Ravens Insider: Ravens news, notes and opinions on the NFL draft, Deonte Thompson and more

[ExtremeRavens]

The draft hype will start kicking into high gear this week now that we are less than a month away from the first round on May 8. However, the direction the Ravens go with their first pick remains as unclear as ever. For years, the Ravens’ top decision-makers have talked about taking the “best player available” and staying “true to our board.” But almost always, the Ravens -- and every other NFL team, for that matter -- use their first draft pick to attack one of their biggest needs. That was true in 2011 with the selection of cornerback Jimmy Smith , in 2012 with the addition of outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw , and again last year in picking safety Matt Elam . I’ve only covered two Ravens drafts, but I can’t remember the last time the team took a “luxury” pick with their first selection. But a couple things make predicting which way the Ravens will go at No. 17 overall more difficult than in past years. One, the projections of when the quarterbacks will fall in the first round this year is all over the map, and that obviously affects what players will get to the Ravens. Two, it’s hard to determine the Ravens’ biggest need. Is it a right tackle or a free safety? Do they view finding a replacement for departed defensive tackle Arthur Jones as a priority? Are they in love with one of the wide receivers who will be available when they are on the clock? How concerned are they with their cornerback depth? Those questions will be answered in a little more than three weeks.

 

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