With the __ pick the Ravens select

[sflegend89]

With so much negativity on the boards this year over how the season has unfolded, let's talk about something that is looking like a huge positive for our future and that's the upcoming draft. For the sake of discussion let's say the following players are still on the board when we pick, who would you want us to draft and why? Who is going to make the biggest impact for our team and take us into the future.

 

Joey Bosa, DE - It's no secret that our lack of pass rush since Suggs went down has crippled our defense. This is Suggs' second achilles tear and he's not exactly a spring chicken anymore. Bosa makes a lot of sense for our team even if he may be a better fit as a 4-3 DE, you can't deny this guy's talent and ability to change a game. Bosa is a specimen a 6'6 and the hope would be for him to be a JJ Watt lite. Could end up being an absolute monster and a guy who instantly shakes up games and can be the cornerstone of a new generation of Ravens defense.

 

Jalen Ramsey, CB/FS - It's no secret on these boards that I love this kid. When you talk about "Plays like a Raven" Ramsey is the poster boy for this draft class. 6'1, long arms, great physicality, great tackling, plays with a swagger and mean streak. Compares very favorably to Patrick Peterson. What makes him even more valuable is his versatility to play both CB and FS at a high level. The two positions we desperately need help at. With so many holes in the secondary having a guy like Ramsey would be amazing because you can put him in so many different spots all over the field. There are no questions about his size and physicality transitioning to the NFL game.

 

Vernon Hargreaves III, CB - Doesn't offer the versatility of Ramsey but many feel he's the best pure CB in the nation. If you're talking about a shut down corner you could definitely argue that VH3 is your best bet in this draft class, even better than Ramsey. This is a guy you can put on an island and trust 100%, he doesn't give up big plays and he blankets WR's with ease. One draw back is that he doesn't possess the physicality and frame that Ramsey has but he's very much in the mold of a Chris Harris Jr or dare I even say Darrelle Revis.

 

Laremy Tunsil/Ronnie Stanley, OT - Paired these two together as they bring basically the same type of impact if we were to draft one of them. The two elite Tackles of this draft, it's not a sexy pick but they could be the best players in the entire draft depending on who you ask, not the biggest position of need but we've never been a team to stray from the best player available so it's not out of the question. Elite Tackles are EXTREMELY hard to find, super valuable position in today's NFL.

Edited November 17, 2015 by sflegend89

[Sami84]

With so much negativity on the boards this year over how the season has unfolded, let's talk about something that is looking like a huge positive for our future and that's the upcoming draft. For the sake of discussion let's say the following players are still on the board when we pick, who would you want us to draft and why? Who is going to make the biggest impact for our team and take us into the future.

 

Joey Bosa, DE - It's no secret that our lack of pass rush since Suggs went down has crippled our defense. This is Suggs' second achilles tear and he's not exactly a spring chicken anymore. Bosa makes a lot of sense for our team even if he may be a better fit as a 4-3 DE, you can't deny this guy's talent and ability to change a game. Bosa is a specimen a 6'6 and the hope would be for him to be a JJ Watt lite. Could end up being an absolute monster and a guy who instantly shakes up games and can be the cornerstone of a new generation of Ravens defense.

 

Jalen Ramsey, CB/FS - It's no secret on these boards that I love this kid. When you talk about "Plays like a Raven" Ramsey is the poster boy for this draft class. 6'1, long arms, great physicality, great tackling, plays with a swagger and mean streak. Compares very favorably to Patrick Peterson. What makes him even more valuable is his versatility to play both CB and FS at a high level. The two positions we desperately need help at. With so many holes in the secondary having a guy like Ramsey would be amazing because you can put him in so many different spots all over the field. There are no questions about his size and physicality transitioning to the NFL game.

 

Vernon Hargreaves III, CB - Doesn't offer the versatility of Ramsey but many feel he's the best pure CB in the nation. If you're talking about a shut down corner you could definitely argue that VH3 is your best bet in this draft class, even better than Ramsey. This is a guy you can put on an island and trust 100%, he doesn't give up big plays and he blankets WR's with ease. One draw back is that he doesn't possess the physicality and frame that Ramsey has but he's very much in the mold of a Chris Harris Jr or dare I even say Darrelle Revis.

 

Laremy Tunsil/Ronnie Stanley, OT - Paired these two together as they bring basically the same type of impact if we were to draft one of them. The two elite Tackles of this draft, it's not a sexy pick but they could be the best players in the entire draft depending on who you ask, not the biggest position of need but we've never been a team to stray from the best player available so it's not out of the question. Elite Tackles are EXTREMELY hard to find, super valuable position in today's NFL.

 

can't go wrong with anyone here

 

if we do go LT i actually like tunsil more than stanley.

Edited November 17, 2015 by Sami84

[Winchester]

I like the left tackles!! many top left tackles in recent years were more potential than polish. Some were very athletic but neded to add weight and power. these guys are polished and plenty powerful already. Perhaps Bosa but I have not talked with anybody much about him yet. The tackles I know just about everybody in the NFL likes them far more than the tackles of recent drafts. Just my opinion, tackle round one and WR round2 or even trade back into bottom of round one for Coleman, Boyd, Doctson or one of the elite WR prospects. And build an offense that can drop 30+ points in every game as well as an Oline that can punch defenses in the mouth!!

[JoeyFlex5]

you left out nkemdiche. 

 

also its tough to say, one of the OTs or maybe even nkemdiche would be the classic ozzie pick, going pure bpa even though we have much bigger holes, i wouldnt mind either pick, i think the OT would be the best choice honestly, because you should never pass on the opportunity for a franchise LT. but ramsey is the type of FS that can change the culture on your defense, i think bosa is going top 2 and will be out of reach, and ramsey is a FS who hasnt shown elite ballhawking skills and range so that is a concern while hargreaves is the most polished cb i have ever seen at this level. 

 

i picked stanley, because thats vintage ozzie.

Edited November 17, 2015 by JoeyFlex5

[Sami84]

you left out nkemdiche. 

 

also its tough to say, one of the OTs or maybe even nkemdiche would be the classic ozzie pick, going pure bpa even though we have much bigger holes, i wouldnt mind either pick, i think the OT would be the best choice honestly, because you should never pass on the opportunity for a franchise LT. but ramsey is the type of FS that can change the culture on your defense, i think bosa is going top 2 and will be out of reach, and ramsey is a FS who hasnt shown elite ballhawking skills and range so that is a concern while hargreaves is the most polished cb i have ever seen at this level. 

 

i picked stanley, because thats vintage ozzie.

 

don't think you think tunsil is a far better run blocker? Stanley might be slightly better at Pass pro but the differential isn't as big.

[RaineV1]

Out of that group, I'm going with the OT. Not the biggest need, but I think being able to dominate the line of scrimmage is something the Ravens need to get back to doing.

[PurpleCity5]

I have to admit, Stanley makes a lot of sense. Franchise LT don't come around often. I might have to think about this one.

Edited November 17, 2015 by PurpleCity5

[PurpleCity5]

don't think you think tunsil is a far better run blocker? Stanley might be slightly better at Pass pro but the differential isn't as big.

Stanley is a better fit for us. He fits our ZBS and just seems to be the more skilled LT overall.

[RaineV1]

When comparing Stanley to Tunsil, I'd rather have the athletic guy with good technique over the mauler, at least when it comes to the LT position. It's easier to get someone to put on ten pounds of muscle than it is to teach someone better technique. If this was for a guard or RT, then I'd probably take a guy like Tunsil over Stanley.

[GrimCoconut]

Tough question. I'm down for any of these guys. I think I'd say go LT if we're confident they're the best player and we want to go more offense and sustain drives and convert points instead of relying on our defense, which should also improve our defense since they'll be on the field less.

I doubt he'll be there but I'm going with Tunsil. Ozzie takes him to play LG this year and then maybe replace Monroe next year or thereafter and whenever he's hurt. Tunsil has the skill set to play guard or tackle unlike Stanley and will get time to learn since KO likely walks.

But as for who we'll take, it'll one of those five. If I'm picking I think I'll narrowly take Tunsil because I think we should realize the game is moving towards if not already favoring the offense and we may as well adapt and give Joe a dominant OL to go with his dominant TE corps and hopefully add him some really good WR.

[January J]

I think the classic Ozzie pick would be ndemkiche. I'd pick Ramsey bc of the versatility , but I'd be happy with any. Bosa would bring a nice energy to the team since we are lacking leadership.

It amazes me how New England gets by with the line that they have. They find these guys out of nowhere and just plug them In. I'd be satisfied with an OT but secretly I'd be a little turned off by it. I know games are won in the trenches, I just also have seen how a lack of pass rush can effect the entire defense- and defense wins championships. Suggs only has a year or 2 left if that- and Kendrick Lewis is not getting it done.

[Deflated Football]

Can't go wrong with any of those guys but we need a FS badly so I'm taking Ramsey.

[allblackraven]

We shouldn't complain if we are lucky enough to get any one of these guys. If I had a choice, I'd prefer Stanley.

[Kid87]

9th pick we draft Hargreaves from Florida

[Kid87]

Bose is a freaking beast.. but I hate Ohio...

Edited November 17, 2015 by Kid87

[Inqui]

Way too early for this thread imo. Gotta see where we pick and at least see how these guys do in their bowl games imo.

 

But if we had to pick now, I'd be looking at Bosa or one of the OTs. And since he's my favourite atm, I'd take Ronnie Stanley to do a bit of this to pass rushers that want to get at Joe:

 

[JoeyFlex5]

don't think you think tunsil is a far better run blocker? Stanley might be slightly better at Pass pro but the differential isn't as big.

i do think tunsil is a far better run blocker, but when investing in a franchise LT, the first priority to me is how they hold up in pass protection, and stanley having quicker feet just makes me feel more comfortable investing in him over tunsil, and stanley is flawless in his technique already, he looks like an immediate starter at LT and the type of guy that PFF has in the top 3 every week(PFF isnt always trustworthy, but their grades on o-linemen are generally solid), tunsil strikes me as more of a guy that starts out as a G and works his way into a traditional OT role, i think stanley immediately takes monroes job and never looks back. although it raises a point, that we will need a KO replacement, and if urschel isnt the guy then it wouldnt hurt to have an incredible run blocker like tunsil

[JoeyFlex5]

When comparing Stanley to Tunsil, I'd rather have the athletic guy with good technique over the mauler, at least when it comes to the LT position. It's easier to get someone to put on ten pounds of muscle than it is to teach someone better technique. If this was for a guard or RT, then I'd probably take a guy like Tunsil over Stanley.

this is the TLDR for my last post

[PurpleCity5]

I'm going with Ronnie Stanley. He's a good fit for the ZBS, and just seems natural at LT. I also think franchise LT don't come around that often, so when the opportunity arrives to get one, you get one. I feel that Stanley would give us someone to protect Joe and the next QB we have for a long time. 

[Inqui]

I'm going with Ronnie Stanley. He's a good fit for the ZBS, and just seems natural at LT. I also think franchise LT don't come around that often, so when the opportunity arrives to get one, you get one. I feel that Stanley would give us someone to protect Joe and the next QB we have for a long time. 

Stanley's my favourite prospect in the draft atm. It's fun to wonder how Joe would have coped with JO on his blind side for at least the first few seasons, but the reality is this is the closest chance we'll have to see that hypothetical in action. Imo if we take either Stanley or Tunsil we'll have a franchise-quality LT for the rest of Joe's career, and for the first few years of his successor.

 

I wouldn't be upset if we ended up with Bosa, Kim D or one of the DBs, but it's easy to see how much of a black hole our secondary is and forget that Stanley or Tunsil would do a huge amount for the side.

[jboy19]

My order of preference of the listed guys would be 1. Vernon Hargreaves III; 2. Joey Bosa; 3. Laremy Tunsil; 4. Jalen Ramsey; 5. Ronnie Stanley. Honestly I would take Robert Nkemdiche over Ronnie Stanley, I've actually fallen off the Ronnie Stanley bandwagon recently.

[PurpleCity5]

Stanley's my favourite prospect in the draft atm. It's fun to wonder how Joe would have coped with JO on his blind side for at least the first few seasons, but the reality is this is the closest chance we'll have to see that hypothetical in action. Imo if we take either Stanley or Tunsil we'll have a franchise-quality LT for the rest of Joe's career, and for the first few years of his successor.

 

I wouldn't be upset if we ended up with Bosa, Kim D or one of the DBs, but it's easy to see how much of a black hole our secondary is and forget that Stanley or Tunsil would do a huge amount for the side.

I agree, Stanley would be a welcome addition here. He would be able to be a franchise LT for us for years. It's also vintage Ozzie Newsome. I would also experiment moving Monroe to Guard and see what he does there, if it doesn't work I'd shift him back to LT and play Stanley at G for at least a year or two until moving him to LT. 

 

I also feel that its time to shift to offense. Joe is our QB and he feels that this could be a time that he hits his prime. Either this year or the next. I really feel that if we do go Stanley, then you make WR the pick in the 2nd round. I know, the defense will take a hit but you have to make a decision, will you be dominant on offense or defense? I'd personally go with offense. As long as our defense isn't on the field for too long and we can hold opponents to FG, we should be better with offense. 

[PurpleCity5]

My order of preference of the listed guys would be 1. Vernon Hargreaves III; 2. Joey Bosa; 3. Laremy Tunsil; 4. Jalen Ramsey; 5. Ronnie Stanley. Honestly I would take Robert Nkemdiche over Ronnie Stanley, I've actually fallen off the Ronnie Stanley bandwagon recently.

Why is that? It's your preference, so I won't attack it, I'm just curious as to why you've fallen off on Stanley. I think he's an elite prospect and a franchise LT. I'm just curious, maybe I can look over Stanley and we can see eye-to-eye.

[Inqui]

I agree, Stanley would be a welcome addition here. He would be able to be a franchise LT for us for years. It's also vintage Ozzie Newsome. I would also experiment moving Monroe to Guard and see what he does there, if it doesn't work I'd shift him back to LT and play Stanley at G for at least a year or two until moving him to LT. 

 

I also feel that its time to shift to offense. Joe is our QB and he feels that this could be a time that he hits his prime. Either this year or the next. I really feel that if we do go Stanley, then you make WR the pick in the 2nd round. I know, the defense will take a hit but you have to make a decision, will you be dominant on offense or defense? I'd personally go with offense. As long as our defense isn't on the field for too long and we can hold opponents to FG, we should be better with offense. 

This is more for the longer bigger-picture threads in the offseason, but I think the choice between offence and defence is more about staying balanced (albeit with neither side being amazing) and kitting out the offence to try and become something truly elite. Personally I'm well and truly around to the idea of going all in on Joe leading us to glory, and getting the defence to the point where it can simply make enough plays to push us over the edge (being relied on for a couple of key sacks when they're needed, generating a couple of turnovers a game, and simply not being the worst unit on third downs) without being a complete liability.

 

That means I'm ranking upgrades to the OL as more pressing than a lot of other fans and I'd love to see us get a couple more bargain basement WRs in free agency. If we can get a strong enough running game to end up with 5ypc or so, and a couple of better guys for Joe to throw to than what we have now, we can get far more sightings of Postseason Joe. And if we can pull of a trade back like the one I mentioned in the other thread to get us a sniff at a guy like Fournette next year, that's a legitimate way to build a contender for the future.

[JoeyFlex5]

This is more for the longer bigger-picture threads in the offseason, but I think the choice between offence and defence is more about staying balanced (albeit with neither side being amazing) and kitting out the offence to try and become something truly elite. Personally I'm well and truly around to the idea of going all in on Joe leading us to glory, and getting the defence to the point where it can simply make enough plays to push us over the edge (being relied on for a couple of key sacks when they're needed, generating a couple of turnovers a game, and simply not being the worst unit on third downs) without being a complete liability.

 

That means I'm ranking upgrades to the OL as more pressing than a lot of other fans and I'd love to see us get a couple more bargain basement WRs in free agency. If we can get a strong enough running game to end up with 5ypc or so, and a couple of better guys for Joe to throw to than what we have now, we can get far more sightings of Postseason Joe. And if we can pull of a trade back like the one I mentioned in the other thread to get us a sniff at a guy like Fournette next year, that's a legitimate way to build a contender for the future.

i would love to see us trade back like 4 or 5 spots from a top 5 pick, have that trade partner suck really badly next year, and we end up with a top 10 pick 2 years in a row and 3 first rounders and 4 second rounders over 2 drafts, straight robbery and i feel it would be a better move than any one prospect this year

[Inqui]

i would love to see us trade back like 4 or 5 spots from a top 5 pick, have that trade partner suck really badly next year, and we end up with a top 10 pick 2 years in a row and 3 first rounders and 4 second rounders over 2 drafts, straight robbery and i feel it would be a better move than any one prospect this year

If the draft were tomorrow I'd be looking at a trade with the Sailboats at #8 or the Saints at #9 where we try to get something like a 2016 fourth and a 2017 first. If either of those sides sucks enough next year (with SF I think they're in for another dreadful season whoever they take) I agree that'd be more productive than any one prospect this year.

 

I'd be hoping Ramsey falls to 8 or 9, but since dreams are free just imagine it's Stanley that falls a few spots instead. That could set us up long-term with Stanley - Urschel - Zuttah/other C - Yanda - Wagner and Fournette running behind them while the TEs keep going from strength to strength and we presumably just keep WR ticking like we have until this year. Joe is still good enough to take the game over, but that kind of supporting cast would make him far more consistent and would offer the kind of ball control to simply stifle the game if needed. The defence doesn't have to match the 2000 side, it would only have to be good enough to get a few third down stops. Hell, a top 20 unit could probably still help that side become a genuine SB contender.

 

If we can't get a trade like that going (say the Titans give up #2 for less or the Browns take whatever QB SF likes), that's still the kind of model I'd love to see us building off if we took an OT in the top 10. Upgrade the OL where possible, add a couple of guys like Garcon in FA and don't be afraid of taking a franchise RB. Even if the defensive upgrade remain fairly patchwork (Ogbah or Calhoun in the second, Bell in the third) we can still make it work.

[PurpleCity5]

This is more for the longer bigger-picture threads in the offseason, but I think the choice between offence and defence is more about staying balanced (albeit with neither side being amazing) and kitting out the offence to try and become something truly elite. Personally I'm well and truly around to the idea of going all in on Joe leading us to glory, and getting the defence to the point where it can simply make enough plays to push us over the edge (being relied on for a couple of key sacks when they're needed, generating a couple of turnovers a game, and simply not being the worst unit on third downs) without being a complete liability.

 

That means I'm ranking upgrades to the OL as more pressing than a lot of other fans and I'd love to see us get a couple more bargain basement WRs in free agency. If we can get a strong enough running game to end up with 5ypc or so, and a couple of better guys for Joe to throw to than what we have now, we can get far more sightings of Postseason Joe. And if we can pull of a trade back like the one I mentioned in the other thread to get us a sniff at a guy like Fournette next year, that's a legitimate way to build a contender for the future.

Couldn't agree more. I think we should at least put out a defense that will get the job done. I think we're much closer to the development of an elite offense rather than an elite defense. I think shoring up the offensive line with Stanley and adding a WR with an early pick as well as a free agent addition would allow our offense to take off. 

 

I just want the defense to force turnovers and at least hold opponents to FGs. I think that's a quality defense and if we can get a group like that along with an elite offense, then we'll be back on track.

 

On the topic of Fournette, it would be hard to imagine him not going into the top ten if Gurley went top 10. 

[GrimCoconut]

Couldn't agree more. I think we should at least put out a defense that will get the job done. I think we're much closer to the development of an elite offense rather than an elite defense. I think shoring up the offensive line with Stanley and adding a WR with an early pick as well as a free agent addition would allow our offense to take off. 

 

I just want the defense to force turnovers and at least hold opponents to FGs. I think that's a quality defense and if we can get a group like that along with an elite offense, then we'll be back on track.

 

On the topic of Fournette, it would be hard to imagine him not going into the top ten if Gurley went top 10. 

I said this same thing. It might be time to adapt to the league and build a bully on offense like we had for years on defense. If the offense scored more points & didn't go 3 & out as much as they have, we may have won games despite our defense. Perhaps the offense could sustain drives and score points & keep our defense off the field, leaving them well-rested and perhaps more effective almost like another Colts team when Manning led them, but with more offensive talent outside the QB. 

 

Not saying we give up on defense. That'll never happen. 

[PurpleCity5]

I said this same thing. It might be time to adapt to the league and build a bully on offense like we had for years on defense. If the offense scored more points & didn't go 3 & out as much as they have, we may have won games despite our defense. Perhaps the offense could sustain drives and score points & keep our defense off the field, leaving them well-rested and perhaps more effective almost like another Colts team when Manning led them, but with more offensive talent outside the QB. 

 

Not saying we give up on defense. That'll never happen. 

Yeah, I think we need to stay on the field more. Too many 3-outs from this offense. I really think building an offense that will dominate is the way to go right now. We need a defense that at least will hold opponents to FGs and create takeaways. I just feel the offense is way ahead of the curve than the defense. 

[usmccharles]

If the draft were tomorrow I'd be looking at a trade with the Sailboats at #8 or the Saints at #9 where we try to get something like a 2016 fourth and a 2017 first. If either of those sides sucks enough next year (with SF I think they're in for another dreadful season whoever they take) I agree that'd be more productive than any one prospect this year.

 

I'd be hoping Ramsey falls to 8 or 9, but since dreams are free just imagine it's Stanley that falls a few spots instead. That could set us up long-term with Stanley - Urschel - Zuttah/other C - Yanda - Wagner and Fournette running behind them while the TEs keep going from strength to strength and we presumably just keep WR ticking like we have until this year. Joe is still good enough to take the game over, but that kind of supporting cast would make him far more consistent and would offer the kind of ball control to simply stifle the game if needed. The defence doesn't have to match the 2000 side, it would only have to be good enough to get a few third down stops. Hell, a top 20 unit could probably still help that side become a genuine SB contender.

 

If we can't get a trade like that going (say the Titans give up #2 for less or the Browns take whatever QB SF likes), that's still the kind of model I'd love to see us building off if we took an OT in the top 10. Upgrade the OL where possible, add a couple of guys like Garcon in FA and don't be afraid of taking a franchise RB. Even if the defensive upgrade remain fairly patchwork (Ogbah or Calhoun in the second, Bell in the third) we can still make it work.

Not that i dont love your mindset here and would love to have what your saying, I dont see any way we can land fournette, its just not going to happen.  Gurley went 10 while be injured, I honestly see Foursette going top which i know hasnt happend since Trent Richardson, but Fournette is another animal.  But we can dream right....