The draft is a week away and up until then you will hear the pros and cons – and almost more things than you want to know – about the draft prospects. Speculation will run rampant on who is going to get drafted where, what trades will be made and who will reach for players.
Draft the right player in the 1st round and your team could go from loser to winner, draft the wrong one and your franchise could be in trouble for a few years down the road. On draft day every team and fan thinks they have a “chance” next season as long as they draft the right player. This really is an NFL fan’s dream.
The Ravens have the 32nd pick in the 1st round, as is tradition for every Super Bowl Champion, however, unlike most of the teams picking in that spot, the Ravens have a lot of question marks. Who do they get to replace Ray Lewis and Ed Reed? Do they try to find a young tackle to surround Joe Flacco? Do they equip their $100 million quarterback with a speedy young receiver? Those questions will be asked from now until the Ravens are on clock at about 11pm on Thursday night. Here are my thoughts on who you might see the Ravens draft with the 32nd pick:
Kevin Minter LB, LSU or Manti Te’o LB, Notre Dame:
Despite signing Rolando McClain, middle linebacker is still a major need for this team. The Ravens have passed on linebackers in the 1st round before but, now with Ray Lewis gone, the time has come to address this position. Both of these guys are definitely on the Ravens radar but they also may not be around by the time pick number 32 comes around.
My thoughts: My ideal situation if the Ravens are going to get a linebacker would somehow be for Alec Ogeltree to fall to number 32 and the Ravens to take him. That might have been somewhat likely a few weeks ago but probably not now.
So, who to take if Minter and Te’o are both available? I lean toward Minter. Certainly the Te’o girlfriend hoax was weird but it doesn’t really affect the way I feel about him as an NFL prospect. To me, he was nothing more than a great college player. He got exposed by Alabama and I question if he is fast enough to cover in the pass game or go side to side to track down a ball carrier. Alabama was the closest thing to a pro team that Te’o faced and they made him look bad in every way possible. I view him as a guy who may make a lot of tackles but they will be about 8-10 yards past the line of scrimmage.
Minter is an SEC guy who faced better competition and looks physically to be the better player. Minter should be the choice if the Ravens go with one of these two linebackers.
Matt Elam S, Florida or Jonathan Cyprien S, Florida International:
The Ravens have not drafted a safety in the 1st round since they drafted Ed Reed and it’s safe to say that worked out for them, but now Reed is gone and it might be time to look for a potential long-term safety in this year’s draft. There are many teams with needs at this position so it is quite possible the Ravens may need to move up a few spots if they want one of the elite safety prospects in this draft.
My thoughts: If the Ravens ended up with either one of these players I would consider it a success. Elam is the bigger name who played at the bigger school but Cyprien has the size, speed and cover ability to make him a productive safety in this league for years to come. Elam, however, could be an elite safety and, if he is available, the Ravens should run their pick to the podium. Bottom line is I would be happy with Cyprien, but ecstatic for Elam.
DeAndre Hopkins WR, Clemson or another Wide Receiver:
I am a proponent of the idea that you can never have too many offensive weapons, especially if you just signed your quarterback to a massive contract. I believe Flacco is an elite quarterback but it doesn’t mean the Ravens shouldn’t put playmakers around him. Anquan Boldin was an absolute beast in the playoffs last season, but he was not worth the money he was owed. That being said, when your next best options are Tandon Doss or practice squad guys, you may want to think long and hard about drafting a big play receiver in the 1st round.
My thoughts: Anyone who knows me knows my affinity for Tavon Austin. If the Ravens traded all of their picks to trade up to get him, I probably would be OK with it. Austin is clearly the best receiver in the draft and the Ravens would have to give up a lot to get him, which there is slim-to-no chance of them doing.
After Austin there are myriad of other guys projected to go anywhere from the late first round to early 2nd. Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins and Justin Hunter have all moved up and down and out of the projections for the first rounds. Hunter brings top-end speed, while Hopkins brings great size and height and tremendous ball skills. He is a guy who can go up and get the ball, which certainly is something Tandon Doss doesn’t look he can do. Allen is a polished route runner with above average ball skills and good ability to separate from defenders.
All three guys bring a unique skill set. While I love the top-end speed Hunter has, I feel he might be too big of a risk while Allen and Hopkins are likely to be the more consistent options. Ultimately I lean towards Hopkins given his size and ball skills. If he is there he would be a tremendous pick for the Ravens.
Trying to predict what the Ravens will do in the 1st round of the draft is about as hard as predicting the weather in Maryland. Honestly I have no idea what will happen, but that is what makes it so fun to watch. Barring any top 15 prospects falling to them, I think the Ravens are deciding between about four or five players. I also would not be shocked if they traded the pick to move a couple spots back in the 2nd round and acquire additional picks.
One thing is certain, Ozzie Newsome knows what he is doing and most every other fan base in the NFL would want him drafting for them.
It will definitely be fun to watch – I can’t wait.
Follow Marco on twitter @mromanell and Soutbmore.com @southbmore1
