bigcatfrank1

GO for the playoffs and Super Bowl, That means don't try to make every draft pick a starter. Even Dallas with all that they got from the rookies and the beast front line, they did not have the balance to pull it out.

Baltimore is the Ravens, this starts with solid balance, a top 5 defense that creates turnovers, advantaged field position, limits the big play and possession. Traditionally the offense has been a solid running Team, balanced with better than average TE play, WR speed, QB accuracy and good play execution.

So rookies can only make up some of what is missing. They need to develop and learn, most need to grow as NFL players.

Sure if we can get 2 maybe 3 draft choices to play as regulars, at 30% of the plays respectively. Get some good talent at positions that can use depth and strike it lucky in the injury category, we could consider it a great draft.

A couple of good veteran FA after the draft will solidify this team. I expect some RB and WR help,and maybe inexpensive O-line depth.

Its not an easy schedule but..No NE, no Redskins no Dallas and No NY teams. 5 out of 6 losses last year.
So we need to turn the Raiders game into a win, do some damage to the AFC South and NFC North while they are re-building and kick some division butt!

Its doable, need to establish a running game- show an improved secondary- control the clock- and score TD's instead of FG. 4 big weaknesses last year.

The Ravens have an incredible talented sophomore class returning. Its really possibly falling on their shoulders this year.

We have to figure that Suggs, Woodhead, Smith, Pitta, Webb, Yanda and even- the guy who was left completely out of the article -Wallace ( remember #1 yds. rec leader)- might not make it for the complete 16 games. This will inevitably put multiple sophomores into motion.

Sure I think that the team looks pretty good, however we are talking about going up against the best in the NFL if this young team can pull off a playoff run.

So development, player leadership (aka Flacco), coaching, play calling and execution is what will push this team over the top in my opinion. John needs to develop his staff, leaders, the play book and his players; that will be a lot to accomplish with such big squad changes.

Maybe he is up for it, but his will be an entire franchise effort for sure!

  10 hours ago, trevorsteadman said:

To be completely honest I know people say Howard is a generational talent at tight end but I have a hard time believing a tight end goes top 10. Maxx Williams was the best tight end in his draft class and everyone talked about him being a 1st round pick. I know looking back Howard is obviously more gifted and athletic, but I still think he will likely be there at #16. 

I really hope he's gone before we draft. If hes there at 16 then a guy we might have taken is probably gone.

thats probably why il make a case for Howard lol

Maax was the best TE in one of the weakest TE classes. He's a tough matchup for many linebackers and could be a good blocker some day. Howard can outrun most NFL safeties and is a matchup nightmare for anyone trying to cover him. He's just too big and too fast it's not even fair. his ceeling is 1000 yards year in year out as a TE. I love Maax but Howard as a prospect is in another stratosphere.

This is a very interesting situation, because I think you both make very valid points. I cant see how the Ravens could pass on Howard at 16 if he drops to that number. Its kind of saying the same thing about Williams.

Of course Williams being the WR he looks to be the "better" position choice but I wonder about the BPA if the two were both to fall to 15 or 16 and would the Ravens actually end up with the one left on the board?

Of course It might be more realistic that Davis or Ross be remaining at 16, I am not sure either can match Howard at BPA if that were the situation.

I suppose the more relevant situation might be will the Ravens pass completely on WR (TE) if any of Barnett, Foster or Humphrey are sitting there too?

Lawson looks to be a front runner at 47, I think its really going to depend on the pick at 16 and of course where he lines up on the board. So much talent this year in the top 50/100.

The Ravens just need to be on the right side of the health curve and they really should be in a great position to develop some young talent. TIm Williams is another at Edge who may deserve a look at 47. Chris Wormley is spoke of highly as a DE who can get to the QB.

And then there are the CB's Teez Tabor, Tre'Davious White, Awuzie and Jordan Lewis all look solid in the 2nd round.

I see the O line help coming at 74 or 78

This is such an interesting draft for the Ravens, there are many scenarios with multiple combinations to filling needs and young talent. Wow I just cant wait til next weekend and see what the Ravens can do.

Foster would be a good match for the Ravens. His position is almost an absolute start unlike any other on the defense right now.
I could see the Ravens taking him at 16 but not moving up to fill defense.

I could see the Ravens moving up 1-6 positions to get OJ Howard. Yes the dreaded TE syndrome that everyone says no way in henn should the Ravens take a TE. But He is probably the most talented guy the Ravens can afford to move up to get. They cannot move up to get Garrett, Thomas or Fournette.
Though if they could make a deal for Fournette I would love to see it.

I think Howard would be a huge benefit to the receiving core in general. He really is a huge WR. He has the speed and hands of a WR with the height and weight of a TE. Slot, TE, W2, W1 all have his name on them. Especially in his first year. Just send him out there and go! Give him the book and see what he can do. Next year, Pitta is gone, Watson is gone and the Ravens have probably skimmed off one of the young guys. He can settle in at TE and Slot.

lastly It just looks like he is a more talented and versatile receiver than Williams or Davis.

Flacco should be 4-0 vs the Pats in their house. If Lee Evans holds on and if the defense could hold onto either of the 14 point leads.

Aint it the truth!

  5 hours ago, Chuckx999 said:

Free Agency was all defense and we needed all the help we could get. Now it's the offense and we need a TE and Howard from Ala. is it. Trade up and get this guy, cut all our TE benchwarmers. Then go for a LB and/or Edge rusher. There are plenty of other WR's in the later rounds and we know WR's are NOT Ozzie's best choices so why waste another #1 or #2 on someone who will washout or have a year/career ending injury.
Draft for need not the so called best on the board crap.

If the Ravens were to go up to get Howard then why make him just a TE? He has the speed and talent of a WR.
The Ravens have plenty of room for receivers no matter what skill set they may be locked into.

I see Howard a s much a viable candidate as any player on the top board. The keys to a deal are in the "deal".
If Howard can be brought to a draft deat as a Raven, then do it.

Once he is a Raven then make a decision who stays and who goes. Certainly one player does not replace a squad. No rookie is without trial and subject to NFL level of play.

Lastly, the player who makes the team better by his contribution will be the correct pick. Lets hope that is the case for 1-7 for the Ravens.

Now with all that said, I like your idea mixed with mine.
Go up and get Howard if he is worth the deal.

If he is available, get him and I say the Ravens don't do anything. Keep everyone through camp.
Boyle can be a FB option, Gilmore is a blocking TE, Pitta and Howard are your possession TE. Waller is your Slot/ TE/WR
BUT Howard can Flex to Slot/ Wide out. So now you have deception

This is what NE does with Gronk only Howard is even faster than Gronk and he can actually be a WR who lines up as the TE.

Lastly Waller can learn the same plays, this would be a great way to utilize play calling with player option and deception. Getting him more involved.

Williams and Watson will have to earn their way on the team.

Free Agency was all defense and we needed all the help we could get. Now it's the offense and we need a TE and Howard from Ala. is it. Trade up and get this guy, cut all our TE benchwarmers. Then go for a LB and/or Edge rusher. There are plenty of other WR's in the later rounds and we know WR's are NOT Ozzie's best choices so why waste another #1 or #2 on someone who will washout or have a year/career ending injury.
Draft for need not the so called best on the board crap.

If the Ravens were to go up to get Howard then why make him just a TE? He has the speed and talent of a WR.
The Ravens have plenty of room for receivers no matter what skill set they may be locked into.

I see Howard a s much a viable candidate as any player on the top board. The keys to a deal are in the "deal".
If Howard can be brought to a draft deat as a Raven, then do it.

Once he is a Raven then make a decision who stays and who goes. Certainly one player does not replace a squad. No rookie is without trial and subject to NFL level of play.

Lastly, the player who makes the team better by his contribution will be the correct pick. Lets hope that is the case for 1-7 for the Ravens.

what if we took WR davis/williams in the first and took RB mccaffery/mack in the second efelin/banner and tabor/wilson/jones in the first 3 rounds i would be very happy

I like it!

Though I do no think Latimore will fall to the Ravens, he doesnt seem to be the right match up for the Ravens.
I think the Ravens find thier CB in the later rounds.

Barnett in a heartbeat! Of course the Ravens are aware of this guy and certainly have him on their big board.

I say this with great hesitation,
Here is the thing about picking a LB/DE with the first pick at 16, more than likely this year the Ravens are probably strong in this position. Sure pass rush seemed weak last year however with an improved secondary a team sacks, most probably, will increase on average.

This leaves the Ravens with 47, 74, 78, 90 to make up ground at CB, WR and OL and C. Not to mention a weakened running game for at least 4 games.

If Suggs replacement is looming, I'm not sure that I would sacrifice a shot at improving the immediate needs in order to seal a playoff run.

I absolutely would take Barnett if he was available at 16 along with lower board players, but not pick him over other options of top 10 draftees if they in turn are available.

This years draft and sophomore class is really going to come down to player development at the NFL level. We can only ask that the players who make the team will contribute to a high level.

I like Corey Davis at 16 if he is there, big if.
So lets just say he is then I see The Ravens possibly going...
16- Corey Davis WR
47- Carl Lawson OLB (Option -Cam Robinson OL)
74- Pat Elflein C ( Option -Chris Wormley EDGE)
78- Teez Tabor CB ( Desmond King CB)

No on McKinley - Foster is a much better pick at LB however I just dont see the Ravens going LB unless all others on the board are gone.

I hope we are not putting our hope on 7 rookies who never played an NFL game. I agree we need 3-4 immediate starters, but the whole draft class should not be needed to contribute right away.

well lets look at it within the 70 players the Ravens have right now ( room for 20 more to start camp) showing my grade -

D line- Pierce- Williams- Urban - Davis, Henry, Kaufusi = B+
LB - Suggs- McClellan- Mosely- Judon - Za D, Beyer, Onwaser,KC= B
Safety- Weddle, Jefferson, Webb, Levine - A-
CB- Smith, Young, Carr, Canady ( 22) C+


O line- Stanley- Yanda- Hurst - Lewis - Nembot, /Jensen, DeOndre, Urschel, Skura, Puhgsley - B-
TE- Pitta, Gilmore, Waller / Watson, Boyle, Williams- A
WR- Wallace- Perriman- Moore - Campinaro / Mathews, Mayle, Renolds- B-
RB- Woodhead, West, Dixon,/ Tallifero, Allen, Houston C+
QB - Flacco- Mallet
(31)

So if I were looking at the overall squad grades and holes-
I would say Needs in this order =
1. Corner and Running back ( no starter needed )
2. WR and O line ( starting Center, b/u RT, WR no starter needed)
3. LB and Rush ( Starting ILB) Improve rush)

thats my take on the team where it stands right now.
2 vets and 4 really good rookies would take care of it-
My biggest fear is Running Back- what if Woodhead goes down.

Lets see, Boldin - Mangold - or Sherman ? I'd take Sherman!

I would settle for Sherman and a Rookie class added to the current Ravens bench considering where they are right now.

There is not much match to a shut down secondary, Its hard to presume that the Ravens could work out a deal that makes everyone happy and still keep some flexibility with the roster. There are a few low level back-ups that, if let go, might scrape together a couple of mil in savings.

But if they can manage a great draft, it could change the entire spectrum of the secondary without even adding Sherman.

Get him to come down in price and make a sweet deal with the Minti-Greenhawks. Why not try, what do they have to loose?

Lets see, Boldin - Mangold - or Sherman ? I'd take Sherman!

Heck, I'd give up a 2018 first rounder and then some for him. If we added him to our team right now without giving up any picks this year, the 1rst rounder that we would give up next year would be pick 32 imo. Maybe pick 30 at the very worst

Not bad food for thought, get him to re-structure for a 3 year contract, get him to sign for 20 mil ( 6,7,8) fill it with bonuses, defer the cap, and give them #1 in 2018 and maybe a 4th or 5th this year- plus throw in Keenan Renolds.

Keenan could run option for them and even sub at the QB position for Wilson. He most probably will never make the Ravens starting squad.
Why not get something for him.

Call Oz...I think your on to something. We need to make deals to get to the Super Bowl this year! We can deal then leave everyone in place and repeat in 2018. Then off load him in the 3rd year.

It appears that the Ravens could trade back and get Cam, Ram or Bolles. If they miss out on the WR's, LB and Edge that they are serious about.
OZ might or they might get offers if a team really wants a player.

Makes you wonder what they could get if they were to trade back? Maybe another second, probably not. But possibly a 3rd and /or more.

So if the Ravens could manage lets say Cam R and pick up yet another pick inside of 90, that could set up quite a bit of possibilities. Still having 47, 74, 78 and lets say 90. Five picks inside of 90 could be big, real big.

Or they could make the deal take Cam and then trade up for a 2nd round player that they want inside of 47, they would have some bargaining power. Now that might be something to watch. Cam then any two of- Lawson, Lamp, Pocic, McCaffrey, White, in the second
and come back with
any two of- D King, Ju Ju Smith, Worley, Godwin, R Johnson.

So many options so many good possibilities, just have to have a little luck and and hope the ones they can get will play lights out!

I really hope to see Wallace and Perriman each get close or over 1000 rec yards this year! Both are special receivers and have the skills.

Between Moore, Camp, a vet, and decent draft another 1000 is a fairly low expectation.

Then add Pitta and corp of TE, with a total expectation of 1000 is again low.

Lastly 3 very good receiving RB in Woodhead, Dixon and West. I just do not see receiving yards to be the issue. ( 4000 pass yds for the team)

Touch downs, First downs Running game and clock control are so much a bigger issues for the Ravens.

I think Woodhead and Watson could help greatly (if Watson stays) in crossing the Goal line average
It might be Wallace and Perriman who could make the biggest impact in the TD category.

Boldin does have a decent TD record. Draftee Mike Williams in college. those 2 added to this roster would be pretty nice because both seem to find the end zone often.

All being said I would like to see an increased running game, So I will not be surprised to see the Ravens pick up a veteran back for at least the first 4 games and see what happens with West and Woodhead. Before getting Dixon back.

This is the problem I have with the Ravens overall plan. Why are you signing 6 mediocre WR and specialists, and talking about drafting a WR? You cannot do both. Every one of these seemingly small contracts is eating away at available cap space to sign others. If you want to give Campanaro a go, fine. But move on and draft a CB or end rather than waste the pick or the contract of the veteran. No need to have 5 TE's and 10 WR's on your roster. I truly think they have no clue.

I'm not sure I quite understand what you are pointing out here.

Wallace clearly is not mediocre

Perriman while didn't have his break out year last year, he was a rookie. So what he did show was he could play at NFL speed and level. I wouldn't call him mediocre either.

Moore is an exceptional athlete, he could surprise many people this year, unproven is a better word than mediocre.

So until signing Campinaro that was it, now Campi is not being put on this team to be a starting WR, he is a Kick Returner, WR, SpTeams
so that is not mediocre, a multi-position player with NFL SpT experience is much more than mediocre.

If your point is about Boldin, not way is he mediocre. He is a seasoned Veteran who would be brought here for special purpose. He would not be a starter but could play a high number of games if called upon.

That still only makes 5 receivers, it is obvious the Ravens are looking at at least one, maybe 2 WR in the draft. They may use the #16 on a WR they are so serious about it. Either way they will carry at least 6 maybe 7 wide receivers considering that Waller is both a TE and WR.

If you happen to read my post, I believe that Boldin could be very good for Waller to learn the slot receiver position from one of the best to ever play it!

If you want to clarify a little more great, I think you may have been saying don't carry 5 TE, though if they do not go FB Boyle and Gilmore will be blocking TE's and Waller can be a slot WR. That would allow them to carry 7 WR, 5TE, 3RB (until Dixon returns) 8 OL and Joe which makes 24 on the offense. Most likely they will go 6 WR and 9 OL. But FB is not a guarantee.

Webb and Boldin are Ravens, I think if the deal is right they both come back. They both would load the roster with veteran talent, leadership and sportsmanship playing like Ravens.
I don't think either one of them affect the draft at all for the Ravens. CB and WR are positions that I expect the Ravens to draft within the top 5 picks. At the rate they are going they could pick more than one of either position before its over.

On the note about Boldin, I think he could help Waller and Perriman. Both in different ways. Waller in learning the Slot receiver position from one of the best. Perriman from a receiver who has been through a lot in his career as a WR, he is a true expert type of receiver who shows toughness, unselfishness and works for yards after the catch. I should add Moore to the discussion as well.

kind of expected this, Camp is affordable and possibly of value since he can be used for Kick Return and a deep WR option. As everyone has pointed out, healthy is the word.
I really would like to see Waller in the Slot more.
A solid vet and a decent Draftee will round out this WR corp with
Wallace, Perriman, Moore, a Vet, a Rookie and Campi (Waller could fill a 7 spot if they choose to keep 4 TE and 3 RB , using Boyle in a FB role

Hows this trade back look-
1- OT 24ish take Cam Robinson/ Ramczyk pick up a *2nd ,3rd or plus
2- Edge 47 Carl Lawson second round
3- Center- 74 ( Elflein or Pocic )
3- WR - 78 ( juju smith or Samuel)
3- *CB - ? trade up ( Tankersley, Teez Tabor -extra 3rd round pick )
4- CB - (Sidney Jones)
5- LB- 5th round
5- * extra 5th round ( trade)
6- deep pick LB/DL
7- deep pick S/CB/KR

yeap thats right get the best players available at the right positions at the lowest possible picks. Tackle- Edge /Rush -CB - Center- WR and CB

Oz get us Robinson, Lawson, Elflein, JuJu Smith, Tankersley and add Sidney Jones for next year..

Trade back #16-
1- OT 24ish take Cam Robinson pick up a *3rd and *5th
2- Edge 47 Carl Lawson second round
3- Center- 74 ( Elflein or Pocic )
3- WR - 78 ( juju smith or Samuel)
3- *CB - ? (Tankersley or Teez Tabor (Sidney Jones) -extra 3rd round pick
4- CB - 4th round- to trade back up using 3 & 4or 5 to get the CB
5- LB- 5th round
5- OL * extra 5th round
6- deep pick LB/DL
7- deep pick S/CB/KR