Jaybirds

a year to learn behind sss some would say is a good thing. And say Perriman tweaks his knee in week 2 and were back in the same position as last year not having a contingency plan and needing a 38 year old sss to shoulder the load.

I guess I'm just not used to paying the backup more than the starter (possibly a million more).  And I'm definitely not used to this team investing so heavily in a WR.  If anything, I thought we were intentionally doing the Seattle/Patriots thing of intentionally NOT overpaying for a WR.  I agree we need depth at WR (re:  injured Perriman again), and Ozzie did say we were going to get some.  But #6 is more than just a backup player in my mind.  Maybe I need to adjust that?

I did try to list six guys I'd take before Treadwell, based on playing time opportunities.  Upshaw is a free agent, but I don't know if there's a pass-rush OLB in the top six?  Mack, maybe Smith?   I'm assuming we're not ready to give up on Jernigan just yet, so I'm not sure how much a DE would actually play for us.  If I'm being too conservative at either of those spots, then I'd rather have Ramsey, Hargreave, Stanley, Tunsil, and then either Buckner/Bosa, or Mack/Smith before Treadwell.  That could be six guys.  So even if a QB isn't taken before us, we'd still get a slam-dunk talent with more playing time before Treadwell.  But I'm not sure I really understand pass rushers in our defense. 

Treadwell may be the closest thing to a slam dunk that will still be available at 6. We'll see how it pans out..but all of the blue chip slam dunks will most likely be gone. I think after the combine anybody who had concerns about taking tread at 6 will no longer be worried about it.

I'll still be concerned after the combine.  It's not about his talent, but what we do with him next year.  With this much money we're in a weird spot where the guy should be contributing this year as well as in the future.  But with Steve Smith and Perriman coming back, and Maxx Williams as another returning receiver threat, I just don't think there's going to be the snaps every will need to develop.  Admittedly, I don't think SSS is going to play 16 games next year.  But I really think other positions are a better fit for us.  (corner and nickel, possibly OL, pass rusher but I'm confused about where they'd line up for us.)

Daniel Jeremiah released his first top 50. I always like his stuff and he's a former Ravens scout. A few interesting notes:

 

- Bosa is no. 4 overall

- Stanley is 15

- Carson Wentz is his top QB, 7 overall

- DB rankings go Ramsey (2), VH3 (11), Apple (14), Alexander (19)

- Kyler Fackrell (OLB out of Utah State) is 28. He's an underrated guy I liked, but didn't think expect him to be this high.

 

 

He also came out with a mock and had us taking Ramsey.

He's got Mack, Smith, and Apple going higher than I usually see them listed.  Do we think he's right on these three?  Looks like they all could be in play for us at 6. 

Interested to see how highly Ozzie/Eric will value Stanley as a prospect. There are some that see Stanley as a high level prospect and because of the position he plays he brings superior value to us if he can play up to his physical potential. On the flip side I could see how Ozzie/Eric don't think he's anywhere close to Tunsil and their board instead indicates taking the BPA that falls to us like a Ramsey or Hargreaves.

 

Treadwell also seems like a high upside pick and I would have no problem with us going all in on landing a potential #1 WR even if it will cost us a very high pick. While Treadwell might not be a slam dunk like AJ Green or Calvin Johnson coming out he does still have the potential to a top WR. The hands and catch radius Treadwell possesses is high level, grab him at #6 and then him and Perriman can get a year learning behind Steve Smith. Sets us up going into the future and we will have 2 high end WR's on rookie contracts, opens up more money to spend elsewhere.

Sorry, but I'm going to beat this particular dead horse.  This year, our entire Wide Receiver corps cost a bit over $8.7 million combined.  Based on Kevin White's 7th pick salary last year, our #6 would cost us about $4.1 or $4.5 million annually. 

Drafting this early is not going to save us money at any position, but especially not a wide receiver.     At that money, we have to be looking for a slam dunk. 

Link?

 

lol

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Ravens-Take-On-5-Positions-Of-Need/c2b24095-06ee-4cca-9532-3d725bef51ff

When Newsome was asked to project what position he’ll take with his first-round pick, Owner Steve Bisciotti stepped in, pointing to pass rusher, safety, left tackle or cornerback.

“Thanks, Steve,” Newsome said with a laugh.

This stood out to me because the QUESTION was so different.  When Ozzie gave his quote about needing 1 or 2 wide receivers, it was in response to a reporter asking specifically about wide receivers.  This question didn't mention any specific position, and Bisciotti lists 4..... all of which are at the top of most projected big boards right now.   I think that was why Ozzie laughed:  Bisciotti was just starting at the top of the list and reading off the first six spots. 

I don't see Buckner as a premier pass rusher, personally.  I see him as a guy that is going to be best against the run.  I think he's one that will push the pocket and get to the QB on occasion, but I just don't see a double digit sack

It seems like A'Shawn Robinson disrupts the pocket at least as much as Buckner, if not more.  If we're going to try to convert a guy into what we need, like Buckner, then I think Robinson is worth a look as well. 

This is a great point because we are investing both serious cap cash & draft position into whoever we take. That said, Ozzie won't pass on a player for salary alone, but he will expect immediate dividends. 

Well, it looks like there's a few positions that could naturally fall to us where $4.5 million isn't such a crazy number.  It looks like that figure is what we should expect for #6.  But it's not outrageous for a starting cornerback, safety, or left tackle.  Dumerville and Suggs were both around $5million this year, so OLB could be the budget-y pick for pass rusher...... Unless we cut Canty???

1.  I think Steve Bisciotti gave away the top of our Big Board in the press conference:  he said our top pick would be a pass rusher, safety, left tackle, or cornerback.  I think he meant Bosa, Ramsey, Tunsil, Stanley, Hargreaves, and either Smith or Buckner.  I think we have all those guys above Treadwell. 

2.  I don't think we want to take a Wide Receivers this high.  I think it's a team strategy not to pay a lot for WRs.  We'd have to pay a #6 pick overall more than Steve Smith Sr. next year.  I don't think we'll do that at WR. 

3.  I think Tunsil/Stanley present as much opportunity to trade back as Goff/Paxton. 

4.  I think the offensive players we're most likely to take in the first are Tunsil, Stanley.... and Ezekiel Elliott.  I think Trestman wants Elliott, and I think we already have playmakers on offense coming back next year:  SSS, Perriman, and Mad Maxx.  Depending on KO, the backfield could be our biggest need on offense. 

5.  I think we re-sign Wright and stand pat in the secondary.  Maybe we add depth at CB in the 2nd or 3rd.  But not the first. 

6.  I think we take a pass rusher in the first, even if we do trade back.  Jernigan needed help in the pass rush, Suggs and Dumerville are in their twilight and/or present health risks.  And I think Bisciotti has a bias in this direction. 

This may be a bad idea for a first post, but here it goes: 

I'm not much of a football guy.  I am much of a numbers guy.  And the number really jumping out at me right now is Kevin White's $4.1million salary after being taken 7th overall last year.  (a WR going 7th compared to our pick at 6 seems like a decent comparison). 

Steve Smith made around $3.5 million last year.
Perriman:  $2.17 million-ish
Aiken:  $585,000 (for 900 yards?  quite the bargain)

So if we're talking about taking a WR at sixth overall, for that money it seems like he has to be a starter right away, Day 1, from OTAs on.   He has to be a guy that could force Steve Smith to the bench this year.  $4.1 million is a lot for our #3 or 4 guy. 

I don't think Treadwell is that guy.  I'm not even sure there is a guy we'd value at $4.1 million, but based on how our team is built (from a cap point of view) it's not likely to be a WR.  Not even Treadwell. 

I understand Perriman can't be considered a starter for certain; he hasn't played a game yet.  But our coaches and FO have seen a lot more of him than any WR in the draft.  He's less of a variable at this point.