Mock Draft with a couple big trades

[RaineV1]

I'm doing this more as a thought experiment rather than actually considering what the Ravens would do. That said, I did try to make the trades realistic in terms of value that both sides are getting. Again I'll just do the first four rounds, and say who I think will be picked before our first selection.

Pick 1, Titans: Tunsil
Pick 2, Browns: Wentz
Pick 3: Chargers: Bosa
Pick 4: Cowboys: Ramsey
Pick 5: Jaguars: Jack
Pick 6, Rams (trade): Goff (Rams trade this year's 1st round pick, their earlier 2nd round pick, and next year's 1st round pick to move up.)
Pick 7, 49ers: Buckner
Pick 8, Eagles: Stanley
Pick 9, Bucs: Lawson
Pick 10, Giants: Hargreaves III
Pick 11, Bears: A'Shawn Robinson
Pick 12, Saints: Darron Lee
Pick 13, Dolphins: Ragland
Pick 14, Raiders: Apple

Round 1, Pick 15, Ravens: Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia

Floyd is an incredible athlete, with the ability to get after the QB from both the edge and as an interior blitzer. Also, he's great in space with decent awareness, and the ability to close distances in an instant. While he isn't the biggest guy, he is stronger than he looks. And if he can add another ten to fifteen pounds of muscle without losing his burst, he could become one of the best edge rushers in the AFC. I think his play style is similar to Shazier, though hopefully he won't have the injury issues Shazier has had. He gives the Ravens two things they need, speed and youth at OLB.

Trade 2: Ravens give their original 2nd Round pick and their 3rd round pick for the Chiefs 1st round pick
Round 1, Pick 28: Jason Spriggs, LT, Indiana

The Ravens sneak in front of the Panthers and Broncos to grab a potential franchise LT. Spriggs has great quickness for a tackle and showed to be stronger than expected during the combine. He is the perfect answer to handle the quick edge rushers. Also Trestman will like him due to his ability to get out in front of a running back on screen passes. He will likely need a bit of time to develop as a run blocker, but the Ravens have solid run blocking TEs to help him out. Monroe will probably get hurt again, then Spriggs comes in and never goes back to the bench.

Round 2 (pick gotten from the Rams): Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma

After continually impressing people Shepard is likely to keep moving up the board, and there are teams in the later part of the 2nd round that'll happily snatch him. The Ravens get to grab a guy who may become the best WR in the draft in the middle of the 2nd round, that's some pretty good value.

Round 4: Nick Virgil, ILB, Utah State

The type of high motor LB that the Ravens always seem to land. He's an above average athlete with confidence, and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty in the middle of the field. He could be a solid complimentary player to Mosley.

Round 4: Evan Boehm, C, Missouri

As I said in my last mock, Boehm is simply a powerful force in the middle of the line that creates interior running lanes. He's the guy that can help the Ravens consistently get that one or two yards needs for a first down or touchdown. This type of interior presence is something the Ravens will need after losing KO.

Round 4: Ronald Blair, DE, Appalachain State

A high character guy that's a mauler on the line. He also has decent awareness, keeping track of where the ball is and where he has to go.

Round 4: Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota

A versatile CB that can play off man, press, or zone. Doesn't have eye popping stats, but did a good job of mirroring receivers and forcing the QB to go elsewhere with the ball. He has been praised by his coaches for his great work ethic.

Edited March 11, 2016 by RaineV1

[Jacquouille]

That's realistic. By no means a flash draft, and some will regret the lack of instant playmakers, but it's solid. Overall if we end up with all those quality players, it's hard to complain. 

[Somerset Ravens]

The players shown in this mock would be solid additions to the Ravens. I cannot see the Rams paying that much to move up. IMO giving up the 36th and 70th picks is too high a price for the 28th pick.

 

 

[PolishRifle]

2 1st round draft picks for Goff? I believe it, when I see it .

[L.A.Ravens]

Your overestimating trade value with the trade with the chiefs

[Wildabeast88]

Yeh probably more like 2nd and 5th I like being aggressive and getting Spriggs that would help solidify the O-Line and give us some depth.  In this scenario I would prefer Spence to Floyd but I like Shepard and Murray a lot

[JoeyFlex5]

I would cry tears of joy. Seriously. 

 

Floyd may be my number 1 most underrated guy in this class, period. He is in my opinion the best bet to bring high pass rushing efficiency and explosive impact period. He is such a long and explosive athlete but more importantly he is very refined and extremely smart on the field, he isn't just an edge rusher he is a FOOTBALL PLAYER, and a Damn good one. 

 

I like spriggs over stanley, conklin, and Decker. Even though he isn't a mauler he is stronger than advertised and a supreme athlete and technician at LT. He reminds me a lot of Ryan clady in his prime. 

 

Shepard I'm not as high on as most, I still think he's a early 3rd guy but I'd be happy with him in the 2nd because I think at worst he is a guy who definitely brings us a few extra first downs every week, at best he can be another Derrick mason. And I'm not one for comparisons but I do see a resemblance in the last few guys I named.

[Edgar]

I'm starting to think that you like Spriggs as a prospect. There is no question that if we can get a 2017 first round selection in trade, it makes your mock a lot better to me overall.

Floyd was used everywhere at Georgia last year. Which I found a little strange. it hurt his sack production but shows a heady player who is versatile.I don't think he holds up in the run game without adding fifteen or twenty pounds. I don't see the pro comparison to Shazier?

 

 

 

I have to to watch more Spriggs but my first reaction would be waiting to see who falls to us and saving our third. 

I think Shepard is the one receiver I could see carving out a role with us right away. 

[Boddiebroadus]

I think floyd adding 20 lbs of muscle is unrealistic. With 10 lbs of muscle he'll weigh 255 which is really good for him. Maybe 3-4 years in he can gain another 10 lbs of muscle. Floyd is a freak and will have a huge impact on this d if we draft him. 

[BmoreBird22]

Would hate trading back for Floyd and that's way too much to give up to trade with the Chiefs. But you have to tell us why the Chiefs would trade back. 

They have quite a few free agents and if all they're realistically going to recoup is a fourth, why trade back and risk missing out on instant impact players? 

[RaineV1]

4 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

Would hate trading back for Floyd and that's way too much to give up to trade with the Chiefs. But you have to tell us why the Chiefs would trade back. 

They have quite a few free agents and if all they're realistically going to recoup is a fourth, why trade back and risk missing out on instant impact players? 

Obviously it'd depend on who's available and what they want, but I think they'd trade down for a third, or two fourths. The Chiefs main needs are at positions that this draft is deep at, so for them trading down to get more picks makes sense if they get a good deal.

[glen ferguson]

I hope we stay far away from Spence, i would not touch him with a 12 ft pole lol, at least not before rd 4. I did not like some of what he said in his interview. He's too much of a risk . Be warned.

[Winchester]

That scenario is a pipe dream!! Goff is Immensely talented but not nearly enough hype to give up that kinda capital!! I have not watched any of Spriggs yet and the little I heard about him says his weighroom strength is not evident in his actual play. But I suppose we will see. I would be happy to get the rams #1 and round2 pick and some change.I do not see them giving up next yrs round 1 as well. Not a chance. But I do like your Floyd pick if he is available that scape!! Like i said not sure bout Spriggs. But I see you really must like him. I'm a fan of Michael Thomas the that juncture. In my opinion he is the best receiver in the draft and a prototype #1WR!! If Perriman and Campanaro play injury free Thomas Perriman and Campanaro could maybe form the best trio in the league. Throw max and Ben Watson in the mix and that is quite an awesome bunch!!

[JoeyFlex5]

4 minutes ago, Winchester said:

That scenario is a pipe dream!! Goff is Immensely talented but not nearly enough hype to give up that kinda capital!! I have not watched any of Spriggs yet and the little I heard about him says his weighroom strength is not evident in his actual play. But I suppose we will see. I would be happy to get the rams #1 and round2 pick and some change.I do not see them giving up next yrs round 1 as well. Not a chance. But I do like your Floyd pick if he is available that scape!! Like i said not sure bout Spriggs. But I see you really must like him. I'm a fan of Michael Thomas the that juncture. In my opinion he is the best receiver in the draft and a prototype #1WR!! If Perriman and Campanaro play injury free Thomas Perriman and Campanaro could maybe form the best trio in the league. Throw max and Ben Watson in the mix and that is quite an awesome bunch!!

I don't see any less strength than Stanley shows. He gets stationary and holds his ground against the run but doesn't get push, he is a good tackle with good technique, supreme athleticism, and a high effort/character type of personality

[ravefan52]

22 hours ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

I would cry tears of joy. Seriously. 

 

Floyd may be my number 1 most underrated guy in this class, period. He is in my opinion the best bet to bring high pass rushing efficiency and explosive impact period. He is such a long and explosive athlete but more importantly he is very refined and extremely smart on the field, he isn't just an edge rusher he is a FOOTBALL PLAYER, and a Damn good one. 

 

I like spriggs over stanley, conklin, and Decker. Even though he isn't a mauler he is stronger than advertised and a supreme athlete and technician at LT. He reminds me a lot of Ryan clady in his prime. 

 

Shepard I'm not as high on as most, I still think he's a early 3rd guy but I'd be happy with him in the 2nd because I think at worst he is a guy who definitely brings us a few extra first downs every week, at best he can be another Derrick mason. And I'm not one for comparisons but I do see a resemblance in the last few guys I named.

I don't see how a guy like Floyd, with just 4.5 sacks last season, is our best bet to bring pass rush. More so than Bosa or Buckner, really? I know stats don't tell the whole story, but you'd like to see more production from a guy you're taking that early. And I do not see a refined player, rather someone who is viewed as pretty raw. Many think he could be the next Dion Jordan or Mingo. He'll also take some time to bulk up more. He's got crazy athleticism and potential too, but I would not take him at 15 and I don't think the Ravens would.

Edited March 13, 2016 by ravefan52

[JoeyFlex5]

1 hour ago, ravefan52 said:

I don't see how a guy like Floyd, with just 4.5 sacks last season, is our best bet to bring pass rush. More so than Bosa or Buckner, really? I know stats don't tell the whole story, but you'd like to see more production from a guy you're taking that early. And I do not see a refined player, rather someone who is viewed as pretty raw. Many think he could be the next Dion Jordan or Mingo. He'll also take some time to bulk up more. He's got crazy athleticism and potential too, but I would not take him at 15 and I don't think the Ravens would.

He was used as a linebacker and not a pass rusher. He covered a lot and did so very well, and also held up in the run game surprisingly well, he's no ragland against the run but for college standards he did ok, punching blockers in the mouth and pursuing and shooting gaps. And he has great instincts and plays well with his hands and can manipulate blockers by rushing with different gears and being unpredictable taking different lanes. 

 

I see more of a high character aldon Smith than any of those busts you mentioned. Its really easy to point out a bust of a smaller athletic pass rusher and compare them when you want to put them down as a prospect. 

[JoeyFlex5]

And at 15, I think the ravens would consider him, it depends on who else is there. Shaq lawson? Laquon treadwell? Ronnie Stanley? It would take a hell of a faller to make us pass on him because none of the typically projected mid teens guys are any more impressive than floyd

[RaineV1]

5 hours ago, ravefan52 said:

I don't see how a guy like Floyd, with just 4.5 sacks last season, is our best bet to bring pass rush. More so than Bosa or Buckner, really? I know stats don't tell the whole story, but you'd like to see more production from a guy you're taking that early. And I do not see a refined player, rather someone who is viewed as pretty raw. Many think he could be the next Dion Jordan or Mingo. He'll also take some time to bulk up more. He's got crazy athleticism and potential too, but I would not take him at 15 and I don't think the Ravens would.

Unlike guys like Spence and Lawson, he was moved around a lot and used a ton in coverage. He wasn't there just to rush the QB. If they would have used him just as an edgerusher he'd have much better stats.

[JoeyFlex5]

1 hour ago, RaineV1 said:

Unlike guys like Spence and Lawson, he was moved around a lot and used a ton in coverage. He wasn't there just to rush the QB. If they would have used him just as an edgerusher he'd have much better stats.

Floyd has already proven his chops at pass rushing as a sophomore. 

 

He showed to just be an elite olb as a junior. 

 

Bold statement here... Leonard Floyd is a higher ceiling jaylon Smith due to his better edge rushing and length, they actually aren't that far apart as traditional linebackers but Floyd is light years ahead as a pass rusher.

[allblackraven]

8 minutes ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

Floyd has already proven his chops at pass rushing as a sophomore. 

He showed to just be an elite olb as a junior. 

Bold statement here... Leonard Floyd is a higher ceiling jaylon Smith due to his better edge rushing and length, they actually aren't that far apart as traditional linebackers but Floyd is light years ahead as a pass rusher.

Wow.

This may be true only if Smith is forced to play on one leg due to that unfortunate injury.

Healthy Smith is top 5 talent in this class, Floyd on the other hand borderline 1st rounder. That's not a bold statement, it's just foolish.

[JoeyFlex5]

10 minutes ago, allblackraven said:

Wow.

This may be true only if Smith is forced to play on one leg due to that unfortunate injury.

Healthy Smith is top 5 talent in this class, Floyd on the other hand borderline 1st rounder. That's not a bold statement, it's just foolish.

Well I personally think jaylon Smith is and was overrated because he does not engage blockers at all. Obviously I'm in the minority but watching film on him his avoidance stood out more than his talents, his coverage skills are good but not great and he is too soft to play in traffic, it will be hard getting him to play well in space consistently when his strong suit is sniffing out open running lanes but he needs to play clean to be effective. 

 

Floyd's football iq is severely underrated and he has the most explosive skill set of any edge rusher in the draft.

[BmoreBird22]

18 hours ago, RaineV1 said:

Obviously it'd depend on who's available and what they want, but I think they'd trade down for a third, or two fourths. The Chiefs main needs are at positions that this draft is deep at, so for them trading down to get more picks makes sense if they get a good deal.

But that still doesn't say who'd they pass on and who they'd be trading back for.