Rookie predictions for the Ravens 2014 class

[RobFuseRaven]

No way. Rice is the starter and he will tear it up this year. And our offense will be too dynamic for him to get those yards sharing carries with Rice.

The team didn't draft Talliaferro to replace Rice, he was drafted to compliment Rice and replace Pierce if Pierce doesn't step up.

 

Whatever their intentions may be, they will put the best players on the field. I remember last year when people were asking whether Rice or Pierce would get more carries, Harbaugh said something like, whoever is better. If Rice and/or Pierce struggle and Lorenzo has the hot hand, he would be hard to ignore. Not to mention we don't know if and how long Rice's suspension will be.

[flynismo]

The team didn't draft Talliaferro to replace Rice, he was drafted to compliment Rice and replace Pierce if Pierce doesn't step up.

Maybe for this upcoming season, but I have no question that either he or Pierce will be our starter next year.

In fact, maybe even as soon as this year. I have serious doubts about whether Rice is still a top shelf RB.

[acranfor]

Rookie Predictions as Follows:

 

CJ Mosley - Day 1 starter at WILL LB next to Daryl Smith. I am not going to put statistic guesses, but I think he outplays Smith and cements himself as the MIKE LB for future years.

 

Timmy Jernigan - Rotational Player at DT and jumbo packages at DE. Sees percentage of snaps/game increase steadily as the season goes on as he outplays Canty, Williams, Cody, Tyson - everyone besides KLM (more on this later) and Ngata.

 

Terrance Brooks - Day 1 starter at FS, but I think Elam and Brooks do not necessarily put themselves into only SS and FS roles. This is the position I am most excited about, as I think Elam and Brooks have the potential to be so deadly with their versatility and speed. It has been a long time since we have had two safeties who can cover, whether in zone or man. There will be some growing pains, but I think there will be some flashes of excellence.

 

Crockett Gilmore - I think he is the 3rd TE on the depth chart, but sees more time on the field (snap percentage) than Daniels. May not put up the receiving numbers that Pitta or even Daniels may put up, but becomes very useful in the screen game. His ability to block will allow him to sneak out as a receiver more so than Pitta and Daniels. Look for not a huge yardage season but maybe a good amount of receptions and TDs for a rookie - more than Daniels is my guess and kind of bold.

 

Brent Urban - Boom or bust guy. Not much playing time this year other than special teams. He could be the next Macadoo (sp?). Guy with huge physical upside. A little raw. I hope he pans out as opposed to Macadoo.

 

Lorenzo Tailaferro - This depends on what happens to Ray Rice. If Ray gets no suspension, Lorenzo will see little time on the field besides special teams. I do not see him contributing this year unless there is a significant suspension, which I do not see likely.

 

John Urschel - Becomes a solid 2 on the depth chart at G/C, beating out AQ and Gino. No major contribution.

 

Keith Wenning - Beats out TT as the backup QB. Nothing more than that.

 

Mike Companaro - Makes the team and is often not active for games unless proven that his ST play is good. Has the potential to be a good slot option in years to come as he is different from most of our other receivers on the roster.

 

James Hurst - Only UDFA to make the roster. And my bold prediction is he starts at RT, beating out Wagner and a possible vet.

 

Kapron Lewis-Moore - Another semi bold prediction; works his way into the rotation at DE. Starts as 3rd behind Canty and Tyson, but QUICKLY becomes a starter. (BTW saying he is a rookie after sitting out last year).

 

So with all this said, I see the lineups as follows by end of season

 

Offense:

RB1 - Ray Rice

RB2 - Pierce

QB - Flacco

WR1 - T Smith

WR2 - S Smith

TE1 - Pitta

TE2 - Crockett

RT - Hurst

RG - Yanda

C - Zuttah

LG - KO

LT - Monroe

 

w/ M. Brown, J. Jones and Daniels getting significant (>40% of snaps) playing time. That is 2 rookies having any impact on offense.

 

Defense:

S1 - Brooks

S2 - Elam

CB1 - J Smith

CB2 - L Webb

RUSH - Suggs

WILL - Mosley

MIKE - D Smith

SAM - Upshaw

DE - KLM

NT - Ngata / Williams

DT - Ngata / Jernigan

 

w/ C Brown, A Brown, C Canty, Elvis, D Tyson, P McPhee getting significant time in rotation. That is 3-4 Rookies getting time on D. 

[jimjim5]

Maybe for this upcoming season, but I have no question that either he or Pierce will be our starter next year.

In fact, maybe even as soon as this year. I have serious doubts about whether Rice is still a top shelf RB.

 

We will agree to disagree here. Rice is difference maker compared to Talafferio. Rice will rebound. You lose agility and slow down when you gain weight. Rice has worked back to being Rice. Talafferio may start a game, but Rice will be the feature back, like the McGahee/Rice relationship. Pierce may beat out Talafferio for all we know. Cierre Wood may get more carries for all we know.

[sflegend89]

 

 

James Hurst - Only UDFA to make the roster. And my bold prediction is he starts at RT, beating out Wagner and a possible vet.

 

 

I'm really starting to see Hurst as our starting RT. The more research I've done on him the more I feel like he's yet another brilliant UDFA pick up to add to the Ravens resumé. Hurst likely would've been a mid round pick if he didn't break his fibula his senior season. Insane value when you compare him to the OT's people wanted us to pick in the 2nd round like Morgan Moses. It's like we drafted a mid round OT without giving up a pick, value, value, value as an UDFA.

 

This year the Ravens theme seemed to be taking advantage of apparent false flags that kept other teams away from very talented players who dropped below where their talent projects. Mosley (Injury history), Jernigan (Diluted Test), Brent Urban (injured senior season/No combine), Taliaferro (Small School), Campanaro (undersized), Hurst (injured senior season)

[ravensdan]

We will agree to disagree here. Rice is difference maker compared to Talafferio. Rice will rebound. You lose agility and slow down when you gain weight. Rice has worked back to being Rice. Talafferio may start a game, but Rice will be the feature back, like the McGahee/Rice relationship. Pierce may beat out Talafferio for all we know. Cierre Wood may get more carries for all we know.

I would like to see the running backs on the team used much differently this year tbh. I would love to see rice catch between 65-80 balls. Limited carries and divide the bulk of the actual carries like pierce-50%, rice-15%, tallifero-35%

[AP562]

I would like to see the running backs on the team used much differently this year tbh. I would love to see rice catch between 65-80 balls. Limited carries and divide the bulk of the actual carries like pierce-50%, rice-15%, tallifero-35%

ray rice is our feature back he will get the most touches. I also agree with you on rice catching 65+ footballs. Rice will be a pro bowler this year

[flynismo]

We will agree to disagree here. Rice is difference maker compared to Talafferio. Rice will rebound. You lose agility and slow down when you gain weight. Rice has worked back to being Rice. Talafferio may start a game, but Rice will be the feature back, like the McGahee/Rice relationship. Pierce may beat out Talafferio for all we know. Cierre Wood may get more carries for all we know.

Well, my thing with Rice is that he was never a great pure runner to begin with. Granted, the OL destroyed the entire offense last year, but Rice also was just terrible, and the OL exposed Rice's inability to make plays on his own. Heck, prior to last year, it was easy for me to know when to bench Rice in my FF leagues -- anytime we faced a good run defense, he would completely disappear.

[jimjim5]

Well, my thing with Rice is that he was never a great pure runner to begin with. Granted, the OL destroyed the entire offense last year, but Rice also was just terrible, and the OL exposed Rice's inability to make plays on his own. Heck, prior to last year, it was easy for me to know when to bench Rice in my FF leagues -- anytime we faced a good run defense, he would completely disappear.

 

Bottom-line is, you need an o-line to make a hole to run through, the Ravens o-line has been terrible since the Ravens attempted to focus on being pass happy Cam + Caldwell = disaster. Add Rice trying to become Mini-Incredible Hulk, then getting fat, now you have a catastrophe of a run game 2x. How can a slow RB (Rice) beat any defensive player through a closed hole (never open hole) in the offensive line?

 

You will eat your words by the middle of the season.

[Poes Crows]

People are severely underrating CJ Mosley on this forum. He was picked 17th overall for a reason. He is being compared to Lavante David and some even say he has a little Luke Kuechly in him.

 

Not even remotely

[Denny UK]

Brelam?

That just needs a small tweak...

B-Lam!

Backfield patrolled by the Blam Brothers!

 

[Purple Punishment]

The Chain Gang will move a lot for Taliafero....oh, not the one at the games.

The one on the road lol

[Ravenseconbeast]

CJ = year1 pro bowler

Timmy = rotational DT

Brooks = ST & #2 FS

Crockett = ST & younger billy bajema

Brent = in 53 roster

Lorenzo = #4 RB behind Justin

Urshel = barely makes 53 roster

Keith = #3 QB

Mike camp = no ST, actually tops crocket in productivity.

Hurst = back up #2 LT

I think folks have to realize drafted player rarely contribute as much as some of you predict they would.

CJ will be the only exception to truly stand out in this years draft class. I feel like he will play smart and his production will come early at alot of unexpected places (pass deflected, sack, rackling WR/TE, fumble). I could see Mike Camp & Maybe one of UDFA CB to possibly make noticeable production, but other than that, majority of snaps will eventually be given to vets & FAs & year#2s.