Ravens Day 1 Round 1

[vmax]

Currently the Ravens are slotted at #27 and #31 for tonight. That can change if the trade up or down.

We can put player bio's and discuss the Ravens picks here.

Tomorrow there will be a Day 2 thread.

For now, please understand, that every analyst and expert that you see on ESPN and NFL network has drunk 5 Red Bulls.

[papasmurfbell]

Lets get them something better.

[papasmurfbell]

Batemans supposed to have great hands and high points the ball.

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#27

Prospect Info

COLLEGE

Minnesota

HOMETOWN

CLASS

Tifton, GA

Junior

 

HEIGHT

WEIGHT

ARMS

6' 0"

190 lbs

33"

HANDS

9 1/2"

Bateman broke out in his senior year at Tift County High School (83 receptions, 1,539 yards, 21 touchdowns) and stuck with his commitment to Minnesota despite late offers from SEC programs. Bateman was named the team's Most Outstanding Offensive Freshman after starting all 13 games in 2018 and posting 51 receptions for 704 yards (13.8 average) and six touchdowns. He was named third-team Associated Press All-American, Big Ten Receiver of the Year, first-team all-conference and team MVP in 2019. Bateman scored 11 touchdowns and ranked eighth in the FBS by averaging 20.3 yards per reception (60 receptions for 1,219 yards). He initially opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 but decided to opt back in when the Big Ten announced it would have a fall football season instead of playing in the spring. Bateman led the team in receiving through five starts (36 receptions, 472 yards, 13.1 average, team-high two touchdowns) but opted out for the remainder of the season after the team's game with Wisconsin was canceled due to positive COVID tests (it was later re-scheduled). League coaches voted him third-team All-Big Ten after the season. Bateman caught at least one pass in all 31 games he played for Minnesota. -- by Chad Reuter

 

Overview

Intriguing outside target with combination of size and build-up speed. His flashes of eye-opening production were counterbalanced by inconsistency against stronger, more talented opponents. Has clever press release, but needs to eliminate some wasted motion and play quicker to make up for his average explosiveness off the line. Bateman plays with pro-ready hands and the upper-body agility needed to adjust in air and bring the ball in. He needs to play with grit in contested catch battles and do a better job of defending catch space. There are pro traits to mold but much more work is needed before he can be safely projected as a good NFL starter.

Strengths

• Possesses NFL size as an outside target.
• Uses a diverse set of release moves.
• Works with crisp route stems.
• Instinctive to scramble and uncover when plays come off schedule.
• Limber upper body for mid-air adjustments.
• Build-up speed to challenge over the top.
• Carries pro-ready hands.
• Catches crossing routes without breaking stride.
• Extends to meet the ball and can pluck it cleanly when it's outside the frame.
• Has a few circus-catch highlights.
• Sneaky efficiency with his wiggle to elude first tackler after catch.

Weaknesses

• Press release can be a little leggy and inefficient at times.
• Had issues dealing with Nebraska cornerback Lamar Jackson's play strength in 2019.
• Hip tightness could limit complexity of routes asked of him.
• Average burst through change of direction in his routes.
• Below-average tracking and adjusting to the deep throw.
• Too content allowing defenders to crowd/eliminate his catch space.
• Lacked consistency against top cornerback competition.
• Not asked to help much as blocker in the run game.

Sources Tell Us

"The production looks good on paper, but I was at a couple of his games in 2019 and I just wanted to feel (his presence) more." -- Midwest scout for AFC team

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WR

Rashod Bateman

FOLLOW

6'0"190 lbsMinnesota

5POS RK

29OVR RK

89GRADE

 

play

0:47

Rashod Bateman's NFL draft profile

Check out the best highlights from Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman's college career.

Pre-Draft Analysis

Bateman is an NFL-ready route runner who is highly adept at beating press coverage and is a natural hands catcher who attacks the ball away from his frame. He's a physical open-field runner, and he breaks tackles after the catch. Bateman's top-end speed is decent on tape, and he tested even better than expected at his pro day. -- Steve Muench

[vmax]

OK....Ok....I like this....." is a natural hands catcher who attacks the ball away from his frame."

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#31

Still on the clock....looking to trade back?

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Wow.  His teammates suck.  How the hell did he produce so much with that cast of characters?  Had he rolled to an SEC school he might have produced much more.  Now it is up to the new receiving coaches to refine him.

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Dont know a think about Oweh.

[vmax]

#31 Pick is in!

JAYSON OWEH

PENN STATE

EDGE

Prospect Info

COLLEGE

Penn State

HOMETOWN

CLASS

Howell, NJ

R-Sophomore

 

HEIGHT

WEIGHT

ARMS

6' 5"

257 lbs

34 1/2"

HANDS

9 1/4"

WR

 

Oweh (pronounced oh-way) was ranked among the top 100 overall recruits nationally despite not playing football until his junior year (he had focused on basketball previously) at New Jersey's Blair Academy. He played in just four games as a reserve in 2018 (four tackles, two sacks), saving a year of eligibility. Oweh flashed his talent as a redshirt freshman in 2019, accumulating five sacks and two forced fumbles in 13 games (one start) for the Nittany Lions. He did not record a sack in seven starts as a redshirt sophomore, but Big Ten coaches still voted him first-team all-conference after he recorded 38 tackles (6.5 for loss). -- by Chad Reuter

 

Prototypical NFL build and some of the most exciting traits and explosiveness of any edge defender in this draft. Those features can't be taught but they can be coached up, so any concerns about his lack of polish at this stage should be tempered. He has dominant potential as a run defender with burst and range to upend back-side and play-side runs, turning them into short gains or losses. While he figures to stack up stats with sheer athleticism, he does lack eye discipline and feel for blocking schemes, which tends to derail his momentum at times. He's slow getting off the snap, which dulls the early advantage he should be able to generate with his wicked get-off as a rusher. At this point, the hand usage and overall rush plan are lacking, but he has the feet for inside counters, the power to pull rush and the bend to dip and run the rush arc with fury. It's not all there yet, but with more coaching and experience, Oweh has the ability to rate as a Pro Bowl rush linebacker with the ability to stick a hand in the ground if you need it.

Strengths

• Shredded athletic build with tapered waist.
• Straight out of central casting for "explosive edge defender" character.
• Dynamite-infused quick-twitch explosiveness.
• Very much a strength/speed prospect.
• Added 30 pounds to his frame since arriving at Penn State.
• Weight-room strength translates on the tape.
• Can explode into tight ends with initial pop and overtake them quickly.
• Instant reactive movement off blocks to make sudden tackles.
• Very rangy to cut off both play-side corner and back-side cutback lanes.
• Swivel hips turn unrealistic tackle angles into real things.
• Can attack the corner in a big hurry as a rusher.
• Fluid bend-flatten-close to find quarterbacks.
• Impressive leg drive advances his speed-to-power rush attacks.
• Wide slide-and-burst lateral steps effective against run or pass.

Weaknesses

• Still raw and lacking desired starting experience.
• Slow reaction time off the snap can put him behind.
• Outside shoulder gets covered and he'll lose contain duties.
• Lacks feel and experience to decipher run-blocking schemes.
• Needs to work on attacking blocks from balanced platform.
• Disappointing lack of sacks in 2020.
• Skilled hand usage would help open doors that currently close on him.
• Doesn't attack with consistent swipe power to batter the tackle's outside hand.
• Will lose ball awareness on play-action.

[vmax]

They have plenty of fast guys who can't get to the QB.

They must believe they can develop him....he's a freak athlete.

Let's hope this is true......

Prototypical NFL build and some of the most exciting traits and explosiveness of any edge defender in this draft. Those features can't be taught but they can be coached up, so any concerns about his lack of polish at this stage should be tempered. He has dominant potential as a run defender with burst and range to upend back-side and play-side runs, turning them into short gains or losses.

Edited April 30, 2021 by vmax

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Hey I like the pick.  Look at all the UDFA backers we have developed.  This dude has crazy athleticism,  

[vmax]

I'm sure I'll warm up to him. Remember to trust Eric. My guess is that he couldn't find a trading partner.

Rousseau looked like the better pick but the Bills got him.

 

 

[vmax]

USA Todays take...........

NFL draft tracker: Live updates, analysis on 2021 first-round picks (usatoday.com)

27. Baltimore Ravens – WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota

He can play outside or in the slot and flashed sub 4.4 speed at the Gophers' pro day. Bateman battled COVID-19 in 2020, the virus affecting his conditioning and numbers in 2020. But he was exceptional the previous year, totaling 60 catches for 1,219 yards –more than 20 per reception – and 11 TDs. At 6 feet and about 190 pounds, he didn't measure as big as Minnesota listed him, but he and Marquise Brown should give QB Lamar Jackson an explosive downfield tandem for Baltimore.

31. Ravens (from Kansas City Chiefs) – DE Jayson Oweh, Penn State

No sacks for the Nittany Lions in seven games in 2020, but he ran a sub-4.4 40 at 6-5 and 257 pounds. Baltimore will need to coach him up a bit, but he'll have an opportunity to shine given the vacancy on the edges after Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue departed in free agency.

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I like the pick.  He lacks experience.  Had he been playing FB for a long time he probably would have gone much higher.  I always say that when the ravens call a LB as an UDFA the agent tells them to take the offer.  The ravens above all others can take that position and get a scrap heap guy into a starter and finally a big FA deal.  Looking at Owehs freakish athleticism he is much more impressive than ay Bart Scott.

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RASHOD BATEMANWR, BALTIMORE RAVENS

Ravens selected Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Bateman (6'0/190) led the country in Yards per Route Run from out wide as a 20-year-old sophomore (and Big Ten's Receiver of the Year) alongside Bucs WR Tyler Johnson before being moved into the slot for 61% of his snaps in 2020 in order to see more schemed targets. His career marks of 36 broken tackles (on 147 catches) and 15.7 YPC are still pigeonhole-proof in the NFL since he succeeded across Minnesota's formation with at least one catch in all 31 games. An average athlete, Bateman's basketball background and production from anywhere on the field should earn him reps as the team's No. 2 receiver alongside Marquise Brown.

[vmax]

4 minutes ago, papasmurfbell said:

I like the pick.  He lacks experience.  Had he been playing FB for a long time he probably would have gone much higher.  I always say that when the ravens call a LB as an UDFA the agent tells them to take the offer.  The ravens above all others can take that position and get a scrap heap guy into a starter and finally a big FA deal.  Looking at Owehs freakish athleticism he is much more impressive than ay Bart Scott.

Keep it up! I'm warming up to both of these players.

1st rounders..high expectations......they need to play right away. 

 

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Sounds like Oweh can set the edge from day 1.  He needs to be taught some more pass rushing moves.  He also needs to be taught to  get off teh ball with fast.  

[OneManCypher]

I’m still hoping we sign Justin Houston , he would be a great mentor/ teacher for Oweh.

 

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He has to be cheap and I dont think he will be.

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The Sun's instant analysis....

Quote

C.J. Doon, editor

The Ravens certainly made a lot of fans — and quarterback Lamar Jackson — happy with this pick. Bateman is a technically sound route runner who can play effectively on the outside or in the slot, giving offensive coordinator Greg Roman plenty to work with. While the addition of veteran Sammy Watkins this offseason was nice, it didn’t solve the Ravens’ need for a true outside threat. Bateman can provide that, and more. Time will tell if he becomes the true No. 1 receiver the franchise has been waiting for, but he’s certainly talented enough to grow into a star...Instant analysis of Ravens’ selection of WR Rashod Bateman with 27th overall pick - Baltimore Sun

 

 "What do you think Eric?"

 I'm so glad you asked and thank you for inviting me here.......

“We made the decision that we felt was best for the Ravens,” DeCosta said. “We certainly could’ve traded, but we felt these players really were the right picks at the right time for the club. It’s a challenging thing sometimes to assess the value of a trade back and the value of additional picks versus a player that you think could come in right away, contribute and help you win football games. …“I think all of you guys know we do love to make trades. I love to make trades. I love additional picks, but this was one instance where I think being conservative and saying, ‘These two guys are going to help us win football games,’ was probably the smart thing to do...“We crunched the numbers,” DeCosta said. “We listen to our people. We watched his workout, and we watched his pro day. We had the chance to interview him, and he really checked off all the boxes. It was, from my perspective, a very easy pick to make.”.”...Ravens start draft with patience and a plan, leave first round with a ‘significant’ tandem - Baltimore Sun

 

 

Edited April 30, 2021 by vmax

[vmax]

more on Bateman.............

Quote

The 6-foot Bateman fits the profile of a Ravens receiver: productive, versatile, fast. As a true sophomore at Minnesota in 2019, he finished with 60 catches for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns. Lining up mostly as an outside receiver, Bateman ranked first in the Football Bowl Subdivision in first-down rate (88.3%) and fifth in yards per target (12.4), according to Sports Info Solutions....Ravens start draft with patience and a plan, leave first round with a ‘significant’ tandem - Baltimore Sun

 

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 "Give us the facts O-dah-FAY....just the facts .......

 “I knew that people that really understood and watched football understand what I was doing out there, and that sacks weren’t where it ended with me,” Oweh said. “I was very disruptive. I caused a lot of havoc. I was very stout in the run game. I was beating my man; I was always there. So people really understood that the zero-sacks thing, that had no definition of who I was as a player.”

Ravens start draft with patience and a plan, leave first round with a ‘significant’ tandem - Baltimore Sun

Quote

The Ravens didn’t so much draft the 6-5, 257-pound Oweh for the player he was as for the player he can become. There are few athletic analogues for what he did at Penn State’s pro day. Oweh’s 4.36-second 40 headlined a performance that also landed him in the 99th percentile among edge rushers in broad jump, 96th percentile in vertical jump, 93rd percentile in three-cone drill and 90th percentile in 20-yard shuttle....Ravens start draft with patience and a plan, leave first round with a ‘significant’ tandem - Baltimore Sun

 

Edited April 30, 2021 by vmax

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Winners! 

Quote

Winner: The Ravens

The one-two punch of WR Rashod Bateman (No. 27) and EDGE Jayson Oweh (No. 31)? Incredibly solid. Baltimore got so much better in just two picks. Lamar Jackson suddenly has himself another starting-caliber wideout who has the makeup to be a high-volume target right off the bat, and a defense that lost several edge rushers gets one of the most physically gifted guys at the position....2021 NFL Draft winners and losers: Bears, 49ers, Ravens log first-round victories as Panthers, Raiders stumble - CBSSports.com

Grade

A

 

Grade: A

Baltimore Ravens

 

Draft picks

• Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman (No. 27 overall)
• Penn State OLB Jayson Oweh (No. 31 overall)

 

Analysis: No matter what the Ravens said publicly, it was clear they wanted to find additional receivers for 2019 MVP Lamar Jackson. Bateman has the build and quickness to play in the slot if that's what the team needs -- but he also would test defenses at flanker or split end. The more targets Jackson has, the better the team will be.

 

Baltimore used the first-round selection it received from Kansas City in the Orlando Brown trade on Oweh, an elite athlete who plays with physicality off the edge. People point to his zero sacks in 2020, but he did bring down quarterbacks seven times in 13 games the previous two years. The Ravens won't ask Oweh to dominate as a rookie, allowing him to mature behind Pernell McPhee,

2021 NFL Draft: Day 1 quick-snap grades for all 32 teams

[tsylvester]

Ow, ooch, stubbed my toe... Bateman, lots of Potential there but he gets nocked off of his routes, redirected pretty easily. Yes he has a second gear, but like a semi, it takes him a while to get into it... Decent pick if the Ravens can do the impossible and finnally develope a wide receiver..

 

Oweh, sure he has speed, but doesn't or hasn't shown instincts, rather waits to react and let his speed take him to the ball. He peeks into the backfield too long when trying to set the edge, in college his speed allowed him to hold the edge, that won't work in the pros.

Now the Ravens are known for developing defensive linemen, he needs a lot of work. Really did not like this pick.