[News] Late For Work 4/19: 'High' Probability Ravens Will Draft Wide Receiver Early

[BR News]

Looking at the history of the No. 16 pick shows teams can find various players from Pro Bowlers to draft busts. Separating cornerbacks into first- and second-round prospects. NFL schedule to be released Thursday night.

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[reed20]

It became obvious to me that we're going wide receiver in the first round again when we chose not to sign any this offseason. Ozzie must love Mike Williams and is probably willing to even trade up for him if he must.

[Space11jams]

It became obvious to me that we're going wide receiver in the first round again when we chose not to sign any this offseason. Ozzie must love Mike Williams and is probably willing to even trade up for him if he must.

yeah either him or davis who plays like williams but has the speed behind him. It could be a cover up for a pass rusher they may have their eye on.

[bioLarzen]

I stil lthink that both Mike Williams and Corey Davis will be off the board at #16. And since I cannot imagine Ozzie trading up for either in a draft where he only has 7 picks to begin with, and I also think he won't pick up Ross with such a high pick, I think he won't pick a WR in the first round. And, since there is a definite chance that at least one of the Zay Jones / Cooper Kupp / JuJu / Chris Godwin quartet will still be on the board at #47, we can still get potential starting caliber WR value there. And these 4 guys are the kind of possession/slot receiver types we need, unlike Ross who's a speedster - something we already have in-house in both Wallace and Perriman.

Also, the fact that the combined talent value of (a 1st round pass rusher + a 2nd rounder WR) is almost surely higher in this draft crop than that of (a 1st round WR + a 2nd round rusher) - especially that this 1st round WR is almost surely would neither be Mike Williams not Corey Davis... - it seems pretty likely that even if the prevailing forecast of Ozzie picking a puss rusher and a WR with his first two picks, it will much more probably be a rusher in the 1st and a WR in the second.

But I'm realizing all this amounts to nothing more than another round of big fat speculation... And it would become obsolete the moment either Williams or Davis sinks to #16 for some reason...

Edited April 19 by bioLarzen

[bioLarzen]

22 minutes ago, reed20 said:

It became obvious to me that we're going wide receiver in the first round again when we chose not to sign any this offseason. Ozzie must love Mike Williams and is probably willing to even trade up for him if he must.

We haven't signed a receiver - YET. The off season is still young, and there are still gonna be WR's becoming available when the roster cuts start.

Edited April 19 by bioLarzen

[Flamengo1265]

I hope the Ravens go pass rusher in the 1st.....assuming that there is one available. I don't think the Ravens need a WR as badly as they need a pass rusher. I'd be happy with Jones, Schuster or Kupp......or the possession guy that nobody talks about, Switzer from NC. Roll Campanaro out there and when he goes on IR again, bring in Switzer.

[MadStorkSociety]

I stil lthink that both Mike Williams and Corey Davis will be off the board at #16. And since I cannot imagine Ozzie trading up for either in a draft where he only has 7 picks to begin with, and I also think he won't pick up Ross with such a high pick, I think he won't pick a WR in the first round. And, since there is a definite chance that at least one of the Zay Jones / Cooper Kupp / JuJu / Chris Godwin quartet will still be on the board at #47, we can still get potential starting caliber WR value there. And these 4 guys are the kind of possession/slot receiver types we need, unlike Ross who's a speedster - something we already have in-house in both Wallace and Perriman.

Also, the fact that the combined talent value of (a 1st round pass rusher + a 2nd rounder WR) is almost surely higher in this draft crop than that of (a 1st round WR + a 2nd round rusher) - especially that this 1st round WR is almost surely would neither be Mike Williams not Corey Davis... - it seems pretty likely that even if the prevailing forecast of Ozzie picking a puss rusher and a WR with his first two picks, it will much more probably be a rusher in the 1st and a WR in the second.

But I'm realizing all this amounts to nothing more than another round of big fat speculation...

What do you think of a trade down for an extra 2nd/3rd? There's an excellent chance a good EDGE or CB will still be there. And there is a small chance Davis or Williams could still be there; and if not, there are the 2nd round quartet of WR's (JuJu being my favorite).

[bioLarzen]

"Brugler wrote of the selection, “Adding Ross would give the Ravens a track team at wide receiver and plenty of toys for Joe Flacco to play with."

... which would mean pretty little if the O-line doesn't support Flacco and doesn't leave him pocket time enough to dart those big bombs... No matter how much separation these speedsters can get and how well Flacco can throw the ball deep downfield if he's either on his back or running for his life from the likes of James Harrison, Khalil Mack, Jamie Collins and JJ Watt, 2 seconds after snap... And right now we have quite a situation with the O-line... So, I think trying to arm Flacco with a "track team" at WR BEFORE addressing the O-line's issues would be kind of putting the car before the horses...

Edited April 19 by bioLarzen

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

Im all for the ravens drafting a WR as long as its not Mike Williams.He has bust written all over him.

[bioLarzen]

16 minutes ago, MadStorkSociety said:

What do you think of a trade down for an extra 2nd/3rd? There's an excellent chance a good EDGE or CB will still be there. And there is a small chance Davis or Williams could still be there; and if not, there are the 2nd round quartet of WR's (JuJu being my favorite).

I actually do think this is the likeliest scenario. Trading down would probably not yield us an extra 3rd rounder - maybe a swap of our fourth rounder and their third rounder, maybe even our higher third rounder with their second rounder if they get desperate enough - but an extra fourth rounder and then some (like a siixth rounder) - at least the TVC seems to suggest that. But that would be a gain too, and I'm quite sure there wil lstill be genuine first round talent to find in the 20-25 region.

Edited April 19 by bioLarzen

[JYungbul]

Pleaaase, please do not take John Ross in the first round. Great film, has solid potential in the NFL.. but not the guy that you want. Too small and the last thing you need is another fragile first rounder.

I think you see a solid year out of Perriman if he stays healthy, but I still don't think he'll be the long-term solution at WR. Flacco has never really had a true #1 guy and I think that's what's needed to get them back to a deep playoff run. Williams and Davis could both be that guy, and I'm praying that either are available at #16. If not, you have to go pass rusher first round, receiver second, and CB & LB in the third. The line needs help, but it's been noted many times that this is not a good O-line draft. Push strong to bring Mangold in as the starting center, and take a later round shot at someone who could potentially come in and be the starting RT. If not, I think you'll find someone who has potential to be good enough there on this current roster.

Point is, the Ravens need a game-changing WR to take it to the next level. The defense is going to be beautiful to watch this year, and still should be able to hold up well without a strong draft on that side of the ball. I'm predicting that they'll be an 11-5 team and take the division over Pittsburgh this year. Back to the playoffs we come!

[JYungbul]

Im all for the ravens drafting a WR as long as its not Mike Williams.He has bust written all over him.

My guess is that you haven't watched his film. No reason to believe that the guy isn't going to be a stud.

[fusuymada]

I would like to think they will grab a top receiver in the draft but the mere fact it is printed in huge letters on the top of a Ravens website article makes me think there is no plan to draft a wide receiver early and this is just a little subterfuge. I believe Mel Kiper or Gil Brandt just did a mock that didn't have the Ravens selecting a WR at all in this draft. I think that is the more likely scenario. If this was actually their plan, they wouldn't advertise it on their team website.

I don't think Ozzie will trade down based on the comments of Eric DeCosta regarding how talent has dropped off in later rounds because other teams are getting better at drafting as well. Trading down under that scenario would make no sense. Where we have done great on first rounders (excluding Elam), our 2nd and 3rd rounders are hit and miss and more on the miss.

[#20=DA MAN!!]

Anybody else get mad at the GIF tweet of Jimmy Smith? That was the game that cost us the playoffs, he got hurt that game and missed the rest of the season

[RavensDieHard21]

57 minutes ago, HomeoftheBRAVENS said:

Im all for the ravens drafting a WR as long as its not Mike Williams.He has bust written all over him.

Do explain how he would be a bust?🤔

[#20=DA MAN!!]

We need a few players with character issues...im tired of all the choir boys!!

[RavensDieHard21]

Articles are becoming so redundant in regards to the draft. Give us somewhat entertaining or interesting news or just take the day off and go to Starbucks to do some research.

[RavensDieHard21]

This draft will be far more unpredictable in round 1 than last year. We were basically slated to take either Bosa, Tunsil, Stanley, Ramsey or Elliot. 

This time around so many factors will go into our first pick. We absolutely need 2 QBs to go along with at least one O lineman and a surprise pick, such as an Eli Apple like pick. 

Takes no draft guru to know we have a bit of holes and we need blue chip guys. If any of the following players are within striking distance, you can bet they will be in black and purple: 

Derek Barnett, Mike Williams, Reuben Foster, Corey Davis, Forrest Lamp, maybe even others like Gareon Conley as well. 

 

[The Beak]

I Have seen Mike Williams in person (at the Louisville Clemson game) he is a BIG Dude, but doesn't seem to get separation from the DBs , that doesn't say that he will be a bust , hell he may be a great WR.. I would rather see defense at 16 and maybe Noah brown, Cooper Kupp (My first choice), or I Ford in later rounds..

[Chuckx999]

"PLEASE" don't draft anyone who has had a injury history!!! We already have one or two of them who are just average at best, when they play.
TE Howard or LB Foster or a Edge player.

[b93333]

If the Ravens can't come up with a good to great OL the skill positions won't matter.

[Purple Dawg 96]

Some people think that the WR creates separation but it's the routes that get it done! Another WR like Campy is all we need! 5ft 10 maybe and got heart! 6ft WRs are a thing of the past! Pats and squeelers are my examples Edelman and AB! Their size is with the TEs and we have "PLENTY"!

[theduug]

Some people think that the WR creates separation but it's the routes that get it done! Another WR like Campy is all we need! 5ft 10 maybe and got heart! 6ft WRs are a thing of the past! Pats and squeelers are my examples Edelman and AB! Their size is with the TEs and we have "PLENTY"!

you need a QB with pinpoint accuracy to make the Edlemans and ABs of the world effective. we do not have that. this is also why i am against drafting John Ross.

[OriolesMagicPlease]

1 hour ago, #20=DA MAN!! said:

We need a few players with character issues...im tired of all the choir boys!!

The "choir boy" theory is a myth. There are plenty of tough players with character that kick butt.

[EddiOK]

"American Airlines has dropped charter flights for six NFL teams, including the Ravens."

I heard United's starting a new class of seats called "Full Contact"...oh wait...

[EddiOK]

If we do WR, we need the best precision/possession receiver we can get. Perriman & Wallace can gallop all over the field, but we need a guy or two who can stop, turn on a dime, and haul in catches in traffic on short/medium routes.

[Adreme]

There are completely viable scenarios where the Ravens do not even draft an offensive player before their 4th pick so it's premature to assumecits going to be a WR.

[Halshayeji]

3 hours ago, bioLarzen said:

I stil lthink that both Mike Williams and Corey Davis will be off the board at #16. And since I cannot imagine Ozzie trading up for either in a draft where he only has 7 picks to begin with, and I also think he won't pick up Ross with such a high pick, I think he won't pick a WR in the first round. And, since there is a definite chance that at least one of the Zay Jones / Cooper Kupp / JuJu / Chris Godwin quartet will still be on the board at #47, we can still get potential starting caliber WR value there. And these 4 guys are the kind of possession/slot receiver types we need, unlike Ross who's a speedster - something we already have in-house in both Wallace and Perriman.

Also, the fact that the combined talent value of (a 1st round pass rusher + a 2nd rounder WR) is almost surely higher in this draft crop than that of (a 1st round WR + a 2nd round rusher) - especially that this 1st round WR is almost surely would neither be Mike Williams not Corey Davis... - it seems pretty likely that even if the prevailing forecast of Ozzie picking a puss rusher and a WR with his first two picks, it will much more probably be a rusher in the 1st and a WR in the second.

But I'm realizing all this amounts to nothing more than another round of big fat speculation... And it would become obsolete the moment either Williams or Davis sinks to #16 for some reason...

Great great post!

[budkretz]

Assuming the big names go and a couple QBs are picked in the first 15 selections my pick at #16 in order are: Derek Barnett (Edge), Davis (WR), Williams (WR) and Foster (ILB). If all 4 are already taken then I would try my best to trade back to the low 20's and get at least another 3rd round pick or add in a 5th to get another 2nd. In the 20's we can still get a good Edge (Charles Harris, Taco Charlton, Takk McKinney. The "good" edge rushes will be gone by our pick in round #2 at #47. We've reached the last two years with Z Smith and Judon. They both have promise but as of now are they every down players with upside or are they rotational? To replace Dumervil and Suggs (soon) we need to get someone with upside. There are enough WRs in round two should we not get Williams or Davis. please pass on ross we already have Wallace and Perriman.

[captainwho]

Trading back example: Assume Ravens trade back to 27th spot. Using Fanspeak to make selections and determine who is available. Moving back from 16 to 27 th and using the value chart should give Ravens 27th and 59th pick for the 16th. Derek Barnett is not usually available at 27 on the fanspeak program but one of the edge rushers found in first round mocks is always available there.

27 Derek Barnett He was still there in this mock
47 Forrest Lamp T/G
59 Cooper Kupp WR slow but sure WR
74 Sidney Jones CB May not be ready to start the season
78 Demarcus Walker DE
122 Ethan Pocic C
159 Jermaine Eluemunor G/T