Maryland

I actually think the Browns may have had the best draft. People who hate on the Cam Erving pick don't realize that Alex Mack has the option to opt out of his contract after 2015, which he most assuredly will do if he ever wants to win a SB. I also liked their Orchard and Johnson picks--2 players I liked. Gaines is a steal in the 6th, and Ifo was a high-upside gamble in the 7th. They addressed every need except QB. 

Bengals and Steelers had mediocre drafts. Bengals drafted for next season by taking two OTs, TE Kroft isn't good at anything, and Paul Dawson is really the only pick I like.

Steelers got good value with Dupree and then reached on 2 short nickle corners after we ruined their Maxx Williams pick. Chickillo and Holliman were good picks late. They didn't do a good job of addressing their needs.

Our strong draft, coupled with the Bengals and Steelers' weak drafts, could set us up nicely for the future. This comes on the heels of a strong 2014 draft, too. I feel like we improved more than our division rivals with this draft. 

Also I'm not crazy about all of this ZaDarius Smith--Pernell McPhee talk. Like when they wanted to minimize the CJ Mosley--Ray Lewis comparisons, I say ease off on the McPhee comparison because those are some big shoes to fill as a rookie. Smith actually reminds me more of Upshaw, since Smith doesn't have great burst off the line. ...a lot of people on this forum compared John Simon to Jarret Johnson...

I'm noticing the trend with how Ravens scouts seem to highly value the EW Shrine Game and Senior Bowl. I know Boyle, Carl Davis, Crockett Gilmore, and Brandon Williams all stood out in their Senior Bowls, and there's probably more than that. Plus DeCosta said they value senior bowl performances during a post-draft presser the other day.

It seems like Boyle is really similar to Gilmore: good blocker, needs to develop as a pass-catcher. 

I always thought 1 blocking TE was enough. Now we have 2 good blockers and 1 decent blocker in Gilmore, Boyle, and Williams. Maybe they're planning on doing some different things in the redzone, like playing a lot of TEs every snap, since you not only have to defend the run but also prepare for the pass /w some big TEs. Could be interesting, especially if Gilmore and Boyle develop as pass-catchers. 

It sounds like they plan to keep more than the usual number of 3 TEs on the roster now that Trestman is OC. This means we would have Gilmore, Williams, Boyle, and either Pitta or Supernaw.

Of course, adding a TE means you're taking away from another position... maybe one less WR? 

First offensive play of 2015: Flacco throws an 80 yard bomb to Perriman on a deep post route for a TD.

I'm not sure how a thread congratulating Darren Waller turned into a "cut Matt Elam" conversation, but I find it kind of funny nonetheless. 

I wonder if La'el Collins would consider coming to Baltimore after his legal problems are figured out. We couldn't offer him a starting job in 2015, but 2016 and forward would be his to lose. I'm probably dreaming though; he could be an immediate starter on a lot of teams as a guard, maybe a RT on a few others. Of course, whether or not Ozzie and Steve would want to take him in is a different story. 

/edit: I just read that Rex Ryan met with him today, so I guess he is already being pursued as a UDFA

UDFA DeAndre Carter

 

I'm not sure if we risk 1st rounder on returns but Ravens might be tempted to utilize Perriman's speed.

Maybe in Madden 

The Ravens' history of developing mid-late round OL talent has me thinking Robert Myers will be a starting guard someday. The Steelers probably think the same thing whenever they draft a WR. I don't care, the purple cool-aid tastes delicious.

I don't want to rain on anybodys parade but Waller sounds like a lot like Tommy Streeter. I know I'm gonna get the negs on this but I remember us gushing over Streeters size and speed too.

I made this comparison in his congrats thread and received a hearty serving of negs lol 

SS89

Perriman 

Campanaro

Brown

Aiken

Waller

I see Campanaro taking a big step forward this year if he stays healthy. He'll get his opportunities, especially if SS89 cuts down his snaps. 

I'm with everyone who is against stashing guys on IR. It seems like they don't continue to develop after that, probably because they can't practice with the team the rest of the season. If they do stash Waller, then put Butler on the list. 

They could also still pick up a roster cut, making this decision more difficult. James Jones will be released by Oakland. 

James Jones will be released by the Raiders. 

Would be a typical Ozzie move to bring him in for cheap, assuming he'll come cheap. 

I wasn't really impressed with his burst off the line. He has pass rush moves, but I think he's more of a Sam LB like Upshaw than a dynamic pass-rusher like McPhee, not that becoming another Upshaw is a bad thing. 

People know how athletic and sure-handed he is from his highlight reel plays, but he is also a very good blocker (which was pretty important in Minnesota because they ran a lot). He can get into position quickly and drive people back, which is something you didn't see from Pitta or OD. He looks like a complete TE, which is becoming uncommon in this day and age, where blocking is becoming minimized at the TE position. Assuming he keeps developing as a receiver, you won't be able to get him off the field. I think I'm more excited by the acquisition of Williams than anyone else we drafted. 

I imagine thats why we brought him in, the fact that he can kick to is just an added bonus. He says he's most comfortable being a punter and KO specialist

heres an interview where he says that

http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2015/02/five_questions_with_former_ulm.html

That's intriguing... having a P who would also specialize in doing kickoffs.  

Tucker isn't a slouch at getting touchbacks though. He was top-5 in 2012 and 2014, and that's playing over half his games outdoors. 

Anyway, so my post isn't as off-topic:

Baltimore Ravens

Nick Perry SAF Alabama

Darius Allen ILB Colorado State-Pueblo

Trey DePriest LB Alabama

Deandre Carter WR Sacramento State

Brennen Beter DE Michigan

Cory Morrissey LB Iowa State

Blaine Clausell OT Mississippi State

Jerry Lovelocke QB Prairie View A&M

Justin Manton K/P Louisiana-Monroe

Aundray Walker OL USC

Terrence Magee RB LSU

Nick Easton OL Harvard

Kaleb Johnson OL Rutgers

Antoine Lewis CB Purdue

De’Ondre Wesley OL BYU

David Peterson OL JSU

Darryl Baldwin OL Ohio State

Lexington Smith DL Nothern Colorado

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2015-nfl-undrafted-free-agents

Look at the faces of the players on the other team after Maxx jumped over two guys LOL

 

LOL #44

This may be my favorite pick of the draft not only because I like Williams a lot for where we got him, but because it really clock-blocked the Steelers and forced them to reach on a short nickle CB who should have been a day-3 pick. Well done, Oz, well done.

Glad we missed out on Housler.. put's the pressure on the FO to get Gresham or trade for a quality TE. I really hope we don't trade up in the 2nd round for Maxx Williams, he's overrated because of how weak this TE class is.. he could be a good TE but he's not worth the early 2nd round price tag. Would rather draft elsewhere in the 2nd and maybe trade a 4th for an established TE like Fleener who is now behind Dwayne Allen on the depth chart. 

 

I think we regret not going after Daniels harder in hindsight, he was a good fit and had chemistry with Joe...now we're in an awkward situation with a depleted FA pool and a weak draft class at TE. Gresham or trade looks like the only options we're left with. The value just isn't there in the draft unless Williams somehow falls to our original 2nd.

I don't really understand why everyone wanted Housler anyway. The Cardinal fans I talked to bashed him for not being able to catch anything, which reminded me of how everyone here talked about Ed Dickson lol. I guess the grass is always greener with the other guy. 

I wonder if his Mensa-level of intelligence translates to the football field when it comes to quickly recognizing opposing formations and anticipating blitz patterns. It takes a lot of intelligence to be a center in this league (Birk was a Harvard grad), and I know Urschel practices at both G and C.

As an opponent, I like that the Steelers gave Roethlisberger 60 mil guaranteed over 5 years. When he inevitably declines due to the myriad of hits he takes and injuries that occur as a result, he will be difficult to cut. 

Definitely not a 3-4 OLB, but a 4-3 WILL is and has always been his ideal position. This isn't the right defense for him, but I have a lot of confidence he would play pretty well on the right team. 

I'm still holding out hope he can play ILB. Age says that Daryl should be slowing down in the coming years, and some of that is already noticeable in his coverage. Brown will hopefully find a niche on obvious passing situations as Daryl ages into a 2-down LB. 

I also agree that Brown should be a candidate for strong safety if he truly can't make it as a LB. We all know how Pees rotates his safeties--there would be some playing time there for Brown. 

Denial: There is no way Kubiak would leave the Ravens. He probably already knew about the Denver job when he made his statement about staying with the Ravens

Anger: &%$! you Kubiak! You said you wanted to build something special! 

Bargaining: It's okay, maybe he'll leave us Dennison. He can continue the system and everything will be okay. 

Depression: Oh no, Kubiak is taking Dennison with him. All hope is lost. Now we'll have to come crawling back to Jim Hostler :cry:

Acceptance: It's alright, we've got Marc Trestman now! He helped set franchise records with the Raiders and Bears. Gary who? 

Remember the Ravens haven't gotten permission to interview Gase yet. Elway COULD screw us again..wouldn't put it past him.

Might want to call 'em us ASAP because they're probably about done with their interview lol.

I'm pretty sure the tweets I read had him interviewing with Jacksonville and Tampa Bay for an OC position. Jacksonville seemed particularly interested. 

Trestman will probably be hired before our postseason is even finished. 

Just goes to show how ridiculously deep that draft really was. Sounds like a nice fit for what we do.

The 2013 draft is actually one of the worst drafts in the last decade; you're probably thinking of this last draft (2014).