Baltimore Ravens Draft Day Outlook
Ravens Positional Needs Don't Always Dictate their Picks
Apr 23, 2009
The Baltimore Ravens success in the draft is a function of outstanding player scouting and coordination between General Manager Ozzie Newsome, and Director of College Scouting Eric DeCosta. Their philosophy is to draft the player they feel is the best available, regardless of either the round or player’s position.
It should not come as a surprise that Newsome and DeCosta will follow the same approach this weekend, however, the Ravens may look to address several positions where the best player available might also be the best player for the position. Specifically, the Ravens may look for help at wide receiver, cornerback, linebacker, and offensive tackle. This article will focus on the “skill” wide out and cornerback positions.
Baltimore Ravens Wide Receivers
The Ravens primary wide-outs are Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton, both of whom had strong 2007-2008 campaigns. Mason was Joe Flacco’s go-to possession receiver last year. However, he will be 36 next season, and Clayton is not viewed as a strong possession receiver. The Ravens need to find either a flyer who can stretch the field, which Clayton may be over time, or a third-down receiver who can keep the chains and clock moving.
Baltimore Ravens Wide Receiver Draft Prospects
Before their first pick the Ravens will find out whether or not they are going to successfully trade for Arizona Cardinal receiver Anquan Boldin. Boldin is a wild card for the team; with him they do not need to use an early pick on this position, as he brings size, speed, and strength. If the Ravens go into the draft still looking, here are some candidates who might fit the bill:
- Darrius Heyward-Bey, 6’3” 206 lbs, University of Maryland
- Hakeem Nicks, 6’1” 210 lbs, University of North Carolina
- Kenny Britt, 6’4” 215 lbs, Rutgers
Heyward-Bey is a speedster who played and grew up locally, and would be a popular pick. His speed is electric, however questions about his pass-catching ability show up in scouting reports. Nicks is a solid pass-catcher without Heyward-Bey’s speed, and Britt is a very physical player with the size to ward off defenders and make difficult catches.
Baltimore Ravens Cornerbacks
The Ravens parted ways with perennial all-pro Chris McAlister last season, and opened up his cornerback spot to Fabian Washington, a draft-day pick-up from the Raiders. Washington teamed with twelve-year veteran Samari Rolle and backup Frank Walker, who played when Rolle was injured. Washington was solid as the season progressed, and when Rolle was healthy they paired well. Another late season pick-up, Domonique Foxworth, should play a big role next year.
Baltimore Ravens Cornerback Draft Prospects
Newsome and DeCosta may look to some of the later rounds to fill out the cornerback position and add depth. Rolle has suffered through some injuries the past few years, and will be 35 during the season. The Ravens cornerbacks are not particularly physical, and drafting a player in the McAlister mode could be a priority. Several players who may be undersized may fit the “physical” requirement:
- Malcolm Jenkins, 6’1”, Ohio State University
- Vontae Davis, 5’11” 203 lbs, Illinois
- Darius Butler, 5’10” 183 lbs, Connecticut
Jenkins and Davis are strong and physical players, while Butler is a tremendous athlete with a 43” vertical leap and great speed. Most mock-draft scenarios have at least one of these players being drafted in the first round, so it’s possible the “best player” available could be one of these cornerbacks somewhere in the second round.
Heading into Saturday’s draft, the Baltimore Ravens, as always, will have a plan. It remains to be seen how the plan pans out.
