Russell Street Report staff on what to expect in Round 1 of the NFL Draft tonight, from the Ravens and more…
Tony Lombardi
The Ravens are in a tough spot. Ideally, they would like to acquire draft capital while seeking value. They will look to move back and acquire a second 3rd-round pick, with their sights set on DJ Moore, a player they love. But finding a trading partner may be easier said than done and ultimately it will leave the Ravens holding a pick no one wants.
Many, myself included, have pegged Notre Dame T Mike McGlinchey to the Ravens at No. 16 but I’m hearing that league insiders think the Golden Domer will be long gone when the Ravens are on the clock. Consequently, the Ravens resist the urge to still take Moore and the pick is used on a player who some have compared to DeMarcus Ware – Marcus Davenport, Edge Defender from University of Texas – San Antonio.
And fans will lose their minds for the next 24 hours because Ozzie failed to address the offense.
Adam Bonaccorsi
So excited for the madness that is Day One of the NFL draft! Here’s what I’m thinking…
-8 trades go down during the first round
(See all 10 of my Draft Day HOT TAKES here)
-6 QB’s highlight Day One: Baker (Browns), Darnold (Jets), Allen (Bills), Rosen (Cards), Jackson (Fins), Rudolph (Pats)
-Roger Goodell gets booed more than the Jets fans boo their own pick.
-A late run on Offensive Lineman leads to (7) total lineman in the 1st Round.
-THE PICK: Ravens trade back with the Patriots (who trade up for Mason Rudolph) and take WR DJ Moore (he a Terp) with the 23rd pick, while adding a 3rd rounder along the way. Fits a need, not really reaching, hometown hero, and fans are elated. Ozzie drops the mic.
Todd Karpovich
— I do believe the Ravens are confident they can find value with the 16th overall pick. As a result, they will not move forward or back unless they are overwhelmed by an offer.
— The biggest question is whether the team reach for a receiver at that spot and take D.J. Moore or Calvin Ridley?
— My prediction is the Ravens select Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, who will help stabilize an offensive line that has been hampered by injuries over the past several seasons.
Ryan Jones
It seems like there’s a common sentiment that the Ravens have a desire to trade back. Whether or not they get what they want in return will largely depend on what goes on with the first five picks. If Lamar Jackson is still there at 16 and the Patriots have genuine interest than they are a sensible trade partner. But that also depends on what the Ravens are looking for with their top pick.
There seems to be more uncertainty with this first round than any in recent memory. Even after adding some new weapons for Flacco the pick still needs to be an offensive playmaker. The guess is here is D.J. Moore is off the board earlier than most pundits think, maybe even in the top ten.
With Ridley still sitting there Ozzie Newsome can’t help himself but to take an Alabama player for the second straight year.
Mitchell Wolfman
Big day. This draft is going to be chaotic and I can see the following happen:
-The Bills throw away their future and trade into the no. 2 spot, giving up both first rounders, a second and their first rounder next season. I’d imagine they’d go Sam Darnold after all the buzz about Baker Mayfield going first overall.
-With Rosen’s stock falling, the Patriots might be a sneaky pick for him and trade somewhere into the top 15.
-Kolton Miller will be the first OT off the board
-Courtland Sutton will be drafted before Calvin Ridley
-Lamar Jackson will be gone before 16.
-THE PICK: Hayden Hurst – I think it’s a reach too but if the Ravens don’t find a partner to trade back, Hurst seems pretty realistic. Ozzie gets his BPA, addresses a major positional need and finds a player who’s a great schematic fit. Hurst has been a climber for weeks and is considered the most pro-ready TE in the class. Has been a popular choice at 16 in a handful of mocks in recent weeks.
John Darcey
Not sure how bold this really is, but the Ravens trade back to 27 with the Saints. They pick up an extra 3rd and 4th rounder. The bad part is, D.J. Moore is long gone by then.
And with the 27th pick in the 2018 Draft, the Baltimore Ravens select: Dallas Goedert / TE / South Dakota St
As for the rest of the first round: 6 QB’s go in the first with Mason Rudolph, being the 6th, going to the Pats
D.J. Moore does his best Darius Heyward-Bey impersonation and get selected much higher then anyone pegged him, going to the Raiders (just like DHB)!
Much to the disappointment of Adam, Lamar Jackson goes 15th to the Cards.
Calvin Ridley, who many pegged as the number 1 ranked WR, is the 4th WR to go off the board in the first round behind Moore, Courtland Sutland and Christian Kirk. Ridley’s slide ends at 29 to Jacksonville
The Browns for the second year in a row, will have three 1st round picks. The current two, and they trade with Philly to hop back in at pick 32.
Chad Racine
Don’t believe the Lamar Jackson hype. Even Mike Mayock is falling for it. If Jackson falls to 16 the Ravens can likely trade back with a team that covets him.
-The first round will be a defensive player if the Ravens stay at 16. After that it will be offensive heavy.
-Five quarterbacks go before the Ravens pick and six in the first round.
– Josh Allen will be the 5th quarterback to go after the recent discovery of his old tweets.
– D.J. Moore will be gone before the Ravens pick. A receiver that many thought we could trade back for, if he’s there the Ravens pounce – and will be lucky.
Vasilios Nikolaou
Today should be a national holiday. So should tomorrow, because I feel like the Ravens will make me want to drink heavily.
Anyway, my predictions:
– Saquon Barkley falls out of the top 5
– Josh Allen ends up going in the top of the 2nd round
– The Ravens trade up 2-3 picks to nab D.J. Moore
– The Patriots will move up to secure their QB of the future.
– Odell Beckham Jr. will be dealt.
– The Browns trade away pick #4 and get a king’s ransom. They have one of the best drafts in recent history.
All in all, it’s going to be a splashy draft to go along with the splashy venue where it’s taking place this year. It’s a show now, not just a draft.
Jeff Hill
– 6 QBs drafted tonight, including Mason Rudolph late in Round 1.
– The Ravens will NOT be able to find a trade partner and will be stuck at 16.
– They’ll pick a defensive player which will cause Ravens fans everywhere to panic.
– 3 WRs (Moore/Ridley/Sutton) and 2 RBs (Barkley/Guice) will get picked.
– There will be a massive run on tweener OL in the back half of the 1st round.
– Mayfield/Darnold/Rosen go 1-2-3, and the Bills trade up to get Josh Allen.
– Maurice Hurst is the guy who slides based on his medical where everyone will wonder how early on Day 2 he’ll be picked.
Ken McKusick
–A run on QBs will benefit the Ravens and remove any question of picking a signal caller at 16.
–One of the top defensive players will drop to 16 among Davenport, R Smith, Edmunds, Fitzpatrick, and James. If it is James or Fitzpatrick, the Ravens may well make a controversial pick on defense. I believe they will pass on need for an edge rusher or ILB.
–The Ravens won’t draft a WR in round 1.
–As much as the Ravens have tried to disguise what they want to do in round 1, the team’s biggest need by a wide margin is OT. They need 2 pure tackles and not a swingman who will be available in later rounds.
–The Pick: OT Mike McGlinchy is nearest to the corner of need and value streets when the Ravens select at 16 and he will be drafted and immediately plugged in at RT.
I’ll be on Twitter tonight @filmstudyravens to discuss the draft as it unfolds with an eye on how picks 1-15 impact the Ravens.
