2012 NFL Draft Prospects

[Flacco Machado]

I have used this site for years when trying to learn about the next generation of NFL players. Great site. Sort of reminds me of an NFL version of OriolesHangout. A very reliable site, as well. Who would you like to see as future Baltimore Ravens?

http://www.draftcountdown.com/sub/Rankings.php

[Baldimore, hon]

I like Vontaze Burfict, Alshon Jeffery, and Donta' Hightower as guys I like for us at pick #29. Janoris Jenkins is a guy I would normally target. The problem is that he doesn't fill a need. The other three guys all help us in areas of need (WR and ILB). Burfict reminds me a lot of Ray on tape. He's mean and plays with the kind of intensity you want. Will his off-the-field issues be too big of an issue? That's the biggest question with him.

[Flacco Machado]

I like Vontaze Burfict, Alshon Jeffery, and Donta' Hightower as guys I like for us at pick #29. Janoris Jenkins is a guy I would normally target. The problem is that he doesn't fill a need. The other three guys all help us in areas of need (WR and ILB). Burfict reminds me a lot of Ray on tape. He's mean and plays with the kind of intensity you want. Will his off-the-field issues be too big of an issue? That's the biggest question with him.

Burfict scares me. I just don't see the Ravens going in that direction unless he drops to the 3rd round.

Jeffery would be great, but again, I don't see the Ravens taking a WR with their first pick.

There's no secret about my man-crush for Hightower, but will he be there when the Ravens pick?

A guy that I would keep an eye on is Miami("The U") OLB Sean Spence. He is tearing it up at the Senior Bowl this week. He was considered a late 2nd round pick, but has really improved his stock this week. We know the obvious connection the Ravens have with "The U". Again, keep an eye on this young man.

Others on the Ravens radar:

Georgia OG Cordy Glenn

Wisconsin C Peter Konz

North Carolina OLB Zach Brown

[ShaneDawg85]

LB, interior OL, and safety should be top priorities come April. I don't know a lot about Hightower, but from what I have heard he sounds like a good candidate.

[Birds of B'more]

I like Hightower and wouldn't touch Burfict with a 10-foot pole.

I've also seen mocks that have USC LB/DE Nick Perry dropping into the Ravens' range. If they lose Jarrett Johnson then Perry might be someone who could fill in right away, and probably improve the pass rush too.

[Flacco Machado]

I like Hightower and wouldn't touch Burfict with a 10-foot pole.

I've also seen mocks that have USC LB/DE Nick Perry dropping into the Ravens' range. If they lose Jarrett Johnson then Perry might be someone who could fill in right away, and probably improve the pass rush too.

I like Perry a lot, as well. The Ravens could go in a lot of different directions with this pick. I don't see us trading out of the first round. I really think Oz wants to get an impact player that can start right away on defense. Spence, Hightower, and Perry would be starting right away. A lot will depend on what these guys do on their Pro Day, too. They could really rise up the draft boards.

Sergio Kindle sure could help us here, if he can get on the field. He would be like an extra draft pick. I still haven't given up on him. The loss of hearing has to be one of the most difficult things to go through personally, let alone when you are on the football field. It's almost like the Ravens are trying to keep him in their backpocket until he's ready to explode onto the scene. I read a really good article about how this past year he worked really hard with Ravens coach Ted Monachino. The guy just has so much talent. Maybe, equal that of T-Sizzle.

[ccbird]

Would take Burfict in a heartbeat. People were saying the exact same thing about Jimmy SMith this time last year. Like Smith last year, Burfict is arguably the most talented player at his position in the draft. The Ravens will do their due their homework but generally they aren't afraid to draft a "high risk" guy.


Others to consider:

ILB-Hightower
C-Konz
G- Glenn
S- Mark Barron
OT- Mike Adams


Would also love to get WR Kendall Wright- I've been screaming for a WR in the Percy Harvin mold and this guy is it. However, his stock seems to be shooting right now as a lot of people have him as a middle of the 1st round pick.


Let me also say that I don;t see the Ravens drafting an OLB/DE in the 1st round unless he's versatile. I think they feel comfortable with their rush specialists in guys like Kruger, Mcphee(though he could start next year) and prospects like Kindle and McAdoo.

[Birds of B'more]

Would take Burfict in a heartbeat. People were saying the exact same thing about Jimmy SMith this time last year. Like Smith last year, Burfict is arguably the most talented player at his position in the draft. The Ravens will do their due their homework but generally they aren't afraid to draft a "high risk" guy.

Burfict and Smith is an apples and oranges comparison with regard to their issues. Smith had off-field issues as the result of poor decisions he made. I never heard anything about him being out of control when he played. Burfict on the other hand is an absolute psycho who cannot control his rage on the field. That's not something that can simply be fixed with some guidance and wisdom.

[ccbird]

Burfict and Smith is an apples and oranges comparison with regard to their issues. Smith had off-field issues as the result of poor decisions he made. I never heard anything about him being out of control when he played. Burfict on the other hand is an absolute psycho who cannot control his rage on the field. That's not something that can simply be fixed with some guidance and wisdom.

Again I absolutely trust the Ravens to do the due diligence. Still, IMO the talent would probably be too good to pass up at 29. Would also depend on who else is available at the time.

[Flacco Machado]

Seeing a lot of mock drafts that have the Ravens taking C Peter Konz with their first pick. Would Oz take a C with his first pick?

[BaltimoreTerp]

Seeing a lot of mock drafts that have the Ravens taking C Peter Konz with their first pick. Would Oz take a C with his first pick?

He took Grubbs.

[Flacco Machado]

"Before we line up and play in 2012, there will be another center on this football team in some capacity - free agency, draft or whatever," Newsome said.

-Per the "State of the Ravens" address

[Dagger420]

One of the upsides to the Ravens having a bunch of holes is that we can let the BPA method dictate who we draft... No matter if its a DE, C, G (if we lose grubbs), LB or plenty of others, its pretty wide open so far as to what the Ravens can do with the pick.

You wouldn't want them locked down to a certain position, but even then you've got to trust Ozzie and DeCosta and their team to do the right thing...

[JohnnyK27]

As for the wide receivers, Oklahoma State star Justin Blackmon is out of the question at No. 29. But the Ravens might select another top wideout such as South Carolina’s Alshon Jeffery or Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd.

Per Sun writer Matt Vensel

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/r...,7830377.story

[Camden_yardbird]

I have to think the Ravens trade down unless they are enamored with Konz or Burfict. As I can see they need the following in the draft:

Backup ILB (Ray Replacement)
Backup Safety (Either Replacement)
G
C
WR
OLB

If they resign gurode they can probably wait on C, or at least draft a later round C. But that is a lot to draft, and a lot of them will have to make an immediate impact as backups.