[News] Late For Work 3/24: Could RB Ezekiel Elliott Be Dark-Horse Pick For Ravens?

[ryananth]

Unless the Ravens trade up they won't have a chance at Elliott. Cowboys have made it pretty clear they plan to draft him with their second rounder if he's still available.

[steelcityraven]

Dwight Freeney???? Sounds like he will be a Raven!

[ryananth]

The more I look at this year's draft I have a strong feeling that someone trades up to Ravens spot to get ahead of the 49ers to draft Jared Goff. I do hope we get a shot at Myles Jack though.

[steelcityraven]

I still think we are looking at Tunsil or Stanley with the 1st pick. The FO even said that we had it narrowed down to 2 players... Who else would make sense -knowing that they said that? I love the though of Ramsey and also the thought of Myles Jack - I even wouldn't mind seeing Bosa.... but we cannot count on Monroe and would clearly need an insurance plan if we enter the season as is... Tunsil or Stanley will be pick # 1 (unless we trade back)

[noleafclover613]

Unless the Ravens trade up they won't have a chance at Elliott. Cowboys have made it pretty clear they plan to draft him with their second rounder if he's still available.

Cowboys won't get him in the second round. Elliot probably will not make it outside of the top 15.

[Bruce_Almty]

56 minutes ago, 757RavensFan said:

And I wouldn't change it for the world.  Two of your 5 wins vs your hated rival.  There's always a silver lining.   

It still turned out to be a lose-lose case for us. We lost the higher draft pick and the Steelers still made the playoffs...hollow victories.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

Showing my age here as I remember when kickoffs used to be from the 30 yard line and we had an ace return man in Jermaine Lewis. Not sure if I like all this fiddling with the kickoffs, but I hope the new rule does result in more returns. The return is one of the most exciting plays in football.

I was actually all for the Ravens drafting Gurley last year if he fell to us. With his blown out knee I didn't think he would go so high. As for drafting Elliot, it is interesting, but I don't think you can take him 6th overall unless you are convinced he is that once in a generation type player. The Ravens could always try to trade up if they want to, or possibly could trade down. It really depends on how the people pick ahead of us. I am not convinced Stanley is a franchise type LT, but I trust the Ravens know more about what they're doing than I do. I know for certain that we can't have another swing and a miss of our first two picks in the draft. We need playmakers and stars there. It doesn't hurt as much to swing and miss at the 3rd round and lower.

The Ravens are going to look so much different in a couple more years. No more Suggs or Dumervil. Better start rebuilding now before it is too late and you're left playing catch up.

As for the veteran free agents, I am sure more are coming. Freeny is probably at the top of the list as well as one of the better free agent guards left. I like the idea of adding another corner just for depth's sake and I really think they should actually get another safety. I don't like our depth behind Weddle and Webb. With Webb's injury history, you most likely will need a back up to step in for a few games. I just don't know if Matt Elam is the guy, after that I am sure the Ravens would like to see Brooks stay on the field, and I wasn't impressed with Kendrick Lewis and I could see him being cut as well.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

Dwight Freeney???? Sounds like he will be a Raven!

I agree with you. If the price is right it makes a lot of sense. We don't need him to be a starter and we don't even need him to be how he was in his prime. We just need a legitimate threat that offenses have to account for when he's in the game. While we were without Suggs teams knew the only rush threat was Dumervil and they doubled him accordingly. Get Freeney and then draft a lower round project and have him learn from some of the best rushers in the game in Suggs, Dumervil, and Freeney.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

The more I look at this year's draft I have a strong feeling that someone trades up to Ravens spot to get ahead of the 49ers to draft Jared Goff. I do hope we get a shot at Myles Jack though.

The more I think of it the more I like the idea of the Ravens trading down. I think all of the guys they would want at 6 will probably be gone before the 6th pick. If that's the case, do we really draft the second best tackle in the draft with some pretty significant question marks within the top 10? Or do we trade back down, get a different guy at the right pick and also pick up another pick or two? If we are in a sort of rebuild mode, I have to think trading down for more picks is the option...but you don't do it unless you get a 1st round pick in return.

[Halshayeji]

1 hour ago, RavensDieHard21 said:

I am also absolutely hating our mocks with Stanley and Elliot. We are essentially in win now mode with the hopes of retaining valuable players for the future. Stanley won't immediately start and I just don't see him being worth the 6th pick. Just look at many of the recent top tackles that were hyped up and have failed to look like top 5-10 picks. Jake Matthews, Robinson, Joeckel, Fisher, etc. None of those guys look like Joe Thomas or Tyron Smith lol It just shows that even though they are going at early slots, doesn't mean they are worth it. Elliot will be a stud at the pro level and while I'll be pretty upset that we didn't address our other major holes, I still see him making a big splash in our offense. He is a legit top 10 talent, but I don't see him as being quite on the level of Gurley though. Ultimate outcome of our first pick is we get a game changer on defense that will be a huge contributor for +10 years, such as a Ramsey, Bosa, Buckner, Jack, or even Hargreaves, maybe if all the planets align we could get the true elite LT in Tunsil, but just a month away.

You said it yourself. Elliot is a great great player that will make pro bowl(s) but he's not Gurley. Elliot is a freak but Gurley was an animal! The likes of A.Peterson coming out of college.

This is coming from the only crazy person here that said last year "if gurley falls out of the top 15 the Ravens should change all their plans and trade for him"

The Ravens are picking at 6. You either get an animal or you take a freak in a position of need. It just doesn't make sense to take Elliot (a freak but not position of need) 

and yes Tunsil is an Animal! If you ask me. If the "planets align" we take him then figure out what to do with Monroe. Same applies with Ramsey and maybe Bosa but that's a big "if" right there

Edited March 24, 2016 by Halshayeji

[fusuymada]

I have learned to not listen to the pre-draft babble that goes around with everyone. I remember last year before drafting Perriman in the first round, you can go back and look at article after article where Harbaugh, Newsome and Bisciotti were all saying that a wide receiver isn't an option that they had too many other positions of need. I also remember saying two weeks before the draft that the Ravens will definitely pick a wide receiver because of all the effort they put into saying that they weren't. Listen folks, you can't believe a thing these guys say these days because the last thing they want to do is have any other team know what they are doing. It is a calculated game of lies, deception, misstatements, false statements and subterfuge. Just because Bisciotti said we might trade down but trading up is out makes me think we just may trade up to three with San Diego if Ramsey is still sitting there. San Diego has already let it be known they are in the market to trade back. I definitely listen to what the three amigos (Harbaugh, Newsome and Bisciotti) say and filter it and then plan on them doing exactly the opposite of what they say.

[757RavensFan]

13 minutes ago, Bruce_Almty said:

It still turned out to be a lose-lose case for us. We lost the higher draft pick and the Steelers still made the playoffs...hollow victories.

And they got the same prize as us for making the playoffs. 

[trevorsteadman]

Showing my age here as I remember when kickoffs used to be from the 30 yard line and we had an ace return man in Jermaine Lewis. Not sure if I like all this fiddling with the kickoffs, but I hope the new rule does result in more returns. The return is one of the most exciting plays in football.

I was actually all for the Ravens drafting Gurley last year if he fell to us. With his blown out knee I didn't think he would go so high. As for drafting Elliot, it is interesting, but I don't think you can take him 6th overall unless you are convinced he is that once in a generation type player. The Ravens could always try to trade up if they want to, or possibly could trade down. It really depends on how the people pick ahead of us. I am not convinced Stanley is a franchise type LT, but I trust the Ravens know more about what they're doing than I do. I know for certain that we can't have another swing and a miss of our first two picks in the draft. We need playmakers and stars there. It doesn't hurt as much to swing and miss at the 3rd round and lower.

The Ravens are going to look so much different in a couple more years. No more Suggs or Dumervil. Better start rebuilding now before it is too late and you're left playing catch up.

As for the veteran free agents, I am sure more are coming. Freeny is probably at the top of the list as well as one of the better free agent guards left. I like the idea of adding another corner just for depth's sake and I really think they should actually get another safety. I don't like our depth behind Weddle and Webb. With Webb's injury history, you most likely will need a back up to step in for a few games. I just don't know if Matt Elam is the guy, after that I am sure the Ravens would like to see Brooks stay on the field, and I wasn't impressed with Kendrick Lewis and I could see him being cut as well.

I don't think Kendrick Lewis gets cut with Hill being cut. He is a solid SS but the Ravens played him as a FS last season. We now have Webb and Weddle who can play FS and Weddle can play some SS. Kendrick Lewis is iffy in coverage but he is one of the most solid tacklers at the position. I believe we keep him for depth. I think Webb needs to worry more about his job with how much salary we could save by cutting him but I still think we keep him because of his cap.

[rmcjacket23]

Just now, Brunson529 said:

Hell yeah..It would stun the entire league. We need a Pro Bowl RB and Ezekiel has Pro Bowler written all over him. I would not keep any of the current RBs except Buck Allen and Forsett. I think the remainder of the draft could be devoted to Defense.

Why exactly do we need a Pro Bowl RB again? 

1. We all know that Pro Bowls are meaningless in evaluating players.

2. How often does having a Pro Bowl RB translate into winning football games?

[EdTheMythicalOne]

3 minutes ago, fusuymada said:

I have learned to not listen to the pre-draft babble that goes around with everyone. I remember last year before drafting Perriman in the first round, you can go back and look at article after article where Harbaugh, Newsome and Bisciotti were all saying that a wide receiver isn't an option that they had too many other positions of need. I also remember saying two weeks before the draft that the Ravens will definitely pick a wide receiver because of all the effort they put into saying that they weren't. Listen folks, you can't believe a thing these guys say these days because the last thing they want to do is have any other team know what they are doing. It is a calculated game of lies, deception, misstatements, false statements and subterfuge. Just because Bisciotti said we might trade down but trading up is out makes me think we just may trade up to three with San Diego if Ramsey is still sitting there. San Diego has already let it be known they are in the market to trade back. I definitely listen to what the three amigos (Harbaugh, Newsome and Bisciotti) say and filter it and then plan on them doing exactly the opposite of what they say.

I second that. The Ravens are in a pretty slick position with their pick. They can wait and see how the first couple of picks go, trust their information and make an educated guess of when their actual target might go and trade up...or if the guys they want go before their pick they can trade back...or the guy they really want might just fall to them at their pick. It is a pretty great position to be in.

What do you make of Harbaugh and Newsome basically being down on Monroe and then Biscotti giving him the vote of confidence in the same day pretty much? I personally would like for a healthy Monroe to be there. He was no world beater, but he was a very solid starter and got the job done most of the time. We currently really have nobody on the roster to take his place. Picking up Clady after he's cut might make sense depending on his market. One of those guys could play RT or move to G, or Monroe could be cut if we're convinced he's too banged up to stay on the field.

I've got it. Ravens are picking a Punter with their first overall pick...no doubt about it. They've been cleverly silent abut their ingenious plan.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

6 minutes ago, trevorsteadman said:

I don't think Kendrick Lewis gets cut with Hill being cut. He is a solid SS but the Ravens played him as a FS last season. We now have Webb and Weddle who can play FS and Weddle can play some SS. Kendrick Lewis is iffy in coverage but he is one of the most solid tacklers at the position. I believe we keep him for depth. I think Webb needs to worry more about his job with how much salary we could save by cutting him but I still think we keep him because of his cap.

Reggie Nelson is still out there without a job and he doesn't seem to be getting a whole lot of serious interest. He's a turnover machine and even at age 33 I think he can make an impact. Depending on his asking price I would make the move to sign him and cut Kendrick Lewis in a heartbeat. With Nelson in the fold you could have him slot in at FS for Webb and Webb could then move in for nickel coverage. It is all about improving your team and I would have to say that Nelson is an upgrade over most of what we have. It'll be interesting to see how Matt Elam comes back, but I believe he's Weddle's back up at SS.

[ellicottraven]

I've suggested this (Zeke being our pick) on our forum only to be chastised by some for my audacity. It makes sense because my gut tells me he is rated very highly on our board. I don't particularly like it, but Jamal Lewis at #5 was instrumental in our first SB win.
My sense is our offense will be really potent with Elliott as our back now that chop blocks have been deemed illegal which puts a huge strain on our ZBS run game. Forsett without our ZBS won't be as potent as a back imo.

[sami]

on that Monroe thing. I think the media is making more out of it than it really is. The only ones down on Monroe is the fans and media. The coaches and front office haven't been down on him, its just the media looking for a story and not finding one so they make one up.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

8 minutes ago, rmcjacket23 said:

Why exactly do we need a Pro Bowl RB again? 

1. We all know that Pro Bowls are meaningless in evaluating players.

2. How often does having a Pro Bowl RB translate into winning football games?

We don't need a pro bowl running back, but we certainly need a legitimate ground attack to get the passing game going. A healthy Forsett can be just the thing we need and with some potential short yard bangers and goal line runners we'd be sitting pretty. This is why I don't mind the addition of Trent Richardson if he can get in shape. He's not going to be our starter, he's not going to cost us much, and we don't have to cut Taliafero or Allen to have him make the roster. I don't think West showed all that much and he's had conditioning issues as well. Richardson is worth a kick of the tires and we really have nothing to lose by bringing him into camp.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

3 minutes ago, ellicottraven said:

I've suggested this (Zeke being our pick) on our forum only to be chastised by some for my audacity. It makes sense because my gut tells me he is rated very highly on our board. I don't particularly like it, but Jamal Lewis at #5 was instrumental in our first SB win.
My sense is our offense will be really potent with Elliott as our back now that chop blocks have been deemed illegal which puts a huge strain on our ZBS run game. Forsett without our ZBS won't be as potent as a back imo.

If that guy is an absolute beast and the Ravens are convinced of that fact, I got no problem with them drafting him. A good ground game paves the way for a good passing attack.

[surfdude]

on that Monroe thing. I think the media is making more out of it than it really is. The only ones down on Monroe is the fans and media. The coaches and front office haven't been down on him, its just the media looking for a story and not finding one so they make one up.

I agree. Healthy is a top 10 LT. He's had some freak injuries the last 2 years. Ankle , Shoulder & a concussion. My hope is all of that is behind him and the Ravens can get a good season out of him. He's a good player when healthy.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

on that Monroe thing. I think the media is making more out of it than it really is. The only ones down on Monroe is the fans and media. The coaches and front office haven't been down on him, its just the media looking for a story and not finding one so they make one up.

Good call.

I think Monroe is a good but not great LT. If he's healthy I would be perfectly fine with him starting. I was looking back over the comments that Harbaugh made and he just basically said it is an open competition which is what the Ravens always say about pretty much every position. It is fuel to people on the roster to say you can't rest on your laurels because we got other guys trying to take your job. If they look better than you, you're out.

[Halshayeji]

3 minutes ago, fusuymada said:

I have learned to not listen to the pre-draft babble that goes around with everyone. I remember last year before drafting Perriman in the first round, you can go back and look at article after article where Harbaugh, Newsome and Bisciotti were all saying that a wide receiver isn't an option that they had too many other positions of need. I also remember saying two weeks before the draft that the Ravens will definitely pick a wide receiver because of all the effort they put into saying that they weren't. Listen folks, you can't believe a thing these guys say these days because the last thing they want to do is have any other team know what they are doing. It is a calculated game of lies, deception, misstatements, false statements and subterfuge. Just because Bisciotti said we might trade down but trading up is out makes me think we just may trade up to three with San Diego if Ramsey is still sitting there. San Diego has already let it be known they are in the market to trade back. I definitely listen to what the three amigos (Harbaugh, Newsome and Bisciotti) say and filter it and then plan on them doing exactly the opposite of what they say.

 

Great post! You weren't alone. I was one of the dudes last year that said Perriman is a STUD and would be great value if he falls to us. I got crushed for it of course but Decosta agreed. Point is, wev been through this rodeo before and I kinda have an understanding of how Ozzie and Decosta think. It's weird but I get it lol they are thrifty buyers and horrible liars and I love it! 

What they say in front of the camera is rarely ever true. Iv learned to read between the lines. Your probably right, they are saying we might trade back to see what value they get vs what they'd have to give up to move up. But I know how thrifty they are and I doubt us moving up unless Tunsil is still there.

 

Its much easier to predict our FO by their actions. 

1- no one has been talking about MLB and no FA talk even tho FA is loaded with above average guys. Translation:- FO loves more than 1 MLB in this draft.

2- Freeny talk. Keep in mind if the Ravens like a guy they lock the door. Translation:- we like a pass rusher so Freeny can wait.

3- Monroe is our guy. (Why not say this a month ago?). Translation:- were looking at LTs but all this chatter is inflating the asking price. or give the impression that we hate all the LTs in this draft class.

4- resigning s.wright and keeping Arrington and Davis. Translation:- no way we reach for a CB with the 6th overall. Maybe second round or if we trade waaay back.

 

like Iv said Iv been to this rodeo waaay too many times and I believe that I can predict the Ravens moves better than most. But even I am wrong more than in right predicting the Ravens draft. 

 

Just for fun il make a bold prediction;)

If Ramsey, Tunsil, or Bosa miraculously fall were taking him and celebrating.

If they are all gone were gonna look to trade back 8-12ish if the value is right or take Mack at 6 if we have to.

if we do trade back. It's Darron Lee, Leonard Floyd, or Buckner (hoping its Floyd)

 

 

 

 

[Halshayeji]

2 hours ago, rmcjacket23 said:

1. I certainly don't think we are anywhere close to "win now" mode.

2. Stanley could easily immediately start... could lead to us departing with Monroe, or at the very least, he could start as Guard in year 1, as many top LTs have.

3. Sure, a lot of those tackles haven't lived up. But then again, most of the top tackles in the league did, and they were very high draft picks as well. Generally speaking, its going to cost you a first round pick to get a quality LT in this league, and most of the time, a high first round pick.

3- Absolutely! The floor for a top ten LT is an above average NFL player in one of the most important positions for half price.

2- Your right. Stanley would start LG and if... No I mean when Monroe gets hurt we have a good backup.

1- how can you say "not even close" to win now mode. I love going back and forth with you as you regularly open my eyes to new things but I think you should just raise the white flag on this one.

[FGSB]

If we take a RB at #6, I quit

[EdTheMythicalOne]

6 minutes ago, Halshayeji said:

3- Absolutely! The floor for a top ten LT is an above average NFL player in one of the most important positions for half price.

2- Your right. Stanley would start LG and if... No I mean when Monroe gets hurt we have a good backup.

1- how can you say "not even close" to win now mode. I love going back and forth with you as you regularly open my eyes to new things but I think you should just raise the white flag on this one.

I don't think we're in a "win now" mode either, but it is a game of semantics. I think we're in a perpetual state of trying to win every single year...legitimately. Had the team remained relatively healthy last year I think we would have been in the playoffs at the very least.

The windows that are closing soon are:

1) The O-line: We've got a lot of guys with only a couple of years left on their contracts and probably won't be back. So far our backups haven't really shown they are potential starters in the league yet, that could change.

2) The edge rushers: Suggs is nearing the end of his career and Dumervil the end of his contract. Both guys are at or beyond the wrong side of 30. Again our youth behind these guys hasn't shown enough to be the answer going forward.

3) The secondary: Webb is injury prone and is now 30, Weddle's contract is essentially for 2 years and he's over 30, Matt Elam has been a bust so far, Brooks has the injury bug, and Lewis didn't impress. Jimmy Smith is hopefully healthy and after that is Shareece Wright as our #2 corner? I didn't see much of Kyle Arrington and the tragic loss of Tray Walker also hurts us on this level as well.

4) Wideout: Our #1 guy is going to be a soon to retire Steve Smith Sr. and the Ravens have never drafted well enough to replace him. After that is an over achieving Kamar Aiken, a total question mark in Perriman, and a guy hoping to regain some form in Wallace. I hope Perriman is the talent they think he is and he can stay healthy. Would also love to see Campanaro stay healthy.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

10 minutes ago, FGSB said:

If we take a RB at #6, I quit

Don't worry, Ravens are going Punter at #6. They've been totally quiet about this position and they've said nothing about Sam Koch.

[stixfix69]

Would love to pick that back out of Ark in the middle rounds if available, if we go after a back in the draft....Big bruising back with good speed.....JMO, but no RB with the #6 pick....

[rmcjacket23]

29 minutes ago, Halshayeji said:

3- Absolutely! The floor for a top ten LT is an above average NFL player in one of the most important positions for half price.

2- Your right. Stanley would start LG and if... No I mean when Monroe gets hurt we have a good backup.

1- how can you say "not even close" to win now mode. I love going back and forth with you as you regularly open my eyes to new things but I think you should just raise the white flag on this one.

Depends on what "win now" means, and its inherently subjective.

A team like the Patriots and like the Broncos were the last 3-4 years were in "win now" mode. Why? Because their franchise QB is heading towards retirement, and once that happens, the likelihood of them being SB contenders without replacing that QB with a very good one is slim to none. When Brady retires, the Pats will likely gut the whole team.

If we don't "win" this season, is like the whole FO getting fired and we are going to have a firesale with players? The answer, most likely, is no, because there's no indication that's going to happen.

Our window to "win now" isn't like 1-2 years. It's probably whatever a realistic tenure for Flacco to be on this team is, which is probably at least 5-6 years. Sure, we've got some aging, formerly quality veterans who will be retiring soon... we've seen that before. 

The "win now" mode for this team, in my opinion, was the window we saw between 2008-2012. New QB, multiple all-time great defensive players who were heading towards the end, and the realization that once Joe got his back contract, a lot would change.

I think 2013-2015 has been treated vastly differently in terms of how the FO views this team long term and what they are trying to do. Sure, they want to win every single season, and they do plenty to show that. But even going back to 2013... did anybody realistically look at that team and say "yes, I think this team is built to be a SB contender right now"? Heck, you could say the same thing for the last three years. Playoff team? Sure, I'll buy that. SB contender? I never saw it.

There's nothing wrong with any of this either. To me, its largely the ebb and flow of a team coming off a recent SB win. 

[eze17]

first off, anyone who still thinks Tunsil will be around by the 6th pick is delusional. That said, I still think we stay at #6 and draft defense. Elliott may be a good running back, but I don't see him as a game changer, and while he's worthy of a 1st round pick I don't see him as a top ten. Maybe if we trade back you could justify it. Stanley could be a pick for us, but he's not total blue-chip as there are some questions about his health and skill sets at being an 'elite' LT in the NFL.Also, I go along with that the Raven's do like Monroe. He's a good player when healthy. I do see us addressing our o-line in this draft, but probably not in the 1st round.

On the defensive side, there's Bosa, Buckner, Ramsey and Jacks, anyone of which I think the Raven's would take. Given that Tunsil is off the board, and my guess is Goff will also be gone (likely to Cleveland, or someone will get desperate and trade up for him) one of these guys will still be there. If not, my guess is look to trade back unless there is someone the Raven's really love, and is keeping it under their hat.