is probably small if you are looking for maulers. He would be great in GB or NWE.

**wickedsolo** · 11-07-2012, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by srobert96

If he comes out this year probably not as there are a bunch of good oline prospects coming out. He is probably not a LT in the NFL but he is a good pass blocker and is athletic. A lot is going to depend on his measurements. He is a smart hard worker. There are a lot of prospects that will be rated higher because of measurables but do not seem as good. Xavier Nixon of Florida is one of those guys or DJ Fluker of Alabama. They have the size and athleticism but are inconsistent. I could be off but Martin is a guy that at the end of the 2nd or in the 3rd would be a good pickup. He has some value in that he would be able to play inside and out. Question is are the Ravens going to build a mauling oline or an athletic oline. He is probably small if you are looking for maulers. He would be great in GB or NWE.

I think in the 3rd round as a swing OT/OG, Zack MArtin would be fantastic value. You're right, he isn't as big as guys like DJ Fluker, but he is much more adept to being a pass blocker.

**wickedsolo** · 11-07-2012, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

On the FA front, I realized today that Terrance Knighton is a FA in 2013, and has been a very good NT for the Jags over the years on an underrated D. He wont be all that expensive, and would be a great solid move as IMO NT is still the biggest hole on this team. He brings a lot of pressure, but is truly an elite run stopper from the NT position.

You pair him with Ngata, and resign McBean, maybe draft a Sheldon Richardson, and hopefully a guy like DeAngelo Tyson steps up, the Dline then all of a sudden looks much better on paper at least.

Knighton is a very good player, but that dude has some major issues with keeping his weight down in the off-season. IIRC, the past two off-seasons he has reported to the Jags pretty overweight and couldn't really participate in summer activities as a result. You can only do that for so long before a team gets tired of constantly babysitting you in the off-season.

That said, I can't see the Jags not re-signing him. I'd be surprised if they let him go.

**leachisabeast** · 11-07-2012, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

Knighton is a very good player, but that dude has some major issues with keeping his weight down in the off-season. IIRC, the past two off-seasons he has reported to the Jags pretty overweight and couldn't really participate in summer activities as a result. You can only do that for so long before a team gets tired of constantly babysitting you in the off-season.

That said, I can't see the Jags not re-signing him. I'd be surprised if they let him go.

Would you rather have your starting NT to be pushed off the line every week, or get a guy who is a little lazy in the offseason that dominates the line of scrimmage?

A lot of guys have done it on our very own roster, Sizzle has done it, Upshaw showed up overweight, Ngata was rumored to be out of shape at the beginning of the offseason... shit happens. The weight thing doesn't totally put me off, it's not the worst thing in the world, at least this guy as no criminal history.

**wickedsolo** · 11-07-2012, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Would you rather have your starting NT to be pushed off the line every week, or get a guy who is a little lazy in the offseason that dominates the line of scrimmage?

A lot of guys have done it on our very own roster, Sizzle has done it, Upshaw showed up overweight, Ngata was rumored to be out of shape at the beginning of the offseason... shit happens. The weight thing doesn't totally put me off, it's not the worst thing in the world, at least this guy as no criminal history.

Valid point, but that still doesn't mean that he is destined for free agency. He's one of the Jags best players and considering how bad they are overall, I can't see that new owner just letting one of their best young players go. Out of that team, Daryl Smith is much more likely to be let go.

**Carey** · 11-07-2012, 12:56 PM

Knighton is an interesting case, he was benched recently by the Jags, not sure why but he is a load inside and is a better fit as a 3-4 NT as opposed to a 1 gap penetrator i believe the Jags are looking for. The fact that he was benched could should lower the price and maybe he'd sign a make good type of deal here.

Did some more research, CJ Mosley is the starter opposite Alualu now, certaintly smaller and more active defender. Better? Idk, kinda fits with the thought they wanted a guy that can get up the field.

**LukeDaniel** · 11-07-2012, 01:46 PM

The Ravens will have a nice stable of interior D-linemen to choose from in the first round if they want one.

A couple of people have mentioned Nix. He's a total stud, but I have a feeling he might be back at South Bend next year.
I've seen projections that as many as 8 DT/NTs might be first rounders next year, not even including Nix. If we could get either of the LSU DEs (Mingo or Montgomery) late in the first round, I'd be delighted. I think that might be a moderate case of wishful thinking though. Same with having the opportunity to draft Jenkins from Georgia, Hankins from Ohio St, or Lotulelei from Utah. Great thought, but I'm not sure any of that trio would be around in the late first round. Lotulelei next to Ngata would be a devestating wall of Utah muscle.

I think realistic defensive draft targets would be guys like Banks from Mississippi St (doubt we take a CB that high though), Jordan from Oregon, Williams from UNC, or Short from Purdue. I'm super high on Okafor from Texas too.

Don't count out Eric Reid from LSU either. It's not totally out of the realm of sensibility that we'd take a high quality safety since Reed may not be around in 2013.

**Ravens44** · 11-07-2012, 02:11 PM

9 pages! Lots of great info. I hope our personnel and scouts are doing their homework, too.
Anyway, this could be the most important free agency period for the Ravens in years.
They need to get Joe's deal done.
Decide if they will keep Ed or let him go.
IF they are going to keep him, then get all the deals done before free agency.
Then they know what they have and how much money.
Getting some high quality FAs before the draft, IMHO, is THE way to go.
There are a number of great players in the draft that could fill all the needs the Ravens have.
But we can't get them all.
So, free agency might determine how we pick in the draft.
Get a great DE in FA, then we can focus on ILB, NT and S on the defensive side.
If we decide to put Ngata back to NT, then we need two DEs.

To me, the biggest need is the front 7, starting upfront.
BUT, if there was a chance to get Teo, then do something to make that happen.
And fill a need at DE in free agency.
That is where it starts.

**Lime in the Coconut** · 11-10-2012, 01:27 PM

Clowney for South Carolina is very disruptive. I believe he's a sophomore, but he looks like the total package as far as a pass rusher.

**wickedsolo** · 11-11-2012, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by Lime in the Coconut

Clowney for South Carolina is very disruptive. I believe he's a sophomore, but he looks like the total package as far as a pass rusher.

He is going to be a top 3 pick. Baltimore would have to tank or give up the farm to get him.

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**wickedsolo** · 11-12-2012, 10:44 AM

I watched the Texas A&M vs Alabama game this weekend and I gotta tell you guys, there are some nice players for A&M as well.

Damontre Moore, DE, 6'4" 255lbs
Sean Porter, LB, 6'2" 230lbs
Kirby Ennis, DT, 6'4" 300lbs

Aggies have some legit NFL talent.

I would love to see Jake Matthews somehow wind up a Ravens offensive lineman.

**leachisabeast** · 11-12-2012, 10:46 AM

I'm a bigger fan of Luke Joekel tbh. We don't need right tackles.

**wickedsolo** · 11-12-2012, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

I'm a bigger fan of Luke Joekel tbh. We don't need right tackles.

I was looking at it from the stance that Matthews probably could play LT, RT, or G...if the coaching staff is hellbent on Oher at LT and KO at RT, then Matthews could be a pretty sick LG.

**Terpsfan82** · 11-12-2012, 05:59 PM

Courtney Upshaw seems to be rounding into a nice player. It's a shame Ozzie and Co. have to revisit an area of the team we initially thought was solid (DL), because we need help at IL bad.

**leachisabeast** · 11-12-2012, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by Terpsfan82

Courtney Upshaw seems to be rounding into a nice player. It's a shame Ozzie and Co. have to revisit an area of the team we initially thought was solid (DL), because we need help at IL bad.

Yeah, I actually thought DL was sorted before this year started even after losing Redding, not sure if it's a coaching issue, or just the fact that our players aren't up to it, DL is certainly a big need all of a sudden. It's funny how seemingly very strong units suddenly become a weakness because of players regression or how one player leaving can make such a difference, or a change of coach and defensive schemes. Hopefully Cody as Wicked has said in another thread can carry on the level of play against Oakland, and then it may not be as big as need.

**leachisabeast** · 11-12-2012, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I was looking at it from the stance that Matthews probably could play LT, RT, or G...if the coaching staff is hellbent on Oher at LT and KO at RT, then Matthews could be a pretty sick LG.

Oher has probably had his best year as a Raven playing on the left side, but I'm not sure if I am sold on a 6'4 guy playing left tackle with his arm length too. I think Oher can be a pro bowl caliber right tackle, while KO can be a pro bowl guard, so it puts players into their best possible positions. Jake Matthews would be a solid pick though, I really like him as a player, but I'm just not sure if he'd be a left tackle in this league.

**wickedsolo** · 11-12-2012, 06:48 PM

I guess I am just a bit biased when it comes to Jake Matthews. Dude's pops was one of the best offensive lineman to ever play the game, regardless of position. Bruce Matthews was a monster and just absolutely vicious on the OL for the old Oilers and Titans.

**bmorecareful** · 11-12-2012, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I guess I am just a bit biased when it comes to Jake Matthews. Dude's pops was one of the best offensive lineman to ever play the game, regardless of position. Bruce Matthews was a monster and just absolutely vicious on the OL for the old Oilers and Titans.

You are absolutely not biased. I am 100% confident both Luke Joeckel AND Jake Matthews will be starting LTs in the NFL one day. I would jump for joy if the Ravens drafted either of those guys.

Tyron Smith played RT his entire career at USC, he's starting for the Cowboys at LT today (albeit having a bit of a down year from what I hear.) Just because you play RT in college doesn't mean you can't play LT... and vice versa... just depends on the skill set.

I don't know that OT is DEFINITELY this team's biggest need. Michael Oher has been serviceable and could possibly get better if he had a better OL coach. KO could possibly play LT as well, and Jah Reid has been promising as a LG or RT, which provides good depth.

I'm much more inclined to look at some of the many outstanding defensive players in this year's first few rounds. Our biggest offensive need remains in coaching, not personnel.