RaineV1 Early Mock Draft

[RaineV1]

Figured I'd try doing an early draft too. These picks are assuming the Ravens make the playoffs but don't win the Super Bowl.

Round 1: Solomon Thomas, DE/EDGE, 6'3", 275, Stanford

Solomon Thomas is built in the same mold as Mario Edwards: stout, explosive, and can hold up at the point of attack. His stats aren't that flashy since he's clearly the top guy in Stanford's front seven so other teams constantly game-plan to stop him. That said, he still gets pressure pretty regularly, and causes QBs to throw quickly. I love his ability to play anywhere along the front line to create mismatches, and that he's an every down player. The Ravens need someone like this to take over for Suggs.

 

Round 2: Billy Price, G, 6'4", 315, Ohio State

To put it simply, Price is a beast at the point of the attack. When Price first joined the team Coach Meyers said he was one of the strongest players he has ever coached. Price is the type of guard that forces open running lanes. One thing I really like about him is that he has constantly improved through his college career, showing that he's studying and improving rather than just relying on his strength. Another thing to love is how serious he takes his classes. He's a blue collar, work hard everyday to improve type of guy that perfectly fits the Ravens. And another thing, being that he has started a few seasons for Ohio State, he's used to big games and isn't the type of choke under the pressure. With Yanda coming up to the last few years of his career, and Lewis possibly replacing Wagner as the RT next season, Billy Price the right player at the right time.

 

Round 3: Quin Blanding, S, 6'2", 215, Virginia

Large, surprisingly rangy, physically gifted, tackling machine of a safety. I like that while he's aggressive, he's not reckless. He's not the safety you see diving head first at people. He knows and uses the fundamentals of tackling someone in the open field. He also has a high football IQ, and is decent as reading where plays are going to go. His potential is sky high, and with Weddle around he could reach that potential and be a good starter for the Ravens.

 

Round 3 (comp): Ryan Switzer, WR, 5'10", 185, North Carolina

A quicker than fast slot guy that turns short passes into big plays. He's a good compliment to Wallace and Perriman since he can take advantage of them making the safeties back up. He would bring something new to the table that the Ravens don't really have at the moment. More importantly though, he's a very good punt returner. In his freshman year he returned five punts for touchdowns.

 

Round 4: Johnny Caspers, G/C, 6'4", 292, Stanford

Due to his size, at the nfl level he's more likely to play center than guard. He has a high football IQ, a good understanding of leverage, and is aggressive in his blocking. Extra depth at a position that might really need it moving forward, and a player with potential to challenge Zuttah for the starting spot if Zuttah keeps doing boneheaded things during games. Also, Stanford has been pumping out quite a few talented o-linemen over the last five years, so he's coming from a team that's good at coaching linemen.

 

I'll stop there since trying to pick someone in the 5th round and beyond this early is just too much of a crap shoot.

[Jacquouille]

You're gonna get thrashed for not taking any 6'1 CB in the first two rounds lol! But that's fine by me, I'm more concerned about winning in the trenches right now, and I really like Switzer. I think I like all your picks except Caspers who isn't known for his strength so I'm kind of scared by that. 

About the Thomas pick, I said it, I like going "trenches", but I'm still not very high on him, I don't see enough productivity as a rusher (not talking sacks, but penetration basically) to really follow the hype, and I don't see him as a "next Suggs" type of player but I've always loved versatile DLs so I'll gladly take him.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

I love the Thomas pick he is easily one of my favorite first round options for us. I also like Blanding and Switzer as quality picks. I don't know much about Caspers or Price though.

[Wildabeast88]

Solid draft Blanding is amazing just a shame he is wasted on that UVA team. He is solid in coverage and can tackle.

[ravensfan712]

I like this draft and would be happy if this happened. However, I am not huge on Switzer. As a North Carolina fan who watches the game every weekend he is an explosive player. With this comes his awful attitude. He is extremely arrogant (which we need but not this level of cockiness) and it isn't always about the team. Right after the bowl loss Switz tweeted out that it was now time to move on to the money. If he is selected it wouldn't be terrible though.