Hello everyone, and welcome to the inaugural – and possibly only – edition of the Only Ravens Mock Draft
At this point in the draft season, most of you are probably all mocked out (except for ours, of course). Let’s face it: once you’ve read about 10 of them, you’ve read them all (unless they’re really dumb like Ike Taylor’s, but hey, that’s Pittsburgh for you).
We decided to put together a mock draft you haven’t seen before.
This year, the NFL’s teams will be picking ONLY the players who were drafted by the Ravens or signed by the Ravens as undrafted rookies.
Let’s go through the ground rules:
The pool of players
Only drafted Ravens and Ravens who were signed as undrafted rookies will be considered. Free agents, players acquired via trade, and players on the team at the time of the move from Cleveland are excluded. That eliminates key contributors like Matt Stover, Derrick Mason and Anquan Boldin.
In order for an undrafted free agent (UDFA) to qualify, the player must have spent at least three seasons with the team.
Retired players
They are entering the league as the rookie version of themselves. The only caveat is that we DO know how their career turn out, so we don’t have to do any projecting, besides maybe scheme or system fits.
Current players
The rookie version of themselves is entering the league. So it’s not a problem if you wanted to draft, say, Terrell Suggs with the 6th pick to Baltimore. The young version would be on the roster with the current version. Again, we know how his career turns out.
Ray Rice
Obviously, if we were to consider the infamous elevator incident, it would have a big impact on his value. The situation was an ugly one. It destroyed all of the goodwill he had built both as a player and member of the community. Rightfully so. Anyone who physical harms his/her spouse should need to do a lot of work to repair his/her image. Rice may have done that now, but it doesn’t appear NFL teams are willing to take that chance.
But after thinking through it, we decided that we are going to act as though the incident never happened. His contribution early in his career was significant enough that we didn’t want to have him fall out of the first round. The story of the Ravens is hard to tell without his biggest moments.
The teams
Their rosters are structured exactly as they are now. They have the same needs as they do today.
The era
You’ll see why this is important in just a second. Every writer who participated in this draft knows that Ray Lewis is the greatest Raven of all time, and he may always be. But with the way the NFL has changed, the value of his position has depreciated, especially a player who is stronger in run defense than against the pass.
GM Assignments
Ryan Jones: AFC South
Adam Bonaccorsi: AFC North
Mike Fast: AFC East
Tyler Lombardi: AFC West
Kyle Casey: NFC South
Kyle Rate: NFC North
Joe Polek: NFC East
Brian Bower: NFC West
Let’s get things rolling!
Ryan Jones and the Tennessee Titans are on the clock…
The Only Ravens Mock Draft 2016
1. Tennessee Titans
Jonathan Ogden, Offensive Tackle, UCLA
Mock GM: Ryan Jones
Baltimore tenure: 1996-2007
Original selection: Round 1 Pick 4
This is a no brainier for the Titans GM Jon Robinson. One year after finding their franchise quarterback in Marcus Mariota, they get one of the best tackles in NFL history to protect him.
2. Cleveland Browns
Joe Flacco, Quarterback, Delaware
Mock GM: Adam Bonaccorsi
Baltimore tenure: 2008-current
Original selection: Round 1 Pick 18
Although selecting Kyle Boller would fit the Browns pattern of 1st round QB busts (see Brady Quinn, Brandon Weeden, Johnny Manziel… heck, we can even go back to Tim Couch in ’99!), Hue Jackson nails his first pick as the new head coach in Cleveland. They select Joe Flacco to solidify that ‘franchise QB’ role they’ve desperately need since, well, forever.
3. San Diego Chargers
Ed Reed, Safety, Miami
Mock GM: Tyler Lombardi
Baltimore tenure: 2002-2012
Original selection: Round 1 Pick 24
Chargers GM Tom Telesco says, “Screw Jalen Ramsey! I get to pick Ed freakin’ Reed!” The Chargers get a ball hawk in their secondary even better than the All-Pro, Eric Weddle, who just left them. Now, they have the best safety of a generation. In today’s pass-happy NFL, the front office decided that a safety who makes you hesitate to throw anything deep is more valuable than a middle linebacker who controls the running game.
4. Dallas Cowboys
Chris McAlister, Cornerback, Arizona
Mock GM: Joe Polek
Baltimore tenure: 1999-2009
Original selection: Round 1 Pick 10
McAlister is the cornerback that the Cowboys desperately need this season. Although the Cowboys have a lot of needs, the secondary seems to be number 1. Plus, his persona fits right in with the Cowboys.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Ray Lewis, Linebacker, Miami
Mock GM: Ryan Jones
Baltimore tenure: 1996-2012
Original selection: Round 1 Pick 26
The Jaguars have assembled a talented young offense, but even after some big signings in free agency their defense still lacks a true leader. They get perhaps the best leader and motivator in the history of the league. Blake Bortles breathes a sigh of relief, and Andrew Luck and his neck beard whimper at the thought of having to face Lewis, who will come to personify the meaning of the name “Jaguar” for over a decade.
6. Baltimore Ravens
Terrell Suggs, Linebacker, Arizona State
Mock GM: Adam Bonaccorsi
Baltimore tenure: 2003-current
Original selection: Round 1 Pick 10
Why not have a youthful T-Sizzle waiting in the wings to replace the current 33-year-old T-Sizzle?
With the ‘cream of the crop’ players in the secondary off the board, the Ravens turn to bolstering their front-7 by adding a youthful version of current heart and soul of this Ravens team in Terrell Suggs. Knowing that Sizzle would go on to rack up 6-Pro Bowl selections, the ’11 DPOY award, 100+ career sacks, and may even be Canton-bound, would have the Ravens War Room popping champagne bottles all night long!
7. San Francisco 49ers
Peter Boulware, Linebacker, Florida State
Mock GM: Brian Bower
Baltimore tenure: 1997-2005
Original selection: Round 1 Pick 4
San Francisco opts to continue the trend of drafting notable linebackers with Boulware. He brings leadership and intensity, which the Niners desperately need. Boulware took the league by storm in his rookie year earning Defensive rookie of the Year honors after starting all 16 games for the Ravens in ‘97.
8. Philadelphia Eagles
Jamal Lewis, Running Back, Tennessee
Mock GM: Joe Polek
Baltimore tenure: 2000-2006
Original selection: Round 1 Pick 5
Jamal Lewis spent seven seasons with the Ravens including 2003 when he recorded over 2000 yards rushing. He also was 2003 NFL Pro Football Writers of America MVP, and Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year. The Eagles are in desperate need of a running attack, and Lewis will provide them with one. He could very well grace the new regime in Philadelphia with an Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Marshal Yanda, Offensive Guard, Iowa
Mock GM: Kyle Casey
Baltimore tenure: 2007-current
Original selection: Round 3 Pick 84
With an abysmal line protecting Jameis Winston, the Bucs welcome Yanda, who converts from his college position of tackle to guard. Yanda will grow into Tampa Bay’s best lineman in its history. Winston will welcome the increased protection and Doug Martin will love finding the holes in the running game that Yanda creates.
10. New York Giants
Jarret Johnson, Defensive End, Alabama
Mock GM: Joe Polek
Baltimore tenure: 2003-2011
Original selection: Round 4 Pick 109
It tore up the Giants’ front office that Ray Lewis didn’t miraculously fall to them all the way at the 10th pick, kind of like how those fireworks tore up Pierre-Paul’s finger (too cruel?). That incident, coincidentally, opened up a need at defensive end. The Giants fill that need with a reliable, but not spectacular defensive end. He will become an unsung hero of the defense.
11. Chicago Bears
Haloti Ngata, Defensive Tackle, Oregon
Mock GM: Kyle Rate
Baltimore tenure: 2006-2014
Original selection: Round 1 Pick 12
Ngata will sure up the middle of the Chicago defense, allowing the newly acquired Danny Trevathan and company to make plays. The former Oregon Duck will reunite (sort of) with his old (new?) teammate Pernell McPhee to give NFC North quarterbacks headaches for years to come. At his peak, Ngata will become the most dominant interior lineman in the league, extremely disruptive against both the pass and the run.
12. New Orleans Saints
Todd Heap, Tight End, Arizona St.
Mock GM: Kyle Casey
Baltimore tenure: 2001-2010
Original selection: Round 1 Pick 31
With the departure of Ben Watson, the Saints turn to the sure-handed Heap to improve the passing game. Heap’s career was marred by a ton of injuries, no thanks to QB Kyle Boller throwing into good coverage. Now he gets a quarterback who will be able to maximize his abilities for a couple years before they turn over to a new regime and Heap will, unfortunately, have to deal with a young quarterback once again. Hopefully the Saints can pick up a more reliable quarterback than Boller so Heap can have a longer career this time around.
13. Miami Dolphins
Ray Rice, Running Back, Rutgers
Mock GM: Mike Fast
Baltimore tenure: 2008-2014
Original selection: Round 2 Pick 55
While Kelechi Osemele and Ben Grubbs were near selections here, Ray Rice was too talented to pass up.
In only three years at Rutgers, Rice carried the rock 910 times and still averaged 5.4 yards per carry. His amped up his receiving output at the next level, as he went on to average 8.2 yards per reception as a Raven.
Rice was a tough, elusive, dependable all-around back. He averaged 100 total yards per game and made three Pro Bowls. From an 83-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage at New England in the playoffs, to 4th-and-29 at San Diego, to a monster 131-yard and one touchdown performance in the double-overtime thriller at Denver, Rice’s career is filled with historically clutch highlights.
GM Chris Grier and EVP of Football Operations Mike Tannenbaum will be very excited about pairing him with a talent group of skill players which includes Ryan Tannehill, Jarvis Landry, and DeVante Parker.
14. Oakland Raiders
Adalius Thomas, Linebacker, Southern Miss
Mock GM: Tyler Lombardi
Baltimore tenure: 2000-2006
Original selection: Round 6 Pick 194
Defenses in the NFL are starting to have much more variety in their formations. They like to show multiple fronts to keep offenses guessing. Oakland is no exception and experimented with the 3-4 in 2015. Adalius Thomas is the perfect player to move around all across the defense. In his time in Baltimore, he lined up at every position on defense, even lining up as a corner a few times. The Raiders have a burgeoning young core of defenders. With Khalil Mack and AD as the cornerstones, the future is bright for the Raiders.
15. Los Angeles Rams
Brandon Williams, Defensive Tackle, Missouri Southern State
Mock GM: Brian Bower
Baltimore tenure: 2013-current
Original selection: Round 3 Pick 94
With Joe Flacco off the board early, the Rams decide to bring in more help along the defensive front. Williams and partner in crime, Aaron Donald will keep opposing quarterbacks on their heels all season long. As we have seen in Baltimore, Williams is a clear run stuffer with that will draw more double teams to allow Donald to attack opposing offensive backfields.
16. Detroit Lions
Kelechi Osemele, Offensive Guard/Tackle, Iowa State
Mock GM: Kyle Rate
Baltimore tenure: 2012-2015
Original selection: Round 2 Pick 60
There’s not a team in the NFL that doesn’t want to continuously improve their offensive line, and Detroit gets that done with the selection of Osemele. Powerful and quick, K.O.’s eventual ceiling will reach an all-pro level at guard, and if his coaches so desire, he could even challenge Riley Reiff and develop into a top flight (potential pro bowl) tackle if he learns the nuances of that position.
17. Atlanta Falcons
C.J. Mosley, Linebacker, Alabama
Mock GM: Kyle Casey
Baltimore tenure: 2014-current
Original selection: Round 1 Pick 17
The Falcons lack any true enforcers on defense, so enter the physical, versatile Mosley. C.J. ends up being drafted in the exact same spot he was during his first go-round in the draft. Mosley will have a rookie year worthy of the defensive player of the year, but with all of the great defensive players picked before him, he may not end up with it.
18. Indianapolis Colts
Duane Starks, Cornerback, Miami
Mock GM: Ryan Jones
Baltimore tenure: 1998-2001
Original selection: Round 1 Pick 10
The Colts have invested heavily on the offensive side of the ball in recent years. This year they taking the ball hawking Starks out of Miami. The Colts need a top corner to match up with the likes of Deandre Hopkins and Allen Robinson and Starks provides that presence. Jim Irsay then heads out to his car and grabs Starks’ signing bonus out of his glove compartment.
19. Buffalo Bills
Bart Scott, Linebacker, Southern Illinois
Mock GM: Mike Fast
Baltimore tenure: 2002-2008
Original selection: Undrafted
The Bills haven’t been able to replace Kiko Alonso in the middle of their defense, after losing him to injury in 2014 and ultimately to a trade in 2015.
Good news for Rex Ryan: they pick up Bart Scott with the 19th overall pick. Scott brings a rare intensity to Buffalo’s defense that instantly invigorates the entire team, especially when going up against the mighty Patriots. Scott has them believing they can beat anyone, anytime.
In his fifth season, he’ll notch 9 1/2 sacks (as a middle linebacker), en route to a Pro Bowl selection.
Not only are the Bills getting value, versatility, and leadership with this pick, they fill a big need with the best player available.
20. New York Jets
Ben Grubbs, Offensive Guard, Auburn
Mock GM: Mike Fast
Baltimore tenure: 2007-2011
Original selection: Round 1 Pick 29
Even though Calvin Pryor is holding down the strong safety spot, Dawan Landry was a heavy consideration here. But, coach Bowles elects to balance out his team and solidify his offensive line as he selects Ben Grubbs out of Auburn.
Grubbs was outstanding as a Raven, as, despite injury, he started in 79 out of a possible 83 games during his career in Baltimore (playoffs included). He made the Pro Bowl twice and helped the Ravens rank in the Top 10 in rushing yards three times (and in the Top 5 twice).
For a team like the Jets that likes to pound the rock, especially considering the offseason acquisition of Matt Forte, Grubbs is a perfect fit.
21. Washington Redskins
Mike Flynn, Center/Guard, Maine
Mock GM: Joe Polek
Baltimore tenure: 1998-2007
Original selection: Undrafted
Flynn played 10 seasons with the Ravens after signing as an Undrafted Free Agent in the 1998 NFL Draft. He played in nearly every game except for the 2004 season.
Flynn will help a desperate Redskins offensive line that needs to help give a shaky QB more time to pass.
22. Houston Texans
Torrey Smith, Wide Receiver, Maryland
Mock GM: Ryan Jones
Baltimore tenure: 2011-2014
Original selection: Round 2 Pick 58
The Texans drafted Jaelen Strong in the third round of last years draft, but the speedy Smith provides a perfect complement to the dominant DeAndre Hopkins. Smith will add a greater threat to the vertical passing game to go along with Hopkins’ and Strong’s ability over the middle. Smith, though, will earn the starting role over Strong, and the two together now form the one of the best wide receiver tandems in all of football.
23. Minnesota Vikings
Pernell McPhee, EDGE, Mississippi State
Mock GM: Kyle Rate
Baltimore tenure: 2011-2014
Original selection: Round 5 Pick 165
McPhee fits better in a 3-4, but he has undeniable versatility that will nonetheless allow him to produce along Minnesota’s young defensive line. He’ll bring heavy hands and a rare combination of size and burst that will allow him to be effective against the run, but most importantly, rush the passer from both the outside and inside. Playing against the likes of Aaron Rodgers, that will be important if the Vikings want to win another division title in 2016.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
Jamie Sharper, Linebacker, Virginia
Mock GM: Adam Bonaccorsi
Baltimore tenure: 1997-2001
Original selection: Round 2 Pick 34
The Bengals need help in the receiving corps and the secondary, but this is the Only Ravens draft so, y’know, slim pickins.
With that in mind, the Bengals turn their attention to the front 7, as they look to build on an already solid unit. Sharper gives the Bengals something they’ve lacked during the tenure of Marvin Lewis: the ability to make a play and seal a game in the playoffs. How can we forget Jamie Sharper picking off Bobby Hoying to seal the AFC Championship game against the Raiders back in ’01? That’s the type of killer instinct the Bengals lack come postseason that a guy like Sharper could change.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers
Maxx Williams, Tight End, Minnesota
Mock GM: Adam Bonaccorsi
Baltimore tenure: 2015-current
Original selection: Round 2 Pick 55
Remember last year when the Ravens jumped ahead of Pittsburgh in the 2nd round to nab Williams before the Steelers did? This time around, they get their guy.
While the Steelers biggest holes remain in their secondary (actually the biggest ‘holes’ are the clowns waving towels in the stands) at this juncture in round 1, there’s not much left that the Steelers would covet. Instead, they address the tight end possession in the wake of Heath Miller’s retirement by adding Maxx Williams.
Mad Maxx plays with a fire in his belly, has excellent hands, legit speed for a tight end, and would provide the perfect complement to the already terrifying duo of LeVeon Bell & Antonio Brown. Also, I think their signing of Lardarius Green is ridiculously overrated and Maxx Williams could easily steal those 1st team reps away in a heartbeat.
26. Seattle Seahawks
Michael Oher, Tackle, Mississippi
Mock GM: Brian Bower
Baltimore tenure: 2009-2013
Original selection: Round 1 Pick 23
The Seahawks have a huge need for an offensive lineman after the departure of veteran OL Russell Okung in free agency. Oher fits the bill for a group that is looking to protect star QB Russell Wilson.
Oher can play either tackle position and provides Seattle with a lineman who can play every week. He never missed a game in his entire Raven career. Hindered by numerous false start calls in Baltimore, the Seahawks will need him to be on the same page as the rest of the offense on every single down at home.
27. Green Bay Packers
Jimmy Smith, Cornerback, Colorado
Mock GM: Kyle Rate
Baltimore tenure: 2011-current
Original selection: Round 1 Pick 27
The Packers have invested heavily in their secondary the past two drafts, selecting 3 DBs in the first two rounds, but you can never have enough cornerbacks, right? Picked in his exact same spot here at 27, Smith provides the requisite length, instincts, and attitude to develop into a top flight press-man corner. He lacks elite quickness, overall consistency, and may struggle in zone at times, but he is nonetheless a very talented football player whose ceiling is that of a top 10 cornerback in the NFL–a first round pick all day.
28. Kansas City Chiefs
Priest Holmes, Running Back, Texas
Mock GM: Tyler Lombardi
Baltimore tenure: 1997-2000
Original selection: Undrafted
The Chiefs get what is likely the steal of the draft to continue the line of great running backs which the first version of Holmes started. Father Time is starting to catch up to Jamaal Charles, who turns 30 in December of this season. Making matters worse, Charles tore his ACL for the second time in his career. Even if he does recover, the Chiefs will want to keep him off the field as much as possible.
That’s where Priest Holmes comes in. Holmes had an illustrious career in Kansas City. His 27 touchdown season won’t be enough to break the touchdown record this time around, but Priest 2.0 will have the opportunity to take back the title of all-time Chiefs’ rushing leader with four extra years with the team.
29. Arizona Cardinals
Edwin Mulitalo, Guard, Arizona
Mock GM: Brian Bower
Baltimore tenure: 1999-2006
Original selection: Round 4 Pick 129
The Cardinals needed to stack offensive lineman this offseason and shore up the pass protection for franchise QB Carson Palmer. Mulitalo provides both. The gritty player quickly earned a starting spot among the Ravens offensive line and never looked back. Despite injuries, the Arizona standout competed every day and flashed his run blocking abilities for an offense led by Jamal Lewis.
30. Carolina Panthers
Dennis Pitta, Tight End, BYU
Mock GM: Kyle Casey
Baltimore tenure: 2010-current
Original selection: Round 4 Pick 114
The Panthers find their heir to an aging Greg Olsen. Pitta is a sure-handed receiver who meshes well with Cam Newton in the short-to-intermediate passing game. Pitta will have his fair share of injuries in his career, but he is the best remaining weapon in the passing game. The Panthers need the most improvement there, so they accept the trade-off of the injuries for the early years of production.
31. Denver Broncos
Tyrod Taylor, Quarterback, Virginia Tech
Mock GM: Tyler Lombardi
Baltimore tenure: 2011-2014
Original selection: Round 6 Pick 180
Tyrod Taylor will have to sit and wait for a little while, but this couldn’t be a better fit for him. The Broncos are loaded with talent. They can manage to be one of the best teams in the league even without their first round pick starting this year. Taylor will turn into a good starting quarterback at some point in his career. He’ll get his shot much sooner after Gary Kubiak experiences the adventures of Mark Sanchez for a year.
Biggest Surprise – Ray Lewis
We were shocked, too, that Ray Lewis fell to the 5th overall pick. In today’s NFL, general managers put a premium on the passing game. The Browns have been searching for a quarterback for forever. It makes sense that they would want Joe Flacco after watching him beat them pretty much every time they play. The Chargers considered the way the league has changed when they chose Ed Reed, too.
The Cowboys saw a sure thing in Chris McAlister to help them shore up their pass defense, so even they bypassed Ray.
Notable players to slip out of the first round
Lardarius Webb
Breshad Perriman
Justin Tucker
Paul Kruger
Brandon Stokely
