[News] Late For Work 12/17: Injuries Ravage Ravens' Roster And Financial Investments

[reed20fence]

RMC, what do you see as the most pressing need/most likely possibility for the 1st round pick?

[reed20fence]

When it comes to the Ravens picking this high in the draft is a rarity. I can't see us investing that precious a pick to quadruple down on a position like RB when we've got Forsett under contract, LT on the 3rd year of his rookie deal, and Buck Allen proving that he can be a workhorse if called upon.

[rmcjacket23]

RMC, what do you see as the most pressing need/most likely possibility for the 1st round pick?

Secondary or pass rusher. 

 

Secondary more of a short term need, pass rusher a long term need. I'd personally like to see us get a playmaking safety, but I'm not sure there's one in this draft worthy of the top pick. You've got guys like Hargreaves and Ramsey, but they are corners right now I think.

 

We can probably get the 2nd best pass rusher in the class besides Bosa, so that may be too much to pass up.

 

Most mocks I've seen (obviously premature) have us in the Hargreaves/Ramsey group or possibly taking Tunsil or Stanley, the two best offensive tackles on the board right now.

 

A lot of people will like Laquon Treadwell in this spot, but I don't see this FO investing back to back first round picks in a WR. They'd have to feel really good about where we are in other spots to do this.

 

To me, just feels like a draft where we go defensive heavy early on.

Edited December 17, 2015 by rmcjacket23

[fusuymada]

Flacco is in the locker room though he has been injured and was still swollen from surgery. I think it says a lot about the guys who were injured early in the season who haven't bothered to even show up once for one game. Not SSS, he's been here, same with most of the players. Okay, its Suggs. For a supposed leader I am very disappointed that Suggs just washed his hands of the season and has moved on and maybe its time for the Ravens to do the same.

[rmcjacket23]

Flacco is in the locker room though he has been injured and was still swollen from surgery. I think it says a lot about the guys who were injured early in the season who haven't bothered to even show up once for one game. Not SSS, he's been here, same with most of the players. Okay, its Suggs. For a supposed leader I am very disappointed that Suggs just washed his hands of the season and has moved on and maybe its time for the Ravens to do the same.

It means nothing to me. Suggs was basically immobilized for a portion of the season, so him coming to games was basically impossible for a large portion of it.

 

I don't care if these guys are here cheerleading or not. I care about whether they are rehabbing and getting healthy for next season. I've never once bought that leadership is achieved from non-coaches who aren't playing. It comes from people who are actually on the field and participating in the game.

[ellicottraven]

Eugene Monroe was easily the most expensive Raven this year! He earned more money per snap than any other LT or even Joe Flacco (despite being injured) in the league for sure! Such has been our Ravens luck...

[rmcjacket23]

Eugene Monroe was easily the most expensive Raven this year! He earned more money per snap than any other LT or even Joe Flacco (despite being injured) in the league for sure! Such has been our Ravens luck...

That would probably be Suggs/Perriman actually.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Jalen Ramsey would be a nice addition, however it is not the main concern, the saftey position is the most critical to secure down this coming draft/offseason. Think of how many big plays spoiled games faster than a few catches underneath. A more secured back end would also give the cbs we have more confidence to play more aggressive. Jayron Kearse looks to be a great choice going this route. The guys has unmatched size to cover the large tight ends and defend the deep ball very well. He also brings more versatility to line up almost anywhere. Here's hoping.

[ellicottraven]

I don't think so. Suggs is at about 52% of Monroe's salary for this year. That would mean that if Monore played at least 40% of available snaps, then they would be equal assuming Suggs didn't play a single snap... However, I don't have a specific snap count of Monore, but I'm pretty certain Suggs wasn't more expensive per snap than Monroe...

[rmcjacket23]

Jalen Ramsey would be a nice addition, however it is not the main concern, the saftey position is the most critical to secure down this coming draft/offseason. Think of how many big plays spoiled games faster than a few catches underneath. A more secured back end would also give the cbs we have more confidence to play more aggressive. Jayron Kearse looks to be a great choice going this route. The guys has unmatched size to cover the large tight ends and defend the deep ball very well. He also brings more versatility to line up almost anywhere. Here's hoping.

I agree, though not sure there's a safety available worthy of a top 5 or even top 10 pick. He's currently projected as a mid-to-late first round pick. Might be a bit of a reach at #5 range.

[reed20fence]

Secondary or pass rusher. 

To me, just feels like a draft where we go defensive heavy early on.

I agree that it should be defense heavy. Offensively it looks like we may need to target a WR if SSS does retire, but I don't see us relying on the draft to find a starter. That need will probably be addressed in free agency or lesser likely via trade, as has been the case historically.

The wild card right now is what we do about Osemele. Even if we stretch and sign him, we still need a G or T. Not sure if they're comfertable with Urschel as the starter at G. I just don't see Osemele happening. It's tied to Joe's contract and likely some other cuts and retirements and yeah, you get a decent player, but you're breaking even on the cap and virtual non-factors in free agency as a result.

[rmcjacket23]

I agree that it should be defense heavy. Offensively it looks like we may need to target a WR if SSS does retire, but I don't see us relying on the draft to find a starter. That need will probably be addressed in free agency or lesser likely via trade, as has been the case historically.

The wild card right now is what we do about Osemele. Even if we stretch and sign him, we still need a G or T. Not sure if they're comfertable with Urschel as the starter at G. I just don't see Osemele happening. It's tied to Joe's contract and likely some other cuts and retirements and yeah, you get a decent player, but you're breaking even on the cap and virtual non-factors in free agency as a result.

He gone.

 

We have guards on the roster that we like, and we can probably add one in the middle rounds. We need depth at tackle, but I'm not convinced the FO is planning on starting anybody other than Monroe/Wagner at Tackle in 2016. 

 

I'm generally not concerned about our Guards. We really only need a decent Guard on the left side and some health in order to have a quality offensive line. I'm not of the mindset that we need a Cowboys-like powerhouse offensive line. We just need a little improvement.

 

Guard wouldn't crack my top 5 positions where we need upgrades in my opinion.

[Ravensfansince03]

Sure, but I think there's plenty of top notch RBs who you could draft in the 2nd round or later. In my opinion, RB has the least differential in terms of production and talent as you descend down the draft board.

 

There's a gigantic number of really good RBs in this league, and most of them are day 2 picks.

 

After I've put in some thought, It would be smarter to go with a different position this offseason. We have many holes to fill though. 

[rmcjacket23]

After I've put in some thought, It would be smarter to go with a different position this offseason. We have many holes to fill though. 

I still think RB is a need, just not a first round need.

 

I don't trust Buck Allen or Taliaferro as long term #1 type RBs, and I suspect the FO feels the same way so far. But I think they may ride with one more year of Forsett and these guys before looking elsewhere, so maybe a year early on the "we need a RB" train.

[Ravensfansince03]

I still think RB is a need, just not a first round need.

 

I don't trust Buck Allen or Taliaferro as long term #1 type RBs, and I suspect the FO feels the same way so far. But I think they may ride with one more year of Forsett and these guys before looking elsewhere, so maybe a year early on the "we need a RB" train.

 

Bro I totally forgot about Taliferro smh, you just reminded me of him. But yea, we def need a franchise RB. But we also really need a much tougher D-line (Bigger DT and DE). Daryl Smith is slow, and as a MLB, he is not a TRUE leader, just a true tackler. And we need a total revamp of the safety position.

Edited December 17, 2015 by Ravensfansince03

[steelcityraven]

Ramsey would be a great pick up...don't think he will still be there for us but he will be a great pick up if we did land him! I like it!

[steelcityraven]

I don't think the S position is as bad as it looks... Once we get a new DC we will see that we were more talented then we thought. Will Hill is a great talent. KLewis has the potential to play well as we have seen in Houston. Matt Elam will be back and under a new DC may actually be able to show why we drafted him. TBrooks has tremendous athleticism... and is developing. Under a NEW DC he may be a star... but under Pees NOT a single safety has had success for us (even though they have had great success with other teams_). Will Hill, KLewis, DStewart, JIhedigbo, BPollard,etc)... I have been saying it for a long time - as soon as Pees is gone... we will see our defense and particularly our DBackfield improve dramatically!

[steelcityraven]

I see some black shirts in that pic that I would love to place a green dot over!

[Maryland]

If you're drafting Ramsey that high, you're doing it because you think he can be an elite FS, not a CB.

[verified]

ozzies been terrible at drafting lately if he screws this draft up hes done for. Weve never picked this high. This draft could really turn this franchise around

[Ravensfolyfe]

That's crazy.

[purpledown]

Ramsey looks like the right pick for the Ravens. Just make sure he doesnt have any"hidden" injuries. I think Mallet will mess up his chance, its a long time between now and next season.

[MadStorkSociety]

Timely article in USA Today about injury prevention. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/12/16/mlbs-next-frontier-injury-prevention/77412998/

Not sure how the baseball effort translates to football.

[Grapple Raven]

Timely article in USA Today about injury prevention. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/12/16/mlbs-next-frontier-injury-prevention/77412998/ Not sure how the baseball effort translates to football.

 

Very interesting read, thanks for sharing.

[rmcjacket23]

I don't think so. Suggs is at about 52% of Monroe's salary for this year. That would mean that if Monore played at least 40% of available snaps, then they would be equal assuming Suggs didn't play a single snap... However, I don't have a specific snap count of Monore, but I'm pretty certain Suggs wasn't more expensive per snap than Monroe...

By actual cash earned:

 

Suggs made $4M this year and played 55 snaps, an average of $73K per snap.

 

Monroe made $5.5M this year and played 334 snaps, an average of $16K per snap.

 

By cap hit:

 

Suggs had a $3.95M cap hit this year, average of $72K per snap

 

Monroe had a $7.7M cap hit this year, average of $23K per snap

 

Its not close.

[rmcjacket23]

If you're drafting Ramsey that high, you're doing it because you think he can be an elite FS, not a CB.

Why exactly is this the case? Corners are getting drafted significantly higher and more frequently than safeties are in the last several years.

[ellicottraven]

By actual cash earned:

 

Suggs made $4M this year and played 55 snaps, an average of $73K per snap.

 

Monroe made $5.5M this year and played 334 snaps, an average of $16K per snap.

 

By cap hit:

 

Suggs had a $3.95M cap hit this year, average of $72K per snap

 

Monroe had a $7.7M cap hit this year, average of $23K per snap

 

Its not close.

Thanks for the specifics! I stand corrected on numbers but not on principle! Suggs to me is a Ravens lifer; Monroe isn't.

[Maryland]

Why exactly is this the case? Corners are getting drafted significantly higher and more frequently than safeties are in the last several years.

Because he was great as a safety and average as a CB in college.