Ravens' Top Needs Going into the Draft

[nfldraft2010]

I'm not convinced at all that the Ravens are going receiver in the first round. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I start to question whether they'll take a shot on any of the perceived first round receivers. The fact is the Ravens still have other needs besides receiver, so there's no point to reach, although I don't expect them to wait longer than round two to address the receiver position.

 

With that said, here's what I think are the Ravens' primary needs, and my early prediction for who I think they'll take in the first round.

 

http://www.pressboxonline.com/blog.cfm?ID=2012

[SpearSrai]

Haven't watched Odrick before, but he definitely doesn't look like the kind of guy we would target in the first. Nowhere close to the talent of the other DT/DE's who will be available in the first. There are at least five guys at either position who are better than him, and even if all of those guys are gone, that means someone at another position will fall to us. Odrick may end up in an NFL rotation on the d-line, but the second and third rounds will be better value for him.

[RavenMad]

The more and more I think about it the more and more I think the Ravens are going to draft 1 of the so called 1st round WRs in the 2nd round.

 

I started looking at trade value and we could trade down to the top of the 2nd round and gain an early 4th round pick. A trade back to about pick 41 or so would then start to garner around a 3rd round pick.

 

With the quality of players in the first 3 or 4 rounds this year, I absolutely believe this should be the strategy unless another "Oher" falls to around pick 20.

 

I don't have a big preference on any of the WRs outside of Bryant. They all have their strengths and weaknesses and there is perceived risk with them all. That said if we trade back to the top of the 2nd and get that extra pick, I suddenly feel a lot better about them all and wouldn't mind any of them at that spot.

 

So for example, trade with Washington for a 2nd and 4th round pick. We then take whichever Ozzie feels is the best of the remaining WRs out of Benn, Thomas, Tate or Williams at this point. Take a CB like McCourty or Warren in the late 2nd or maybe even draft Hernandez at TE at that point.

 

In the 3rd look at at either a DE/OLB, CB or TE depending on what happened in the 2nd. With the early 4th take another WR like Riley Cooper or a speedster like Jacoby Ford. Then again go looking for some depth on the D with the 2nd 4th round pick. If we still haven't got a TE I would look at Jimmy Graham from Miami as a 5th round prospect.

[varaven45]

No new WR (via draft or FA)= No playoffs in 2010. Book it ! If, after watching SB, no one can see the QUANTAM LEAP this team needs to make in WR,

then we are mired in 7-9 to 9-7 mode for the next several years.

 

Yeah, we need CB, TE and DE help but the WR position needs MONUMENTAL help and NOW.

[thundercleetz]

As far as I am concerned Ozzie set the bar for our first round pick last year: find someone how can have the type of immediate impact Michael Oher had for this team. I do not care what position that is, if we find a guy like that our team will be better. Unless we trade up for Dez Bryant, I do not see us going receiver in the first round. It is still early though, but I could definitely see us taking two receivers from rounds 2-4. At that point, a receiver in rounds 2-4 is just as likely to produce as a WR in round 1. I do think that Ozzie will address WR somehow through FA/trade.

[vmax]

I think Ozzie will work hard to fill needs before the draft....and then after it. "Draft Needs" will change by the draft.

 

Ozzie will not draft for need. He will go BPA. Another Pro Bowl player never hurts the team.

 

Now...need may match BPA in that they need a WR, DE, CB, TE, ...I wouldn't be surprised to see Ozzie take a big play safety (Reed won't play much longer). They need a dependable back up at OT.

 

Ozzie has said in the past that the only time he goes for need is when they have several closely ranked players on their board at the time of their pick. Then 'need' may sway the choice.

[SpearSrai]

As far as I am concerned Ozzie set the bar for our first round pick last year: find someone how can have the type of immediate impact Michael Oher had for this team. I do not care what position that is, if we find a guy like that our team will be better. Unless we trade up for Dez Bryant, I do not see us going receiver in the first round. It is still early though, but I could definitely see us taking two receivers from rounds 2-4. At that point, a receiver in rounds 2-4 is just as likely to produce as a WR in round 1. I do think that Ozzie will address WR somehow through FA/trade.

 

Are we 100% sure that Oher can't play WR? He's got decent size, and is probably faster and more agile than Mark Clayton...

 

...

[varaven45]

I think Ozzie will work hard to fill needs before the draft....and then after it. "Draft Needs" will change by the draft.

 

Ozzie will not draft for need. He will go BPA. Another Pro Bowl player never hurts the team.

 

Now...need may match BPA in that they need a WR, DE, CB, TE, ...I wouldn't be surprised to see Ozzie take a big play safety (Reed won't play much longer). They need a dependable back up at OT.

 

Ozzie has said in the past that the only time he goes for need is when they have several closely ranked players on their board at the time of their pick. Then 'need' may sway the choice.

 

 

Max,

 

I hear you but still say no big play WR in offseason = another 7-9 to 9-7 team. I understand the BPA approach in the draft, but if we havent gotten a playmaker WR by then, it would be idiotic to skip on the BWR in the draft.

 

It should be an interesting offseason .

[SpearSrai]

Max,

 

I hear you but still say no big play WR in offseason = another 7-9 to 9-7 team. I understand the BPA approach in the draft, but if we havent gotten a playmaker WR by then, it would be idiotic to skip on the BWR in the draft.

 

It should be an interesting offseason .

 

Why would we go from 9-7 to 7-9? We didn't have a big play guy this year either, and we still dominated the lower competition while narrowly losing to many good teams. There's no reason to think we'll regress next year. We're guaranteed 9-10 wins; we're hoping for 11-12.

[varaven45]

Why would we go from 9-7 to 7-9? We didn't have a big play guy this year either, and we still dominated the lower competition while narrowly losing to many good teams. There's no reason to think we'll regress next year. We're guaranteed 9-10 wins; we're hoping for 11-12.

 

 

I meant our win/loss record would stay in the 7-9 to 9-7 range if we dont upgrade our WR via FA and or draft. If Mr Flacco gets no playmakers, we arent joining the elite.

[vmax]

Unlike RB's, few drafted WR's make a big impact in their 1st season in the NFL. ( I couldn't locate a rookie WR in the top echelon of receivers until Harvin at #39 for example). It's also more of a crap shoot finding the true #1 WR's in the draft.

Don't expect WR relief in 2010 from the draft...needed help maybe, but they will need a year or 2 to develop and break out.

[SpearSrai]

Unlike RB's, few drafted WR's make a big impact in their 1st season in the NFL. ( I couldn't locate a rookie WR in the top echelon of receivers until Harvin at #39 for example). It's also more of a crap shoot finding the true #1 WR's in the draft.

Don't expect WR relief in 2010 from the draft...needed help maybe, but they will need a year or 2 to develop and break out.

 

Way off target with this one. There have been about 10-15 rookie WR's in the last two years who have made a substantial impact. If anything, the past two seasons have disproven the long-held notion that it's hard to transition to the NFL as a rookie WR.

 

Just because a guy doesn't come in and put up 1500 yards in his rookie season doesn't mean they haven't performed in a big way. Look no further than Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie for proof of this. Garcon was a big part of why the Colts were in the Super Bowl, and if he had made that one catch, the Colts may have won the game.

[vmax]

Spear...I see what you're saying...they did make an impact...but they had Manning throwing to them. It's still a crapshoot for #1WR's in the draft(that's what I'm looking for). Garcon and Austin Collie were 4th and 6th round picks. The history of the draft says it's hard to hit on #1's in the first round...for every hit there are lot's of misses.

[thundercleetz]

Spear...I see what you're saying...they did make an impact...but they had Manning throwing to them. It's still a crapshoot for #1WR's in the draft(that's what I'm looking for). Garcon and Austin Collie were 4th and 6th round picks. The history of the draft says it's hard to hit on #1's in the first round...for every hit there are lot's of misses.

 

I think you made Spear's point, max. One guy is not going to solve the problem, but if we draft two, three quality receivers then Joe can help these guys contribute. While getting a #1 receiver is nice, getting two #2 guys (with one of these guys maybe having the potential to grow into a #1) and maybe a #3 slot type, and this offense will be ready to role.

[cravnravn]

We cant fill our 3 needs with 1 first round pick..But we can possibly fill 2. We take a DE with our first pick, we have to get pressure on the QB, we do that and we dont need a "shut down" corner. There will be plenty of 2nd teir WR's around in rounds 3-4, we can fill that need then.

[SpearSrai]

Spear...I see what you're saying...they did make an impact...but they had Manning throwing to them. It's still a crapshoot for #1WR's in the draft(that's what I'm looking for). Garcon and Austin Collie were 4th and 6th round picks. The history of the draft says it's hard to hit on #1's in the first round...for every hit there are lot's of misses.

 

I haven't done enough research to say how much rookie WR's contributed in the history of the NFL, but there are a ton of guys the past two years who have put up big numbers in their first (and second) year. Here's a thread I put together a month or so ago on this very topic:

 

http://forums.extremeravens.com/index.php?showtopic=1399

 

There have been an overwhelming number of "hits" in the first few rounds of the past two drafts, and not many misses at all.

[vmax]

I think you made Spear's point, max. One guy is not going to solve the problem, but if we draft two, three quality receivers then Joe can help these guys contribute. While getting a #1 receiver is nice, getting two #2 guys (with one of these guys maybe having the potential to grow into a #1) and maybe a #3 slot type, and this offense will be ready to role.

 

 

That would be a best case senario cleetz...fat chance on drafting 3 WR's...maybe 2.

And I'm sick of #2 guys and slot receivers. The Ravens need a real, field stretching, play making #1WR to compete with the big boys. A guy like Wayne who makes the plays, demands the double coverage, so guys like Garcon and Collie can flurish.

 

About 35 receivers are drafted every year...there's 32 teams...now I'm looking for an impact #1 WR for the Ravens...those who are that in their rookie year are few. Period. There are more who become that in their 2nd, 3rd ect year because there is a learning and development curve...then there are tons of Mark Clayton's/Travis Taylors and flat out busts. The odds are not good on landing a franchise WR..or #1 as I described. Ask Detroit...they drafted tons of receivers early in the 1st. It is a crapshoot finding what I think Flacco and the Ravens need. #2's grow on trees. Same for #3's. The Ravens can get that.

 

Here's a draft link for WR's where you can scroll through the years:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/history?year=2009&round=-1&position=1

 

Look at all the prospects who had the size, speed and numbers comming out of college, who we were drooling over before the draft, only to see them disappoint.

This is a hard slot for the Ravens to fill...just as hard as QB was. You have to go back to '96/'97 to find the last time the Ravens had serious receivers. It took forever to get the QB here after a ton of misses...same amount of misses for Ozzie at WR...I am not optimistic.

[cravnravn]

There's 50 wr on the big list, where only one is rated as a first round selection, being Dez White

 

We can get value in the 3rd - 4th rounds with a WR.

 

http://cfn.scout.com/2/938809.html

Edited February 12, 2010 by cravnravn

[nfldraft2010]

Interesting stats regarding first round receivers:

 

Over the last 10 years, only 15 of the 42 receivers selected in the first round have gone on to become 1,000 yard receivers in the NFL.

 

Only seven of those 15 have recorded multiple 1,000 yard seasons.

 

Of the top 30 receivers in the NFL last season - based on receiving yards - only eight were drafted in the first round. Seven were second round picks, six went in the third round, four in the fourth, three in the seventh, and two were undrafted.

[dc.]

The numbers mean nothing without comparing to every other position out there...

 

What percent of first round QBs threw for 3000 yards? What percent of first round runners ran for 1000+ (heck, 1200+)? Etc etc etc

[thundercleetz]

That would be a best case senario cleetz...fat chance on drafting 3 WR's...maybe 2.

And I'm sick of #2 guys and slot receivers. The Ravens need a real, field stretching, play making #1WR to compete with the big boys. A guy like Wayne who makes the plays, demands the double coverage, so guys like Garcon and Collie can flurish.

 

About 35 receivers are drafted every year...there's 32 teams...now I'm looking for an impact #1 WR for the Ravens...those who are that in their rookie year are few. Period. There are more who become that in their 2nd, 3rd ect year because there is a learning and development curve...then there are tons of Mark Clayton's/Travis Taylors and flat out busts. The odds are not good on landing a franchise WR..or #1 as I described. Ask Detroit...they drafted tons of receivers early in the 1st. It is a crapshoot finding what I think Flacco and the Ravens need. #2's grow on trees. Same for #3's. The Ravens can get that.

 

Here's a draft link for WR's where you can scroll through the years:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/history?year=2009&round=-1&position=1

 

Look at all the prospects who had the size, speed and numbers comming out of college, who we were drooling over before the draft, only to see them disappoint.

This is a hard slot for the Ravens to fill...just as hard as QB was. You have to go back to '96/'97 to find the last time the Ravens had serious receivers. It took forever to get the QB here after a ton of misses...same amount of misses for Ozzie at WR...I am not optimistic.

 

Well, that is obviously what to shoot for, but like you state, it is a crapshoot finding one of those guys. I am a lot more optimistic than you max that Ozzie will solve this WR problem. How about this: we sign/trade for a guy like Malcom Floyd or Antonio Bryant, bring back D-Mase, then draft a couple of receivers (possibly a tight-end as well) in the 2-4 round range. Mason is a solid #2, you have a big guy like Floyd or Bryant who can stretch the field, then hopefully you wind up with a Mike Wallace with one of those two draft picks.

 

Look at what a team like the NY Giants did. They have three guys in Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, and Hakeem Nicks. None of these guys are the true #1 type receiver you explain, but Nicks was a first rounder who produced as a rookie and has potential to be the guy. Smith was a second rounder and Manningham was a third rounder. They worked really well together as a group. You give me Mason, Floyd/Bryant, a rookie like Wallace/Nicks/Maclin/Britt/Harvin, and Mark Clayton as a #3/4 guy, and Joe will make this thing work!

 

The 2009 draft class was loaded at WR. Look what Mike Wallace, Hakeem Nicks, Jeremy Maclin, Kenny Britt, Percy Harvin, and Michael Crabtree did. ALL of these guys produced near or over 700 yards of receiving. There were six WRs taken in the first round, FIVE of them I would consider a hit. There is talent to be found at WR. Everyone says how hard it is to find a stud receiver. It might be rare to get that Fitz/Andre Johnson-type guy, but finding quality receivers I believe is dependent upon finding the right guy for your system and the other weapons you have. We just need to find receivers with specific

talents that we can use in different ways to keep the offense fresh.

 

It took us awhile to find a QB, but Ozzie got him. I have confidence that Ozzie will get some quality receiver whether through free agency, the draft, or trade. We have the QB, we have the line, we have the running backs, Ozzie knows what is next. He has no choice but to improve the WR core, and I fully believe he will do so.

[vmax]

. How about this: we sign/trade for a guy like Malcom Floyd or Antonio Bryant, bring back D-Mase, then draft a couple of receivers (possibly a tight-end as well) in the 2-4 round range. Mason is a solid #2, you have a big guy like Floyd or Bryant who can stretch the field, then hopefully you wind up with a Mike Wallace with one of those two draft picks.

 

 

That would be excellent given the current circumstances the Ravens FO faces. As long as it's not a Frank Sanders/LJ Smith/Pat Johnson type...you know the kind...that's the bulk of the kind of players who will be available.

 

I doubt Ozzie will get off his 1st round pick. He might if the WR is really good and has some milage left....a lot of teams have round 1 picks more valuable than the Ravens so he faces stiff competition there.

 

Whatever happens, it's up to Flacco and the coaches to make the new receiving corps excell. Joe's got to pull a "Peyton Manning" as far as working with these guys...at the obsessive level...demanding excellence...practicing route after route, throw after throw until they can do it in their sleep.

Easy for me to say it!

[thundercleetz]

That would be excellent given the current circumstances the Ravens FO faces. As long as it's not a Frank Sanders/LJ Smith/Pat Johnson type...you know the kind...that's the bulk of the kind of players who will be available.

 

I doubt Ozzie will get off his 1st round pick. He might if the WR is really good and has some milage left....a lot of teams have round 1 picks more valuable than the Ravens so he faces stiff competition there.

 

Whatever happens, it's up to Flacco and the coaches to make the new receiving corps excell. Joe's got to pull a "Peyton Manning" as far as working with these guys...at the obsessive level...demanding excellence...practicing route after route, throw after throw until they can do it in their sleep.

Easy for me to say it!

 

I think Malcom Floyd or Antonio Bryant would be very solid acquisitions who would not break the bank. Like I said, add in Mason, Clayton, and a couple of high round draft picks at WR and Joe will make this thing happen. This will be Joe's third year in the offense, he should know it like the back of his hand. He know his potential, it is limitless in the right situation, we saw it in the first half of the season. The next step Joe needs to take is making audibles at the line and doing a lot of the little things like changing the snap count and pointing out blitzes on his own. Joe's numbers are certainly on par with most of the elite QBs in this league throught their first two seasons, those guys took this step in their third year, I expect Joe to do so as well. It all comes down to Ozzie getting Joe talent to work with. We have the line and the runningbacks, we just need some receivers. Do not worry max, I am sure Ozzie will get it done.

[nfldraft2010]

I think Malcom Floyd or Antonio Bryant would be very solid acquisitions who would not break the bank. Like I said, add in Mason, Clayton, and a couple of high round draft picks at WR and Joe will make this thing happen. This will be Joe's third year in the offense, he should know it like the back of his hand. He know his potential, it is limitless in the right situation, we saw it in the first half of the season. The next step Joe needs to take is making audibles at the line and doing a lot of the little things like changing the snap count and pointing out blitzes on his own. Joe's numbers are certainly on par with most of the elite QBs in this league throught their first two seasons, those guys took this step in their third year, I expect Joe to do so as well. It all comes down to Ozzie getting Joe talent to work with. We have the line and the runningbacks, we just need some receivers. Do not worry max, I am sure Ozzie will get it done.

 

Both would be solid acquisitions, but I don't think Floyd is the instant solution a lot of people are making him out to be. He would definitely bring a different dynamic to the receiver position, but he's still more of a complement type guy though, and is not a number one receiver. Bryant is, but you have no idea what you're going to get from him. He could be a free agent steal if you can get him to play up to his talent.

 

Either way, I'm starting to doubt whether the Ravens' first pick will be a receiver, unless they trade back into the second round. Here are some guys they could be targeting in the second to fourth round range though.

 

http://www.pressboxonline.com/blog.cfm?ID=2022

[cravnravn]

Both would be solid acquisitions, but I don't think Floyd is the instant solution a lot of people are making him out to be. He would definitely bring a different dynamic to the receiver position, but he's still more of a complement type guy though, and is not a number one receiver. Bryant is, but you have no idea what you're going to get from him. He could be a free agent steal if you can get him to play up to his talent.

 

Either way, I'm starting to doubt whether the Ravens' first pick will be a receiver, unless they trade back into the second round. Here are some guys they could be targeting in the second to fourth round range though.

 

http://www.pressboxo...log.cfm?ID=2022

 

 

Ive given up on us taking a WR with the first pick, after Dez Bryant there is really not another WR worthy of a #1 pick..No way we'll give up the first pick, Oz loves those, probably DT or DE with the first.

Edited February 17, 2010 by cravnravn