This won’t be an attempt on my part to predict who the Ravens will draft in 24 days. I have no idea who they’ll end up with and really, the Ravens don’t either.
But preparedness will allow them to walk away on May 2 with several new players who will help the Ravens build and strengthen their roster from the bottom up. So with that in mind, here are a few draft day predictions.
The O-Line
No unit improved as markedly as offensive line coach Juan Castillo’s unit in 2014. And despite adding quality depth in the form of John Urschel it would be a mild surprise to see Ozzie Newsome ignore the position completely during the 2015 NFL Draft.
Look for at least 1 interior offensive lineman being drafted. As of this writing both Kelechi Osemele and Marshal Yanda will be free agents following the 2015 season. Team owner Steve Bisciotti said that efforts are underway to extend Yanda, Justin Tucker and Jimmy Smith. If successful, look for them to do the same with KO.
But even if they do expect a 4th or 5th round pick to be invested in a guard.
Tight End
The 2015 crop of tight ends isn’t all that impressive. Keep an eye out for a deal between the Ravens and Detroit Lions and the player most discussed will be Brandon Pettigrew. The Ravens coveted the Oklahoma State Cowboy during the 2009 draft but instead ended up with Michael Oher.
Pettigrew hasn’t really become the player the Ravens expected but he could be an inexpensive addition who could produce in the tight end friendly offense left behind by Gary Kubiak and carried forward by Marc Trestman. Pettigrew’s salary in 2015 is $2.8M per Spotrac.com. Marcedes Lewis is also a possibility but his $6.65M salary is prohibitive. The Jaguars would have to assume some responsibility for that.
The Ravens have completed successful trades with both the Lions and Jags in recent years.
10 Picks
The Ravens at the moment are scheduled to make 10 picks in the 2015 NFL Draft. It would be a surprise if they make all 10. Look for a trade up in Round 2 to get a falling WR or CB or in Round 3 for a falling RB or TE assuming they don’t trade for Pettigrew.
Carry That Rock
Staying with running backs for a moment, color me shocked if the Ravens burn a first or second round pick on a running back. The offensive system now in place doesn’t require a top-end running back to effectively complement the passing game. Plus the Ravens like to keep the No. 1 picks around beyond their rookie contracts. Re-signing a running back has its risks – particularly one that is a team’s bell cow.
Off The Edge
Steve Bisciotti shared with PSL owners last week during a conference call that the Ravens pass defense can improve by adding a pass rusher to chase down opposing quarterbacks. They’ve lost Pernell McPhee and both Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs are approaching the November of their respective careers – particularly Suggs.
More than likely Bisciotti is echoing the sentiments of his personnel department and even used Elvis Dumervil as an example of how a team can get a quality player who has slipped in the draft based upon a perceived deficiency. In Dumervil, the knock was his size.
Eight seasons and 90 career sacks later it’s safe to say that Dumervil brings enough to the table to compensate for his lack of prototypical size. McPhee they said lacked an explosive first step. Coaching, hard work, intelligence and technique can go a long way towards overcoming an apparent weakness.
Quarterback
Just because the Ravens drafted Keith Wenning last season and they signed Matt Schaub this offseason, don’t sleep on the notion that the Ravens could draft yet another quarterback.
The Ravens borrow from the roster-building teachings of former league personnel executive Ron Wolf who believed that a team equipped with more than enough draft picks, should almost always draft a quarterback because as Forrest Gump might say, “You never know what you’re gonna git!”
Just ask the New England Patriots.
