How might the Elvis Dumervil signing affect the Ravens draft strategy?
Or what about Michael Huff?
Well, for the Ravens, maybe not that much.
Ozzie Newsome & Co. are known for taking the best player available, so nothing will be off the table. However the focus could change a bit now that the loss of Paul Kruger to the Browns has been nullified. Perhaps the addition of safety Michael Huff may curb their appetite for a safety.
That said safety remains a need just as the positions of inside linebacker, offensive tackle and wide receiver are all needs. Maybe with the signings of Chris Canty, Marcus Spears and now Dumervil, the Ravens can cross off defensive linemen or rush ends, such as Damontre Moore or Datone Jones, from their list.
For the moment the team has 12 picks in the 2013 NFL Draft after receiving four compensatory picks, one each during the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds. The extra picks can’t be traded, but they do give the Ravens the second-most picks in the draft and the ability to move their other picks around should they so choose.
It appears doubtful that the Ravens will make all 12 picks, but assuming they do here is snapshot of how their draft could play out. One note, this list was compiled before the Dumervil signing but given the Ravens’ “best player available” credo, this signing should not change the picks much.
Round 1 (Pick No. 32)
Pick: Arthur Brown, OLB, KSU
Could Be: Jonathan Cyprien, S, FIU
Might Be: Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
Round 2 (Pick No. 30)
Pick: D.J. Swearinger, S, South Carolina
Could Be: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
Might Be: Jamie Collins, OLB, Southern Miss
Round 3 (Pick No. 32)
Pick: Jon Bostic, ILB, Florida
Could Be: Kiko Alonso, ILB, Oregon
Might Be: Jordan Mills, OT, Louisiana Tech
Round 4 (Pick No. 32)
Pick: Chris Harper, WR, KSU
Could Be: Tony Jefferson, FS, Oklahoma
Might Be: Duke Williams, S, Nevada
Round 4 (Comp Pick)
Pick: Khaled Holmes, C, USC
Could Be: Kevin Reddick, ILB, UNC
Might Be: Ace Sanders, WR, South Carolina
Round 5 (Pick No. 32)
Pick: Xavier Nixon, OT, Florida
Could Be: Devonte Holloman, OLB, South Carolina
Might Be: Hugh Thorton, G, Illinois
Round 5 (Comp Pick)
Pick: Rontez Miles, S, Cal (PA)
Could Be: David Bass, DE, Missouri Western St
Round 6 (Pick No. 31)
Pick: Quanterus Smith, DE, Western Kentucky
Could Be: Micah Hyde, CB, Iowa
Round 6 (Pick No. 32)
Pick: Vince Williams, ILB, FSU
Could Be: T.J. Barnes, DT, GT
Round 6 (Comp Pick)
Pick: Braden Brown, OT/G, BYU
Could Be: Vernon Kearney, CB, Lane
Might Be: Matt Stankiewitch, C, Penn State
Round 7 (Pick No. 32)
Pick: Courtney Gardner, WR, Sierra College
Could Be: Marcus Davis, WR, VT
Round 7 (Comp Pick)
Pick: Luke Wilson, TE, Rice
Could Be: Sean Refree, Duke, QB
