[News] Draft Finally Fell Ravens' Way To Fill Needs

[BR News]

Baltimore added receivers, tight ends, a running back and a pass rusher, which were all top needs.

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[b93333]

Pretty much everybody liked this draft a lot... except Mike Preston.

[reed20fence]

Honestly it shouldn't be a secret why this franchise continues to endure. Look at those behind-the-scene videos and how sharply focused and dialed in everyone looks. It's like Steve and Harbs andOz tell every position coach and scout and strength trainer that April and May is their contribution towards earning a Lombardi. Every second of tape, every phone call, every interview should be approached as if you're on the field in the 4th quarter down 4 in the AFC Championship against New England. Nail your assignment. Do your job. Make the play and we'll all walk out of here champions.

Edited May 4, 2015 by reed20fence

[ellicottraven]

can't wait for these kids to show us how good they are. Awesome draft by the Ravens! Truly awesome!

[757RavensFan]

How do you not mention Davis in this article? He was graded by many as a late 1st round/early 2nd round talent and we got him late in the 3rd. He's ticked off about it as well.  He's going to help fill the void on the Dline after Ngata's departure.

Edited May 4, 2015 by 757RavensFan

[hen826957]

This team is going to be something special. We got so much talent that everybody can't even make the 53 man roster. Please Texans cut Johnathan Joseph so Ozzie can scoop him up. If they do get Joseph than the team is definitely scary.

[Nick04263]

Is Eric stealing Ozzie's water in that pic?

[reed20fence]

How do you not mention Davis in this article? He was graded by many as a late 1st round/early 2nd round talent and we got him late in the 3rd. He's ticked off about it as well.  He's going to help fill the void on the Dline after Ngata's departure.

Well if it ticks him off than it should be the sworn duty of every member of Ravens Nation to tweet him 3 simple words -- #WhoAreYou?

Especially before Steelers games.

[stixfix69]

All our picks were of need, or has a purpose for the next 2-3 years....Oz always has 1 eye on the upcoming season, and 1 eye on the future, and he hit out of the park....And the UDFA are just as impressive, got big Safeties, CB's, OLBer, and large O-Linemen....

[MissRay27]

b93333 Preston doesn't like hardly anything the Ravens do. He is non plus in my opinion, and I truly wish he just leave town and take his opinions with him.

[RavensReck27]

I LOVE having Steve Smith on our team. We might have the youngest receiving corps in the NFL, and Steve Smith is their daddy. He is a huge asset to us because he is going to set the bar for our young receivers. They have a lot to learn from him, and Smith seems like he wants to teach/lead these guys.

[Mystigo_Dragon]

Interestingly, I was "good-to-go" after we picked Maxx Williams!

 

I was feeling like, "Hey, Rashard Perriman and Maxx Williams- GREAT!" and ready to call it a wrap, feeling pretty good! 

 

Then, by the time Oz & Co got down to listing the UFAs we picked, I was breathless - had to grab my inhaler! 

 

Kidding, but still giddy!

Edited May 4, 2015 by Mystigo_Dragon

[bozo]

Jamie dukes did not rate the raven very good in the draft

[SteveUKRavens]

Super stoked about the draft, Also would love a solid back up right tackle so we don't have to move Yanda to tackle if Wagner goes down. Jah Reid is not the answer! Any experienced depth at corner would be a blessing although I'm sure he coaching staff can help Rashaan Melvin and Asa Jackson develop further. If these last two "needs" can be addressed, post June 1 cuts maybe, and this rookie class contributes like we all hope, i think the AFC North title and a deep playoff run (depending on Flacco) will be in store!! Go Ravens!

[ravenwildman]

I think this was an awesome draft! At least on tape and paper anyway. For some reason this years draft seems to have fallen perfectly in line with needs. Let's hope this draft becomes a legendary one, where we go back and look at it in a few years and say... "Wow, look at all the stars in the 2015 draft!". GO RAVENS!

[Popeye the sailor man]

Is Eric stealing Ozzie's water in that pic?

Attn Nick04263, That was funny, I don't think that anyone had notice that but you. Thanks for bring that up.

[ravenmad45]

Ravens taking R2D2 Ozzie and staff does it again

[cobrajet]

I kind of wish we would have traded up to get Marcus Peters because I felt that our secondary was our biggest need. Maybe we can stay healthy this year but I am concerned that we did not draft a CB last year and this year we waited late in the fourth round on the only CB we took. Overall though, I am pretty happy with the draft picks. I love the Za'Darius Smith pick. He may turn out to be one heck of a pass rusher and I can't believe he was still there in the fourth round.

[Crusader]

We all thought that in 2013 but those guys can't get on the field.

[Joey Flac]

I kind of wish we would have traded up to get Marcus Peters because I felt that our secondary was our biggest need. Maybe we can stay healthy this year but I am concerned that we did not draft a CB last year and this year we waited late in the fourth round on the only CB we took. Overall though, I am pretty happy with the draft picks. I love the Za'Darius Smith pick. He may turn out to be one heck of a pass rusher and I can't believe he was still there in the fourth round.

 

that would off been too much to sacrifice for one player. We made the playoffs and almost got to the AFC championship game with a revolving door at corner back and a Ladarius Webb with a bad back. 

 

I'm sure with two healthy corners, Smith and Webb, with the plethora of corners that proved they can chip in when needed, Levine, Melvin, Jackson and Jacobs, I'm sure the Ravens were secure in going heavy on offense. 

 

Could you imagine if we had Jimmy Smith??

 

one position completely blowing up in your face is not enough of a reason to sacrifice a 3rd round pick to move up 15+ spots in the first round. We needed a pass catcher, two pass catchers! we seemed to found those two guys, along with some defensive role players that can carve out starting positions as they develop. 

 

Great draft, but even before the draft I didn't see the Ravens making a BIG move to grab a corner. They figured one would fall to them. 

[hen826957]

@cobrajet exactly what Joey Flac said look if we were to trade up to get Marcus Peters we would've probably won't get two players in Maxx Williams & Perriman because Pittsburgh was ahead of us and I know Ozzie wouldn't trade up to to get Maxx in that position. You would really only get one player instead of two. If we would've gotten Marcus Peters then people will be concerning about the lack of talent on offense. I rather have pieces on offense that make our team even out then just Marcus Peters. On defense we only need one quality corner who can be an insurance in case somebody get hurt and could impact right away hoping Johnatan Joseph gets cut. I think Ozzie should've sign Tramon Williams before he went to Cleveland. Ozzie made a better decision to use this draft on offense because we will see 2013 all over again.

[ellicottraven]

I would love to know more about our defensive selections - Carl Davis, Za'dareus and Tray. It seems like we got a great offensive haul, but I do believe our defensive selections are equally amazing.

[huntrgathrr]

This draft was a really big thing. Does everyone remember how close the Ravens were to going to the Super Bowl last year? Well I do and IMO putting 18 players on IR is what stopped us, particularly Jimmy Smith. He is the heart and soul of our secondary. His presence makes every other player more effective. It was a darn shame. Particularly watching that bunch of cheaters sneak through.

Well it's a new year. After this draft I am going to make a bold (and probably unwise) statement.

This is the biggest, the fastest, the deepest and the most talented team the Ravens have ever put on the field. There is absolutely no point of weakness to be exploited. When the final cuts come other teams will be coming to pick up starters from the players we cut. Especially the Steelers who have little talent and no depth. That beat down in the playoffs was no accident. And it had nothing to do with their RB Bell, who gained less than 100 yards in both games we played them combined! Nobody could run on the Ravens last year and they won't again this year. The difference is that,barring injuries to 10 of our secondary players, no one will throw on us either.

The other BIG difference is that Joe Flacco finally has a #1 receiver to whom he can throw. The presence of Perriman and his "sub 4.3" speed will put every defense on their best behavior. If they put 8 in the box to stop our potent run game, there isn't a corner in the league that can run with Perriman. And Joe has the cannon to cash in that mismatch. Call me crazy but Waller from GT could be the next coming of Anquan Boldin....6'6, 240, and runs a 4.40???? You have to be kidding. The reports on him stated "back shoulder throws were indefensible" and "has the potential to be a TD machine". I watched him when GT almost beat Fla. St. and he was unstoppable. Putting Waller at 6'6", Williams at 6'7", Brown at 6'5", Perriman, and Steve Smith (stats not relevant) on the field at once would be more than any secondary in the NFL could handle...even if they had 3 Richard Shermans. Flacco and Trestman must be overwhelmed, asking "is this for real?", "am I in Baltimore?". These are the kinds of players that gave Trestman his rep. But he NEVER had a QB like Flacco. I can't even imagine the damage they are going to do. The only thing that keeps Flacco from 5,000 yards is a top 10 running game. And we know the RAVENS LOVE BALANCE.

YEA...this is their year alright. Teams will have to play a perfect game to beat them. Flacco has to many weapons not to have the ability to win every time he steps on the field. And the defense might consider winning a personal matter as well.

[stampedehero]

can't wait for these kids to show us how good they are. Awesome draft by the Ravens! Truly awesome!

Odds are an undrafted player we acquired may also make the team.   

[huntrgathrr]

To EllicottCityRaven....Smith has been described as Pernell McPhee 2.0 by Harbaugh. Every time they looked at a clip of Dupree, "Smith was in the frame". Davis was a potential first round pick who stated he was the best defensive tackle in the draft. Reports on Davis included "grows roots against the run" and "has dominant defensive traits, will be a rotational player in Balt". If Davis plays that will be because he beats out Canty, Urban, Tyson, Means and KLM....no easy task. The winners of this competition will be among the best in the NFL. Baltimore's front seven will be one of the tops in the NFL, as they were last year.

[hen826957]

@huntrgathrr I absolutely agree with there really isn't no weakness in this team and about Waller that kid can be something special in the preseason John Harbaugh needs to get Waller on the first team offense we might could develop him to a beast we all know what Steve Smith could do. Let's have Steve Smith some reps and put Waller, Perriman, and Williams most of the first team offense with Joe after all it just preseason so it doesn't matter.

[hen826957]

By having this great draft out of the way, I hope Ozzie focused on getting Marshal Yanda extended so he could be a raven for life. We could get K.O. & Tucker sign next year.

[hen826957]

During the 53 man cuts I hope Cordarrelle Patterson and Johnatan Joseph gets cut so Ozzie could pick him. I would

love to have a playmaker of our kick and punt returnes in Codarralle Patterson and a quality corner in Johnatan Joseph.

[DENNYK]

A great draft that we needed to benefit from in a lot of ways. We did get some great talent this year. Now, the one thing that I would like to see us accomplish is to knock off New England in the Playoffs. Taking the Belecheaters out would be a highlight of the season. Goodell can protect them only so far. A serious beatdown by us would be justice served.

[Fastfingers]

"Fell their way" is what happened last year when C.J. Mosley wasn't picked in the first round top 10. This draft had the Ravens selecting the best player for their team to go after the Lombardi. They replaced Torrey in round 1. The top TE in round 2. Had Shane Ray been on the board would the Ravens have selected him in round 1 or 2... I doubt it.  Anything about the Ravens wanting Ray was smoke. Even what Harb's said may have been. But yes things turned out in our favor. Other teams made BIG mistakes allowing Ozzie to get his needs filled with potential top players. Ozzie possibly has had his best ever draft.