31 replies to this topic

[montanaRaven]

This my first mock draft ever. However, I’ve been perusing mocks on this site and others for many years. This is a super interesting draft so I will try my hand. Living way out here in Montana, there isn’t a lot of super-passionate NFL fans. (A lot of Bronco “fans” *puke*) So I really enjoy the conversations that take place on these forums, even though I rarely partake. Anyway, that’s the story, here’s my mock. If I feel the need, I’ll post another one pre-draft, but I feel pretty comfortable with these picks.

1st Round: John Cyprien, S, Florida International
This is my dude, the guy I really want, a guy we need, and I think he will be here when we pick at the end of the first. I don’t see us trading back this year, since we probably won’t want to sign a billion rookies with our cap issues this year. I’ve watched a considerable amount of film of the early-round safeties this year, and I’d rank this guy barely below Vaccaro, (another guy I’m really high on, but he won’t fall to us). This guy plays the run very similar to Pollard, but has considerably more range on the back end (not Ed Reed caliber, but who does?)

2nd Round: Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State
We really haven’t had a speedy slot guy since Joe has been here. He delivers the long ball well, but we need a shifty guy out of slot besides Ray Rice, and we really don’t have another receiver on our roster with Wheaton’s skill set. A few years back when we were going after Kevin Walter, I believe Ozzie was trying to grab this kind of guy. Wheaton is kind of a poor man’s Tavon Austin and I believe that He and Wheaton will have similar rookie seasons. With a little luck, I think he’ll will be here in the second for us, and give us a truly elite offense for the first time.

3rd Round: Brennan Williams, OT, North Carolina
I have no idea what we will do about the LT situation this year. Or for that matter, what we will do next year when Oher’s contract is up after next season. I think Brennan Williams is a guy that can come in next year and be a solid right tackle, if not win the LT job from Oher/whoever we get to play LT. I don’t think Mckinnie will be back. Even if we want him back, I don’t think we have enough money.This guy has the size and athleticism to be a solid LT, he just needs some coaching, and I think Baltimore is the place to do it with Castillo/Moeller teaming up to scheme O-line.

*TRADE*
We trade our 5th, 6th, and 7th to move up to the middle of the 4th Round and Select: Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin.
According to me, we will dominate the draft in the 4th round. Despite a lot of overreaction, our team doesn’t have huge, glaring holes right now, and these guys have a ton of promise and could pay dividends with a little development. Wagner looks like a pretty athletic tackle that just needs some coaching and lifting to develop into the best LT on our team. He shouldn’t need to start right away either, especially if we draft Brennan Williams in the 3rd like I have above.

4th Round: Jon Bostic, ILB, Florida
I’ve watched quite a bit of film on the ILBs in this class as well. John Bostic isn’t a guy that really jumps out on tape, but he plays really solid assignment football and doesn’t necessarily get beat in the ground game. He won’t be in the backfield very much, but he also won’t be taken out of plays by opposing linemen, or caught out of position on a screen pass. I think his skills will mesh really well with Ellerbe if Bostic can win the starting job from Mclain. If not, He will be an excellent addition to the linebacker rotation and special teams. He had a really good combine as well, could be a dominant special teams guy.

4th Round (comp): Kwame Geathers, NT, Georgia
We will try again, to fix our run defense with a big-[profanity deleted] nose tackle. It will be interesting to see what our coaching staff thinks of Terrence Cody moving forward. He will be an excellent addition to our D-Line rotation even if he doesn’t win the starting job. A year with an NFL training staff will only improve his game as well. This is a pick for the future, that could also improve us right now.

6th Round (comp): Lonnie Pryor, FB, Florida State
It saddens me, but I see us releasing Leach as a cap casualty. This guy can come in and contribute on special teams, and try to at least be serviceable in place of the Rhinoceros that is Vonta Leach. He brings running and receiving skills to the backfield, so I think he is our best/cheapest option to replacing Leach.

This is my first ever mock, so please be gentle, but let me know what you guys think! I always enjoy talking Ravens with people who are as passionate about them as I am.

[flaccopoe]

Leach isn't going anywhere, is he?

[flaccopoe]

And I doubt BAL will draft a WR in the 2nd. They have far more pressing needs at tackle and ILB.

[gabefergy]

Really thoughtful draft. I like everything but double dipping at OT even though it could certainly be possible. Oher is on the last year of his deal so he could be gone after this season. I think Williams has more chance at becoming a LT though. Wagner is athletic but lacks the feet to play LT imo.

I love Cyprien and Wheaton. Two of my favorite prospects and very realistic options. I would be happy with Bostic and Geathers too. The only thing you are missing IMO is a pass-rusher. I think I would rather have a guy like Cornelius Washington or Quinterus Smith than Wagner. Im not sure we would need to use a pick on a FB either, although I do agree Leach could be a cap casualty.

Overall though, excellent mock. I would love to come away with these players.

[flaccopoe]

Really thoughtful draft. I like everything but double dipping at OT even though it could certainly be possible. Oher is on the last year of his deal so he could be gone after this season. I think Williams has more chance at becoming a LT though. Wagner is athletic but lacks the feet to play LT imo.

I love Cyprien and Wheaton. Two of my favorite prospects and very realistic options. I would be happy with Bostic and Geathers too. The only thing you are missing IMO is a pass-rusher. I think I would rather have a guy like Cornelius Washington or Quinterus Smith than Wagner. Im not sure we would need to use a pick on a FB either, although I do agree Leach could be a cap casualty.

Overall though, excellent mock. I would love to come away with these players.

You think BAL should draft a WR in the 2nd?!

[gabefergy]

You think BAL should draft a WR in the 2nd?!

Absolutely. We need a WR opposite of Torrey and Wheaton would be great value at the end of the 2nd. Boldin has 1 year left and there is no guarantee he will be on the roster this year either.

[montanaRaven]

And I doubt BAL will draft a WR in the 2nd. They have far more pressing needs at tackle and ILB.

I'm not going to pretend to know how Ozzie Newsome's draft-mind works, and I definitely agree with you in that LB and T are positions of greater need, but when looking at the players that I think will be available at the bottom of the second, there were no ILB or T that offered more value than Wheaton. Ozzie rarely drafts for need, and I don't think he would hesitate to draft a WR in the 2nd if they were the best player on his board. Especially if they offered considerable value.

[montanaRaven]

Really thoughtful draft. I like everything but double dipping at OT even though it could certainly be possible. Oher is on the last year of his deal so he could be gone after this season. I think Williams has more chance at becoming a LT though. Wagner is athletic but lacks the feet to play LT imo.

I love Cyprien and Wheaton. Two of my favorite prospects and very realistic options. I would be happy with Bostic and Geathers too. The only thing you are missing IMO is a pass-rusher. I think I would rather have a guy like Cornelius Washington or Quinterus Smith than Wagner. Im not sure we would need to use a pick on a FB either, although I do agree Leach could be a cap casualty.

Overall though, excellent mock. I would love to come away with these players.

Thanks man, to be honest, it would not surprise or disappoint me if we took a shot at a couple pass rushers in this draft. The reason I didn't draft any here pretty much boils down to my own blind faith in Courtney Upshaw. I felt like he started to come into his own toward the end of the season, and with Kruger likely leaving this offseason, he'll have a whole offseason as the incumbent starter. I like his attitude toward work and I think he'll have a similar season to Terrell Suggs next year. Thanks for reading my mock!

[codizzle]

Excellent mock.. Well thought out and definitely a "believable mock".. Love the early WR pick and I see us doing that if the right player is available

[GrimCoconut]

1. I like the Cyprien pick. He's a really talented safety. I have him currently listed as my 5th safety on my board.

2. I like Wheaton and feel he's a very nice WR, though there are WRs I like better I wouldn't be mad with this pick. I'd like Robert Woods if available or even Studman Bailey, who may be had in the 3rd--may.

3. I have some mixed feelings here, but I know what you're doing. Two OTs makes sense when you consider that this is Oher's final year of his deal (currently not extended), and Reid hasn't performed up to what we expected. There are other OT prospects I like better than Brennan, but this wouldn't be the worst pick.

4. I like Wagner but I just doubt he has the feet for LT. He looks like a RT. That may not be bad. See above.

5. I like Bostic. Started watching Florida games just to see him play. He kinda reminds me of Bobby Wagner. He doesn't make splash plays but he looks consistent.

6. I like Geathers.

7. Not a bad pick if we are forced to move on from Leach.

[BBoogieMan]

Great mock!! I think the middle of the "D" from NT to ILB to S are the priorities. Add a LT and pass rusher to that also. I wonder what Adrian Hamilton can give us. Cyprien seems like Ravens' material. We may be able to get him trading back to early 2nd rd. We got gashed in the run game last yr...so un-Raven like! Maybe Geathers' big body can plug the hole. But, we also got crushed over the middle. We need a ILB who can cover ground...so a 2nd pick WR, Wheaton's a great prospect compared to Antonio Brown who was a 6th rd pick. Ultimately, who we lose in free agency will dictate alot.

[bMore Heathen]

Not a fan of Cyprien, from what I've seen, he's a SS only. Great tackler, saw very little in the coverage department. Not an immediate starter IMO. We need a player that can play center field, we already have Pollard.
Not a fan of Vaccaro either. He went to the Ed Reed school of tackling. Not interested whatsoever in making a tackle. He should be embarrassed in what he put on film. He's got good to great ball skills, but we don't need another liability in the secondary, we won't have a shot at him anyway.

The only S I saw that I liked and would use a 1st round pick on was Eric Reid. Willing tackler, good ball skills. Looks like a complete player. Depending on how the first round falls, and our Reed situation, I would take Reid in the first.

Edited by bMore Heathen, 28 February 2013 - 08:08 AM.

[pitchblack_20]

Instead of Markus Wheaton I would rather Justin Hunter or Da'rick Rogers. I also wouldn't mind Tavon Austin in the first.

[BloodRaven]

Well, it's refreshing not to see the same names again.

[Trevelyan]

I can see the ravens going with a MLB or NT first and then going into the other positions. I can also see Ozzie taking a chance and moving back for more picks. If we can replace an additional spot between rnds 2-4, I could definately see the ravens doing it. to get a MLB, NT, ROLB, and slot corner would be awesome at this point and time. From there, we can get a guy like justin hunter

Instead of Markus Wheaton I would rather Justin Hunter or Da'rick Rogers. I also wouldn't mind Tavon Austin in the first.

I agree, one of those two or potentially move tommy streeter up from practice squad since he has the same size and speed but ya know, a tommy streeter and justin hunter in the redzone sounds great as well.

[CapoRocky]

Okay, let's just say we stay in the first round and pick. I see us taking a DE/OLB/ILB/NT in the first 2 rounds before we take a safety. We will address the need but in the 3rd or 4th rounds. We really need to improve our pass rush and run stopping ability to remain competitive this year. Flacco heated up in the playoffs and carried us to the Super Bowl victory despite giving up many points on defense. There were times when we couldn't stop the run last season. I don't think wide receiver is a need but Ozzie could jump at someone like Keenan Allen or Tavon Austin if either miraculously fell to us. If we do go offense in the first two rounds, then I'd much rather that they address the gaping hole at LT. I could even see us taking a TE in the later rounds to help with blocking and special teams. Overall, I get excited every time the draft comes along, but it's still pretty far off right now.

Edited by CapoRocky, 28 February 2013 - 10:30 AM.

[izvoodoo]

we need to draft right up front.

[gabefergy]

Instead of Markus Wheaton I would rather Justin Hunter or Da'rick Rogers. I also wouldn't mind Tavon Austin in the first.

Wheaton is a much better receiving prospect than either of them.

[montanaRaven]

Not a fan of Cyprien, from what I've seen, he's a SS only. Great tackler, saw very little in the coverage department. Not an immediate starter IMO. We need a player that can play center field, we already have Pollard.
Not a fan of Vaccaro either. He went to the Ed Reed school of tackling. Not interested whatsoever in making a tackle. He should be embarrassed in what he put on film. He's got good to great ball skills, but we don't need another liability in the secondary, we won't have a shot at him anyway.

The only S I saw that I liked and would use a 1st round pick on was Eric Reid. Willing tackler, good ball skills. Looks like a complete player. Depending on how the first round falls, and our Reed situation, I would take Reid in the first.

I may have watched some different games than you, but I was pretty impressed with Cyprien's coverage skills, especially after hearing so much of the "just a run-stuffer talk" I will admit right now, that he's not an Ed Reed coverage guy. But honestly, I think the way the game is going, Teams need a free safety who can match up and cover these freak tight ends one-on-one in man. I was really impressed with Cyprien's ability to do just that. On film he repeated defended slants and out routes, and when he does allow a complete pass, the dude just hits hard. He's got a long, rangy body with control, so its difficult to thread passes over him. That's just one, ordinary guy's opinion on him.

[gabefergy]

I may have watched some different games than you, but I was pretty impressed with Cyprien's coverage skills, especially after hearing so much of the "just a run-stuffer talk" I will admit right now, that he's not an Ed Reed coverage guy. But honestly, I think the way the game is going, Teams need a free safety who can match up and cover these freak tight ends one-on-one in man. I was really impressed with Cyprien's ability to do just that. On film he repeated defended slants and out routes, and when he does allow a complete pass, the dude just hits hard. He's got a long, rangy body with control, so its difficult to thread passes over him. That's just one, ordinary guy's opinion on him.

I'm in complete agreement with you here.