[News] Eisenberg: Grading The Draft A Complicated Exercise

[cec327]

8 minutes ago, hen826957 said:

10 minutes ago, jrubin80 said:

@Mike B. Who says he doesn't need surgery? Jack said himself that doctors said he could need Microfracture surgery in the future. ALl due respect but
the fans that are upset over The Ravens not drafting an injured player are the
same fans who are labeling Perriman a bust!!!

Probably true, but l would take Jack over Correra at this point. ?

Jack is rookie of the year--- see, I told you so

Jack is out of football with a knee problem -- see I told you so.

Ever try to get travel ins. with a pre-existing condition?

[cec327]

3 hours ago, Fastynart said:

A much better football team? Baloney. Instead of pulling the trigger and getting Ramsey (so what if we had to give up a third round pick), the guy that we wanted, we fall short. Ok, Stanley was a good choice, but little else in this draft was. More mediocre linebackers like the ones we already have. The only intriguing pick was the Navy guy. Two wide receivers??? Again? Ridiculous. More wasted picks.

How do you " pull the trigger" when the other guy isn't willing to deal? Takes two to tango and Jerry wasn't dancing.

[Halshayeji]

3 hours ago, megalomarc said:

A third rounder for Jalen Ramsey, means we would not have Ronnie Stanley and Kaufusi Bronson. That would have been a sound move. It almost happened. But we can't be unhappy with Stanley.

Absolutely. Stanley is not too shabby of a player and I respect the fact that Ozzie really tried to move up but wasn't willing to overpay.

[Minionhunter]

The goal is not to win the draft, the goal is to win the Superbowl.

We don't know what moves the two 2nd round trade downs allowed them to make/not make with all subsequent picks, it could have been very different in filling needs. I really like the pass rushers we got.

My guess is Spence was a calculated risk and that they thought if he got by Tampa great, if not, they had Correra back pocket. Correra can still add substantial weight and muscle.

The more I think about this draft, the better I like it. I would give it an "A-" since I think they could have taken one or two late/very late shots to get at least one of two players they could have had for a ham sandwich next Tuesday and half a can of bacon grease. Kolby Listenbee (went to Buffalo mid 6th round, they maybe were thinking he would fall to them with their last pick) and Scooby Wright (who they would have had to give up a 6th next year to get, and he almost fell to the UDFA auction, being taken 3rd to last by the Browns).

For those of you down on Moore, think about this. Cincinnati (who we struggle with) spent their first round pick on corner William Jackson III.

Chris Moore eating William Jackson III alive

 

[The Greek]

@Mike B. Who says he doesn't need surgery? Jack said himself that doctors said he could need Microfracture surgery in the future. ALl due respect but
the fans that are upset over The Ravens not drafting an injured player are the
same fans who are labeling Perriman a bust!!!

great post!! i guarantee if we drafted jack or spence and jack injured his knee or spence got suspended for some stupid incident off the field than these same fans that wanted jack or spence would want the front office fired.

[The Greek]

With Cyrus Jones going late in the 2rd round, I started thinking how thin this year's draft is. I thought Cyrus was more of a late 3rd or 4th round pick. Other players were being taken earlier as well. For that reason, I didn't think it was a good idea to move back in the 2nd round, I thought this was the type of draft that you move up in and take a couple of good starters, like Ramsey and Miles Jack. If you check the roster and do the Math, you will find that with guys like Campanaro and many others coming back from injury, along with Whittle, Richardson and a few other vets being signed, there are not near enough spaces on this roster to add all of those draft picks, unless of course they are all fantastic and they can all make the team. Otherwise, I am guessing a lot of them will get cut and become wasted picks that we could have used to draft a few better players. This draft seemed to be more of a quality rather than quantity draft. I hope Ozzie didn't miss read it.

ozzie said in the post draft conference that the league is beginning to value cb's a lot more and that is why so many went so early. i actually like the kid we drafted in the 6th rd.. excited to see how he performs in camp and preseason

[stixfix69]

I loved the draft because i feel we took a entire different approach aside from Stanley, we didn't draft big named players, we drafted football players, guys who have had to fight for everything they have gotten....Hungry players, over looked players, and a few under-rated players....All these guys are coach able, and not Divas, and IMO this is what getting back to what got is here is all about, drafting Football players, not bling players....

[Minionhunter]

28 minutes ago, jrubin80 said:

@Mike B. Who says he doesn't need surgery? Jack said himself that doctors said he could need Microfracture surgery in the future. ALl due respect but
the fans that are upset over The Ravens not drafting an injured player are the
same fans who are labeling Perriman a bust!!!

The damage control from Dr. Andersen before day 2 was that Jack did not need surgery (meaning he doesn't need it now = true). The first mention about Jack that set everyone off was that his knee was a timebomb, he could need surgery in a year or four years, but time is ticking. Jack himself said he may need surgery sometime (meaning sometime in the future, he might need surgery) which agrees with the anonymous GM quote about murky future for Jack. I hope he needs nothing and does well, I never wish injury on a player, but obviously the Ravens medical staff gave a prediction that gave the evaluators enough pause to push him down our board past where he was picked.

[Halshayeji]

4 hours ago, cbrook1862 said:

I think the only player they may regret passing on is Myles Jack but like it said in the article I could see why they passed on him, his knee seems very unpredictable and may affect him down the road. I give them an A-

Interesting I absolutely agree....

could we see correa getting some playing time ILB along with Mosley? I really like his interior pass rush.

[cec327]

9 minutes ago, Minionhunter said:

The goal is not to win the draft, the goal is to win the Superbowl.

We don't know what moves the two 2nd round trade downs allowed them to make/not make with all subsequent picks, it could have been very different in filling needs. I really like the pass rushers we got.

My guess is Spence was a calculated risk and that they thought if he got by Tampa great, if not, they had Correra back pocket. Correra can still add substantial weight and muscle.

The more I think about this draft, the better I like it. I would give it an "A-" since I think they could have taken one or two late/very late shots to get at least one of two players they could have had for a ham sandwich next Tuesday and half a can of bacon grease. Kolby Listenbee (went to Buffalo mid 6th round, they maybe were thinking he would fall to them with their last pick) and Scooby Wright (who they would have had to give up a 6th next year to get, and he almost fell to the UDFA auction, being taken 3rd to last by the Browns).

For those of you down on Moore, think about this. Cincinnati (who we struggle with) spent their first round pick on corner William Jackson III.

Chris Moore eating William Jackson III alive

 

Great comment and thanks for the video. Moore looks like the real deal.

[robbie29]

I've learned to temper expectations for each Ravens' draft class in recent years. In the last 5 years no draft class as a whole has been especially stellar- at least, not like the first 7 drafts the Ravens had. IT's kind of frustrating that when we do draft guys who perform above average we often don't hold on to them past their rookie contract (i.e. Torrey, Pernell, K.O.). Another issue is playing time/money lost due to poor decision-making or bad luck (Sergio Kindle, Ray Rice, Perriman). Of course, if the injury woes of the last 2 years persist, it won't really matter how many talented players we have because half of them will be on IR by December. There's a lot that still needs to be addressed and I hope the FO and coaching staff take care of it by September 11. Go Ravens!

[budkretz]

I think the Ravens are okay at CB. The 6 "good" CBs were gone by second round, They have J Smith, Will Davis (looked very strong before injury) S Wright and Arrington as vets. Also a couple from last year's bench still on the roster and Canady and Young from the draft. Think Canady may be the better of the 2 and Young may have PR/KR abilities. Won't be surprised to see them add a veteran CB before the year starts. Only miss was no ILB. Again look for them to pick up a veteran (like we did with Daryl Smith and got 3 good years out of him) and maybe Zach Orr makes the move to starter. OL seems to be in good shape with draft picks and UFAS, don't think Hurst will make squad. The roster has good potential depth. Good times are ahead!

[stixfix69]

I think the Ravens are okay at CB. The 6 "good" CBs were gone by second round, They have J Smith, Will Davis (looked very strong before injury) S Wright and Arrington as vets. Also a couple from last year's bench still on the roster and Canady and Young from the draft. Think Canady may be the better of the 2 and Young may have PR/KR abilities. Won't be surprised to see them add a veteran CB before the year starts. Only miss was no ILB. Again look for them to pick up a veteran (like we did with Daryl Smith and got 3 good years out of him) and maybe Zach Orr makes the move to starter. OL seems to be in good shape with draft picks and UFAS, don't think Hurst will make squad. The roster has good potential depth. Good times are ahead!

One CB that i was so wanting to see last year was hurt early, and i hope he gets a shot, and that's Julian Wilson from Oklahoma.....He is 6-2 205.....

[CLWG]

  3 hours ago, ravens4life86 said:

I personally love the draft "On Paper" because it looks like they addressed every need and "Playmakers" need..
But If this draft fails in 3 years.. Im in the group of Fans who are in the "Harbaugh PowerTrip has ruined this franchise" because ever since hes been in power as head coach..we dont take Alpha males who might challenge him.. who might be the next Ray lewis,Ed Reed.. we take "Good little soldier/Character guys with lower ceilings like Elam, etc..
Thats HARBAUGH..

Ozzie picked HOFrs before Harbaugh showed up..he didnt forget how to draft.. Harbaughs power trip ruined our player selection proccess...
Instead of taking a Ray Lewis,Ed Reed..the Ravens woukd now rather take a "YES MAN" Bum player

So. you love the draft and in 3 years, if all goes well, you can tell everyone how you loved the draft, in spite of many others questioning it

... and if in 3 years the draft fails, you can tell everyone how this draft was ruined because our picks were driven by Harbs forcing the FO in selecting subservient players. 

Sounds like a rigged deck to me. 

I agree, we don't pick alpha males no more.

[mearzunkies]

The draft was solid but I don't know how long it's going to take us to realize we haven't been good at finding CB talent late in the draft. Should have used the 3rd rounder on Fuller, and Kaufusi could have still been there in the 4th

You sure of that G?

[Puntit]

37 minutes ago, Minionhunter said:

The damage control from Dr. Andersen before day 2 was that Jack did not need surgery (meaning he doesn't need it now = true). The first mention about Jack that set everyone off was that his knee was a timebomb, he could need surgery in a year or four years, but time is ticking. Jack himself said he may need surgery sometime (meaning sometime in the future, he might need surgery) which agrees with the anonymous GM quote about murky future for Jack. I hope he needs nothing and does well, I never wish injury on a player, but obviously the Ravens medical staff gave a prediction that gave the evaluators enough pause to push him down our board past where he was picked.

Yeah I think people are trying to make the Andrews statement mean more than it does. He doesn't need microfracture surgery right now. That's all Andrews said. We all know that. All 32 teams already knew that. But we also know his cartilage is screwed up, which means there's a very good chance he will need microfracture surgery some day in the future, and that his NFL career will be shortened because of this injury. Jack himself stated that this is what he'd been advised and nothing Andrews said disputed this -- he just tried to downplay the imminence. This wasn't like a ligament or meniscus tear. Cartilage doesn't grow back (at least in 2016 - people are working on it) and can't be effectively repaired. Microfracture surgery simply isn't a long term fix -- it's basically putting a duct tape on the hole of a flat bike tire tube -- a poor mans temporary fix. So he may get 6 months of hard play out of that knee or six years. Nobody really knows. And it's unclear how long he will be the same precision athlete once the knee starts taking hits at the NFL level. It's totally a gamble with high upside but significant downside. And that's why he's still risky at the top of the second round. I think I would pass on him at that point too. the Jaguars already nailed their playmaker so they could afford a throw away pick with high upside. But I can't fault ozzie on this one, even if Jack pans out.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

I never really understood the concept of trying to grade a draft. The only grade that really matters is performance on the field and how many wins these guys helped you get during a season.

The whole thing is based on a farce anyway. You are trying to gauge "value" based on what grades supposed insiders give players. It is all based on a combination of their COLLEGE performance and some measurables and what people THINK these players COULD become going forward in their NFL careers.

The bottom line is that nobody really knows or has a crystal ball. That is why there are things like huge first round draft busts and guys that go undrafted that go on to have big NFL careers.

I am currently looking at our roster for 2016 and seeing where we've lost guys, added guys, and where some cuts could be coming from to make room for the new guys if they prove their worth. Keep in mind that the Ravens can sign guys to futures contracts and have I think 8 guys on the practice squad.

I think we had a decent draft. Stanley looks like he should be a solid if not good or possibly great LT. We got some sub in rotational pass rush and D-line guys. We have some projects at WR and CB. We got another body to run the ball. We got some guys to provide depth along the O-Line.

Did we hit any homeruns in this draft? I am not really sure, but I think we got some scorching line drive doubles.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

  2 hours ago, balfan23 said:

  3 hours ago, ravens4life86 said:

I personally love the draft "On Paper" because it looks like they addressed every need and "Playmakers" need..
But If this draft fails in 3 years.. Im in the group of Fans who are in the "Harbaugh PowerTrip has ruined this franchise" because ever since hes been in power as head coach..we dont take Alpha males who might challenge him.. who might be the next Ray lewis,Ed Reed.. we take "Good little soldier/Character guys with lower ceilings like Elam, etc..
Thats HARBAUGH..

Ozzie picked HOFrs before Harbaugh showed up..he didnt forget how to draft.. Harbaughs power trip ruined our player selection proccess...
Instead of taking a Ray Lewis,Ed Reed..the Ravens woukd now rather take a "YES MAN" Bum player

So. you love the draft and in 3 years, if all goes well, you can tell everyone how you loved the draft, in spite of many others questioning it

... and if in 3 years the draft fails, you can tell everyone how this draft was ruined because our picks were driven by Harbs forcing the FO in selecting subservient players. 

Sounds like a rigged deck to me. 

I agree, we don't pick alpha males no more.

Swagger doesn't win you games, talent does.

How well did swagger work for the Panthers last year? They couldn't shut their mouths before the game and talked a lot of smack about how they were going to run away with it. Then the lose and Superman looked like he swallowed a gallon of kryptonite. After he lost he couldn't stand there and take it like a man. He couldn't congratulate the other team for being the better team on THAT day. Suddenly he shut his mouth and didn't have a whole lot to say.

To me that is a coward, not a guy who hates losing. If you are big and bad enough to run your mouth before the game, then be big and bad enough to stand there after the game when you lose. You do all that dancing and celebrating showing up another team, but when you get shown up you run away and cry.

Give me the silent but deadly guys. They don't run their mouths, they run you over.

[Barney S]

I'm glad Ozzie had to draft one for Joe. It would have been a slap in Joes face to use our #1 pick on anything other than the OLT. Now our receivers will have some much needed time to get open instead of Joe forcing the ball into a small window. Our destiny was given.. not taken. 

[designermaryland]

as a little exploration, i have outlined below 2-4 players within 5-10 picks after our round by round selection we could have taken at "position of need", which we ignore year after year, while instead drafting a 6th defensive tackle to back up Jernigan and B Williams for 8 plays per game. Maybe Bronson Kaufusi will be a nice situational player, but it just does not make sense to take him when you need a starting player at CB, where the draft seemed extremely solid and deep. I hope some of these names below light it up as rookies this year to expose how flawed the ozzie drafting philosophy is, and highlight how much it holds the team back from success.

R2: Myles Jack LB, Noah Spence DE, Sterling Shepard WR, Mackensie Alexander CB.
R3: Russel KeiVarae CB, Shilique Calhoun DE, Kendall Fuller CB
R4: Eric Murray CB, Antonio Morrison LB, Dean Lowry DE
R5: Kentrell Brothers LB, Trevor Davis WR

[Puntit]

24 minutes ago, designermaryland said:

as a little exploration, i have outlined below 2-4 players within 5-10 picks after our round by round selection we could have taken at "position of need", which we ignore year after year, while instead drafting a 6th defensive tackle to back up Jernigan and B Williams for 8 plays per game. Maybe Bronson Kaufusi will be a nice situational player, but it just does not make sense to take him when you need a starting player at CB, where the draft seemed extremely solid and deep. I hope some of these names below light it up as rookies this year to expose how flawed the ozzie drafting philosophy is, and highlight how much it holds the team back from success.

R2: Myles Jack LB, Noah Spence DE, Sterling Shepard WR, Mackensie Alexander CB.
R3: Russel KeiVarae CB, Shilique Calhoun DE, Kendall Fuller CB
R4: Eric Murray CB, Antonio Morrison LB, Dean Lowry DE
R5: Kentrell Brothers LB, Trevor Davis WR

We wouldn't touch Jack because of the knee and wouldn't touch Spence (or Tunsil ) because of the character issues and extensive off-field history. I am okay with that. We can't afford rookies that will sit or get suspended. Josh Gordon was a similar high upside, long off field history guy and I think that's not panning out so well for the Browns.

I am not convinced the two WR you are listing are actually even better than the two WR we took, but frankly no WR is likely going to leapfrog SS, BP, MW, KA, Camp, D Brown, Butler, Mathews etc, anyhow, so high upside multi-year projects are not so unreasonable with that position. We didn't need a play now WR. 

We took three DE that were high on our board after Bosa was gone, so I don't think the later two you listed even ever made the radar or should be sources of disappointment. So that just leaves LB (other than Jack) and CB. CB we addressed, but maybe missed out on a few of the better guys because we were mainly focused on DE early. With Suggs and Doom at the later end of their careers we needed to find pass rushers, so I am cool with that. Time will tell. ILB we ignored-- either they are convinced Brown or Orr is ready or that they'll scoop one up as a cap casualty. For one position that's very doable-- it's how we got Smith.

We went into this draft thinking pass rush, and came out with three good ones plus a well regarded UDFA at the position. And a left tackle. That's already a decent draft. But then players like Dixon that give us more playmaking dimensions is icing. Nobody knows if these guys will pan out but it's hard to say the Ravens didn't get guys who might be big role players. And it's very possible they dodged a few time bombs in the process.

[JamesA119]

as a little exploration, i have outlined below 2-4 players within 5-10 picks after our round by round selection we could have taken at "position of need", which we ignore year after year, while instead drafting a 6th defensive tackle to back up Jernigan and B Williams for 8 plays per game. Maybe Bronson Kaufusi will be a nice situational player, but it just does not make sense to take him when you need a starting player at CB, where the draft seemed extremely solid and deep. I hope some of these names below light it up as rookies this year to expose how flawed the ozzie drafting philosophy is, and highlight how much it holds the team back from success.

R2: Myles Jack LB, Noah Spence DE, Sterling Shepard WR, Mackensie Alexander CB.
R3: Russel KeiVarae CB, Shilique Calhoun DE, Kendall Fuller CB
R4: Eric Murray CB, Antonio Morrison LB, Dean Lowry DE
R5: Kentrell Brothers LB, Trevor Davis WR

Interesting comment; however your comment is a little bit contemptuous. Ozzie and his crew are experts. That's what they do. They live and breathe player evaluation. When's the last time you told your surgeon how to operate?
Believe me, they know a lot more than most expert in the NFL, much less you or I.
You can certainly say that they are conservative and try to take as least a risk as any front office, especially when it comes to positions like WR, and CB. The reason is that those are the 2 most unpredictable positions when trying to project a college standout to an NFL pro bowler.
Those CBs you thought they should have picked probably didn't rank high on their draft board. The one they thought had a significant chance of being a pro- bowler Jalen Ramsey, they went after him but couldn't get him at a reasonable price.

As far as Myles Jack; the injury concern cannot be underestimated. Noah Spence has a serious drug history. Ecstasy!!!!


I disagree with the front office on the back end. Which is their willingness to let these players walk after they have developed them. For instance KO. Wouldn't it be nice to have KO on our team now?

I would love for them to develop as good a formula for keeping talent as they have for drafting them.

[JamesA119]

I'm glad Ozzie had to draft one for Joe. It would have been a slap in Joes face to use our #1 pick on anything other than the OLT. Now our receivers will have some much needed time to get open instead of Joe forcing the ball into a small window. Our destiny was given.. not taken. 

They actually were going to draft a defensive player. Ronnie Stanley fell t them. There's no such thing as a slap on Joe's face. Flacco is not Steve Bisciotti. He doesn't own the team.

[cec327]

19 minutes ago, Puntit said:

We wouldn't touch Jack because of the knee and wouldn't touch Spence (or Tunsil ) because of the character issues and extensive off-field history. I am okay with that. We can't afford rookies that will sit or get suspended. Josh Gordon was a similar high upside, long off field history guy and I think that's not panning out so well for the Browns.

I am not convinced the two WR you are listing are actually even better than the two WR we took, but frankly no WR is likely going to leapfrog SS, BP, MW, KA, Camp, D Brown, Butler, Mathews etc, anyhow, so high upside multi-year projects are not so unreasonable with that position. We didn't need a play now WR. 

We took three DE that were high on our board after Bosa was gone, so I don't think the later two you listed even ever made the radar or should be sources of disappointment. So that just leaves LB (other than Jack) and CB. CB we addressed, but maybe missed out on a few of the better guys because we were mainly focused on DE early. With Suggs and Doom at the later end of their careers we needed to find pass rushers, so I am cool with that. Time will tell. ILB we ignored-- either they are convinced Brown or Orr is ready or that they'll scoop one up as a cap casualty. For one position that's very doable-- it's how we got Smith.

We went into this draft thinking pass rush, and came out with three good ones plus a well regarded UDFA at the position. And a left tackle. That's already a decent draft. But then players like Dixon that give us more playmaking dimensions is icing. Nobody knows if these guys will pan out but it's hard to say the Ravens didn't get guys who might be big role players. And it's very possible they dodged a few time bombs in the process.

Makes sense to me.

[Ravens4 lifeTm]

I am really excited about Chris Moore! This guy has potential to be great. After watching his highlights I am excited to see him in action.

[Crabcakes&Football]

The first 3 rounds were solid, but not spectacular. Ronnie Stanley will pay dividends in the years to come, Correa was picked at an appropriate spot. Those are good picks, but I still think there were better ones on the board. They nailed the 4th round though, specifically in Henry and Dixon. I feel both of those guys are eventual starters.

[Crusader]

  2 hours ago, CLWG said:

  4 hours ago, balfan23 said:

  5 hours ago, ravens4life86 said:

I personally love the draft "On Paper" because it looks like they addressed every need and "Playmakers" need..
But If this draft fails in 3 years.. Im in the group of Fans who are in the "Harbaugh PowerTrip has ruined this franchise" because ever since hes been in power as head coach..we dont take Alpha males who might challenge him.. who might be the next Ray lewis,Ed Reed.. we take "Good little soldier/Character guys with lower ceilings like Elam, etc..
Thats HARBAUGH..

Ozzie picked HOFrs before Harbaugh showed up..he didnt forget how to draft.. Harbaughs power trip ruined our player selection proccess...
Instead of taking a Ray Lewis,Ed Reed..the Ravens woukd now rather take a "YES MAN" Bum player

So. you love the draft and in 3 years, if all goes well, you can tell everyone how you loved the draft, in spite of many others questioning it

... and if in 3 years the draft fails, you can tell everyone how this draft was ruined because our picks were driven by Harbs forcing the FO in selecting subservient players. 

Sounds like a rigged deck to me. 

I agree, we don't pick alpha males no more.

Swagger doesn't win you games, talent does.

How well did swagger work for the Panthers last year? They couldn't shut their mouths before the game and talked a lot of smack about how they were going to run away with it. Then the lose and Superman looked like he swallowed a gallon of kryptonite. After he lost he couldn't stand there and take it like a man. He couldn't congratulate the other team for being the better team on THAT day. Suddenly he shut his mouth and didn't have a whole lot to say.

To me that is a coward, not a guy who hates losing. If you are big and bad enough to run your mouth before the game, then be big and bad enough to stand there after the game when you lose. You do all that dancing and celebrating showing up another team, but when you get shown up you run away and cry.

Give me the silent but deadly guys. They don't run their mouths, they run you over.

Ravens swagger is totally different than Pathers but don't worry you will never see that again with this type of coach.

[Crusader]

Ravens have untill September 11 to build this team. 4 long monthsand as long as Joe is good Ravens will be good.

[designermaryland]

  1 hour ago, designermaryland said:

as a little exploration, i have outlined below 2-4 players within 5-10 picks after our round by round selection we could have taken at "position of need", which we ignore year after year, while instead drafting a 6th defensive tackle to back up Jernigan and B Williams for 8 plays per game. Maybe Bronson Kaufusi will be a nice situational player, but it just does not make sense to take him when you need a starting player at CB, where the draft seemed extremely solid and deep. I hope some of these names below light it up as rookies this year to expose how flawed the ozzie drafting philosophy is, and highlight how much it holds the team back from success.

R2: Myles Jack LB, Noah Spence DE, Sterling Shepard WR, Mackensie Alexander CB.
R3: Russel KeiVarae CB, Shilique Calhoun DE, Kendall Fuller CB
R4: Eric Murray CB, Antonio Morrison LB, Dean Lowry DE
R5: Kentrell Brothers LB, Trevor Davis WR

Interesting comment; however your comment is a little bit contemptuous. Ozzie and his crew are experts. That's what they do. They live and breathe player evaluation. When's the last time you told your surgeon how to operate?
Believe me, they know a lot more than most expert in the NFL, much less you or I.
You can certainly say that they are conservative and try to take as least a risk as any front office, especially when it comes to positions like WR, and CB. The reason is that those are the 2 most unpredictable positions when trying to project a college standout to an NFL pro bowler.
Those CBs you thought they should have picked probably didn't rank high on their draft board. The one they thought had a significant chance of being a pro- bowler Jalen Ramsey, they went after him but couldn't get him at a reasonable price.

As far as Myles Jack; the injury concern cannot be underestimated. Noah Spence has a serious drug history. Ecstasy!!!!


I disagree with the front office on the back end. Which is their willingness to let these players walk after they have developed them. For instance KO. Wouldn't it be nice to have KO on our team now?

I would love for them to develop as good a formula for keeping talent as they have for drafting them.

i am not claiming any of these guys listed for certain are better, but just putting it out there as food for thought based on the fact that we continue to ignore our position of highest need. potentially they could have had a much more highly touted CB, or ILB. by the results of the past 6-8 draft classes, i dont put all that much stock in their evaluation process, as we have almost no all-pro players and even very few pure starters. they continue to need to pick up FA's like Lewis, Monroe, Hill, Weddle and others to fill in where the draft choices are not panning out.

yes, our pass rush seems to stink, but we do have at least 2 veterans at DE/OLB on the roster who will play significant time and draw large salaries. it does not make sense to me to draft high there, when you know barring injury they are not going to sit Suggs so Correa can play.

so basically, you are sitting your 2nd round draft pick correa, while you are stuck with no good CB and Anthony Levine playing corner. i think the philosophy they use is backwards, and it is resulting in growing roster issues.

finally, no i would not tell my surgeon how to operate on me. but this is not a proven science. it is a guessing game based on interchangeable pieces of a team that plays a game. while i do not know how to perform a ligament surgery or tooth extraction, i can genrally gauge whether it makes sense to add a 9th interior lineman to my team when i have maybe 0-1 good players at another position.

personally, i think their drafting philosophy is highly flawed and i wanted to post some actual names of guys to come back and look at in the fall to compare to what we drafted. just my opinion.

[ravenwildman]

I think the Ravens draft was sound, and in my opinion that is the best any team can do. Some college players make a smooth transition to the NFL.....some do not. They have the talent in college, but for whatever reason it doesn't pan out in the pro's. Some guys that analyst peg outside the draft, get signed as undrafted, and beat out guys for a starter spot (Scott, Ellerbe). So I for one am big time excited to see how this years team is going to look like. I can't wait :) This is going to be a special year. GO RAVENS! 25