Trading back in the draft makes sense for the Ravens

[papasmurfbell]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-preston-column-0422-20140421,0,7107723.column?track=rss

 

The Ravens will go over numerous scenarios in the days leading up to the NFL draft that might play out in the first round, but they probably won't make a move until they are on the clock with the No. 17 overall pick. And they could trade with another team and move back in the first round.

The consensus among most top team executives and so-called experts is that this is a deep draft, and that most of the top 10 to 15 players will be gone when it's time for the Ravens to choose.

So unless a highly rated player falls to the Ravens, general manager Ozzie Newsome could decide to move back to a slot between Nos. 24 and 28 in the first round. He could pick up another pick or two and still fill needs. Right now, the Ravens have pressing needs at free safety and along the offensive line, and must come away with depth at the running back and inside linebacker positions.

 

If they trade back in the first round, the Ravens could still end up with a quality player such as Alabama offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio, Florida State defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan, Utah cornerback Keith McGill or Northern Illinois safety Jimmie Ward.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh has said Kelechi Osemele will start at left guard next season, but that could change with Osemele moving to right tackle, depending on whom the team drafts next month.

Kouandjio is versatile enough to play tackle or guard. Jernigan always hustles, and Newsome knows a team can never have enough defensive linemen. As for McGill, he is a tall cornerback and he's very physical, the perfect complement to Jimmy Smith, who starts on the other side.

Trading back is one of many options, but one being talked about more often at The Castle these days.

Workouts key

Offseason training and conditioning started this week, and it's crucial for the Ravens after finishing 8-8 in 2013. They also need to improve their image after appearing on the national crime blotter several times this offseason, with incidents involving running back Ray Rice, offensive lineman Jah Reid and wide receiver Deonte Thompson.

This is a good time for some young players, such as weak-side linebacker Arthur Brown and safety Matt Elam, to add some muscle.

Others, including offensive linemen Reid, Gino Gradkowski, Ryan Jensen and Rick Wagner and defensive tackle Terrence Cody, need to add muscle and speed.

Some players, such as receivers Aaron Mellette and Thompson, need the work in practice because they still have to prove they can be consistent, and running back Bernard Pierce and guard Marshal Yanda have to completely recover from shoulder injuries.

There are some veterans who need rehabilitation in other areas.

Nose tackle Haloti Ngata, who probably scoffed at and succeeded in avoiding a pay cut this offseason, needs to show good faith by getting his weight down for training camp.

Rush linebacker Terrell Suggs has to prove he can play an entire season without wearing down, and Rice could begin showing that last year was a fluke if he reports to training camp fit and ready to play.

Goodbye, for good

Enough is enough.

Four days after the Ravens reinstated linebacker Rolando McClain to the roster, he told ESPN he is retiring from football.

Again.

Last week, Newsome was justifiably criticized for bringing back McClain after the 24-year-old reportedly told several people that he was ready to play again.

 

 

 

[thesteelhurtin]

The problem is everyone is trying to trade back in this draft. The value probably won't be there unless a team believes the Ravens are about to pick the player they want.

[RavenousBG]

I've been saying that, everyone wants to trade back and stock picks this yr. so that makes it harder.

 

I don't like Preston much and prefers that he stay out of the Ravens war room. Ozzie has got this. But if the right trade back is there, he could take it and still get a quality player in the late 1st

[Robjr83]

Unless someone gives us a good deal (like a #1 next and #2 this year) I wouldn't do it. Harbs and Oz have said that its great getting a top 20 pick this year. We can get a starting safety or Rt at 17 and I'm fine with that.

[papasmurfbell]

Just looking maybe the Cards 20 and 52 pick.

[Robjr83]

You think the Cards would pay that price to move up 3 spots...

[papasmurfbell]

Maybe. I would keep my ears open.

[oldno82]

Too many good players around in the first 17 picks to trade back. I want to see a RT either Lewan or Zack Martin as the first pick. If they do anything I want them to do whatever they have to do to get Jimmie Ward in the second, even if it means moving up. The last few years we haven't done so well getting picks to play right away as regulars because we've been drafting so far down.

 

I will say I trust Oz and de Costa a lot more than Preston.

[cravnravn]

Our problem is we don't know the Ravens draft board and who they have as their overall BPA.

[oldno82]

That's true, Crav, but even doing BPA there should be a guy we need who is a BPA or close to it at 17.

[dc.]

I hate draft talk - especially this kind of crap from Preston.

 

Dropping back in the draft only makes sense if our player isn't there when we pick. Not only do we not know who that player is as far as the Ravens are concerned, we have little clue as to whether he will be there or not. We've got some guesses, of course... but there's so much up in the air.

 

Trading back makes sense. Until tomorrow when everyone is high on players X, Y and Z... and then trading back would be silly because there will definitely be our guy there... And then on draft day it will be the move to trade up because there's only one player T in a generation and he's right there if we can snatch him.

 

Shut up, Mike.

[papasmurfbell]

I hate draft talk - especially this kind of crap from Preston.

 

Dropping back in the draft only makes sense if our player isn't there when we pick. Not only do we not know who that player is as far as the Ravens are concerned, we have little clue as to whether he will be there or not. We've got some guesses, of course... but there's so much up in the air.

 

Trading back makes sense. Until tomorrow when everyone is high on players X, Y and Z... and then trading back would be silly because there will definitely be our guy there... And then on draft day it will be the move to trade up because there's only one player T in a generation and he's right there if we can snatch him.

 

Shut up, Mike.

That is far from true. Say it gets to 17 and 4 guys they like at 17 are still on the board. They get a call from the 21st pick to asking for the 17 pick. If they get the correct value they will make that trade. That is what the team does.

[dc.]

Which I agree with... But saying that now is meaningless. If it's worth trading down, it will... but we'll know that only when the other picks are made. Similarly, if we have to trade up, we will... But we won't know that until the time comes.

 

And most importantly re "our guy"... Mike has no clue who our guy is any more than you and I... So speculating that we know who it is our when he'll be drafted or how much we value him is just bull.

[papasmurfbell]

Of course. I am just saying there are no absolutes. The player they want could very well be there and they still back up.

[cravnravn]

It's just fuel for the sports talk shows, if this draft is as deep as folks speculate it is, then we could trade out of the first round and still get our bpa. But I highly doubt that a ravens bpa would fall into the 2nd rd.

[papasmurfbell]

Well there is always a BPA. Even in the 7th round. You rank players all the way down and pull them off your list as they are taken. Now the question is where you have them valued.

[papasmurfbell]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/25/49ers-may-make-draft-trade-but-say-they-arent-planning-lamichael-james-trade/

 

There has been speculation this offseason that the 49ers might try to make a trade up the draft board from the 30th pick and General Manager Trent Baalke admitted Friday that it is a real possibility.

With six of the first 100 picks in the draft, Baalke said at Friday’s pre-draft press conference that the team has the “ammunition” to make a big move up the draft board.

“Do we have the motivation to do that? It depends,” Baalke said.

The variables that would impact a final decision aren’t clear, but one imagines that the price tag and availability of a coveted player are at the top of the list. One direction the 49ers could look is wide receiver, where they could use an injection of talent and Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans are the top prospects and are expected to go in the top 10.

Depending how things work in the draft this is an option.

[varaven45]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/25/49ers-may-make-draft-trade-but-say-they-arent-planning-lamichael-james-trade/

Depending how things work in the draft this is an option.

Who gives a rats arse about the 49ers draft strategy. Isn't this the Ravens board and btw why aren't we talking about pulling this off ? We already gave em Bolden and practically handed them the Super Bowl w little in return.

 

I might be over reacting a tad but out last couple of drafts have stunk. This team needs to hit a grand slam in the draft. Last I checked we were 8-8 and missed the playoffs.

[papasmurfbell]

Yeah I think you might be overreacting. If the 9ers give up a kings ransom for the 17 pick then the ravens can get a huge grand slam.

[RavenousBG]

It seems that trade is in the air. I thought it might be harder to do but moving down to pick up an extra 2nd rd pick is attractive. I just want us to get a legit first rounder.

[vmax]

It's been a long time since they had a low pick at #17 with the opportunity to get an impact player...a real stud.

I say they stay at 17 and come away with the sure thing.

[papasmurfbell]

There is nothing sure at 17. Travis Taylor was a 10.

[vmax]

Here's how they have made out trading back....

 

 

With the six picks he accumulated by trading down in 2008, 2010 and 2012, Newsome drafted linebackers Courtney Upshaw, Sergio Kindle and Tavares Gooden, center Gino Gradkoswki and tight ends Pitta and Ed Dickson – some misses, some hits. So it goes.

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Eisenberg-Despite-Trade-Chatter-Ravens-Should-Stay-Put/18b25558-cb93-4df4-a79f-eac258705f8b

 

I like whoever may be there at 17 vs going down this road again.

There will be 4-5 solid players at 17.

[papasmurfbell]

The more opportunities the more chances to be successful.

[RavenousBG]

Really, you can miss anywhere and hit somewhere crazy. What round was L. Webb? 5th? It's about never reaching and having a great board, mostly that the board has the talent pegged right.