With their second draft pick in team history, the Ravens drafted a middle linebacker who they believed would be a good NFL player and 16 years later he is a sure fire hall of famer, one of the greatest players of all time and the face of sports in Baltimore. Six years later the Ravens looked for a replacement to Rod Woodson and they selected a playmaking safety from Miami who they hoped would be a solid NFL player.
Since then Ray Lewis and Ed Reed have combined for two consecutive Defensive MVP Awards (2003 and 2004) and have been the leaders of one of the greatest defenses of the decade. There is no doubt that when their careers are over both players will be first ballot hall of famers and will be remembered as two of the greatest to ever play the game.
Saying goodbye is hard but it’s something the Ravens will have to do in the next two years in regards to Lewis and Reed. Athletes can’t play forever and the writing is on the wall that both will likely be having their legendary careers come to an end within a year or two.
There have been a bunch of talented linebackers coming out of college who have transitioned into some of the best defensive players in the game, but clearly that has not been a need for the Ravens. They have passed on these players and filled their backup linebacker position with undrafted and late round players. Not only has Ed Reed been the best safety in the game since he was drafted, he also revolutionized the position leading to some of the best athletes now playing the safety position. Like linebacker, the Ravens have not made it a major priority to draft a safety early in the draft.
The time has come where the Ravens need to think about life without Reed and Lewis and search for an “heir apparent” to replace them.
While I am a fan of the likes of Jameel McClain, Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura, I do not believe they can have sustained success for not only an entire season but for several seasons. They are good, not great, and I believe there are better options out there.
Here are some of those better options:
Mark Barron- Safety, Alabama
I have wanted the Ravens to draft Barron since I saw him play last year and believe he has the ability to be the next great safety in the game. While he is not the playmaker that Reed is, Barron has prototypical size, great ball skills and instincts and adequate speed. Those skills will make him a great NFL player. Projected to go anywhere from the mid- to late-first round, Barron is on a lot of teams’ radar so it is unlikely he falls to the Ravens. I think he is worthy of the Ravens trading up to get him and think he would look great in purple and black for the next decade.
Dont’a Hightower- LB, Alabama
Clearly the best linebacker in this draft is Luke Kuechly from Boston College, but I am assuming there is no way the Ravens will be a player for him unless they trade up into the top ten, so I am not putting him on this list. Hightower was one of the leaders of the best defense in the nation last year and is described to be one of the hardest workers in the country as well. “Good instincts, good tackler but lack of speed” are some of the descriptions of Hightower coming into the draft. Those were similar things that were being said in 1996 about a certain middle linebacker from Miami. Studying under Ray Lewis for a year would make Hightower and even better player and he can definitely be an above average NFL linebacker.
Vontaze Burfict- LB, Arizona St.
If players were drafted solely on talent and athleticism, Burfict would probably be one of the top five players taken. However, his character has seemingly scared a lot of teams away, making it likely he is avaiable late in the first round. While the Ravens usually draft high character guys, they did use their first round pick last season on a player who had a few off the field issues, Jimmy Smith. It wouldn’t shock me if they overlooked Burfict’s issues and drafted him. His speed, tackling ability, size and intensity may be too hard to pass up. While it would be a risk, Burfict could be one of the best linebackers in the game if he matures and not too many teams like to pass on players this talented.
While I wrote last week about the importance of a big play wide receiver, I believe that finding a middle linebacker/ safety to replace Lewis and Reed is the most important need to address this offseason. First round picks are not drafted to produce in one year, they are drafted to produce long term and I believe that the Ravens need to find that long term answer this year.
I think the Ravens are considering drafting one of these three but believe that Burfict and Barron would be the best fits. By no means can they find someone who can fill the shoes of two of the greatest defensive players of all time, but they can find players who are better than Jameel McClain, Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura. I will be upset to see them pass on another talented linebacker or safety.
A new era of Baltimore football is upon us, but hopefully the next Ray Lewis or Ed Reed is out there. If they are, Charm City would be a nice home for them.
