Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon, 6’4 ½”, 338, 5.02, (Round 1, Pick 12) GRADE A
Some believe that Ozzie was duped again by Phil Savage when the Ravens burned a sixth round pick to move up one spot and select a player at No. 12 that some thought might be available at No. 13. What if I told you that the standard price for making a move from 13 to 12 in round 1 is a fourth round pick? What if I told you that it has been suggested that the Ravens weren’t exactly comfortable with Brodrick Bunkley’s physical results? Might you then think otherwise.
One must admit that the Ravens and Ozzie were at a distinct disadvantage with Savage picking just about them. Savage has intimate knowledge of the Ravens organization. He was Eric DeCosta’s best man!
Word is the Browns had three players rated equally: Ngata, Bunkley and Kamerion Wimbley. And when that happens, you usually go with need and that might indicate the Browns choice all along was Wimbley. But it was a chance the Ravens did not want to take and they sacrificed a No. 6 to land a player that was among their top 5 rated players and one who fills a definite need. And for all of Ray Lewis’ whining, the truth of the matter is this player could make Ray more productive during the twilight of his career.
Besides, who’s to say that Savage didn’t make the blunder here? What if Ngata wreaks havoc on the Browns for the next 10 years and Wimbley is a bust?
Bottom Line: When you combine need and best player on the board, you get an A.
Chris Chester, OC, Oklahoma, 6’3”, 303, 4.88, (Round 2, Pick 56) GRADE B
This was a move that in my opinion is an indication that the Ravens are looking beyond 2006. That’s not to say that they are ignoring 2006, but when you spend your second round pick at 56 on an offensive lineman who has played in only 7 games as an offensive linemen, you have to be thinking long-term over immediate impact. I for one, love the move.
The Ravens have often been criticized for a lack of athleticism on the offensive line. This pick suggests that the Ravens are moving toward remedying that problem. Chester is big and fast and has the ability to move well laterally which should help with traps and he can get to the second level which will help spring longer runs. Chester can also get outside on screens. My guess is that he’ll play guard for the Ravens and Jason Brown will be the heir apparent at center. This pick has a bit longer length to impact than you would prefer at this point in the draft but it is an indication that the Ravens want more versatility from their linemen and with Chester, they get that.
David Pittman, CB, Northwestern St., 5’11", 182, 4.51 (Round 3, Pick 87) GRADE B
It hasn’t been the Ravens style to pick kids from Division I-AA schools but Pittman’s smoothness and fluidity are a perfect fit for the AFC North. Pittman almost immediately should be able to fill in as the nickel and that has been an issue for the Ravens particularly when matched up against the Cincinnati Bengals. Clearly Pittman’s spindly frame would suggest that he will be one of Strength & Conditioning Coach Jeff Friday’s pet projects, particularly after the 2006 season. He’ll need to bulk up some in order to provide run support at the NFL level. Even accomplished veterans with Pro Bowl resumes have issues in that department (see Samari Rolle).
Demetrius Williams, WR, Oregon, 6’2”, 197, 4.56 (Round 4, Pick 111) Grade B +
Williams has the skills to warrant second round consideration so this is certainly a value pick here. Williams has good size and is a vertical threat who plays faster than his timed speed might indicate. His presence will allow Mark Clayton to shift into the slot in multiple receiver sets and he also has the skills to add on yards after the catch. He was instrumental in Kellen Clemens’ success at Oregon. The Ravens need a No. 3 receiver with Randy Hymes unsigned but at this point in the draft, some may question the Ravens ignoring the glaring need at safety. That being said, the team stuck to their board and refused to reach for need.
P.J. Daniels, Jr., RB, Georgia Tech, 5’9”, 211, 4.56 (Round 4, Pick 132) Grade B-
Daniels is reminiscent of the recently departed Chester Taylor. Although a bit stockier than Taylor, Daniels is patient and has good body control which helps his change of direction skills. Perhaps not the prototypical change-of-pace back because he lacks top end speed, he is efficient and can catch the ball on the run. He is also a solid blocker in pass protection. If Daniels can stay healthy, he too addresses an area of need for the Ravens although he may represent a slight reach at No. 132 in the draft.
Dawan Landry, S, Georgia Tech, 6’0”, 220, 4.7 (Round 5, Pick 146) Grade C
Landry fills a need but doesn’t offer the versatility that the Ravens like. The Ravens prefer safeties that can play inside the box yet have the cover skills to take on slot receivers or tight ends one on one. Landry is a solid tackler and plays hard from whistle to whistle but he is most efficient in run support. He lacks the change of direction skills needed however, the Ravens do find a way of utilizing the strengths of their defensive players and Landry may prove to be a bit of an upgrade over Chad Williams. It is hard to see him as a starter for the Ravens at this time and will likely be challenged by UDFA Shannon James for playing time. James might not be the run support player that Landry is, but he certainly is more effective in pass coverage.
Quinn Sypniewski, TE, Colorado, 6’6”, 270, 4.72 (Round 5, Pick 166) Grade B-
Described by Eric DeCosta as Ozzie Newsome’s favorite player in the 2006 NFL Draft, Sypniewski has an impressive combination of size and straight-line speed. Sypniewski for the moment fills a need as a blocking tight end yet he offers some upside as a downfield receiver with his size should the Ravens find a way to isolate him on smaller DB’s. He fills a need and given the ceiling on Sypniewski, he’s a solid pick here at 166 although he may have been available another round later.
Sam Koch, P, Nebraska, 6’0”, 225, 5.1 (Round 6, Pick 203) Grade C
Koch (pronounced Cook) fills a need and has shown improvement over the last two seasons. He was the first punter selected in the 2006 Draft and one would hope that the Ravens scouts know something that many scouting services don’t know about Koch. During his senior season, Koch punted 71 times averaging 46.5 yards including a bomb of 84 yards. Eight of his punts went for touchbacks more than half of his punts were either fair caught (8) or knocked inside the 20 (29). Perhaps that is the attraction to Koch after experiencing far too many wasted punts from Zastudil whose beautiful punts through the end zone were often the equivalent of a beautiful 35 foot putt for a triple bogey. Koch also kicks off and if he can do so effectively at the pro level, this pick quickly gets an upgrade just by saving a roster spot.
Derrick Martin, CB, Wyoming, 5’10”, 202, 4.53, (Round 6, Pick 208) B+
Martin fills a need for depth and youth in the secondary and his fluid hips, quickness and ability to play close to the line suggest that he can play receivers in the slot. Martin also represents value in that many believed that he should be a late fourth to early fifth round choice. Need, value and his ability to play special teams make this a very solid pick.
Ryan LaCasse, DE, Syracuse, 6’2 ½”, 257, 4.54 (Round 7, Pick 219) B+
His size and speed suggest that he can be a productive special teams player and he might develop into a situational pass rusher given his instincts and non-stop motor. He takes good angles, plays good situational football and looks to strip when closing on a quarterback. Perhaps not quite as thick (at least not yet) as Jarrett Johnson but he does have better speed. LaCasse should benefit with his overall game through his exposure to other tweeners like AD, Suggs, Johnson and Cody.
CONCLUSION: I like the balance of this draft and I like the fact that the Ravens seemed to do an efficient job of measuring need (both long-term and short-term), best player, character and upside. Overall I give this draft a B for the time being yet I have a feeling that three years from now, a couple of these players will be approaching the high ceiling that the Ravens project and it may prove to be one of their finest overall drafts in terms of depth.
And then we may be struggling with how the Ravens will keep all of the pending unrestricted free agents, but that’s another problem for another day.
