Too Early Mock Draft

[RaineV1]

With all the draft talk I figured I'd try doing an early mock. Since it's so early and it's hard to pin down exactly what the needs will be I'll try to give two potential options for for the first few picks, an option A and an option B.

 

Round 1:
Option A: Robert Nkemdiche, DE, Ole Miss

 

Probably the best football player in this draft, and the player with the best chance of becoming a once in a generation kind of guy. He would go a long way in fixing the Ravens' pass rush by having a guy that can give interior pressure. It's also a safe option since the Ravens are very good at developing linemen, and Nkemdiche reaching his full potential under coach Brooks would be terrifying to opponents.

 

Option B: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

 

Strong, athletic, and smart, just an all around amazing OT with no apparent weakness. A true franchise LT.

 

Round 2:
Option A: Dan Voltz, C, Wisconsin

 

The best center in the draft. Has a very high football IQ, good size/strength combination, and is surprisingly quick, thus able to get to and block linebackers. He can be something the Ravens haven't really had before, a franchise center.

 

Option B: Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia

 

A poor man's Suggs. He does everything well, but doesn't really dominate at any one thing. He's also surprisingly strong for his size, able to stop the play at the point of attack. He'd be a very good long term successor for Suggs.

 

Round 3:

Option A: Deon Bush, FS, Miami

 

It's hard to pin down when Bush will go off the board, could be from the late 2nd to early 4th. To put it simply, he's an enforcer that shows some good instincts in coverage. For an NFL comparison, I'd say his playstyle is similar to the old Eagles' safety, Brian Dawkins. Besides his physicality, he's known for being able to create fumbles, something the Ravens' defense could really use.

 

Option B: C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame

 

A powerful runningback who is also pretty good as a receiver out of the backfield.

 

Round 4:

Bralon Addison, WR, Oregon

 

Not a particularly big receiver, but very quick. His playstyle is similar to Brandin Cooks. He can stretch the field vertically, and turn short passes into huge gains. I think he's a midround receiver capable of becoming the steal of the draft. He's also a good punt returner.

 

Round 6:

Antonio Morrison, ILB, Florida

 

An undersized linebacker that plays with good intensity. Could be a pretty good special teams' player.

 

Round 7:

Kevin Byard, SS, Middle Tennessee

 

Because you can never have enough safeties, and he has shown above average instincts for the position.

Edited November 6, 2015 by RaineV1

[Jamal]

I haven't really watched much of Robert but I've heard some say he isn't a great pass-rusher. That kind of worries me if true. If we're drafting a DT with a top 10 pick, he better be an amazing pass-rusher.

But again, i personally haven't watched much of him, but plan on checking him out.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

The only problem I have with Stanley is he lacks power at times. But he has phenomenal technique. I just prefer Tunsil due to that power.

I also don't think Bush goes until the 5th. Just my opinion based on the current talent pool though.

Edited November 7, 2015 by Miami Hurricane

[JoeyFlex5]

I haven't really watched much of Robert but I've heard some say he isn't a great pass-rusher. That kind of worries me if true. If we're drafting a DT with a top 10 pick, he better be an amazing pass-rusher.

But again, i personally haven't watched much of him, but plan on checking him out.

he is an amazing rusher, hes just not an "edge" rusher. 

 

nkemdiche is the most dominant DL in recent memory, he is the embodiment of jevon kearse meets ndamakong suh. he is as close to "unstoppable" as it gets. he will set the bar for whatever position he is drafted to play at, if the ravens take him and put him at 3-4DE, then he is absolutely good enough to possibly bypass watt for best at that position and all 3-4 defenses will be looking for the next nkemdiche as the cornerstone.

 

he is the best talent of this draft, unfortunately he plays at our most stacked position. i think its hard to pass him up though, he could honestly clear the way for a guy like upshaw to have a 8 sack season, hes that dominant up front.

[Jamal]

he is an amazing rusher, hes just not an "edge" rusher.

nkemdiche is the most dominant DL in recent memory, he is the embodiment of jevon kearse meets ndamakong suh. he is as close to "unstoppable" as it gets. he will set the bar for whatever position he is drafted to play at, if the ravens take him and put him at 3-4DE, then he is absolutely good enough to possibly bypass watt for best at that position and all 3-4 defenses will be looking for the next nkemdiche as the cornerstone.

he is the best talent of this draft, unfortunately he plays at our most stacked position. i think its hard to pass him up though, he could honestly clear the way for a guy like upshaw to have a 8 sack season, hes that dominant up front.

If he's anywhere near that good, it would be hard to pass up. We have a solid d-line, but nothing too amazing.

[Inqui]

The only problem I have with Stanley is he lacks power at times. But he has phenomenal technique. I just prefer Tunsil due to that power.

I also don't think Bush goes until the 5th. Just my opinion based on the current talent pool though.

I've been thinking about this and I actually think Tunsil goes off the board before Stanley - not that it's a slight on Stanley (who I actually think I'd take between the two if the choice were mine), but teams seem to love raw physicality at the position. Off the top of my head, you have guys like Eric Fisher, Greg Robinson, Brandon Scherff and Ereck Flowers going over guys like Luke Joeckel, Jake Matthews and Andrus Peat. Obviously that's not to comment on who'll be the better pro between the two, but it seems that at the top end teams would prefer to try and teach their new franchise guy technique stuff than go with what they see as a lower-ceiling guy.

 

Though with regards to this mock, I think Stanley's more likely than Tunsil to fall to our range at 8 or wherever. And that would get me beyond excited.

[Inqui]

he is an amazing rusher, hes just not an "edge" rusher. 

 

nkemdiche is the most dominant DL in recent memory, he is the embodiment of jevon kearse meets ndamakong suh. he is as close to "unstoppable" as it gets. he will set the bar for whatever position he is drafted to play at, if the ravens take him and put him at 3-4DE, then he is absolutely good enough to possibly bypass watt for best at that position and all 3-4 defenses will be looking for the next nkemdiche as the cornerstone.

 

he is the best talent of this draft, unfortunately he plays at our most stacked position. i think its hard to pass him up though, he could honestly clear the way for a guy like upshaw to have a 8 sack season, hes that dominant up front.

After finally getting around to taking a good look at him, I think Nkemdiche's the kind of guy I'd defer to Ozzie on (I'll probably end up doing that anyway, but with Kim D in particular). I can definitely see where the hype is coming from though, and if we liked him enough to take him that'd probably instantly spring CJ straight into the DPoY conversation in the way Lotuleilei did for Kuechly.

 

Problem is there are way too many moving parts for our front seven between now and the start of next season and I can kinda see Dubs' point about him as a two-gap guy. But with our hybrid front or if we bring in the right DC, and with our record of spotting and developing DL guys, if we take him his agent may as well start booking tickets to Hawaii (or wherever they plan on staging the Pro Bowl; Ozzie knows I lost interest long ago). But if we leave him on the board I won't get upset in the way I probably would over other guys.

Edited November 7, 2015 by Inqui

[The Oakland Cathedral]

I've been thinking about this and I actually think Tunsil goes off the board before Stanley - not that it's a slight on Stanley (who I actually think I'd take between the two if the choice were mine), but teams seem to love raw physicality at the position. Off the top of my head, you have guys like Eric Fisher, Greg Robinson, Brandon Scherff and Ereck Flowers going over guys like Luke Joeckel, Jake Matthews and Andrus Peat. Obviously that's not to comment on who'll be the better pro between the two, but it seems that at the top end teams would prefer to try and teach their new franchise guy technique stuff than go with what they see as a lower-ceiling guy.

Though with regards to this mock, I think Stanley's more likely than Tunsil to fall to our range at 8 or wherever. And that would get me beyond excited.

I agree for the most part. Although I would add that I believe Tunsil has better technique and pass pro ability then most if not all of the raw physical specimens listed. Also Stanley has very few flaws so it also wouldn't shock me in that order. I think they'll both be great in the long run.

[52520Andrew]

I agree for the most part. Although I would add that I believe Tunsil has better technique and pass pro ability then most if not all of the raw physical specimens listed. Also Stanley has very few flaws so it also wouldn't shock me in that order. I think they'll both be great in the long run.

 

Woah, new username

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Woah, new username

Indeed haha. It was time for a change and I didn't think my old one reflected me well.

[52520Andrew]

Indeed haha. It was time for a change and I didn't think my old one reflected me well.

 

I like it although a category 5 cathedral is a bit confusing lol

[The Oakland Cathedral]

I like it although a category 5 cathedral is a bit confusing lol

That's a very valid point lol. Maybe I'll try and get that fixed at some point if I can think of a good new one that applies.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

A nice later round alternative to Voltz would be the Center from Temple Kyle Friend.

[52520Andrew]

That's a very valid point lol. Maybe I'll try and get that fixed at some point if I can think of a good new one that applies.

 

Yeah that would be fun, I don't think I can change mine sadly

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Yeah that would be fun, I don't think I can change mine sadly

Why not?

[Inqui]

Why not?

If it's anything like mine, the option just isn't there for some reason.

[Inqui]

I agree for the most part. Although I would add that I believe Tunsil has better technique and pass pro ability then most if not all of the raw physical specimens listed. Also Stanley has very few flaws so it also wouldn't shock me in that order. I think they'll both be great in the long run.

Back on topic though, I can agree with all of that. It points to what I was saying before about how there's a really good chance Tunsil goes off the board first, and imo before we get a sniff at him. That wouldn't be a huge problem for me though, since I'm enamoured with Stanley atm and don't see any reason why he couldn't be the second-best LT in franchise history.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

If it's anything like mine, the option just isn't there for some reason.

If I recall you have to ask a mod after you hit hof status.

[arnie_uk]

If I recall you have to ask a mod after you hit hof status.

What's the previous name? You post like grim coconut?

[The Oakland Cathedral]

What's the previous name? You post like grim coconut?

Miami Hurricane

[thieverycorporation]

Interesting mock. Very interesting.