Ravens early draft report card per Kiper

[JohnnyK27]

Baltimore Ravens Needs grade B- / Value B+ Overall B

Top needs: G/C, OLB, WR, S, DL

Summary: The Ravens had a great weekend. Any time you move out of the first round, still get a guy with first-round talent, and he happens to fill your biggest need, you're happy. Courtney Upshaw isn't a gifted pass-rusher, but he does exactly what Jarret Johnson did, sealing the edge against the run. He plays with relentless energy and has the experience to start immediately. Kelechi Osemele isn't a future starter at tackle, but moved inside you might have a player at guard. Again, that's a big need. Bernard Pierce provides insurance in the run game, and Asa Jackson has a chance to stick in what's already a good secondary. No stars, but really good value at the top, and needs were hit.

Interesting blurb that I highlighted. Hopefully Kiper's wrong about it


Other division Grades

Steelers Need A- Value B- Overall A
Bengals Need A Value B Overall B
Browns Need B+ Value C Overall B-

[paulcoates]

Sometimes I think Kiper gives the Ravens an extra bump because he lives in Baltimore

[GoldGlove21]

Sometimes I think Kiper gives the Ravens an extra bump because he lives in Baltimore

I am not sure if he gives them a bump, but he is likely a bit bias. So we get no stars, but help by adding so depth? I am not sure I would pick 5 guys who are good depth guys over a single guy that is a star most years, but the Ravens needed a lot of help and didn't have a great deal of financial flexibility.

Here are my issues:

1.) I wanted a better Guard as I believe that is a real need for us.
2.) I like Upshaw, but he is an average LB and DE? I would have rather seen the Ravens move up and grab DeCastro.
3.) The Ravens could have nabbed a decent-good LB later in the draft and if Upshaw is not a DE type than whay is the net loss here?
4.) I wanted a true #2/#3 WR and I am not sure that we got that.
5.) I like the Pierce kid, but he is a #2 RB and what does he provide us other than insurance in case Rice gets hurt, holds out or walks after 2012/2013?
6.) We needed a true DE to put opposite Suggs and while Upshaw is a guy, I am far from sure that he is "the" guy.

I thought that we did a decent job of adding depth, but we need more than depth at G, DE, KR and LB IMO. I would have liked this draft a lot better had the Ravens been able to keep Grubbs and use the Osemele pick (and a later round selection) to grab Konz, Vinny Curry or Lavonte David.

[square634]

Interesting blurb that I highlighted. Hopefully Kiper's wrong about it

Given the conversations in the draft tracking thread, I can't help but chuckle at the part where the Ravens' "value" grade is rated higher than "need".

[Floater]

Every team should get an I. Let's see whatsup in 2 years.

[Brotha J]

I like what we did in this draft. Unlike some, I'm not hung up on where these players were rated on Kiper's board or anywhere else. I doubt the draft gurus have the time to sit down with these kids and their coaches to the extent the Ravens do. I was impressed listening to Upshaw and KO speak. Also heard an interview with Gradkowski this morning and was blown away. Sometimes getting the right type of player is much more important than measurables. Remember when Suggs was too slow and Ray wasn't the prototypical size to play MLB?

The more I hear the talkshow callers piss and moan about this draft, the more I like it. It reminds me of the 2008 draft when a lot of people were upset that we traded up in the 1st to get a Division 1AA QB; picked an undersized RB in the 2nd who couldn't play every down (and we already had a good RB); and drafted a DB from a small school in the 3rd round who was supposed to be the next David Pittman-esque waste of a pick.

DeCosta admitted in the last Ravens draft press conference that it was a tough draft and a lot of the players they coveted went quickly. He said almost all 150 players on their big board were drafted. But overall I think we did a fine job. Only time will tell for sure, but we definitely got players who fit the Ravens mold of playing hard and having a good head on their shoulders. THAT'S why we're so good year in and year out.

[jonesing4pie]

Every team should get an I. Let's see whatsup in 2 years.

Everyone always likes to say that and I understand what they mean BUT we sit here and grade prospects all the time and don't seem to have a problem with it. There is no reason you can't say "I'm going to grade this selection of plays while considering how good I think they will be and how much they will help the team that drafted them." I understand we don't know exactly how good they will be or exactly what their roles may be. Yet, we have no problem grading via projection prospects in minors, college, or highschool baseball. Finished mini-rant that has nothing to do with you haha. Sorry