City's Off-season Signings/Small mock/Top 5 Big Board

[PurpleCity5]

Its never too early for draft talk, the 2016 NFL draft may be months away, but the anticipation will never leave. He's what I imagine will go down, now I don't anticipate we finish with a top 5 Draft pick, shoot I'm not sure we'll finish in the top 10, never the less we do have a top 10 pick as of now so I'll go along with that.

 

Big Board: 

 

1. Joey Bosa, Edge Ohio State 
2. Robert Nkemdiche, DL Ole' Mis
3. Ronnie Stanley, OT Notre Dame 
4. Laremy Tunsil, OT Ole' Mis
5. Vernon Hargreaves III, CB Florida

I don't see us passing on Bosa, it seems unlikely given that Biscotti was itching for a pass rusher last season and how poor the pass rush has been this year. Bosa will be #1 on our board. Following him is Robert Nkemdiche who I believe will go #1 to Detroit who badly need inside help. Ronnie Stanley is supremely talented at LT with the skill set to dominate for years to come. Franchise LT don't grow on trees. Tunsil is a guy who is also talented and can dominate as well, I favor Stanley but Tunsil isn't that far down. 

 

I believe we'll do something at FS which is why Hargreaves will round up my top 5. 

 

Off-season additions

 

OLB Mike Neal: I can't help it. I think Mike Neal would fit like a glove here. He is a former defensive linemen converted to OLB who just makes pressuring the QB look easy, with our DLine, I can't imagine what he'll do. The only thing that I think will keep him from coming here is his love for Greenbay, he took a 2YR deal to stay there. I think we know OLB is a concern for this team, and Neal who's play style resembles that of Pernell McPhee makes too much sense for us. 

 

FS Rodney McLeod: Its fairly safe to say the Kendrick Lewis experiment has failed here in Baltimore and Oz will look to sign another FS, sad to see but in this day and age FS is such an important position. FS is honestly the biggest need in Baltimore and I can't imagine this team going into the draft without doing something at FS. McLeod has been getting better and better each season and has a great work ethic, I think he's due for a breakout season. 

 

WR Pierre Garcon: Who knows if Steve Smith Sr. is coming back, Breshad Perriman has yet to take an NFL snap, Kamar Aiken isn't a starting caliber WR, and all Marlon Brown does is drop and block. Garcon is a no-brainer signing IMO, if and when he gets cut, which I anticipate.

 

 

Round 1: Vernon Hargreaves III CB Florida 

 

 

I was going back and forth between Vernon Hargreaves and Jalen Ramsey but I think we address the FS position in the off-season. Oz always likes to address holes on the roster to go BPA, and right here Vernon Hargreaves III is a BPA pick. 

 

Round 2: Carl Lawson Edge Auburn  

 

Hype for Lawson was growing until an injury that kept him out. I've been watching him recently and I can see why he was hyped up earlier and I think he's well worth a 2nd. I think when draft day arrives he'll def. be talked about as a late 1st-early 2nd. He's quick, has good technique, and great hand movement. Honestly a guy that I've been very impressed with. Here is some footage of Auburn vs Ole' Mis and I have to say, Lawson was pretty impressive matching up against potential number 1 overall pick Laremy Tunsil. 

 

Treadwell was pretty awesome this game too.... 

 

 

Round 3: Travin Dural WR LSU 

 

No one knows Steve Smith Sr. final decision, and Breshad is a question mark up to this point. Its also time to build a high powered offense IMO. An offense that can do some serious damage and contend with the best of them. Dural isn't the fastest guy on the field, but thats fine. He's adequate overall and stands out as a play-maker and pass catcher. 

[JoeyFlex5]

i will never understand placing hargreaves over ramsey in any way, whether talent, need, or value, ramsey is head and shoulders superior to hargeaves.

[GrimCoconut]

I'm thinking our first two picks will be Ramsey and Ogbah/Lawson/Nassib. I think we finish better than people think and I think Hargreaves goes before Ramsey.

I can also see us take Ogbah and then someone else in the second. I wouldn't be surprised.

[Inqui]

I'm thinking our first two picks will be Ramsey and Ogbah/Lawson/Nassib. I think we finish better than people think and I think Hargreaves goes before Ramsey.

I can also see us take Ogbah and then someone else in the second. I wouldn't be surprised.

I agree with most of that. I'm not sure what happens in the second though, all I feel comfortable predicting is that we take someone who was projected to go in the first.

[PurpleCity5]

i will never understand placing hargreaves over ramsey in any way, whether talent, need, or value, ramsey is head and shoulders superior to hargeaves.

I believe Hargreaves is def. the better CB. I think Ramsey is great and I'm a fan of his, but I feel like we'll do something at FS. I just don't see us going into the draft without a replacement at FS. 

[PurpleCity5]

I'm thinking our first two picks will be Ramsey and Ogbah/Lawson/Nassib. I think we finish better than people think and I think Hargreaves goes before Ramsey.

I can also see us take Ogbah and then someone else in the second. I wouldn't be surprised.

I think we'll finish better as well, I just didn't want to speculate where we would finish and I thought it would be much easier just doing the mock where we are at right now.  

Edited November 7, 2015 by PurpleCity5

[JoeyFlex5]

I believe Hargreaves is def. the better CB. I think Ramsey is great and I'm a fan of his, but I feel like we'll do something at FS. I just don't see us going into the draft without a replacement at FS. 

there is no FS that is anywhere close to being available to us that can fix this secondary, and our problem is much deeper than finding one CB. also ramsey playing cb doesnt make him a CB, we arent comparing them as CB's.

[PurpleCity5]

there is no FS that is anywhere close to being available to us that can fix this secondary, and our problem is much deeper than finding one CB. also ramsey playing cb doesnt make him a CB, we arent comparing them as CB's.

The mock draft was based along the lines of the FA signing that I predicted which is us signing Rod McLeod who would def. be a fill in at FS. Now whether or not we have interest in him is yet to be seen. 

 

As far as Ramsey goes, I see him as a FS and I'm sure every team does as well but if FS is a position that is plugged then I don't see us going with Ramsey over Hargreaves. 

[RavensFanMania]

I'm thinking our first two picks will be Ramsey and Ogbah/Lawson/Nassib. I think we finish better than people think and I think Hargreaves goes before Ramsey.

I can also see us take Ogbah and then someone else in the second. I wouldn't be surprised.

I'd be happy with either Ramsey or Hargreaves, but at this point would rather have Ramsey.  That being said, I think both will be studs in this league for many years to come.

[RavensFanMania]

I believe Hargreaves is def. the better CB. I think Ramsey is great and I'm a fan of his, but I feel like we'll do something at FS. I just don't see us going into the draft without a replacement at FS. 

yes, but if Ozzie drafts bpa as he will, he will go with Ramsey if he is available.  He's just too good to pass  up. 

[JoeyFlex5]

The mock draft was based along the lines of the FA signing that I predicted which is us signing Rod McLeod who would def. be a fill in at FS. Now whether or not we have interest in him is yet to be seen. 

 

As far as Ramsey goes, I see him as a FS and I'm sure every team does as well but if FS is a position that is plugged then I don't see us going with Ramsey over Hargreaves. 

because we have tried this retread method over and over with cheap options at FS and it repeatedly turns our defense into a sieve, we missed a shot at another super bowl appearance largely because of our unwillingness to make a solid investment for a safety, and we are staring down the barrel of possibly the worst season in franchise history largely for the same reason. 

 

no safety that we can find on the market has any chance of fixing that issue, and ozzie wouldnt go into the draft after signing a guy like mcleod and say "ill pass up on ramsey because im sure mcleod will be fine", thats just not like ozzie at all, there isnt a safety in the league, let alone a safety we can afford, that would make ozzie pass up on a guy like ramsey.

[Stevin]

I don't like Lawson from auburn , I like Lawson from clemson )  Carl against TE on video 6:50, looks funny... Dural in 3rd it would be great. VHIII ok for 10-15 pick , but not for 5+- imho

Edited November 7, 2015 by Stevin

[Cillmatic]

I don't like Lawson from auburn , I like Lawson from clemson ) Carl against TE on video 6:50, looks funny... Dural in 3rd it would be great. VHIII ok for 10-15 pick , but not for 5+- imho

Lawson just got injuried again... Edited November 8, 2015 by Cillmatic

[GrimCoconut]

I think we'll finish better as well, I just didn't want to speculate where we would finish and I thought it would be much easier just doing the mock where we are at right now.

My issue is you say that we'll sign a free agent safety to fix our safety problem. I honestly don't see that happening. We just signed Lewis, extended Hill, have Elam coming off an injury and have Brooks. I think we're more likely to prioritize CB in free agency over FS, which is why I think we'd take Ramsey in the first place because he'll drop and we'll take him.

[Jamal]

I'm really not a fan of getting a no name FS from FA again. It seems like we've done it every year since Reed left and it's been disastrous.

Especially if it means we'll pass up a once in a decade type talent in Ramsey.

[ravefan52]

Hargreaves is definitely one of my favorite players. I love Carl Lawson but I swear he is always injured.

[Stevin]

Lawson just got injuried again...

which one? )

[Inqui]

which one? )

Shaq hurt his shoulder against FSU, but in fairness he played through it.

[PurpleCity5]

My issue is you say that we'll sign a free agent safety to fix our safety problem. I honestly don't see that happening. We just signed Lewis, extended Hill, have Elam coming off an injury and have Brooks. I think we're more likely to prioritize CB in free agency over FS, which is why I think we'd take Ramsey in the first place because he'll drop and we'll take him.

I personally can see Ramsey going over Hargreaves because he holds a bit more value, he's multi-talented. Hargreaves can only play one position and thats CB. When I look at Ramsey, I feel like I'm getting a defensive back overall. He can play safety for me and in one of the events that my CB goes down to injury, he can take over at CB, not to mention he's great against the run game. I personally think Ramsey goes ahead of Hargreaves. 

[PurpleCity5]

Hargreaves is definitely one of my favorite players. I love Carl Lawson but I swear he is always injured.

Yeah man, injuries are a concern which is why he drops to round 2, but I feel strongly we're getting first round talent in Lawson in the 2nd round. 

[PurpleCity5]

I don't like Lawson from auburn , I like Lawson from clemson )  Carl against TE on video 6:50, looks funny... Dural in 3rd it would be great. VHIII ok for 10-15 pick , but not for 5+- imho

I def. like Lawson from Clemson more, in fact he's my fav. edge rusher in the draft but I can't see him falling in the 2nd round. 

[PurpleCity5]

because we have tried this retread method over and over with cheap options at FS and it repeatedly turns our defense into a sieve, we missed a shot at another super bowl appearance largely because of our unwillingness to make a solid investment for a safety, and we are staring down the barrel of possibly the worst season in franchise history largely for the same reason. 

 

no safety that we can find on the market has any chance of fixing that issue, and ozzie wouldnt go into the draft after signing a guy like mcleod and say "ill pass up on ramsey because im sure mcleod will be fine", thats just not like ozzie at all, there isnt a safety in the league, let alone a safety we can afford, that would make ozzie pass up on a guy like ramsey.

FWIW, I really think Ramsey goes earlier than a bit of people expect. I don't think he's due to drop because he's a safety. He's a defensive back IMO, not a safety or a CB, but rather both. He holds value in that retrospect. As far as FS goes, I'd rather have McLeod at FS than going into the off-season with the CBs we have, I feel like its an underrated need. Webb isn't getting any younger, and Arrington has been downright awful at times. After Jimmy and Webb who are we really looking at? 

[Mt. Crushmore]

I really like Carl Lawson but the injuries are worrying.

[Cillmatic]

I really like Carl Lawson but the injuries are worrying.

Last thing this team needs is another injury prone player.

[JoeyFlex5]

FWIW, I really think Ramsey goes earlier than a bit of people expect. I don't think he's due to drop because he's a safety. He's a defensive back IMO, not a safety or a CB, but rather both. He holds value in that retrospect. As far as FS goes, I'd rather have McLeod at FS than going into the off-season with the CBs we have, I feel like its an underrated need. Webb isn't getting any younger, and Arrington has been downright awful at times. After Jimmy and Webb who are we really looking at? 

cb is definitely a need, but not an underrated one. its hard to call something underrated when half the fanbase is clamoring for hargreaves at all costs, and not even acknowledging the fact that our secondary troubles are a large majority caused by zero pass rush and bad communication on the back end. 

 

i see where youre coming from, but ive said this a million times and ill keep saying it because i think its completely true, adding a FS like ramsey who has more than enough IQ to communicate Pees' schemes to the rest of the secondary and keep guys in the right place, will do more for this defense than any other player.

[ravefan52]

Yeah man, injuries are a concern which is why he drops to round 2, but I feel strongly we're getting first round talent in Lawson in the 2nd round.

Yeah I honestly feel he may have top 20 talent, but the dude just has serious injury after serious injury. After perriman and everyone else that's injured it has made me a little more wary to guys who've had injury problems.

[ravefan52]

cb is definitely a need, but not an underrated one. its hard to call something underrated when half the fanbase is clamoring for hargreaves at all costs, and not even acknowledging the fact that our secondary troubles are a large majority caused by zero pass rush and bad communication on the back end.

i see where youre coming from, but ive said this a million times and ill keep saying it because i think its completely true, adding a FS like ramsey who has more than enough IQ to communicate Pees' schemes to the rest of the secondary and keep guys in the right place, will do more for this defense than any other player.

I think people understand a lot of it is due to a lack of pass rush, it's just that Bosa will probably be gone for us and there's uncertainty at the edge position after him. Hargreaves and Ramsey have a much better chance at being there.

[PurpleCity5]

Yeah I honestly feel he may have top 20 talent, but the dude just has serious injury after serious injury. After perriman and everyone else that's injured it has made me a little more wary to guys who've had injury problems.

That's legit, but I don't like taking chances like that. There have been players really talented who fell to injuries and have turned out like studs. Predicating players on injuries and using that logic to avoid drafting them can bit you later on. 

[JoeyFlex5]

I think people understand a lot of it is due to a lack of pass rush, it's just that Bosa will probably be gone for us and there's uncertainty at the edge position after him. Hargreaves and Ramsey have a much better chance at being there.

i was more referring to the clamoring for a CB specifically. CB is an extremely overrated need and OLB, FS, WR, and even OT are all bigger needs imo.

[rmw10]

i was more referring to the clamoring for a CB specifically. CB is an extremely overrated need and OLB, FS, WR, and even OT are all bigger needs imo.

 

You see what we're throwing out there at CB the past 2 years?  CB is absolutely not an overrated need.  Sure, other positions can help to improve the play at CB, but it's a black hole now and for the future.