[News] Ravens Want A Strong O-Line. Will They Invest A First-Round Pick?

[BR News]

Baltimore spent the No. 6-overall pick on tackle Ronnie Stanley last year. Assistant General Manager Eric DeCosta says if the best player is a lineman, the Ravens will pull the trigger again.

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[BiggMack91]

imo it would be a reach we could use 2nd an 3rd maybe but not our first pick but i had a dream last night we traded our 16 pick 4 round pick an a 3 round pick from next year to move up to #8 in the first round for fornette RB LSU i was so happy until i woke up lol

[whobilly]

I hope the BPA is Corey Davis. We need a game changer on offense. Obviously our previous attempt at a #1 WR turned into a #3 receiver.

[Maryland]

I mean, if the picks fall in such a way that OL meets BPA, then I'm all for it. However, every OL in this draft is a reach at #16 overall, at least in my opinion, so we'd have to trade down for OL to be the BPA.

Furthermore, it should be recognized that Alex Lewis is best as a RT; he lacks the leverage and push to be anything more than an average LG. Given this, any RT that is drafted essentially addresses the hole at LG by forcing a RT to play out of position at LG. If they reach for someone like Cam Robinson at #16, then I hope it's because they think he can be the next Osemele at LG; otherwise, it's a terrible pick.

[Raven in ATL]

anyone but a WR at 16,unless they trade back a few spots to like 20. i just dont see any of the WRs worthy that high, and our WR track record is bad as the browns picking QBs. im all for trading back a few spots and picking up extra picks and someone like Ramzcyzk or the best available push rusher, then going for either Zay Jones or Kupp in the 2nd.

[omar586]

this would be a nice haul, with a couple of trade downs.
31: R1P31 WR COREY DAVIS WESTERN MICHIGAN
53: R2P21 CB KEVIN KING WASHINGTON
55: R2P23 EDGE CHARLES HARRIS MISSOURI
74: R3P10 WR JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER USC
78: R3P14 C ETHAN POCIC LSU
89: R3P25 EDGE RYAN ANDERSON ALABAMA
122: R4P15 WR ISAIAH FORD VIRGINIA TECH
127: R4P20 EDGE DEMARCUS WALKER FLORIDA STATE
133: R4P26 G DANNY ISIDORA MIAMI
148: R5P4 G ZACH BANNER USC
165: R5P21 OT ERIK MAGNUSON MICHIGAN
187: R6P3 CB BRIAN ALLEN UTAH
188: R6P4 OT CONOR MCDERMOTT UCLA

[balfan23]

37 minutes ago, Raven in ATL said:

anyone but a WR at 16,unless they trade back a few spots to like 20. i just dont see any of the WRs worthy that high, and our WR track record is bad as the browns picking QBs. im all for trading back a few spots and picking up extra picks and someone like Ramzcyzk or the best available push rusher, then going for either Zay Jones or Kupp in the 2nd.

If you don't believe any of the WRs are worthy of a pick as high as #16 (and virtually every analyst alive would disagree with that) ...  that's a valid reason to not pick a WR .. but the notion that we're bad at picking WRs - that is NOT a valid reason to avoid a WR with our 1st pick. Using your logic, had OBJ fallen to 16 a couple years ago, we should have avoided him, because we're bad at picking WRs. That makes zero sense. 

Yes, we've picked 3 disappointing WRs in the 1st round, however the jury is still out on one (Perriman) and the other 2 were made 13 and 16 years ago. To think that draft busts from over a decade ago will shape your draft approach is mind-boggling. 

[KidNme]

As we get closer, I do believe we'll go O line first. Nothing else can improve if we don't have a dominant O line, in my opinion. Most of Joe's issues come from when he's being hurried into throwing. A dominant O line will help that a lot, not to mention helping the running game.

[rmcjacket23]

imo it would be a reach we could use 2nd an 3rd maybe but not our first pick but i had a dream last night we traded our 16 pick 4 round pick an a 3 round pick from next year to move up to #8 in the first round for fornette RB LSU i was so happy until i woke up lol

Would cost at least a 2 and a 3 to move up from 16 to 8, and that includes giving up 16.

Realistically, probably would require a 2018 first rounder.

[cobrajet]

I will not be upset at all if we go with an o-lineman or a CB very early. The CB position this year is fairly deep with talent but the o-lineman in this year's draft seem to drop off in talent, so maybe this is the year to take one early if you are looking for an immediate starter and not a project. We certainly could use another good o-lineman! I hate trading back, but for some reason, I would be OK with it this year if we did and picked up either Robinson or Ramczyk.

[cobrajet]

imo it would be a reach we could use 2nd an 3rd maybe but not our first pick but i had a dream last night we traded our 16 pick 4 round pick an a 3 round pick from next year to move up to #8 in the first round for fornette RB LSU i was so happy until i woke up lol

Sorry, but IMHO your dream seems like a nightmare to me.

[eze17]

  1 hour ago, Raven in ATL said:

anyone but a WR at 16,unless they trade back a few spots to like 20. i just dont see any of the WRs worthy that high, and our WR track record is bad as the browns picking QBs. im all for trading back a few spots and picking up extra picks and someone like Ramzcyzk or the best available push rusher, then going for either Zay Jones or Kupp in the 2nd.

If you don't believe any of the WRs are worthy of a pick as high as #16 (and virtually every analyst alive would disagree with that) ...  that's a valid reason to not pick a WR .. but the notion that we're bad at picking WRs - that is NOT a valid reason to avoid a WR with our 1st pick. Using your logic, had OBJ fallen to 16 a couple years ago, we should have avoided him, because we're bad at picking WRs. That makes zero sense. 

Yes, we've picked 3 disappointing WRs in the 1st round, however the jury is still out on one (Perriman) and the other 2 were made 13 and 16 years ago. To think that draft busts from over a decade ago will shape your draft approach is mind-boggling. 

Thank you for making a valuable point that some people just don't get. No respectable NFL team would ever handcuff themselves in a draft because they've wiffed on a certain position in years past. That argument is so over-used by some fans that's it's gotten to be gospel among some people. Another way to look at it would be that we should only draft an ILB in the 1st because we picked Ray Lewis 20 years ago, and he was great. Neither scenario makes sense, but you still hear "Ozzie can't draft WR's" argument constantly...if a WR is BPA, you draft him, end of story.

[balfan23]

If we go O line, then I'll have the sense that the draft did not break well for us. I think there are a fair number of players at other positions that we view as being bonafide playmakers. Going O Line will be saying that they've all been taken ahead of us. Therefore, like many others on this thread have said, if that happens, I'd hope we'd be able to trade back and get an additional pick and still be able to get the guy we want. 

[GENE2407]

Let me set this story straight: Despite having one of the best OL of all-time, Jimmy Johnson invested very little in that OL. His HIGHEST picks ever were 3rd rounder Erik Williams and 2nd rounder Mark Stepnoski. The remainders (Newton, Gogan, Gesek and Tuinei) were a hodge-podge mix of free agents and 6th/7th round picks. Even HOF Larry Allen was only a 2nd rounder (picked by Jones). My point is the Ravens are crazy for spending this many high picks on the OL when they are so deficient at every skill position on the team. OL can be found later on (see Marshal Yanda and Alex Lewis). Save those 1st rounders for skill positions like Johnson did (Aikman, Irvin, Harper, E Smith, K Smith, Maryland).

[sami]

  1 hour ago, Raven in ATL said:

anyone but a WR at 16,unless they trade back a few spots to like 20. i just dont see any of the WRs worthy that high, and our WR track record is bad as the browns picking QBs. im all for trading back a few spots and picking up extra picks and someone like Ramzcyzk or the best available push rusher, then going for either Zay Jones or Kupp in the 2nd.

If you don't believe any of the WRs are worthy of a pick as high as #16 (and virtually every analyst alive would disagree with that) ...  that's a valid reason to not pick a WR .. but the notion that we're bad at picking WRs - that is NOT a valid reason to avoid a WR with our 1st pick. Using your logic, had OBJ fallen to 16 a couple years ago, we should have avoided him, because we're bad at picking WRs. That makes zero sense. 

Yes, we've picked 3 disappointing WRs in the 1st round, however the jury is still out on one (Perriman) and the other 2 were made 13 and 16 years ago. To think that draft busts from over a decade ago will shape your draft approach is mind-boggling. 

also lets not forget who we had as a QB back 13 and 16 years ago. We were going thru QBs like sweet corn thru the hired girl.

[stampedehero]

No hesitation. O LIne is key. We lost two. Have to make a deal or pick as opportunity happens.

[stampedehero]

  1 hour ago, balfan23 said:

  1 hour ago, Raven in ATL said:

anyone but a WR at 16,unless they trade back a few spots to like 20. i just dont see any of the WRs worthy that high, and our WR track record is bad as the browns picking QBs. im all for trading back a few spots and picking up extra picks and someone like Ramzcyzk or the best available push rusher, then going for either Zay Jones or Kupp in the 2nd.

If you don't believe any of the WRs are worthy of a pick as high as #16 (and virtually every analyst alive would disagree with that) ...  that's a valid reason to not pick a WR .. but the notion that we're bad at picking WRs - that is NOT a valid reason to avoid a WR with our 1st pick. Using your logic, had OBJ fallen to 16 a couple years ago, we should have avoided him, because we're bad at picking WRs. That makes zero sense. 

Yes, we've picked 3 disappointing WRs in the 1st round, however the jury is still out on one (Perriman) and the other 2 were made 13 and 16 years ago. To think that draft busts from over a decade ago will shape your draft approach is mind-boggling. 

also lets not forget who we had as a QB back 13 and 16 years ago. We were going thru QBs like sweet corn thru the hired girl.

Sami... That was quite a catchy phrase.

[stampedehero]

Although all of us have opinions on a skill or sturdy lineman players, the end result is Ravens management picks the player as they see opportunity develop.

[Bruce_Almty]

this would be a nice haul, with a couple of trade downs.
31: R1P31 WR COREY DAVIS WESTERN MICHIGAN
53: R2P21 CB KEVIN KING WASHINGTON
55: R2P23 EDGE CHARLES HARRIS MISSOURI
74: R3P10 WR JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER USC
78: R3P14 C ETHAN POCIC LSU
89: R3P25 EDGE RYAN ANDERSON ALABAMA
122: R4P15 WR ISAIAH FORD VIRGINIA TECH
127: R4P20 EDGE DEMARCUS WALKER FLORIDA STATE
133: R4P26 G DANNY ISIDORA MIAMI
148: R5P4 G ZACH BANNER USC
165: R5P21 OT ERIK MAGNUSON MICHIGAN
187: R6P3 CB BRIAN ALLEN UTAH
188: R6P4 OT CONOR MCDERMOTT UCLA

LOL

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

We NEED   ORT, C, DL, OLB, MLB, WR and DB in this draft or players from other teams camp cuts. Those are our needs period

We have some young guys on the roster right now that can fill most those needs but will they step up and can they be effective at the starting NFL level? That's the biggest questions right now. I would like to see guys stepping up and taking the position but in years past for example WR we have had open competition and seems like no one ever wanted to step up and take the open starting job Oz always had to bring in a guy such as D.Mason  A.Boldin and SSS. So I really hope some of the younger talent on the roster steps up and takes the starting role like they want it and NO ONE IS GOING TO STOP THEM FROM TAKING IT and have some serious SWAG when fighting for their roster spot.

[Bruce_Almty]

I expect the Ravens to select DL, OL, DB, receiver with our first 4 picks. D-line could be an ER or DE or OLB; O-line would be a versatile OC/G; receiver could be Howard or Davis/Williams in the 1st or a talented group in the 2nd. If you don't predetermine player and round taken and just draft the bpa based on need, we should end up with 2 starters and 2 quality depth players. Expecting 4 starters is totally unrealistic imho.

[Maurice0094]

If I could make a comparison from former Ravens to potential prospects and current players on roster. Ramczyck and Alex Lewis remind me of Adam Terry. Nothing overpowering in run game, serviceable pass blockers but nothing that would show me "nasty" like Orlando Brown. That being said Cam Robinson seems like that type of nasty player who can run and actually pass block. The Ravens were at their best when they can run the rock and protect the qb. It doesn't matter who we draft to throw to if Joe is on his back. The oline needs holes plugged then we need another pass rusher or cb to help this defense make plays. Honestly on defense we need a playmaker at any position besides safety.

[TheConquerorWorm]

Let me set this story straight: Despite having one of the best OL of all-time, Jimmy Johnson invested very little in that OL. His HIGHEST picks ever were 3rd rounder Erik Williams and 2nd rounder Mark Stepnoski. The remainders (Newton, Gogan, Gesek and Tuinei) were a hodge-podge mix of free agents and 6th/7th round picks. Even HOF Larry Allen was only a 2nd rounder (picked by Jones). My point is the Ravens are crazy for spending this many high picks on the OL when they are so deficient at every skill position on the team. OL can be found later on (see Marshal Yanda and Alex Lewis). Save those 1st rounders for skill positions like Johnson did (Aikman, Irvin, Harper, E Smith, K Smith, Maryland).

The NFL was different 25 years ago. But let's use your example - the Cowboys spent high draft picks on Dez Bryant, Felix Jones, DeMarco Murray, Julius Jones & signed high priced FA like Terrell Owens, etc. It wasn't until they drafted 3 x OL with their 1st Round picks did they actually become a play-off team.

[bigcatfrank1]

We NEED   ORT, C, DL, OLB, MLB, WR and DB in this draft or players from other teams camp cuts. Those are our needs period

We have some young guys on the roster right now that can fill most those needs but will they step up and can they be effective at the starting NFL level? That's the biggest questions right now. I would like to see guys stepping up and taking the position but in years past for example WR we have had open competition and seems like no one ever wanted to step up and take the open starting job Oz always had to bring in a guy such as D.Mason  A.Boldin and SSS. So I really hope some of the younger talent on the roster steps up and takes the starting role like they want it and NO ONE IS GOING TO STOP THEM FROM TAKING IT and have some serious SWAG when fighting for their roster spot.

In my opinion The Ravens have one of the best DL in the NFL, no way is that an immediate need. OLB, DB and MLB are not critical any longer. The Ravens have depth and talent.
My biggest feeling is they do need immediate help at RB, at least for the first 4 games.
Yes ORT , Center and WR all are questions I definitely see a draft at each of those positions. As well the others as you mention, but no way the Ravens get 7 starters from a draft.
I hope we get 2 and 3 would be great.
my dream list- alternate reality -sure a trade up would be imminent!
rounds-in relative position-

1-Fournette
2- Cam Robinson
3- Ju Ju Smith
4- Carl orTeez Tabor
5- Ethan Pocic
6-...CB/LB hopefully (at 4)

give up one of the #3's for the trade up- and settle for 6 picks to get Fournette.

back to reality- more possible
1-Robinson LT or Williams WR
2- Lawson Edge or Tre White CB
3- Teez Tabor CB or Ju Ju Smith WR
3- Dede Westbrook WR or Carl Tankersly CB
4- Ethan Pocic C/G or Pat Elflein C/G
5 and 6 O line/D line & LB

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

7 minutes ago, bigcatfrank1 said:

In my opinion The Ravens have one of the best DL in the NFL, no way is that an immediate need. OLB, DB and MLB are not critical any longer. The Ravens have depth and talent.
My biggest feeling is they do need immediate help at RB, at least for the first 4 games.
Yes ORT , Center and WR all are questions I definitely see a draft at each of those positions. As well the others as you mention, but no way the Ravens get 7 starters from a draft.
I hope we get 2 and 3 would be great.
my dream list- alternate reality -sure a trade up would be imminent!
rounds-in relative position-

1-Fournette
2- Cam Robinson
3- Ju Ju Smith
4- Carl orTeez Tabor
5- Ethan Pocic
6-...CB/LB hopefully (at 4)

give up one of the #3's for the trade up- and settle for 6 picks to get Fournette.

back to reality- more possible
1-Robinson LT or Williams WR
2- Lawson Edge or Tre White CB
3- Teez Tabor CB or Ju Ju Smith WR
3- Dede Westbrook WR or Carl Tankersly CB
4- Ethan Pocic C/G or Pat Elflein C/G
5 and 6 O line/D line & LB

I respect what your saying however  DL, MLB, OLB, OL and WR are still very much in question we do have talent on the roster but are they good enough to start? and can we win with them? on your point about RB Fournette is AWESOME but I can argue that we have RB talent already on the roster that is good enough to start and we can win with. I do like some of the players you mentioned.

[GENE2407]

  2 hours ago, GENE2407 said:

Let me set this story straight: Despite having one of the best OL of all-time, Jimmy Johnson invested very little in that OL. His HIGHEST picks ever were 3rd rounder Erik Williams and 2nd rounder Mark Stepnoski. The remainders (Newton, Gogan, Gesek and Tuinei) were a hodge-podge mix of free agents and 6th/7th round picks. Even HOF Larry Allen was only a 2nd rounder (picked by Jones). My point is the Ravens are crazy for spending this many high picks on the OL when they are so deficient at every skill position on the team. OL can be found later on (see Marshal Yanda and Alex Lewis). Save those 1st rounders for skill positions like Johnson did (Aikman, Irvin, Harper, E Smith, K Smith, Maryland).

The NFL was different 25 years ago. But let's use your example - the Cowboys spent high draft picks on Dez Bryant, Felix Jones, DeMarco Murray, Julius Jones & signed high priced FA like Terrell Owens, etc. It wasn't until they drafted 3 x OL with their 1st Round picks did they actually become a play-off team.

That OL didn't look so good when DeMarco Murray left did it? Everyone thought any RB could excel, unfortunately not only did that not happen but Tony Romo took a beating and got his collarbone broken .......twice. Enter Zeke Elliott and suddenly, playoffs again. I'll take the playmakers anyday.

[robbie29]

Ozzie's draft bread & butter positions are: LB, D Line, and O Line. If he decides to draft another OT 1st round, he must see something the rest of us don't and I'll be happy with his decision.
So much hinges on a strong O Line, especially for the Ravens. A weak O line will mean terrible offense because Flacco falls apart when he's pressured, and our current RBs need some legit, great blocking to gain any significant yardage. God help us if we end up starting the season with the line we currently have. I'm really hoping we upgrade between now and Week 1.

[The Greek]

hope we draft bobby boucher. our defense would be unstoppable

[The Greek]

we will definitely draft a few lineman. need a center and guard or tackle depending on where alex lewis ends up

[The Beak]

So many options, Robinson would be a great fit at RT opposite Ronnie....