Grade The Ravens Draft

[Samari]

Michael Oher - Major steal, will tremendously help Flacco's progress, will be playing with a chip on his shoulder because he fell, no character issues. [b]Grade: A+[/b]

Paul Kruger - Very versatile player, can play DE/LB and even some DT in the 4-3 when we go to that, smart player who plays with a lot of hustle, good depth for now, can be a future replacement for Pryce and/or Jarret. [b]Grade: A-[/b]

Lardarius Webb - I love this pick. Fast corner, can start out as a special teams player (both gunner and returner) and a dime-back. Eventually, he can replace Rolle at the nickel spot. Definitely an upgrade over Frank Walker. Ed Reed fan/stalker. Awesome name. [b]Grade: A[/b]

Jason Phillips - At first I thought it was a little strange considering our breadth of young backers (Gooden, Barnes, Burgess, McClain), but Phillips is great value and is the only one of the five who has above-and-beyond ability to play inside backer outside of Gooden. He and T-Good will be a good future tandem in the 3-4. Awesome pick. [b]Grade: A[/b]

Davon Drew - LJ Smith really isn't that good and Heap is a big ol' question mark at this point. At the moment, Drew is the best blocking tight end on the roster and he has tremendously improved as a pass-catcher. Big potential, very hard worker. I'm a bit biased cuz I wanted the Ravens to take him witha mid-to-late round pick for months, but he really will be great. [b]Grade: A-[/b]

Cedric Peerman - Solid 6th round pick. He has underrated speed and well-acknowledged power. You can never have enough good running backs and I look for Baltimore's running game to be stronger than ever next year. Although, I thought Rashad Jennings would have been a better pick. [b]Grade: B+[/b]


[b]Overall draft grade: A[/b]


Some of you may think that the grades are too high and that they didn't address the receiver position. All of the picks were great value and help fill a need somewhere. As far as receivers go, nobody that they would have drafted would have been an immediate All-Pro. In fact, they would simply be a mid-round receiver, the value of which we have a lot of on the team so far (Smith, Harper, Wheelwright, etc.). I trust Oz, and even if we don't make any more moves and go forward with Mase, Clayton, and D-Will, I will feel very confident as these receivers aren't slackers and our corps is pretty solid, even if some of you don't think so.

[isaac263]

Good post.

Oher: A+
Kuger: A-
Webb: B
Phillips: A
Drew: B
Peerman: B+

Overall: A-

[Wacko4Zacko]

Oher: A+
Kuger: A
Webb: B+
Phillips: A+
Drew: B
Peerman: B+

Overall: A

[MKdave]

Oher: A
Kruger: C+
Webb: B
Phillips: B
Drew: C
Peerman: A

OVR: B

[RavensIQ]

Oher: A+
Kruger: B+
Webb: C
Jason Phillips: C-
Davon Drew: C-
Peerman: B+

I think they could have drafted a higher quality TE earlier in round 3/4 and still have been able to find a quality inside linebacker in later rounds. I also believe they should have addressed the CB position sooner, but given who was on the board at the time it was a good pick.

Overall I give this draft a B-

[futurerRaven]

Oher: A
Kruger: B
Webb: C
Jason Phillips: D
Davon Drew: B
Peerman: D

[lowrider]

[quote name='Samari' post='186928' date='Apr 26 2009, 05:19 PM']Some of you may think that the grades are too high and that they didn't address the receiver position. All of the picks were great value and help fill a need somewhere. As far as receivers go, nobody that they would have drafted would have been an immediate All-Pro. In fact, they would simply be a mid-round receiver, the value of which we have a lot of on the team so far (Smith, Harper, Wheelwright, etc.). I trust Oz, and even if we don't make any more moves and go forward with Mase, Clayton, and D-Will, I will feel very confident as these receivers aren't slackers and our corps is pretty solid, even if some of you don't think so.[/quote]

I agree. I think Oz did a great job this year. I think our first two picks are going to help our team right away. Wide reciever will work out. We aren't a passing team anyway. So I'm not going to freak out about our recievers.

[futurerRaven]

it doesnt matter if were a run first team we need ppl who can keep defenses honest look at the steelers as much as we hate them santonio "handstonio" holmes keeps us honest because he can take the top off of our defense hines ward can keep us honest cuz he can get down field and make a key catch on third downs we need that he doesnt have to be superman but he has to be able to be a threat our guys now arent scaring anyone at all they should be moved to db cuz they tackle better than they catch we have a #2 guy as our #1 and 2 #3 guys as our number 2 guys we have bad recievers thats it they are good in spurts not every week no matter what you say the facts are the facts we dont have a number 1 guy

[theFRANCHISE]

All of the picks were great value picks, but I still have to go with an overall B- grade.

I'll probably break the picks down in an article/thread/post later.

[RoflDogs]

Im just going to copy and paste what I posted on the other thread


I would give this draft a B+, but people are spazzing out that we didn't pick "sexy" by not drafting a WR

1. Oher- Gives us solid OL for a good decade and top 10 talent at 23: grade: A
2. Kruger - Replacement for Trevor Pryce, high motor, but lacks athleticism: grade: B
3. Webb- This is the only pick I have a problem with, he is a returner (We already have Chris Carr) I heard he is not that great of a corner, but is serviceable. grade: C
5. Philips: I LOVE this pick, Philips is a great instinctive LB and GREAT value at the 5th. grade: A+
5. Drew: Solid blocking TE just in case Q Syp can't go. grade: B
6. Peerman: A good tough runner, but has trouble being healthy at times, but is a great value at the 6th. grade B+


On a side note, why is everyone hating on Jason Phillips???

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='futurerRaven' post='186977' date='Apr 26 2009, 05:52 PM'][b]it doesnt matter if were a run first team we need ppl who can keep defenses honest[/b] look at the steelers as much as we hate them santonio "handstonio" holmes keeps us honest because he can take the top off of our defense hines ward can keep us honest cuz he can get down field and make a key catch on third downs we need that he doesnt have to be superman but he has to be able to be a threat our guys now arent scaring anyone at all they should be moved to db cuz they tackle better than they catch we have a #2 guy as our #1 and 2 #3 guys as our number 2 guys we have bad recievers thats it they are good in spurts not every week no matter what you say the facts are the facts we dont have a number 1 guy[/quote]
In Week 4, the Ravens dominated the Steelers for 3 quarters by running the ball. In Week 15, the Ravens kept pace with the Steelers by running the ball. In the AFC Title game, the Ravens kept it close with the Steelers despite never breaking away, by running the ball.

The ground attack is the team's bread-and-butter. Sure, an extra dimension to the passing game would be nice, but there's ways to substitute the lack of a true #1 receiver. This is where the creativity of Cam Cameron comes into play, in using the tight ends on more passing routes (which Michael Oher allows us to do), as well as incorporating more receivers out of the backfield (whether they be running backs or actual receivers).

You don't beat a smashmouth team like the Steelers with finesse; you fight fire with fire and beat them by punching them in the mouth. That's how the Ravens have done it before, and that's how the Ravens will continue to do it. You can't play a physical, defensive team like the Steelers with a high-powered aerial attack and assume it's a win.

The Cardinals struggled against the Steelers in the Super Bowl until the 4th quarter because they tried to force the pass when it wasn't there. The Eagles struggled (yet beat) the Steelers earlier in the season because they forced the pass. Pass-first teams cannot beat a defensive team unless they outsmart the scheme -- and there is no outsmarting Dick LeBeau, no matter what we hope Cam Cameron can do.

[Chi_Town_Raven]

So basically you are stating that if somehow we landed a #1 receiver like Boldin, we would be completely unstoppable? Fine with me.

[Chi_Town_Raven]

[quote name='RoflDogs' post='186982' date='Apr 26 2009, 04:56 PM']Im just going to copy and paste what I posted on the other thread


I would give this draft a B+, but people are spazzing out that we didn't pick "sexy" by not drafting a WR

1. Oher- Gives us solid OL for a good decade and top 10 talent at 23: grade: A
2. Kruger - Replacement for Trevor Pryce, high motor, but lacks athleticism: grade: B
3. Webb- This is the only pick I have a problem with, he is a returner (We already have Chris Carr) I heard he is not that great of a corner, but is serviceable. grade: C
5. Philips: I LOVE this pick, Philips is a great instinctive LB and GREAT value at the 5th. grade: A+
5. Drew: Solid blocking TE just in case Q Syp can't go. grade: B
6. Peerman: A good tough runner, but has trouble being healthy at times, but is a great value at the 6th. grade B+


On a side note, why is everyone hating on Jason Phillips???[/quote]
When you made the letter grades, were you basing it on how well of a player they are, or on how well the pick was? Because Philips over Oher player-wise is kind of messed up.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='RoflDogs' post='186982' date='Apr 26 2009, 05:56 PM']On a side note, why is everyone hating on Jason Phillips???[/quote]
People are probably hating on Phillips because:
1) They've never heard of him (neither have I, but I'm not complaining); and 2) they assume we have too many linebackers. With the loss of Bart Scott and the pending retirement of Ray Lewis on the horizon (as well as the potential loss of Terrell Suggs), it's better to stockpile for the future than panic when it's too late.

Sure, WR is a pressing need, but if the personnel staff has confidence that we can get by with the current group of receivers, we'll make do.

[futurerRaven]

you completely miss understood me i hate finesse teams i like smash mouth but the reason we lost those 4th quarters to the steelers is because we didnt have any one to keep them honest either our guys can catch but arent fast or they are fast but cant catch you know mark clayton for example he's fast but is inconsistant d-mase is consistent but slow d-will is always hurt marcus smith is tall but cant catch like we need some one who can catch block run do it all and there were definetly guys who could do that

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Chi_Town_Raven' post='186986' date='Apr 26 2009, 06:03 PM']So basically you are stating that if somehow we landed a #1 receiver like Boldin, we would be completely unstoppable? Fine with me. [/quote]
Uhhhh...not exactly. lol.

What I'm saying is, we're not exactly "one player away" from a Super Bowl -- no team is. Parity makes that impossible. Rather, if we're to stay competitive in the AFC North, we need to do what we did last season, and that's stick to our identity as a run-first, defense-based team. We can't just change a team philosophy overnight; we don't have the players to do so.

[CustomUserName]

1. Oher- Great pick, solidifies the right side of our line, adds depth to the line, should have been a 10 pick. A
2. Kruger - Doesn't give up on plays, is tough, good replacement for Suggs/Pryce. Possible hybrid DE/LB B+
3. Webb- Replacement for Rolle, Depth at CB that we lacked last year (and kept us out of SB 43), physical player A-
5. Philips - Should have been a mid-3rd pick, steal, gets to play beside Ray Lewis, and no LB looks bad beside Ray Lewis. B
5. Drew - Don't know, with Oher the blocking factor is reduced, Heap and LJ are better, and TE wasn't a depth needing position, D+
6. Peerman - I'm just hoping he was the BPA, otherwise D-

Overall, I'm giving Baltimore an A-

[RoflDogs]

[quote name='Chi_Town_Raven' post='186988' date='Apr 26 2009, 06:05 PM']When you made the letter grades, were you basing it on how well of a player they are, or on how well the pick was? Because Philips over Oher player-wise is kind of messed up.[/quote]


I do it based on pick and positional value

[justifythegame]

Oher: A+++++++++ lol
Kruger: B-
Webb: D
Phillips: B-
Drew: D
Peerman: C

Overall: C+

To be fair though, you can't truely grade a draft until you see these guys develop and play for a couple years. I was disappointed with a lot of the picks, like when Sean Smith was available and when we passed on Marcus Freeman and Cornelius Ingram and James Casey.

[Jesse Conroy]

Oher: A
Kuger: C+
Webb: B
Phillips: B-
Drew: C
Peerman: C-

Overall: C

[funky141]

1. Oher- Gives us solid OL : A
2. Kruger - thougth a WR would be better here: D
3. Webb- Decent pick with the injuries that happen to the DB: B-
5. Philips: Good pick with value and depth: B+
5. Drew: Why, don't they have Smith and Heap?: C-
6. Peerman: Will he see the field? C

Some good and bad, a need a WR was not met and thats my only question. Over-all draft grade from an outside sorce looking in would be a C+

[ravensfolife]

[quote name='Samari' post='186928' date='Apr 26 2009, 04:19 PM']Michael Oher - Major steal, will tremendously help Flacco's progress, will be playing with a chip on his shoulder because he fell, no character issues. [b]Grade: A+[/b]

Paul Kruger - Very versatile player, can play DE/LB and even some DT in the 4-3 when we go to that, smart player who plays with a lot of hustle, good depth for now, can be a future replacement for Pryce and/or Jarret. [b]Grade: A-[/b]

Lardarius Webb - I love this pick. Fast corner, can start out as a special teams player (both gunner and returner) and a dime-back. Eventually, he can replace Rolle at the nickel spot. Definitely an upgrade over Frank Walker. Ed Reed fan/stalker. Awesome name. [b]Grade: A[/b]

Jason Phillips - At first I thought it was a little strange considering our breadth of young backers (Gooden, Barnes, Burgess, McClain), but Phillips is great value and is the only one of the five who has above-and-beyond ability to play inside backer outside of Gooden. He and T-Good will be a good future tandem in the 3-4. Awesome pick. [b]Grade: A[/b]

Davon Drew - LJ Smith really isn't that good and Heap is a big ol' question mark at this point. At the moment, Drew is the best blocking tight end on the roster and he has tremendously improved as a pass-catcher. Big potential, very hard worker. I'm a bit biased cuz I wanted the Ravens to take him witha mid-to-late round pick for months, but he really will be great. [b]Grade: A-[/b]

Cedric Peerman - Solid 6th round pick. He has underrated speed and well-acknowledged power. You can never have enough good running backs and I look for Baltimore's running game to be stronger than ever next year. Although, I thought Rashad Jennings would have been a better pick. [b]Grade: B+[/b]


[b]Overall draft grade: A[/b]


Some of you may think that the grades are too high and that they didn't address the receiver position. All of the picks were great value and help fill a need somewhere. As far as receivers go, nobody that they would have drafted would have been an immediate All-Pro. In fact, they would simply be a mid-round receiver, the value of which we have a lot of on the team so far (Smith, Harper, Wheelwright, etc.). I trust Oz, and even if we don't make any more moves and go forward with Mase, Clayton, and D-Will, I will feel very confident as these receivers aren't slackers and our corps is pretty solid, even if some of you don't think so.[/quote]
I give us a B, but how long should we wait on these reciever's to blossom, I trust oz on defense only

[Ravnet]

[quote name='Chi_Town_Raven' post='186988' date='Apr 26 2009, 06:05 PM']When you made the letter grades, were you basing it on how well of a player they are, or on how well the pick was? Because Philips over Oher player-wise is kind of messed up.[/quote]

I mean, obviously the latter...

[ravensfolife]

[quote name='justifythegame' post='187004' date='Apr 26 2009, 05:17 PM']Oher: A+++++++++ lol
Kruger: B-
Webb: D
Phillips: B-
Drew: D
Peerman: C

Overall: C+

To be fair though, you can't truely grade a draft until you see these guys develop and play for a couple years. I was disappointed with a lot of the picks, like when Sean Smith was available and when we passed on Marcus Freeman and Cornelius Ingram and James Casey.[/quote]
yep could've had Oher,micheal johnson,Ingram,and Sean Smith know thats a A+ draft

[Ravnet]

[quote name='funky141' post='187016' date='Apr 26 2009, 06:27 PM']2. Kruger - thougth a WR would be better here: D[/quote]

Which WR, exactly, would have been the more optimal choice?

The draft was devoid of receiving talent at that point.

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='funky141' post='187016' date='Apr 26 2009, 06:27 PM']1. Oher- Gives us solid OL : A
2. Kruger - thougth a WR would be better here: D
3. Webb- Decent pick with the injuries that happen to the DB: B-
5. Philips: Good pick with value and depth: B+
5. Drew: Why, don't they have Smith and Heap?: C-
6. Peerman: Will he see the field? C

Some good and bad, a need a WR was not met and thats my only question. Over-all draft grade from an outside sorce looking in would be a C+[/quote]

1. A
2. B We have WR's that need to step up their game, We need a pass rusher!
3. B This guy is very versatile period end of story!
5. B Philips Late round due to injury at combine.
5. B Drew better than a garbage can WR at that point in the draft.
Over all Grade B
We have WR's that should be a lot better this season, do not sleep on M. Smith.

[neepo13]

[quote name='funky141' post='187016' date='Apr 26 2009, 06:27 PM']1. Oher- Gives us solid OL : A
[b]2. Kruger - thougth a WR would be better here: D[/b]3. Webb- Decent pick with the injuries that happen to the DB: B-
5. Philips: Good pick with value and depth: B+
5. Drew: Why, don't they have Smith and Heap?: C-
6. Peerman: Will he see the field? C

Some good and bad, [b]a need a WR was not met and thats my only question.[/b] Over-all draft grade from an outside sorce looking in would be a C+[/quote]

Why was wr a need? Because ESPN said so? Looking at this team, every one of those picks make sense. Could they have swapped out one of them for a wr, sure but wr was not by any means the biggest or only need this team had. If you watched, either playoff game vs Pitt or Tenn, you'll understand why Kruger was needed. Of the Ravens 6 defensive lineman, half of them are over the age of the 30. And 3 that are not are Ngata and two backups. Ngata is the only starter along the defensive line that has a long future ahead of him. Pryce is nearing the end and Kelly Gregg is coming off major knee surgery. They needed to get younger there and they did it.

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='neepo13' post='187108' date='Apr 26 2009, 08:40 PM']Why was wr a need? Because ESPN said so? Looking at this team, every one of those picks make sense. Could they have swapped out one of them for a wr, sure but wr was not by any means the biggest or only need this team had. If you watched, either playoff game vs Pitt or Tenn, you'll understand why Kruger was needed. Of the Ravens 6 defensive lineman, half of them are over the age of the 30. And 3 that are not are Ngata and two backups. Ngata is the only starter along the defensive line that has a long future ahead of him. Pryce is nearing the end and Kelly Gregg is coming off major knee surgery. They needed to get younger there and they did it.[/quote]

The top 3 Sexy pick's would have to be 1. QB, 2. WR and 3 RB. Anything else is just not sexy I guess. I think we had a good draft and I'm not concerned with WR. Wait until the season starts and see what our WR's do, then tell me we still need one!

[neepo13]

[quote name='futurerRaven' post='186990' date='Apr 26 2009, 06:06 PM']you completely miss understood me i hate finesse teams i like smash mouth but the reason we lost those 4th quarters to the steelers is because we didnt have any one to keep them honest either our guys can catch but arent fast or they are fast but cant catch you know mark clayton for example he's fast but is inconsistant d-mase is consistent but slow d-will is always hurt marcus smith is tall but cant catch like we need some one who can catch block run do it all and there were definetly guys who could do that[/quote]

I have to totally disagree. We lost because we couldnt put pressure on Ben, especially in the AFC championship game. He had all day to throw the ball. If our defense is able to put the pressure on him, those late game drives never happen. The other problem was we always have to max protect Flacco. We dont have big name wideouts and they are not great by any stretch but give them some credit. Its hard to get open at all, let alone downfield, when the defense only has to account for two of you.

[ROH522155]

people dont realize why our recievers are good in some games and not in others. its not that they arent talented either. let me clear this up. when we face teams like the steelers, giants, eagles, and the other great pass rushing defenses that we faced this past season, we had to max protect. which means that sometimes we would only be sending out 2 recievers which sucks especially when we face the steelers. the steelers dline applies great pressure by itself, so they dont have to blitz their backers as much which means that they would have multiple backers, their corners and safeties dropping back to cover our 2 recievers. not gonna work out for us. thats why picking up guys like Oher and blocking TEs who can let heap run routes so we dont have to max protect can actually help out the passing game more than picking up a reciever.

and as for the draft grade, i give it a solid B+