4 Round Pre-Combine Mock

[gabefergy]

I'm normally 3 mocks in by this point, but alas I have fallen off in the message boarding. I have not read one mock draft yet, here or in the media circles, so my thoughts are my own. This is a draft the Ravens absolutely have to knock out of the park, and there are a lot of different directions we could go with the #6 pick, but IMO defense has to be the focus. I haven't studied many prospects outside of the top 150 so just 4 rounds for now, so without further ado...

 

Round 1 - Myles Jack - LB/jack of all trades: Three months ago, I would have never thought I would suggest taking a LB in the top 10. We just invested a high pick in Mosley 2 years ago, and there are so many other holes in the defense. Then I went back and watched Myles Jack dominate at all 3 levels of the defense. Jack is the rare athlete with excellent football instincts. He can play OLB, ILB, SS, slot CB and excel in any of these roles. He covers TEs and WRs out of the slot better than many CBs and aggressively plays sideline to sideline against the run. He's one of the best defensive players in this draft, and most importantly he's a playmaker. He's not going to line up outside and cover WRs, but he brings similar versatility to a defense as Jalen Ramsey, and in may ways he is even more impactful in the box.

Round 2 - Will Fuller - WR: There has been a lot of discussion about WRs on this board, but I feel like Fuller has somehow slid under the radar as a potential Raven. First, the negatives: Fuller is leaner than ideal, and his thin frame may make it harder for him to line up against bigger physical CBs in the NFL. He also has some issues with drops which is obviously a very real concern. Now for the positives: He absolutely flies and he has an extra gear that allows him to pull away from any defender on the field. He is a quick accelerator and creates easy separation. Very good at tracking the deep ball and ability to make plays after the catch. Similar to Jack, I consider him to be a dynamic playmaker and his speed is much needed on offense.

Round 3 - Xavien Howard - CB: I think Howard might be a late riser in the process because he possesses elite size and is a very good athlete, two things that NFL teams covet. On top of this, he has demonstrated solid coverage skills making a lot of plays on the ball, notching 5 INTs and 10 additional PBUs in 2015. He has the size to match up with big WRs and the speed and movement skills to play man to man. I think he could be a real steal at this point.

Round 4 - Yannick Ngakoue - OLB: The local MD product had a very productive season, and depending on who you ask may end up going as high as the 2nd round. I think he is a bit limited athletically and is a bit undersized, but he has speed to threaten the edge. I think some time developing some counter moves and upper body strength will serve him well. 

Round 4 (SUP) - Max Tuerk - Interior OL: Tuerk possesses a leanish frame and is taller than the typical center, but he plays with good leverage and has above average movement skills and athleticism. I think he would be an ideal fit in a ZBS, and he can probably bulk up a bit to become a quality starter either at C or OG. He even has the size to play to some OT in a pinch. 

Round 4 (SUP) - Cyrus Jones - CB/RS: I think Jones is your ideal 3rd/4th CB. He is best suited to play zone imo and is a solid tackler. But his real value is in the return game, he is truly a threat to take any punt to the house. With all of the problems the Ravens had last year, people tend to forget the revolving door in the return game. Kaelin Clay had some nice moments, but bringing in a player like Jones would help bolster the secondary and add a dynamic threat on ST.

 

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

Damnit Gabe! You're picks correspond with my big board for my team in it's totality. :P.

 

Good draft. I think Jack is honestly the best pick, he's not just another LB.

[spitfire418]

Not everyone agrees with us, but man do I love the type of player Myles Jack is. He is a special talent and probably the most talented guy in the whole draft right above Ramsey. I think he'll be a great player in the NFL if he stays healthy and keeps a good mindset throughout his career.

[JoeyFlex5]

It's like you posted this just to make me dislike it lmao. 

 

I'm personally not a fan of Jack or fuller for the ravens, I like your 4th rou2nd though. Similar to mine except I went with Denver Kirkland over tuerk

[RaineV1]

I don't mind Jack as the pick if Buckner, Bosa, and Ramsey are gone. Not that into Fuller though. I think there'll be better WRs available in the 2nd.

[usmccharles]

Haha yes....I love that others have taken to the Myles Jack idea.  Jack has been my guy for awhile now, add in fuller and id be happy, nicely done. 

[Dewy101]

I'd draft Aaron Burbridge and Leonte Carroo before Will Fuller. 

[52520Andrew]

Ha Jack of all trades, I like it. You guys know my thoughts on Jack.

[GrimCoconut]

I love Jack and I'd be thrilled with him. I've said it before but I don't think Jack is at all a bad pick. He's right on the cusp for me. I find myself going back and forth because I see Jack as the best ILB in this class bar none. I really like Smith but I think he could play OLB based off opinions I've read and things I've seen. 

Fuller is a very good prospect, although I'd prefer Kendall who may be there. I haven't watched Howard so now I'll look into him.

[Clmraven]

I like this draft,im actually a fan of Fuller's, its not often you find a guy with elite explosion start/stop ability along with elite deep speed usually it's one or the other, but he's a body catcher and frankly has horrible hands he led the league in drops on deep passes and total drops the last 2 seasons that's a huge concern for me, not to mention he kinda looks like he has alligator arms.

[mc_red23]

4 hours ago, Dewy101 said:

I'd draft Aaron Burbridge and Leonte Carroo before Will Fuller. 

 

Is Burbridge the Michigan State receiver? His name rings a bell.

[Edgar]

1)Myles Jack might be the best football player in this draft...for me i would hope for either jack or spence at six - Jack is truly fun to watch

2) I see what you like about fuller. There are some things that bother me. You mentioned his size,he also lets the ball get to his body way too much.

3) I need to watch this guy

i like Cyrus jones at that point.For a draft this stacked with d-tackle and DE prospects into middle rounds,I'm surprised you don't have us drafting one for a mock you feel should be leaning defense. 

[Jacquouille]

53 minutes ago, mc_red23 said:

 

Is Burbridge the Michigan State receiver? His name rings a bell.

Yes

 

Fuller aside, I like the mock a lot. I'm also a fan of Jack for our first. Having Ngakoue and Jones in the 4th would have me crazy, they're complete steals at this point.

[gabefergy]

5 hours ago, Dewy101 said:

I'd draft Aaron Burbridge and Leonte Carroo before Will Fuller. 

The offense needs speed and playmaking, outside of Corey Coleman, Fuller is the best option in this draft imo. He's going to drop some balls, but that doesn't make him a bad player. He's also torched some of the best DBs in the country.

[gabefergy]

6 hours ago, RaineV1 said:

I don't mind Jack as the pick if Buckner, Bosa, and Ramsey are gone. Not that into Fuller though. I think there'll be better WRs available in the 2nd.

I'd take Jack over Buckner, and I like Buckner a lot. I think the DL is already pretty stout and while DeForest is a decent pass-rusher he's not going to be dominant in the NFL imo. He just doesn't have the elite explosiveness. Jack just brings more playmaking ability and would take a major weakness into major strength. We got killed this past year because we couldn't cover the middle of the field.

[Drew P]

11 hours ago, spitfire418 said:

Not everyone agrees with us, but man do I love the type of player Myles Jack is. He is a special talent and probably the most talented guy in the whole draft right above Ramsey. I think he'll be a great player in the NFL if he stays healthy and keeps a good mindset throughout his career.

His closing speed is second to none.

I can see him going to Dallas if Jalen is off the board.

As a matter of fact CBS sports has Dallas taking him and the Ravens taking Tread.

[gabefergy]

1 hour ago, Clmraven said:

I like this draft,im actually a fan of Fuller's, its not often you find a guy with elite explosion start/stop ability along with elite deep speed usually it's one or the other, but he's a body catcher and frankly has horrible hands he led the league in drops on deep passes and total drops the last 2 seasons that's a huge concern for me, not to mention he kinda looks like he has alligator arms.

He's a cross between Torrey Smith (bad hands/body catching) and DeSean Jackson (lean frame), but he might have better speed than either of them and he tracks the ball just as well as DeSean and completely blows Torrey out of the water when it comes to tracking. He's scored 30 TDs for the Irish and that's no fluke.

[gabefergy]

25 minutes ago, Edgar said:

1)Myles Jack might be the best football player in this draft...for me i would hope for either jack or spence at six - Jack is truly fun to watch

2) I see what you like about fuller. There are some things that bother me. You mentioned his size,he also lets the ball get to his body way too much.

3) I need to watch this guy

i like Cyrus jones at that point.For a draft this stacked with d-tackle and DE prospects into middle rounds,I'm surprised you don't have us drafting one for a mock you feel should be leaning defense. 

I thought about a couple guys, but I think the DT/DE position is pretty strong right now for the Ravens. They could use a guy who can rush from the interior, but outside of the first round I'm not sure I see many guys in this draft who will be able to bring that ability. If Bob Nkemdiche would somehow fall to the 2nd or maybe even a Kenny Clark, I think I'd take them ahead of a WR.

[rmw10]

Surprised by the amount of dislike for the Fuller pick.  I'm not 100% sold on him.  The hands are my big concern obviously, but damn if he doesn't have that extra gear to break away from guys.  As much as drops annoy me, I think Fuller is the exact type of guy we need.  He's a serious threat and I think he'd really help to open up this offense even more.  That extra gear is something special and unteachable.

[gabefergy]

39 minutes ago, rmw10 said:

Surprised by the amount of dislike for the Fuller pick.  I'm not 100% sold on him.  The hands are my big concern obviously, but damn if he doesn't have that extra gear to break away from guys.  As much as drops annoy me, I think Fuller is the exact type of guy we need.  He's a serious threat and I think he'd really help to open up this offense even more.  That extra gear is something special and unteachable.

Yeah, I think he would be a huge asset in our offense with Flacco's arm. He might drop a couple deep ones, but chances are he will take 10 more to the house. I think the DeSean comp is pretty spot on, but Fuller isn't the headcase.

[Drew P]

Per Matt Millers tweet:

Treadwell last 2 years: 196 targets, 12 drops, 131 catches, 16 TD

Michael Thomas last 2 years: 157 targets, 5 drops, 110 catches, 18 TD

Corey Coleman last 2 years: 207 targets, 17 drops, 138 catches, 31 TD  Will Fuller last 2 years: 211, targets 21 drops, 138 catches, 29 TD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BmoreBird22]

Here's the thing with Myles Jack- You name everything he can do, but I saw a quote, and I entirely agree, that said to just simply put him at the WILL and go attack. Don't try to get too cute, just let him go attack the play.

[Wildabeast88]

Jack is an amazing player and superior athlete my only question what role will he fill he's not really a true pass rusher so do we put him at ILB next to Mosley. I like him but that's the problem where does he fit. 

[gabefergy]

5 minutes ago, Wildabeast88 said:

Jack is an amazing player and superior athlete my only question what role will he fill he's not really a true pass rusher so do we put him at ILB next to Mosley. I like him but that's the problem where does he fit. 

Yeah he plays ILB next to Mosley in base D. He can be moved around though which is a huge benefit. You can play big nickel with him as your third in the box safety. You can play 4-3 with him as a Will, we saw this at times with Orr on the field, but Jack would obviously be a huge upgrade over Daryl Smith in coverage. You can line him up over TEs or WRs in the slot. He just gives the defense a ton of versatility.

[gabefergy]

50 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

Here's the thing with Myles Jack- You name everything he can do, but I saw a quote, and I entirely agree, that said to just simply put him at the WILL and go attack. Don't try to get too cute, just let him go attack the play.

He does a lot more than your average Will LB, so why pigeonhole him?

[BmoreBird22]

1 hour ago, gabefergy said:

He does a lot more than your average Will LB, so why pigeonhole him?

Because it really does put him in a great position to utilize his speed in coverage and against the run

[gabefergy]

7 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

Because it really does put him in a great position to utilize his speed in coverage and against the run

No differently than in the scenarios I put forth. He's more versatile than that, and it's silly to try to say he should only play one role on defense when he clearly can do far more that that. 

 

[JoeyFlex5]

I'm actually changing my tone on fuller a bit. He has that slender frame and questionable hands, but He isn't some completely raw player, you can clearly see that he has great vision and awareness which is often a problem for college burners. He also has very quick feet and won't be a great route runner but he could be solid enough to really be a threat on any route when combining that with his speed. Him and perriman is a ridiculously fast offense and our te's included make it a diverse passing game

[RaineV1]

8 hours ago, gabefergy said:

The offense needs speed and playmaking, outside of Corey Coleman, Fuller is the best option in this draft imo. He's going to drop some balls, but that doesn't make him a bad player. He's also torched some of the best DBs in the country.

I'd actually rather take Shepard over Fuller for a speed receiver.

[gabefergy]

11 minutes ago, RaineV1 said:

I'd actually rather take Shepard over Fuller for a speed receiver.

I really like Shepard, but I don't see him as a speed receiver in the same sense. IMO Shepard is more quick than fast, and more of a slot/move the chains type than a deep threat.