15 replies to this topic

[dhstandard]

I'm starting early this year for the fun of it. I have only been following the draft for a few years and have been fairly accurate about our high round picks. I feel I am starting to get a better feel of the guys we are drafting. Despite all the lessons I have learned, I decided to start super early and draft based purely on need and realistic picks.

1. Jesse Williams- I love Alabama defenders. Jesse Williams is a likely pick at this point. Not the most flashy player, but fills a need and is a late 1st round pick. This guy won't fill the stat sheet but he will fill the NT position. His ability to take on two offensive linemen in the run game frees up space for our linebackers to run free. He doesn't offer much in the pass rush department, but is able to push the center back and give the qb less room to move.

2. Manti T'eo- T'eo's stock has dropped, considerably. He declined to play in the senior bowl, had a poor BCS Championship performance against REAL competition, and will most likely never be able to become a leader of a team after his scandal. However, assuming we are selecting from the last pick in each round (and definitely are drafting from the last four), he is basically a third round pick.

The media is still leaning towards Teo's side which will change over the coming weeks. He has already been reported to have been dropped a full round and more on many team's draft boards since his high rank came largely from intangibles. Regardless of this, he is still a very productive MLB, a position of need for us. He may never become the leader we imagined him when the year began (and he possibly had the chance of falling), but his scandal may be a dream come true in the production department. In my opinion he is still not as bad as the criminals currently in the NFL.

3. Margus Hunt- This is probably my least probable pick but it's early so I will dream. With the combine yet to come this guy will rise tremendously. At this point he is a 3rd round pick until he shows his athleticism. Three defensive picks in the first is a longshot but drafting a NT MLB and DE will greatly help our defense in the coming years.


One thing I want to mention is my failure to draft an OT. With 2 of the top 3 OT prospects returning to school it became it very hard to make this selection. I originally wanted Eric Fisher in the first but he has now jumped to the top 15 due to lack of talent. There are some guys behind him but they were late first round picks at best when the draft had talent in it, and will most likely play at RT in the NFL.

Edited by dhstandard, 17 January 2013 - 11:09 PM.

[BenMir]

2. Manti T'eo- T'eo's stock has dropped, considerably. He declined to play in the senior bowl, had a poor BCS Championship performance against REAL competition, and will most likely never be able to become a leader of a team after his scandal. However, assuming we are selecting from the last pick in each round (and definitely are drafting from the last four), he is basically a third round pick.

The media is still leaning towards Teo's side which will change over the coming weeks. He has already been reported to have been dropped a full round and more on many team's draft boards since his high rank came largely from intangibles. Regardless of this, he is still a very productive MLB, a position of need for us. He may never become the leader we imagined him when the year began (and he possibly had the chance of falling), but his scandal may be a dream come true in the production department. In my opinion he is still not as bad as the criminals currently in the NFL.

Even if he doesn't, do we really need a leader in our defense? Even with Ray, and maybe Ed, gone, we still have Pollard, Sizzle and Ngata and many more.

[Johnwilson]

I like it

[GrimCoconut]

I don't dislike this at all, but I am going to criticize it.

1. Jesse Williams, NT: I think he may be better than Cody but I don't see any pass-rush from him and in the 1st round I expect that from a NT. Perhaps we can develop this aspect, but that leads me to another point I will address with your 3rd round pick.

2. Manti Te'o, MLB: love this pick even if he seems like more of a Jet/Bengal than a Raven right now. I still think he can play and I judge him as a football player first.

3. Margus Hunt, DE: I like the kid's potential but I just don't see the point in taking a DE right now after we took Williams and we have Jones, McPhee & Ngata. I'd personally rather we take someone like Floyd or Short with our 1st round pick and move Ngata to NT.

I would rather we take an OT or OLB. But if Hunt is there that's not a bad pick at all in the 3rd. I think he has a lot of promise. I guess I'm really not fond of you 1st pick. I'd rather we trade out and get another pick or take a FS like Vaccaro.

[dhstandard]

I don't dislike this at all, but I am going to criticize it.

1. Jesse Williams, NT: I think he may be better than Cody but I don't see any pass-rush from him and in the 1st round I expect that from a NT. Perhaps we can develop this aspect, but that leads me to another point I will address with your 3rd round pick.

2. Manti Te'o, MLB: love this pick even if he seems like more of a Jet/Bengal than a Raven right now. I still think he can play and I judge him as a football player first.

3. Margus Hunt, DE: I like the kid's potential but I just don't see the point in taking a DE right now after we took Williams and we have Jones, McPhee & Ngata. I'd personally rather we take someone like Floyd or Short with our 1st round pick and move Ngata to NT.

I would rather we take an OT or OLB. But if Hunt is there that's not a bad pick at all in the 3rd. I think he has a lot of promise. I guess I'm really not fond of you 1st pick. I'd rather we trade out and get another pick or take a FS like Vaccaro.

If a NT can pass rush then he will be in the top 5 or top 10. NT usually get sacks when the quarterback is trying to move in the pocket but moves too far up into the NT. Jesse Williams pushes centers back far that the QB has less room to move and can't step up as easily. It's actually a big part of a pass rush even if he isn't getting off his block and getting a sack.

In the run game he is much better than Cody. Will occupy two blockers and if solo blocked will make a great play on the ball.

For Margus Hunt I think we do need a defensive end. Ngata is Ngata, but Art Jones is inconsistent an McPhee has been injured. Margus Hunt might not break out his rookie year (though he had an incredible bowl game) he has the size and strength to become a force in the run and pass from the defensive end position. Art Jones is hitting his ceiling and we can't solely rely on McPhee to play at a high level. We need depth and talent. Also, I'm not a fan of Ngata at NT. Waste of talent for a guy like him. He would be a great NT but he is an even better defensive end.

Edited by dhstandard, 18 January 2013 - 04:53 PM.

[bMore Heathen]

Another note on Margus Hunt.... 17 blocked kicks in his career!!! Tell me we couldn't use that!!! Once he runs 4.6-4.7 at the combine, he's going to be on everyone's radar, but I would really like to get him!!

[arnie_uk]

Can't see Jesse Williams going round 2. Everyone has him pegged as a second round player and a late one at that

[gabefergy]

I love Hunt, but I doubt he's there in the 3rd. I have him in the 2nd round of my latest mock and I'm somewhat skeptical he lasts that long. Hes gonna blow the Combine up.

Williams is a nice talent, but not really first round IMO. He is completely one dimensional at this point and while he could improve he isnt the type if impact player I would take in the first round.

Te'o in the second I like. He is a talented player despite the off the field nightmare. I honestly have no clue where his stock is going, I've heard anything from no effect to removed from draft boards. All it takes is one team though to look past the drama and realize he is still a heck of a football player.

[Ravens<3]

I would love to get these 3 players. Unfortuantly I see Williams going to Houston, and I don't think Te'o will fall to us in the 2nd. He could/should go anywhere at picks 34-41. He's definitley not getting past the Jets. Probably not even the Raiders. Who knows, I can see the Steelers drafting him in the first. There was talks about them wanting Hightower last year.

What if Tyler Eifert or Zach Ertz fall to us at 32. How would you guys feel drafting a TE in the first? If they're the BPA Ozzie will do it. It's not a need for us but next year it might be. I would love to have a huge matchup problem at TE for Joe to throw too. One that can do it all for us. I doubt we'd be able to resign both Pitta & Dickson next year, hopefully we keep Pitta though, having a good replacement next year with a year under his belt might be huge for us in 2014. I honestly rather draft o-line in the 1st rather then TE but we should follow bpa.

What if Jonathon Banks falls to us? Or Matt Elam? Would you feel comfortable taking either one of them in the 1st?

[BloodRaven]

Jesse is the only guy outside of Lotulelei and Hankins who can lock down the NT position for 10 years and be a true anchor AND flash the quickness and mobility to develop into a pass rusher. His best attribute might be his motor, for a big man he runs non stop and is as hard to run on after a long drive in the 4th as he is on the first snap of the game.

[Dubs]

What if Tyler Eifert or Zach Ertz fall to us at 32. How would you guys feel drafting a TE in the first? If they're the BPA Ozzie will do it. It's not a need for us but next year it might be. I would love to have a huge matchup problem at TE for Joe to throw too. One that can do it all for us. I doubt we'd be able to resign both Pitta & Dickson next year, hopefully we keep Pitta though, having a good replacement next year with a year under his belt might be huge for us in 2014. I honestly rather draft o-line in the 1st rather then TE but we should follow bpa.

What if Jonathon Banks falls to us? Or Matt Elam? Would you feel comfortable taking either one of them in the 1st?

I would take Eifert at our pick, I actually really like the thought of getting another TE. Mainly for the reasons you stated, we will likely only keep Pitta after next season. Having two TEs in an offense I think is really exciting as nearly every formation, if you have the right players, is just as effective as a pass or run. Ertz I would also take, but prefer Eifert. Really depends who is on the board though.

I would also be happy with Jonathon Banks or Elam

[evass#ravensnation]

1st round- Manti te'o if drops to us,if not one of the 2 saftey (elam, vaccaro) or best O-line aviable .
2nd round- Arthur Brown
3rd round- trade up a couple of spots for Mark Hunt,or get Da'rick Rogers
4th round- Sentinel Henderson
5th round- tyrann mathieu

[Bruce_Almty]

Even if he doesn't, do we really need a leader in our defense? Even with Ray, and maybe Ed, gone, we still have Pollard, Sizzle and Ngata and many more.

The reason we have multiple leaders on defense is bc we draft players with leadership qualities. Of course we would want to draft more of the same.

[Bruce_Almty]

Everyone here seems to be leaning toward drafting defense. I'd like to see us draft Alec Ogletree, Kevin Minter, Art Brown, but we need a LT & a C on the o-line and his name is Barrett Jones 1st round. If not available, a kickass WR or TE for Joe would be well worth the investment. He needs more weapons.
imo, Te'o's stock is not dropping due to bff revelations, he was the object of a hoax, not the perpetrator. His stock is simply fluctuating as is the stock of all draftees.

[Mt. Crushmore]

1st round- Manti te'o if drops to us,if not one of the 2 saftey (elam, vaccaro) or best O-line aviable .
2nd round- Arthur Brown
3rd round- trade up a couple of spots for Mark Hunt,or get Da'rick Rogers
4th round- Sentinel Henderson
5th round- tyrann mathieu

Henderson went back to school.

[dhstandard]

I love Hunt, but I doubt he's there in the 3rd. I have him in the 2nd round of my latest mock and I'm somewhat skeptical he lasts that long. Hes gonna blow the Combine up.

Williams is a nice talent, but not really first round IMO. He is completely one dimensional at this point and while he could improve he isnt the type if impact player I would take in the first round.

Te'o in the second I like. He is a talented player despite the off the field nightmare. I honestly have no clue where his stock is going, I've heard anything from no effect to removed from draft boards. All it takes is one team though to look past the drama and realize he is still a heck of a football player.

Jesse Williams may be one dimensional but he already has his part of the game locked down. Like Upshaw, he already is good at run defense so he can spend the rest of his career improving on dominating other factors of the game. Drafting him and a later extension would hopefully give us our more average version of Wilfork for the next decade.