2007 Baltimore Ravens Draft Class

[J-man]

Rd Sel# Player [profanity deleted]. School

1 29 Grubbs, Ben G Auburn

3 74 Figurs, Yamon WR Kansas State

3 86 Yanda, Marshall G Iowa

4 134 Barnes, Antwan OLB Florida International

4 137 McClain, Le'Ron FB Alabama

5 174 Smith, Troy QB Ohio State

6 207 Burgess, Prescott OLB Michigan

[theFRANCHISE]

For now, I'd say I'm happy with this draft class. Ozzie got the players that he wanted, and we stuck to our draft strategy, adding depth where necessary.

The only reason we didn't upgrade our secondary like some people assumed we would is because the coaches have enough confidence in Samari Rolle's abilities despite a falsely-perceived drop-off last season.

Besides, we already drafted David Pittman last season, and we have Corey Ivy in front of him as our starting nickelback until Pittman shows he can make plays. Ronnie Prude has already been active this season, making a statement in a couple of games. And both Jamaine Winborne and Evan Oglesby are guys on the practice squad that the coaching staff has some confidence in developing. So, really, we have a wealth of DB's, and there was no sense in crowding our roster with another draft selection at that position.

Le'Ron McClain should provide decent competition for Justin Green, our projected starting FB. Both Antwan Barnes and Prescott Burgess should key in nicely on pass-rushing situations, and they, along with Dan Cody and Gary Stills, provide solid back-ups to Bart Scott and Jarret Johnson. If they learn to play with their hands down, they can also be rotated with Terrell Suggs and Trevor Pryce on each end.

Getting Troy Smith in the 5th round was a great coup by Ozzie & Co., and he should develop into our future starter in a couple of years, under the tutelage of both Steve McNair and Kyle Boller.

Ben Grubbs and Marshall Yanda provide depth on the offensive line and serve simply as an insurance policy. Though we seem to be set with our rotation of Jonathan Ogden, Chris Chester, Mike Flynn, Keydrick Vincent, Jason Brown, and Adam Terry, adding these two guys should give us a bit of versatility and help to open up more holes for our new backfield comprised of Willis McGahee, Musa Smith, Mike Anderson, and P.J. Daniels.

Yamon Figurs only adds depth to our receiving corps, and should be decent competition for B.J. Sams on returns. In theory, Figurs could take some of the special teams load off of Sams by alternating on punt and kick returns, and both men should help in the field position battle greatly.

[berad]

I agree with Franchise, but..

Grubbs may get the starting job if Vincent struggles, or our run-game isn't producing

[MsMarvel73]

I agree, Franchise. I'm pretty impressed as well. Needs were addressed and that is the most important issue here. Looks like we've got players for the future.

[J-man]

5 out of 7 were offense. Thats what we need to address Offense

[MsMarvel73]

Amen, J-Man. Will be a very sad day when JO finally decides to retire.

[theFRANCHISE]

Honestly? I'll probably cry if/when J.O. retires...and that's real...

[shutdownculdeSACK]

Do you really believe that Sams & Figurs will both be on the opening day roster? I don't know that there will be space on the roster, especially if we are going to carry 3 QBs with Troy Smith. Neither Figurs or Sams can do anything on kickoff coverage, they are both too small to actually tackle people. & Figurs really doesn't have any chance of being anything other than the 4th WR behind Mason Clayton & Williams, so I really think it's one or the other.

[berad]

Do you really believe that Sams & Figurs will both be on the opening day roster? I don't know that there will be space on the roster, especially if we are going to carry 3 QBs with Troy Smith. Neither Figurs or Sams can do anything on kickoff coverage, they are both too small to actually tackle people. & Figurs really doesn't have any chance of being anything other than the 4th WR behind Mason Clayton & Williams, so I really think it's one or the other.

Sams might be suspended on opening day

pending Goodells punishment with his 2 DUIs

[theFRANCHISE]

Sams might be suspended on opening day

pending Goodells punishment with his 2 DUIs

OUCH...and field position's definitely gonna be key in that game against the Bengals...case-in-point: last year's Thursday Night fiasco...

[Matt from Etown]

I think judgement day has reached B.J. I'll will be shocked if he makes this roster suspended or not. You don't draft a guy in the 3rd round if you don't expect him to be your return guy all the time.

[theFRANCHISE]

I think judgement day has reached B.J. I'll will be shocked if he makes this roster suspended or not. You don't draft a guy in the 3rd round if you don't expect him to be your return guy all the time.

Well, hold your horses now...we didn't draft Yamon Figurs with the expectation that he'd immediately be our permanent return man...he was simply an insurance policy who has the OPPORTUNITY to be our permanent return man in the future, should B.J. Sams not fully return to form after that broken leg...

I still think Sams has a lot of gas left in the tank since he's a VERY YOUNG player, but we should still reserve judgment pending his recovery...

[Yung Flippa]

I think that it was a good draft

But honestly i woud have loved to have Quentin Moses in the 2nd Round (if we didnt trade out of it)

&

Tanard Jackson in the 3rd

[shutdownculdeSACK]

Check out the Youtube clips of Figurs running back kicks at K-State, then tell me if you think BJ has that much talent, I don't think there's even a comparison in speed

[CARavensFan]

Check out the Youtube clips of Figurs running back kicks at K-State, then tell me if you think BJ has that much talent, I don't think there's even a comparison in speed

I agree that Yamon is definitely fast and the highlights I saw on YouTube were very impressive to watch, but I think a lot of how much a challange he will offer to BJ will depend on if he can translate what he did in college to the NFL. We know what Sams can do and what Yamon could do, but I will still be very interested to see how they both compare, especially if Sams can get back to his original form before his injury.

[theFRANCHISE]

I agree that Yamon is definitely fast and the highlights I saw on YouTube were very impressive to watch, but I think a lot of how much a challange he will offer to BJ will depend on if he can translate what he did in college to the NFL. We know what Sams can do and what Yamon could do, but I will still be very interested to see how they both compare, especially if Sams can get back to his original form before his injury.

Good point...VERY good point, indeed.

Most players say that the transition from collegiate ball to the pro level is hard because of the change in speed. And yes, Yamon Figurs may have been the fastest man at the combine, but that kind of speed won't help him if he can't adjust to the speed of the game in the NFL.