most surprising draft pick in ravens history?

[cursona pirate]

We traded with the Denver Broncos so they got Tim Tebow. Does this count?

[dhstandard]

Mentioned already but terrence Cody... Seemed like a complete homer pick and still does

 

Cody was a pretty solid prospect from what I recall.  His only major knocks was work ethic which also included questions about endurance.  Unfortunately you hear about those issues so often that you tend to ignore them. Turned out to be correct.  

 

Also, what ever happened to Cody being our top defensive player in the pre-season.  That never panned out. 

[flynismo]

Cody was a pretty solid prospect from what I recall. His only major knocks was work ethic which also included questions about endurance. Unfortunately you hear about those issues so often that you tend to ignore them. Turned out to be correct.

Also, what ever happened to Cody being our top defensive player in the pre-season. That never panned out.

Cody's major knocks were conditioning, work ethic, relying on size rather than physical strength at the POA, and not having the ability to be anything more than a two down DT, since he brought nothing to the table (other than a fork) as a pass rusher.

Truly a mind boggling selection so high in the draft. It would have been fine if he were a 4th a 5th round pick...

[rmw10]

Cody's major knocks were conditioning, work ethic, relying on size rather than physical strength at the POA, and not having the ability to be anything more than a two down DT, since he brought nothing to the table (other than a fork) as a pass rusher.

Truly a mind boggling selection so high in the draft. It would have been fine if he were a 4th a 5th round pick...

 

Remember that he was also touted as a 1st rounder and tons of people had him mocked to us in the 1st.  Even though he's been a complete bust, be glad that the mocks didn't come true.

[berad]

Not huge into lead-up of the draft, I garner the most from mock drafts / discussions and googling the names I see on them.

 

That said, I was surprised in 2010 we doubled up on TEs in back to back rounds.

[flynismo]

Remember that he was also touted as a 1st rounder and tons of people had him mocked to us in the 1st. Even though he's been a complete bust, be glad that the mocks didn't come true.

funny enough, it would have actually worked to our benefit had we taken him over Kindle with our first pick.

Kindle would likely have gone soon after we take Cody in that scenario (it was amazing he dropped as far as he did), so that means since Kindle is off the board with the next pick, we get a different player....so instead of drafting two busts, we would have ended up with Cody and some other guy.

Then again, I would not be here to enjoy that scenario, if we would have taken Cody with our first pick, I woulda probably jumped off a cliff

[Tenacious Faulker]

If I say Joe Flacco I have to say Kyle Boller too.

 

Boller was a disaster and we stuck by him way too long.  But his pick made me do a double take like no other to that time and perhaps since.  He had a cannon, but no touch and essentially had one good year in college.  The most successful QBs were Carson Palmer and Tony Romo who was himself undrafted. 

 

Flacco made me do a double take too mainly because of the history with Boller.  Ozzie traded back up 7 places in the 1st to ensure he landed him too which I know made 99% (myself included) of the Ravens faithful groan.  Not too many had heard of him and I didn't follow the draft as closely in '08 like I did since.  It was probably the '08 draft that made me look at the draft as close as I do now.  Where as their homework failed in 2003 it paid off in 2008.

 

I was surprised by CJ Mosely too since all the top safeties were still on the board and Daryl Smith sign a long term deal with Arthur Brown drafted in the 2nd last year.I'm not as surproised as their QB picks because I knew they had Mosely high, I just didn't know it was that high.

 

 

[ravensdan]

If I say Joe Flacco I have to say Kyle Boller too.

Boller was a disaster and we stuck by him way too long. But his pick made me do a double take like no other to that time and perhaps since. He had a cannon, but no touch and essentially had one good year in college. The most successful QBs were Carson Palmer and Tony Romo who was himself undrafted.

Flacco made me do a double take too mainly because of the history with Boller. Ozzie traded back up 7 places in the 1st to ensure he landed him too which I know made 99% (myself included) of the Ravens faithful groan. Not too many had heard of him and I didn't follow the draft as closely in '08 like I did since. It was probably the '08 draft that made me look at the draft as close as I do now. Where as their homework failed in 2003 it paid off in 2008.

I was surprised by CJ Mosely too since all the top safeties were still on the board and Daryl Smith sign a long term deal with Arthur Brown drafted in the 2nd last year.I'm not as surproised as their QB picks because I knew they had Mosely high, I just didn't know it was that high.

I believe the reason it is so difficult for all teams not just the rabens to find a franchise qb is because, more than any other position success is based on football iq. The mental aspect of the game. And the college game is getting simpler and simpler while the nfl game gets more and more complex. There is also position scarcity. There are only about 15 pro caliber franchise QBs in the league at a time. And none of their backups can really be considered franchise QBs. We haven't had one if those develop since Aaron Rodgers. And even when you have all of the mental aspect of the game you need. Ie... A john kitna or chad Pennington you then have to be able to combine that with superior physical talents.

[Cville-Raven]

Joe Flacco for me. More recently I know the Timmy Jernigan pick surprised a lot of people. 

[ravensnick]

Not suprising but we took Tandon Doss over Richard Sherman among others.

[PolishRifle]

The only response I have about that one is that Billick ALWAYS loved Boller.  He was his boy... and ultimately cost Billick his job.  He also liked Grbac. I put that on Brian Billick.

 

Wasn't Cam speaking out in support for drafting Flacco in the 2008 draft? I'm not sure, if I remember that correctly, but I heard that somewhere. After Ryan was gone the "next best QBs" (atleast according to draft "experts") were Chad Henne and Brian Brohm. In the end we can only speculate. What we do know is, that it's the GM, who makes the call. Ozzie's finger was on the trigger and he missed alot. Thank god for Flacco.

 

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000d5d8286f0f3/article/how-to-draft-a-qb-part-4-the-kyle-boller-experience 

[HoldingCall]

Not judged as a best or worst picks but most surprised.

 

2013: CJ Mosley, Though he is a good pick, I admit CJ wasn't on my radar at all as a choice  

 

2012: Aaron Mellette: I had no idea who he was. Good choice!

 

2011: Gino Gradkowski: Surprised by how high he was chosen. I still think the round picked was a little high.

 

I can't say about  previous years because I didn't follow the draft only the games during season. Too busy!

[Purple Punishment]

That one still hurts. I was in love with Nicks, I thought he was the next Anquan Boldin. Couple that with the fact I hated Oher as a prospect and thought he was a bust unless he moved to OG, and yeah...still mad

Kenny Britt was still on the board too. I remember when Goddel said The Baltimore Ravens pick. I said Hakeen Nicks hoping we would say it together. Then it wasn't sounding right when we were talking together, then I saw this other person WHO WAS NOT Hakeem Nicks, And my heart instantly broke.

[jimjim5]

That one still hurts. I was in love with Nicks, I thought he was the next Anquan Boldin. Couple that with the fact I hated Oher as a prospect and thought he was a bust unless he moved to OG, and yeah...still mad

 

The Ravens did go to several AFCCG and a Super Bowl (should be two) with the Oher pick ya know. Oher was tossed around like the rag doll in B-more But he was the consumate pro; never complaining, just doing what was asked of him.

 

I still think Oher was a good pick.

[jimjim5]

The trade up for Boller was a shocker to me... And disappointing. Thanks Brian....

 

This one puzzles me EVERY time. The Boller pick, period..... shocked me. There was no refinement in his game.

[flynismo]

The Ravens did go to several AFCCG and a Super Bowl (should be two) with the Oher pick ya know. Oher was tossed around like the rag doll in B-more But he was the consumate pro; never complaining, just doing what was asked of him.

I still think Oher was a good pick.

If Oher had worked out, it would have been a great pick...you will never, ever hear me complain if the FO says they are targeting an OL in the 1st. So in that sense, sure, it wasn't a bad idea.

But we won despite Oher making backup LBs look like Lawrence Taylor

[flynismo]

Kenny Britt was still on the board too. I remember when Goddel said The Baltimore Ravens pick. I said Hakeen Nicks hoping we would say it together. Then it wasn't sounding right when we were talking together, then I saw this other person WHO WAS NOT Hakeem Nicks, And my heart instantly broke.

haha, I do the same thing with every draft pick...it's a glorious feeling on those occasions where you hear Goodell echo your words.

Unless your words were 'Michael Oher'

[Fang]

Trading the 1st round 2004 pick to go up and grab Kyle Boller in 2003. Even in 2003 that seemed like such an "un-Ozzie" type move to me. It's move that set the team back years and wasted a great D.

[Fang]

The Ravens did go to several AFCCG and a Super Bowl (should be two) with the Oher pick ya know. Oher was tossed around like the rag doll in B-more But he was the consumate pro; never complaining, just doing what was asked of him.

 

I still think Oher was a good pick.

 

I agree completely. Oher is not a Pro-Bowl player. But he anchored the left and right tackle positions for a team that went to two Championship Games and won a Super Bowl. The line he played on in the Super Bowl in 2012 was solid. It's a good draft pick when that player starts for you in the Super Bowl, plays well and contributes to the win.

[flynismo]

I agree completely. Oher is not a Pro-Bowl player. But he anchored the left and right tackle positions for a team that went to two Championship Games and won a Super Bowl. The line he played on in the Super Bowl in 2012 was solid. It's a good draft pick when that player starts for you in the Super Bowl, plays well and contributes to the win.

It's a good pick when you look back on the player, and no questions asked would have made that same pick all over again....I get the feeling that we would have done things a bit differently if we could do a redraft

[AsianRice]

I think Torrey Smith in 2nd round was something I never thought we would pick him up.  I thought we picked up another Mark Clayton...

[Alexir]

For me it was Flacco. I went to Towson and he sucked in the game versus us but they still won (sounds Flacco-esque JK!!!!). Heard the name and I was like Noooooo. But he's been one of our better QB options and the best longtime QB we've had so it was a good pick. Still remember being confused and angry lol

[Willbacker]

I think Torrey Smith in 2nd round was something I never thought we would pick him up.  I thought we picked up another Mark Clayton...

I was thinking Darius Heyward-Bey.

[jimjim5]

If Oher had worked out, it would have been a great pick...you will never, ever hear me complain if the FO says they are targeting an OL in the 1st. So in that sense, sure, it wasn't a bad idea.

But we won despite Oher making backup LBs look like Lawrence Taylor

 

I dont recall poor right tackle play in Oher in the SB, nor anything that sticks out during that SB year. Also, as I recall, Oher was the best lineman during the first half of last year's terrible Juan Castillo led line.

 

I think you are confusing Oher's play on the right side with his play on the left. Oher, did have adjustment issues on the left side. But who wouldn't if asked to move around and change footwork at every quarter pole of the season?

 

Oher had offensive snap anticipation issues, but he was a very capable RT. Everyone we pick can't be All-Pro.

[AsianRice]

I was thinking Darius Heyward-Bey.

He is really a bust for a high 1st round pick but I was only comparing within our team history......

[jimjim5]

He is really a bust for a high 1st round pick but I was only comparing within our team history......

 

Not to get off topic, but what Oakland did to him by drafting him in the first round (not to mention so early) was a bit unfair to him as a player. He needed time to develop without beng under a microscope.

[flynismo]

I dont recall poor right tackle play in Oher in the SB, nor anything that sticks out during that SB year. Also, as I recall, Oher was the best lineman during the first half of last year's terrible Juan Castillo led line.

I think you are confusing Oher's play on the right side with his play on the left. Oher, did have adjustment issues on the left side. But who wouldn't if asked to move around and change footwork at every quarter pole of the season?

Oher had offensive snap anticipation issues, but he was a very capable RT. Everyone we pick can't be All-Pro.

You must have a terrible memory, or you have done what I did and decided to refuse that the 2013 season ever happened lol....

Oher actually played pretty well in the SB, given the defense we were facing. But I can assure you that if you need a refresher, you won't have to look very hard at all to find reminders over the past two years why we let him walk and take our chances with Ricky Wagner.

[PurpleCityLights]

The only response I have about that one is that Billick ALWAYS loved Boller. He was his boy... and ultimately cost Billick his job. He also liked Grbac. I put that on Brian Billick.

True!!!

[PurpleCityLights]

The Ravens did go to several AFCCG and a Super Bowl (should be two) with the Oher pick ya know. Oher was tossed around like the rag doll in B-more But he was the consumate pro; never complaining, just doing what was asked of him.

I still think Oher was a good pick.

Who's this guy Oher you speak of???? I dont recall him ever playing for us.......

[jimjim5]

You must have a terrible memory, or you have done what I did and decided to refuse that the 2013 season ever happened lol....

Oher actually played pretty well in the SB, given the defense we were facing. But I can assure you that if you need a refresher, you won't have to look very hard at all to find reminders over the past two years why we let him walk and take our chances with Ricky Wagner.

 

Go back and watch games from the first quarter to half of the season. Oher was better than KO, McKinnie, Yanda, Shipley, Gradkowski. KO, McKinnie. They  (K.O., Yanda, Shipley, Gradkowski) were terrible. The only player to hold his own during that time was Oher, regardless of the various reasons the other players sucked to high heaven.