Draft Review: Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens

1st Round, Pick #32:  Matt Elam S Florida
There isn't a player who better personifies as a "Baltimore Raven" than Matt Elam.  Without question the most violent physical defender in the draft, Elam is the type of strong safety the Ravens love.  He's definitely best against the run, but Elam is an underrated athlete who can range all over the field.  I expect Elam to be a Pro-Bowler in Baltimore.  Great value, great fit, and at a position of need.
Pick Grade:  A

2nd Round, Pick #56:  Arthur Brown LB Kansas State
Everybody assumes that Brown with the replacement for Rey Lewis, but actually Brown was brought in to fill the spot that Darnelle Ellerbe manned for the past few years.  Brown is very instinctive but struggles to take on blocks.  But in the weakside linebacker spot Brown will be covered up more and be able to use his speed and playmaking ability to his full advantage.  Bown was rumored to go in the late first, so to get him in the end of the second round is a great value.
Pick Grade:  A+

3rd Round, Pick #94:  Brandon Williams DT Missouri Southern 
With Terrence Cody not pulling his own weight at the nose tackle spot, the Ravens needed to bring in somebody who could push him or win the job away.  Williams dominated Division II with his size and surprising agility.  He has the strength and bulk to play the nose tackle spot, but has the versatility to slide out to the five technique or even play in a four man front.  This should help him see the field even sooner and help in rotations.
Pick Grade:  A

4th Round, Pick #129:  John Simon DE Ohio State
Plain and simple, John Simon is the replacement for Paul Kruger.  Kruger came in on passing situations for Courtney Upshaw to rush the quarterback.  With the additional of Elvis Dummervill Simon won't be asked to produce a lot immediately, but he'll be asked to be a situational pass rusher.    Much like Kruger, Simon isn't a great athlete, but a relentless rusher who knows how to get to the QB.
Pick Grade:  B+

4th Round, Pick #130:  Kyle Juszcyk FB Harvard
Interesting pick since the Ravens already have Vonta Leach who is the best fullback in the NFL.  So why do you draft another FB, especially in the fourth round?  Juszcyk does offer some versatility as a runner and as a receiver.  However they are stacked at tight end and have two good running backs.  Unless they don't think Leach will be with the team after this year, this could be a wasted pick.
Pick Grade:  D

5th Round, Pick #168:  Ricky Wagner OT Wisconsin
With the constant uncertainty at the LT spot, having a good backup at RT for when Michael Oher slides over is a must.  Jah Reid is the current backup, but he hasn't really taken a hold of the spot.  Wagner is a fierce run blocker and that will make him a good fit for the Ravens.  He'll have his shot to win the backup job from Reid bring more depth to this line.
Pick Grade:  B

6th Round, Pick #200:  Kapron Lewis-Moore DE Notre Dame
In their efforts to improve their defensive line the Ravens may have found a gem here.  Lewis-Moore was on the verge of being a fast riser, but a bad knee injury in the National Championship Game really put a halt to his rise.  However Lewis-Moore has a good anchor and strong hands.  Because they brought in some veteran help that allows Lewis-Moore to fully recover from his injuries and make a run at a starting job next year.
Pick Grade:  B+

6th Round, Pick #203:  Ryan Jensen G Colorado State-Pueblo
Jensen is a nasty blocker who will be moved inside to guard because of his size and lack of length.  Baltimore could really use some depth behind Marshall Yanda and Keleche Osemele.  If Jensen can make the transition from small school and a position change he could really help out.
Pick Grade:  C+

7th Round, Pick #238:  Aaron Mellette WR Elon
A big bodied receiver, Mallette is also a good route runner.  However he doesn't have good speed or quickness and will as a result will be nothing more than a possession receiver.  Baltimore could really have used a pick on somebody to try and help replace Anquan Boldin.  Instead they waited till the seventh round on somebody who isn't quick nor fast.
Pick Grade:  D

7th Round, Pick #247:  Marc Anthony CB California
Anthony has good quickness and can match up man to man in the short area.  However he doesn't have that closing speed that the Ravens normally go after.  Hopefully Anthony can develop into a solid nickel back or as a special teamer.
Pick Grade:  D

Overall Grade:  B

AFC North Team Needs

North

Baltimore Ravens
Inside Linebacker
With Ray Lewis retiring the inside linebacker spot wasn't necessarily a big need, but add in that Darnelle Ellerbe is now in Miami and this went from a mild need to priority number one.  Now they could easily use pick #32 to fill this position.  Manti Te'o gets mentioned a lot for the Ravens, but Kevin Minter from LSU is a better fit and a better prospect.

Left Tackle
Michael Oher started the season at the left tackle position, however it wasn't till he moved to right tackle and Bryant McKinnie came in.  However McKinnie isn't somebody they can count on.  If they have a chance to add somebody to can play left tackle a keep Oher at right tackle is a must.  Menelik Watson could be a possibility at #32 or they could wait till the third round and take a project in Terron Amstead who is raw but has the talent to be a blindside protector.

Safety
They could still get Ed Reed back, but that isn't very likely.  But they also cut Bernard Pollard and will be looking at starting two new safeties.  Matt Elam and Jonathan Cyprien are options at #32.  But if they wait till the second or third rounds they have guys like Shamarko Thomas or Baccari Rambo.

Rush Linebacker
Baltimore is set at outside linebacker starters with Terrell Suggs and Courtney Upshaw.  But what they'll miss is Paul Kruger coming in for Upshaw on passing downs and giving them a second rusher opposite of Suggs.  Jamie Collins is a name that is rising up draft boards, but somebody like Corey Lemonier could really help them out too.

Wide Receiver
Sure Joe Flacco got the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, but that could have easily gone to Anquan Boldin for all the clutch catches he made.  He's now a 49er and the Ravens will need to add somebody to the slot to give them those tough yards.  Somebody who could be that option is West Virginia's Stedman Bailey who would give them that quick tough slot guy to move the chains.

Cincinnati Bengals
Running Back
BenJarvus Green-Ellis was a good addition last year, but he isn't the every down back and would benefit from the Bengals bringing in an elusive speed back to complement him.  Andre Ellington, Jonathan Frankin and Kenjon Barmer could be options in the third round.  However if they chose to wait even further they could get a solid back like Stefphron Jefferson from Nevada.

Right Tackle
This need could easily be filled just by resigning Andre Smith.  If the Bengals can get something worked out that would definitely give them more flexibility in the draft.  But if Smith isn't brought back they can go to a fimilar spot to get his replacement.  DJ Fluker from Alabama would be an excellent replacement and be a plug and player starter for them and their run game.

Safety
Nate Clements was moved to safety because of poor play but he is naturally a corner.  Him and Chris Crocker are both free agents and might not be back.  However they could probably do better.   If Kenny Vacarro is available he'll likely be their choice but Jonathan Cyprien is a good second choice.    But Mike Zimmer loves those physical strong safeties, so somebody like Shawn Williams could be an option in the middle rounds.

Center
When Trevor Robinson is starting at center for you in the playoffs, there is a big issue.  Kyle Cook and Jeff Faine were both injured, but they could really benefit from getting younger here.  In the second round they could go with Barrett Jones.  However California's Brian Schwenke is emerging as one of the top centers in the draft and could really help the Bengals.

Linebacker
Cincinnati was rewarded for giving Vontaze Burfict a chance as a undrafted free agent last year and he's emerged as one of the best young linebackers in the league.  With Maualuga moving to strongside linebacker and Manny Lawson gone that opens up one starting spot. Burfict was great last year on the weakside, however he could easily be moved inside if needed.  They could add Alec Olgetree in the middle or wait and take either Arthur Brown or Khassem Greene to play the weakside and move Burfict inside.

Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Even though Brandon Weeden was taken in the first round last year, there is no guarantee that he's considered to be the franchise quarterback.  With a new regime in town, they'll want their guy and might not feel that a 30 year old second year player is the guy.  They'll kick the tires with Geno Smith and Matt Barkley.

Cornerback
With Joe Haden on one side they have a dynamic shut down corner.  But they've haven't had anybody opposite of him that has been able to lock down the starting role.  If Demarcus Milliner falls to them they could make him their choice.  However they'll probably have to wait till day two to get somebody.   A middle round option is Leon McFadden is is vastly underrated.

Tight End
When your head coach is a former tight ends coach, you know that this position is going to be a priority.  Jordan Cameron has a ton of potential, but he is still very raw.  Other than him they really don't have anybody that can provide any help.  Zach Ertz would be great if he falls to them in the second round but they don't have a second round pick and will have to wait for a Gavin Escobar or Joseph Fuaria in the third or fourth rounds.

Inside Linebacker
Cleveland is likely to be moving towards a 3-4 defense so they'll likely need somebody to plug and play here.  Chris Gocong is coming off of a knee injury and can't be counted on.  With D'Qwell Jackson they have an athletic middle linebacker, but they need that physical downhill run stuffer to pair next to him.  A late round option could be Will Compton who would thrive in that position.

Wide Receiver
They used their second round pick on Josh Gordon in the supplemental round.  After starting out slow he really started to pick it up at the end.  What they really need is a possession type receiver to work the middle of the field.  Greg Little was thought to be that guy, but he drops too many passes.  TCU's Josh Boyce could be somebody to fill in that role.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Outside Linebacker
The tandem of Lamar Woodley and James Harrison was once of of the most feared pass rushing duo's in the league.  However Harrison struggled with age and was cut.  They'd love for Jarvis Jones to be there at #17, but that isn't likely.  However Barkevious Mingo would be a good fall back option.  They could also target Cronelius Washington or Trevardo Williams who both fit the type of linebackers they like.

Cornerback
With Keenan Lewis now a former Steeler they need a new starter to keep William Gay at the nickel spot.  Pittsburgh doesn't have a lot of depth, so they could double up here.  In the first round they could go with Xavier Rhodes or Desmond Trufant, but players like David Amerson or Jordan Poyer could be choices on day two.

Wide Receiver
Losing Mike Wallace is one thing, but if the Steelers also lose Emanuel Sanders also that would be huge for their offense.  But even with Sanders back they'll still need to add somebody unless they want Plaxico to play a major role.  If they want a prospect similar to Wallace then Terrence Williams would be a great option in round two.  But if they want a big physical receiver they could target Keenan Allen with pick #17.

Safety
It seems like Troy Polamalu is always hurt.  Can they really trust that he'll play all 16 games and then into the post season?  They are big fans of Kenny Vacarro and could take him with their first round pick.  If he isn't there they could target Eric Reid in the second round.  Reid would give them a safety that could play both the free and strong positions.

Inside Linebacker
Sean Spence was drafted to eventually take over for Larry Foote.  However Spence hasn't shown that he can play in the 3-4 and they need somebody to pair next to Lawrence Timmons.  Manti Te'o could be their option if he falls to the middle of the second round.  Te'o would give them a physical thumper inside to go with the athletic Timmons.