Welcome to Baltimore: Za'Darius Smith, Javorius Allen and Tray Walker

[Mt. Crushmore]

Welcome to Baltimore 4th round picks!

 

OLB Za'Darius Smith:

 

 

 

 

RB Javorius "Buck" Allen:

 

 

 

CB Tray Walker:

 

[rmw10]

Big fan of Buck Allen, so I'm really excited to see him this year.  He was comparable to Charles Sims and my affinity for him last year.

[beasy2487]

I think we got Walker to really specialize in covering TEs. He has ideal traits for the assignment.

[GrimCoconut]

I'm excited for all three. I'm a little disappointed in Walker that early but maybe he's better than I thought. Going to trust the team until otherwise.

[ravensnick]

Not saying he's gonna be the same player, but Tray Walker reminds me a lot of Richard Sherman coming out. Same height (6'3") and speed (4.5). Some ball skills as well. 

Edited May 2, 2015 by ravensnick

[The Raven]

Love these picks.

 

For Za'Darius, I like him more as a DE, and I'm not sure if he has the athleticism for OLB. He lacks burst and agility. Good power, but not too quick. Kinda reminds me of Upshaw.

 

No complaints on Buck Allen.

 

The corner is tall and physical, but I'm concerned with his top end speed. Still, about as good as you can get in the fourth.

[Mt. Crushmore]

Big fan of Buck Allen, so I'm really excited to see him this year.  He was comparable to Charles Sims and my affinity for him last year.

 

our affinity 

[ravensnick]

our affinity 

Seconded

[The Raven]

Not saying he's gonna be the same player, but Tray Walker reminds me a lot of Richard Sherman coming out. Same height (6'3") and speed (4.5). Some ball skills as well. 

 

Was thinking the Same thing. From what I remember, people had the same concerns about Sherman.

[ravensnick]

Love these picks.

 

For Za'Darius, I like him more as a DE, and I'm not sure if he has the athleticism for OLB. He lacks burst and agility. Good power, but not too quick. Kinda reminds me of Upshaw.

 

No complaints on Buck Allen.

 

The corner is tall and physical, but I'm concerned with his top end speed. Still, about as good as you can get in the fourth.

Yeah, I thought before the draft that he reminded me of Upshaw with better pass rushing skills.

Edited May 2, 2015 by ravensnick

[NebraskaRavensFan44]

Will have high expectations on Tray Walker, since he was taken so high compared to where he was projected.

[ravensnick]

Will have high expectations on Tray Walker, since he was taken so high compared to where he was projected.

Reportedly was a late riser. I don't expect him to necessarily start of the bat, but I think he has huge potential.  

[sflegend89]

Za'Darius Smith really isn't that far off from Bud Dupree froma production stand point, Smith had 6 sacks in 2013 and Dupree's big season last year he had 7.5 sacks. I think Dupree is more fast twitch and better at speed rushing and getting sacks but Smith is better at collapsing the pocket and using his size and strength to control the line of scrimmage.

 

Dupree is definitely the better prospect and projects as a 34 OLB but we got good value on Smith in the 4th. The scheme fit is a bit concerning, I'm assuming he will be a 34 DE, but the kid plays like a Raven, should be a solid contributor in the rotation.

Edited May 2, 2015 by sflegend89

[CalvinSmoke]

I actually expect Smith to learn a ton from Suggs and fill that void when Suggs hangs them up. He has the bull rush, edge setting combo that Suggs has been doing so well as of late. (Not saying he will be a potential HoF, just that he can be a starter for us)

[ravensnick]

Za'Darius Smith really isn't that far off from Bud Dupree froma production stand point, Smith had 6 sacks in 2013 and Dupree's big season last year he had 7.5 sacks. I think Dupree is more fast twitch and better at speed rushing and getting sacks but Smith is better at collapsing the pocket and using his size and strength to control the line of scrimmage.

 

Dupree is definitely the better prospect and projects as a 34 OLB but we got good value on Smith in the 4th. The scheme fit is a bit concerning, I'm assuming he will be a 34 DE, but the kid plays like a Raven, should be a solid contributor in the rotation.

i'd look to see him used like McPhee. Used as an inside and an outside rusher at different times. 

[beasy2487]

i'd look to see him used like McPhee. Used as an inside and an outside rusher at different times. 

 

Harbs even said he actually has more pass rush ability than McPhee did coming out. Understands hand placement like McPhee but also has more fluid hips for second and third efforts. I think that's what held McPhee back (on top of injuries) in his first couple years. He had an amazing first step for a DE/OLB but if he didn't beat you off the snap he had trouble working through/around guys. He could be a McPhee clone by year 2 and a Suggs replacement in 3-4.

[Bmore#410]

Za'Darius Smith really isn't that far off from Bud Dupree froma production stand point, Smith had 6 sacks in 2013 and Dupree's big season last year he had 7.5 sacks. I think Dupree is more fast twitch and better at speed rushing and getting sacks but Smith is better at collapsing the pocket and using his size and strength to control the line of scrimmage.

 

Dupree is definitely the better prospect and projects as a 34 OLB but we got good value on Smith in the 4th. The scheme fit is a bit concerning, I'm assuming he will be a 34 DE, but the kid plays like a Raven, should be a solid contributor in the rotation.

I think he will be used as a pernell mcphee after he gets more athletic he has fight in him. I see him playing in sub packages and pass rushing situations to swallow up a few blockers do the dirty work for suggs an doom. We drafted urban last year and year defore that KPLM has yet to play a snap for us. I like the RB out of use I watched him a lot because i live in CA. The DB is raw but jimmy will mentor him both have similar size. But overall we have had a great draft. I just wished we got quetin rollins and maybe that De/OLB from towson as a undrafted fa and that corner from oregon.

[52liveforever]

So after watching some tape on Buck Allen there's a certain HOF running back he reminded me of. Watch the first video and then the second and tell me what you think.
 

https://youtu.be/sp4z48CtCfU

Edited May 3, 2015 by 52liveforever
Video removed for profanity

[JoeyFlex5]

regardless of what ZD provides for us, i think he will provide. he will easily find himself a role, he is just too solid of a football player and he plays like a raven, dude is big and tough as nails, powerful, good reach, violent player, solid technique all around, he just doesnt have stellar athleticism, i think hes a starter for us down the road. 

 

i am ecstatic with the buck allen pick, i liked him before, but for some reason didnt think we would draft him, and now that we did i like him even more. he is everything we want in a 3 down back, he runs our system well, has excellent vision and anticipation, good burst and 1 cut ability, and an intriguing blend of power and elusiveness that kinda reminds me of yeldon, he can break most arm tackles and he can shake you out of your jock all in the same snap, to add to it he is one of the best backs in terms of 3rd down ability, he is one of the best pass protecting backs in the class, he actually may be the 2nd best in that regard after gurley, and also is a good receiver, probably 4th after gurley yeldon and ajayi. this guy is totally pro ready and i think a future 1000 yard rusher, i feel MUCH better about him than i felt about LT and pierce.

[Orange_Peanut]

I looked up a picture of Tray Walker on Google and this is what I got. Hopefully this changes.He's got potential.

[GrimCoconut]

I looked up a picture of Tray Walker on Google and this is what I got. Hopefully this changes.He's got potential.

Lmao that's what he'll do to receivers after he presses them.

[Edgar]

Za'darius smith when asked on 1090 who it was he modeled his game after responded, "Pernell McPhee"

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

Watching Javorius Allen behind this O-line could be fun.Hopefully our line can continue to open up some of the holes they opened up last year and Forsett can teach him to have patience.I didn't watch him in college but from the highlight video I just saw Allen is a PROBLEM in open space.If we can manage to work some screens and dump offs into our offense I could see him averaging ten yards a pop.I can't wait to see him 1 on 1 vs an NFL DB in open space.

Edited May 3, 2015 by HomeoftheBRAVENS

[PolishRifle]

Buck Allen is a pick Trestman is going to love. Matt Forte had 74 receptions in 2013 and 102! receptions in 2014. Trestman loves himself a receiving RB and Buck fits that mold really well. Joe's completion percentage will be really high next season.

 

I'm a bit iffy on the Tray Walker pick. He will need time to develop and if, god forbid, Webby and Jimmy get hurt (again), he probably won't be able to help us. Great potential, just won't be able to contribute early.

 

The Za'darius Smith is solid. I think people underrate him, because he played with Dupree.

Edited May 3, 2015 by PolishRifle

[Inqui]

Buck Allen is a pick Trestman is going to love. Matt Forte had 74 receptions in 2013 and 102! receptions in 2014. Trestman loves himself a receiving RB and Buck fits that mold really well. Joe's completion percentage will be really high next season.

 

I'm a bit iffy on the Tray Walker pick. He will need time to develop and if, god forbid, Webby and Jimmy get hurt (again), he probably won't be able to help us. Great potential, just won't be able to contribute early.

 

The Za'darius Smith is solid. I think people underrate him, because he played with Dupree.

For me it's not so much hating the Walker pick so much as that I'd rather we double-dipped at CB to take a more polished prospect (like a Charles Gaines) to complement him than double-dip at TE or WR.

 

It sounds like Walker could be anywhere between Richard Sherman and Chykie Brown. It feels really unlike Ozzie to take so many boom or bust guys in one class, but time will tell on how it pans out.

 

Allen wasn't my favourite RB, but I still really like the pick. He's one of about 10 RBs I would have been really happy with. Probably not a bad look-in for fantasy as well.

[allblackraven]

I'm a bit iffy on the Tray Walker pick. He will need time to develop and if, god forbid, Webby and Jimmy get hurt (again), he probably won't be able to help us. Great potential, just won't be able to contribute early.

After we missed on corner in first couple rounds, we were not likely to find a guy that will immediately contribute later in the draft. Walker is all upside pick but seems to have a lot of talent paired with speed and size.

 

We're most likely signing a vet later on.

[CalvinSmoke]

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/futures/2015/futures-kentucky-edge-men-bud-dupree-and-zadarius-smith

Really neat write up on Za'darius

[Ravensfan23]

Za'darius smith when asked on 1090 who it was he modeled his game after responded, "Pernell McPhee"

Considering he said that during his pre-draft visit all the Ravens talked to him about was how they wanted someone to replace Mcphee and how they showed videos on how they used Mcphee, i'd say that a Ravens influenced answer. I wonder if that would have been his answer had he never visited the Ravens pre-draft.

I think it'll be east for him to fit into that role because it's a role that basically asks him to just win 1on1 in pass rush instead of being a complete player right now. Just another added piece to a strong front 7 group. This is probably a wasted pick for another team but the Ravens always seem to have a plan for guys like this before they target them in he draft and usually is works out.

[Maryland]

I wasn't really impressed with his burst off the line. He has pass rush moves, but I think he's more of a Sam LB like Upshaw than a dynamic pass-rusher like McPhee, not that becoming another Upshaw is a bad thing. 

[ant2ney]

I wasn't really impressed with his burst off the line. He has pass rush moves, but I think he's more of a Sam LB like Upshaw than a dynamic pass-rusher like McPhee, not that becoming another Upshaw is a bad thing.

https://youtu.be/sBwbIYkBiQ8

Just watched the above, which is every snap from both Smith and Bud Dupree from from Kentucky v Mississippi State.

It also struck me how he isn't very explosive off the snap....however there are a few occasions when he is 1 on 1 vs the left tackle and he tears him a new one ......although i have no idea if the Mississippi LT is actually supposed to be any good.....