BOLDnPurPnBlacK

I wouldnt be very happy with this draft. I'd feel like we didnt hit on a playmaking pass rusher or WR... arguably 2 of our biggest need. I like the Elflein and Witherspoon picks a lot. Other than that, everything feels reached for. Coming away with maybe the 2nd or 3rd best RT prospect in the 1st round wouldnt make me feel too good, especially with talented pass rushers and CBs guaranteed to be on the board there. To me, we have to come away from this draft feeling like we've got a play making WR or pass rusher. Definitely one of them, if not both. The selections at both positions are kinda bleh for me, especially WR. If we're getting Anderson, Elflein and Witherspoon... and theres a legit pass rush or WR prospect in the 1st -- im loving it.

Some see Elflein projecting better at OG than C... and we could potentially have holes at both if we slide Lewis out to RT. Whats more confusing to me is that we take Pocic in the 2nd with Cam Robinson, Dan Feeney and Garrett Bolles all still on the board. There is just no way we would do that. Never. If we got Tim Williams in the 1st, then grabbed Cam Robinson in the 2nd (as this mock suggests being possible), then theres no reason to take Senior in the 3rd. You grab Elflein, i like Godwin and instead of taking Henderson id take Juju (if we're just doing a like for like replacement with who is still available). Then i prob grab a CB with the Henderson pick... probably Fabian Moreau. Thatd have given us: Tim Williams (1) Cam Robinson (2) Pat Elflein (3) Chris Godwin (3) Fabian Moreau (3) Juju Smith-Schuster (3) I would take that all day. Maybe trade out one of the WR's for Tanoh Kpassagnon to give us some interior pass rush and id be ecstatic. Hit on a stud pass rusher, 2 OL that along with Lewis and Stanley give us 4 potential studs in their 1st and 2nd years, a WR with huge upside, a 1st round talent at CB who only fell bc of injury, and then either another high upside WR or raw but freak athlete at DE. Sign me up.

Walter Football has been doing prospect stock watches and they're pretty insightful. I'd recommend all to check them out. Apparently most of the teams theyve talked to have Humphrey as the 2nd CB and some have him rated higher than Lattimore. A couple teams theyve spoken to have Humphrey in play for their pick in the Top 10. Theyre expecting him to go much higher than most expect. Taco Charlton is another one where their sources are telling them he will almost definitely go in the 6-14 range... almost assuredly ahead of Barnett. Another surprise is that theyre hearing that Charles Harris is often seen as the 2nd pure edge rusher for 4-3 teams behind Garret (Solomon Thomas being classified as more of an interior rusher). Theyve heard hes in play for a quite a few mid-1st round teams. Chidobe Awuzie is another thats really high on some boards and low 3rd on others... but some teams in the mid-1st to the 20's have him in the conversation for their pick. And Reuben Foster is lower on a lot of boards than most would expect. Theyre reporting that up to half of the teams theyve talked to have Jarrad Davis as the 1st LB on their board.... with Foster very much a boom/bust prospect. Of course some, most or all of this could be smoke screen, bad sources, or simply conjecture.... but i think draft day is going to be full of surprises.

But thats the problem with the if's.... if youre going to critique the move you have to answer those if's for yourself, not wait until you have the answers. In this draft i see that early 3rd round as a sweet spot where there will still be a bunch of highly rated prospects available that wont make it to the late 3rd. I also feel that Jernigan has shown who he was going to be in this defense. And I wouldnt have resigned him. So im happy with the trade. I'll be upset if we draft a bum, and it will suck if Jernigan is killing it in Philly this year. But I also see their scheme as much better suited to his skill set, so it wont shock me and i wouldnt equate that to the idea that jernigan wouldve had the same success had we kept him for this year.

See, thats fine for a fan to do... but thats not what the people making personnel decisions get to do. You have to judge it purely on what youve seen from Jernigan, what you expected of him and your team this season, whether you expected to resign him, and what you got in compensation... purely that and not what the pick turns into. There are so many variables. Jernigan may ball out for the Eagles, but it could be due to playing next to Fletcher Cox in an aggressive one gap, pressure scheme. That doesnt mean he would have played any better here had we kept him. And we could draft an absolute stud in terms of talent at 74 that def wouldnt have been available at 99, but then he breaks both his legs in a freak accident and never gets to play. Doesnt mean it was the bad pick to make at the time. Waiting for the end result to judge is all well and good for a fan to do.... but it has nothing to do with reality. Saying youre going to wait to decide is a cop out. Youre typically pretty harsh when you dont like something the team does. Well then, critique on an even playing field. Make your judgement when all you have is the same info they did. Start doing that, and we'll judge your track record.

Maybe not incredibly bold - but gut feeling.... Ryan Anderson becomes a Raven.

My prediction is we trade back in the 2nd and pick up another 3rd round pick. And the guy we pick after trading back in the 2nd will be either Sidney Jones, Tim Williams, Juju, Chris Wormley or Pat Elflein.

I'm coming around on Takk. Still wouldn't be very happy if we took him at 16 depending on who else is available... but I read a bio piece on him (I think it was ESPN) and he's a survivor. Tough up bringing, long road to success and has a great support structure around him now. Def a guy I'll be rooting for regardless... and wouldn't mind having as a Raven under the right circumstances.

I personally think Fournette is going to be a monster. While our run D has historically been solid... if he gets behind that Browns OL -- that could spell trouble. Especially if they put a defense together that can keep games close. Also want nothing to do with having to defend OJ Howard 2x a year. And I'll be heart broken if we don't get Barnett and he winds up in division. Seeing him in orange and black would make me sick.

Dorian Johnson I don't hear getting much love.... but if we're looking for an interior lineman 2nd maybe 3rd rd he's a guy I'd be pumped about. He's a powerful, sturdy guy with an ability to move a bit. Might be the 2nd best pure OG prospect in the draft behind Lamp.

I'm not googling for you. You're the one that claimed "many are speculating" he'll be traded. Who? And I clearly said it'd be awesome to have Gronk. It was literally my first sentence. You listed a bunch of WRs and ask how will they fit Gronk in. Hmmm... idk. How do you work your all world TE into the mix when you've got Chris Hogan who needs his touches! Im acting like it's a bad idea bc it's low hanging fruit and never going to happen. Let's trade a 2nd for Odell Beckham! I mean they just signed Marshall... all those weapons. They probably don't want to resign him. And those antics on the sideline.... they're growing tired of it - amirite??? Dont tell me that can't happen or you're a homer. Guess you'd rather sign a 36 year old Boldin than an in his prime game breaker like Beckham.

Yes adding Gronk would be awesome. But it's not happening. Who are the "many" that are speculating he'll be traded? Can you cite them? And they won without him but with Bennett. Bennett's gone. He's Brady's best weapon and makes them a far more dangerous team. They have no reason to move him. They have plenty of cap space so the cap dump is a moot point. Its not happening. Doesn't make much sense for either side. Fantasy is fun but let's get back to predictions for the draft.... and ones that have even a slight possibility of happening.

Who said Belichick had a problem with Wrestlemania other than media speculating? They aren't trading Gronk unless it's for compensation that wows them. A 1st rd pick is probably the starting point. And we're not giving up that sort of compensation for a frequently injured player on a big contract. If you don't like 0% chance... fine. But it's not any better than maybe a 4-5% chance.

Draftsite.com has us taking: Derek Barnett Zay Jones Carlos Watkins Sidney Jones with our first 4 picks. I'd be happy with that so long as we sign Mangold.

Yea but for your point to make any sense there has to be a RT capable of handling elite level NFL pass rushers in the draft. And I don't think that there are.

I like the players taken but feel like we lost the trades. We move down 8 spots in the 1st and have to give up our 4th just to get a late 2nd?? And then trade out of the 1st round entirely back 10 spots and only get a 3rd?? I mean would you trade pick 16 AND our 4th for two 2nds and a 3rd? Idk maybe the draft pick value math works out on this but it seems like we lost. EDIT: just checked the trade value chart and it actually says we win both of those trades. So maybe it's just me... but still feels like a loss moving all the way out of the 1st.

A love of football and the nasty side of it. The work rate, a love of contact and hitting. That goes for all positions. And then a translatable skill set.

It's already been broadcast... disagreeing with that fact has nothing to do with your original post. This is mostly a private community. People posting about it here isn't broadcasting. It's a tight knit group sharing their thoughts about a beloved community member. No more no less.

Upshaw and Barnett are not even mildly comparable prospects. Get outta here with this crap man. Youve beencaught apinning false false narratives time and again. Just get to it -- say I have an irrational dislike for Barnett. No rhyme or reason or justification... but nothing's going to change it and I know that. So let it be. That would be more acceptable and respectable than what you've been doing.

I got a good chuckle out of this one...

I'd be upset with John Ross, Taco, and prob Takk. But I could eventually get behind them once my initial shock wears off. Jabrill Peppers though.... I'd break my TV.

This was hard to digest when I first heard... He was such a great guy and player. It was obvious how much family meant to he and his wife Ashley. For something like this to happen to them is unimagineable. Especially as a result of your own actions... losing a young child has to be the most difficult and tragic thing that can happen to a father, when your instincts are to always protect them. Hard to understand that there's a reason or a plan when something like this happens... but I'll take solace in the fact that she is at peace and in a better place. Deepest and most sincere condolences to the family. Ravens Nation is shaken and feeling this loss... and I'm slightly comforted by the fact that she can look down and see just how many lives her father has impacted, and how many people are touched by this.

YOUR PICKS 1: R1P16 EDGE DEREK BARNETT TENNESSEE 2: R2P15 LB HAASON REDDICK TEMPLE 3: R3P10 G FORREST LAMP WESTERN KENTUCKY 4: R3P14 WR CHRIS GODWIN PENN STATE 5: R4P15 CB FABIAN MOREAU UCLA 6: R5P15 S OBI MELIFONWU UCONN 7: R6P2 CB AHKELLO WITHERSPOON COLORADO If only....

Id agree with that. I think part of it has been the proliferation of more shotgun, spread offenses in the NFL that have somewhat simplified things for WR's so the jump from college to the pro's isnt as dramatic as it once may have been. Or at least most offenses incorporate some aspects of spread offenses so early on you can put your young WR's in positions to succeed while they develop a full tool kit. Another part, i think, is that you have more of the best athletes playing the position. Whereas maybe 20 years ago most of the time the best athletes were playing RB on offense.... i think WR has become more of a glamour position and weapon as its become more of a passing game... and with more elite athletes, they have the ability to be successful early on by just being more athletic than the guy across form them. There were probably less of those guys coming out years ago.

1. Cleveland Browns - Mitch Trubisky, QB The draft opens with a surprise and the former Mr. Ohio goes back home to jump start the Browns franchise. With 5 teams before they pick at 12 who could potentially select a QB, they decide not to risk losing their man and pick him 1st overall. The fact that they went OL so heavily in FA gives me a sneaky suspicion that they love a QB in this draft. 2. San Fran 49ers - Myles Garret, DE/OLB They don't view any of the QBs as being the franchise guy in Shanahan's offense, so they decide to take the best available and suffer through a building year while waiting for Cousins. 3. Chicago Bears - Jonathan Allen, DT/DE 4. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jamal Adams, S 5. Tennessee Titans (via LA)- Marshon Lattimore, CB 6. New York Jets - Deshaun Watson, QB Hackenberg is not the answer, and with their top rated QB still on the board they pounce. Watson has the star power the move the needle in the NY market, and plays his best under the brightest lights. 7. LA Chargers - Malik Hooker, FS 8. Carolina Panthers - Solomon Thomas, DE 9. Cincinnati Bengals - Reuben Foster, LB 10. Buffalo Bills - OJ Howard, TE They're reportedly in love with this guy. Makes sense. 11. New Orleans Saints - Haason Reddick, LB Needing defensive playmakers everywhere, they take Reddick who can do so much for them. Chase ball carriers, blitz, cover TE's and RB's, and really get after the QB on passing downs. 12. Cleveland Browns (via PHI) - Leonard Fournette, RB And with their top 2 picks, Cleveland lays the foundation for what they think can be a championship caliber offense. Fournette takes pressure of their new QB early on, and behind this OL is the early favorite for ROY. 13. Arizona Cardinals - Deshon Kizer, QB The traditional pocket passer in the mold Arians likes. Big, strong, tough and can sling it. With a championship window still open and the fear of Palmer's retirement/injury history they grab Kizer who can develop for a year or 2 and take over to extend their window some... or step in to steady the ship in the event Palmer goes down. 14. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIN) - John Ross, WR CB is a glaring need, and RB is too - but WR is only patchworked by a couple of 1 year deals. Both Doug Pederson and Howie Roseman grew up in the school of Andy Reid who covets speed on the edge of his offense. Ross provides the playmaking ability and speed they need, and gives Wentz a young weapon to grow with. 15. Indianapolis Colts - Derek Barnett, DE Ugh, hurt me to do this. Almost got my guy to us. 16. Baltimore Ravens - Mike Williams, WR And Joe gets his big weapon. He and Perriman could become a scary WR combo. 17. Washington Redskins - Forrest Lamp, OG 18. Tennessee Titans - Corey Davis, WR 19. Tampa Bay Bucs - Dalvin Cook, RB 20. Denver Broncos - Cam Robinson, OT 21. Detroit Lions - Takkarist McKinley, DE 22. Miami Dolphins - Jabrill Peppers, S/LB Defending the middle of the field is their achilles heel. Peppers gives them someone who can contribute agains the run, but most importantly cover a zone over the middle, or match up man-to-man against athletic TE's and RBs. 23. New York Giants - David Njoku, TE 24. Oakland Raiders - Malik McDowell, DE/DT 25. Houston Texans - Patrick Mahomes, QB 26. Seattle Seahawks - Gareon Conley, CB 27. Kansas City Chiefs - Christian McCaffery, RB Andy Reid sees Brian Westbrook, but with more talent. McCaffery gives Smith a check down, safety blanket and causes nightmares for DC's across the league trying to figure out how to defend Hill, Maclin, Kelce and McCaffery all at once. 28. Dallas Cowboys - Obi Melifonwu, S Well, they once went to a freaky athletic UConn DB to help their secondary before.... with it depleted again they do the same. 29. Green Bay Packers - Zach Cunningham, LB This move allows Matthews to stay on the edge and do what he does best. Improves their run defense dramatically. Could go OL or CB here as well. 30. Pittsburgh Steelers - TJ Watt, OLB 31. Atlanta Falcons - Taco Charlton, DE/OLB 32. New Orleans Saints (via NE) - Marlon Humphrey, CB Round 2 - Tim Williams, OLB Round 3(a) - Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE Round 3(b) - Ahkello Witherspoon, CB Round 4 - Jordan Morgan, OG Round 5 - Harvey Langi, LB Round 6 - Treston Decoud, CB/S (Leaving work, have to grab my fiance' at the train.... will try to add descriptions and info for the later picks)