Update from Kiper / McShay (Final updates before draft)

[JohnnyK27]

McShay
1st Courtney Upshaw DE/LOB Bama (I like this selection!)
2nd Brandon Taylor S LSU
3rd Joe Looney G Wake
4th Danny Coale WR Va Tech (Comp pick)
5th Michael Smith RB Utah
5th Malik Jackson DE Tenn
6th Janzen Jackson S McNeese State
7th Ron Leary G Memphis



Kiper

Kiper only selects the 1st round .....In his latest draft he has the Steelers taking Poe & You know who falling to us!

Baltimore Ravens

Record: 12-4
* Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Finding a leader in the middle of the defense to take over for Ray Lewis is something the organization has to keep in mind, and while addressing the interior of the offensive line might be a bigger need in the short term, you can't really pass on the value of Hightower here. He is a potentially dominant interior linebacker and has been well-schooled.

I have to be honest I'd rather have Upshaw or Hightower than Konz. I have to believe that if they have a choice of one of these two guys they will pick them with their selection over other options.

[JohnnyK27]

Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 12-4
* Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

This is a great value and a big need for the Steelers. Poe fits the physical profile of the heir to Casey Hampton, a true nose tackle. But I think Poe is athletic enough to be a 3-technique in Dick LeBeau's system. The Steelers really need to build up the depth on the defensive line, and Poe is a great fit.

What interesting is that they also have Brockers falling to the Denver Broncos behind Pittsburgh. So if this plays out they will have 2 guys to chose between thought to be top 15 talents.

And then 3 LBs in a row 27 New England Upshaw 28 Green Bay McClellin 29 Ravens Hightower

[JohnnyK27]

Hensley has Hightower falling to us as well. With the Steelers taking Poe.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pick: NT Dontari Poe, Memphis

Hensley's comment: The buzz has apparently died down on Poe, who could slide down to the Steelers. In Kiper's mock, Alabama linebackers Dont'a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw are still available at this spot. Under this scenario, I agree with Kiper the Steelers take Poe.

29. Baltimore Ravens

Pick: ILB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama

Hensley's comment: There are more pressing needs at guard and outside linebacker, but the Ravens couldn't pass on Hightower. Baltimore has to think about the future and the eventual replacement for Ray Lewis. The Ravens would be thrilled to land the two-time captain at Alabama

.

[ccbird]

I would bet heavily on the Ravens taking either Hightower or Upshaw should they fall to us at 29.

[JohnnyK27]

I would bet heavily on the Ravens taking either Hightower or Upshaw should they fall to us at 29.

Me Too! Any plan that would include trading back and picking Konz would be silly if this type of player is available. I know a lot of guys want extra picks ...But trade out of the 2nd.... Dont give up your impact player.

[paulcoates]

I would bet heavily on the Ravens taking either Hightower or Upshaw should they fall to us at 29.

I think we have drafted like 9 guys from Oklahoma and 8 from Alabama. I would love it be 9. Either way we are getting a really nice player..

[ccbird]

My fear would be other teams knowing exactly that jumping in front of us at 27 or 28 to draft one of them.

[section18]

The St. Louis Rams made Jason Brown the highest-paid center in the NFL several years ago, signing the former Ravens lineman to a five-year, $37.5 million deal -- including $20 million guaranteed. He is now available. Is he already tickeded back to the Ravens and they are waiting until after the draft to announce his signing hoping to make teams think we will take an offensive lineman? Hightower or Upshaw would be great picks for the Ravens. I think the rumored deal with the Lions to draft ahead of the Steelers will happen if Hightower is still there.

[Baldimore, hon]

McShay
1st Courtney Upshaw DE/LOB Bama (I like this selection!)
2nd Brandon Taylor S LSU
3rd Joe Looney G Wake
4th Danny Coale WR Va Tech (Comp pick)
5th Michael Smith RB Utah
5th Malik Jackson DE Tenn
6th Janzen Jackson S McNeese State
7th Ron Leary G Memphis



Kiper

Kiper only selects the 1st round .....In his latest draft he has the Steelers taking Poe & You know who falling to us!




I have to be honest I'd rather have Upshaw or Hightower than Konz. I have to believe that if they have a choice of one of these two guys they will pick them with their selection over other options.

This may not mean much to you, but I predicted a month ago that we would get Courtney Upshaw in this draft. I still think that happens, but I think it would make our decision pretty difficult if both he and Hightower were there at 29. Here is a list of guys I would like to see us draft, and I'll rank them in order of who I want us to take:

Hightower
Upshaw
Stephen Hill
Cordy Glenn
Whitney Mercilus
Mark Barron
Shea Maclellin
Lavontae David

I'm not sure how many of those guys make it to us. But, I'd be shocked if at least one of the top 6 don't. And I think we'd be happy with any of those guys.

[JohnnyK27]

The St. Louis Rams made Jason Brown the highest-paid center in the NFL several years ago, signing the former Ravens lineman to a five-year, $37.5 million deal -- including $20 million guaranteed. He is now available. Is he already tickeded back to the Ravens and they are waiting until after the draft to announce his signing hoping to make teams think we will take an offensive lineman? Hightower or Upshaw would be great picks for the Ravens. I think the rumored deal with the Lions to draft ahead of the Steelers will happen if Hightower is still there.

Do you have a link for this? I havent ready about Brown anywhere. How much he has left in the tank is another question.

Got it

At just 28 years old, Brown still has several years of solid football ahead and with his versatility and ability to play at multiple positions along the offensive line, a quality that the Ravens desire, Brown is and should be an attractive prospect for the Ravens.

Sounds like they are waiting for the Flacco deal to create space. Id be surprised if Brown signs a 1 year deal anywhere.

[OrangeJerseys]

Poe goes to the Chiefs. That was our hope for Hightower. Squealers take him now.