I found myself far more hopeful and excited during this combine than any in the last few years. Maybe it was the fact that the Ravens were a dropped pass away from a trip to the Superbowl, but the 2011 season gave me serious hope for the 2012 season and beyond. The Ravens gambled and got rid of a sizeable group of veterans that included Joe Flacco's two favorite receiving weapons who also happened to be the most productive receivers in franchise history. Before 2011, people frequently brought up the average age of Ravens players and hypothesized that their window to win a Superbowl was closing. The Ravens, responded by utilizing youthful draft gems to demonstrate that the Ravens' true strength lies in their ability to assess and develop young talent year after year, despite the loss of veteran stars.
Players drafted over the last few years made a HUGE splash during the 2011 season. Lardarius Webb solidified his status as an elite shutdown corner and a leading ballhawk in the AFC. Torrey Smith played almost the entire 2011 season with a hernia and torn groin muscle, but you wouldn't have known it with his shocking speed and spectacular plays. Dennis Pitta turned into the team's new Heap (he's even Mormon!), and with some offseason strength training he should improve his blocking ability to become a complete tight end. Pernell McPhee proved a fierce pass rusher and was a total STEAL as the Ravens selected him in the 5th round of the 2011 draft. Jimmy Smith missed a lot of the season early, but eventually got back into the mix and showed a lot of raw talent and finished the year with 3 interceptions including a jawdropping pick in the playoffs that few other players would have been able to haul in before the ball hit the turf.
The Ravens roster seems to be just bursting with talent. The best part, however, is that we've seen in the last two seasons the Ravens have played quite well with Ed Reed and Ray Lewis sidelined for significant chunks of the season. Now, of course, as soon as they return, Ed and Ray remind the world that they're still elite and the Ravens are simply better when they're both on the field. Nevertheless, as long as Ozzie Newsome is evaluating young talent, the Ravens will continue to find the next great defensive superstars long after Ravens are forced to bid a tearful farewell to their two most beloved leaders....makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about that...moving on.
The Ravens displayed one of the most complete teams in the league in 2011. They, like any other team, still have personnel needs to fill in order to finally become a team dominant enough to simply bully their way through the season and playoffs to the Superbowl. The Ravens need a big-bodied, speedy wide receiver with great hands (which team doesn't right?) to finally give Joe Flacco a complete, elite, wide receiving corps. The Ravens need interior offensive linemen, though it's not clear if they'll need a center or guard as the statuses of Ben Grubbs and Matt Birk or Andre Gurode are all questionable at this point. The Ravens could use a talented, intense middle linebacker to learn from Ray during the last couple of years Ray's career, and there's always room for more pass rushers as Cory Redding's status isn't entirely clear at this point either. With all of that said, let's take a look at some combine standouts that could be available to the Ravens at each of these positions!
WIDE RECEIVER:
Stehpen Hill- I had not heard of this guy before the combine, but this numbers speak for themselves. Hill ran an official 4.36 forty yard dash, he displayed excellent hands and agility, and at 6'4" he has the height to make catches even in tight coverage by cornerbacks. Hill didn't have standout statistical totals in college, but he averaged over 29 yards per catch...let me repeat myself: HE AVERAGED OVER 29 YARDS PER CATCH. His low totals can also be heavily attributed to being a part of the Georgia Tech offense that puts up massive rushing yardage and still somehow manages to produce incredibly talented receivers such as Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas. I would love for the Ravens to pull the trigger on this guy in the first round, but they may find him available in the second round instead.
Alshon Jeffrey- There has been recent criticism of Jeffery's speed and ability to separate from defenders. Reports that Jeffery had gained weight as of late left some wondering if he would even go in the first round of the draft. Jeffery did not even run his 40 yard dash at the combine, and that only further reinforced the point of critics who questioned his speed. I, however, am not one of critics. I watched Alshon Jeffrey's highlight video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fljiaojL5fM) and came to the conclusion that his physicality, catching ability, and height (he's 6'4" by the way) would be a fantastic compliment to Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin and could quite possibly prove the missing cog in the Ravens' passing game that could take them to a level that the team has never experienced. Alshon is another receiver that could possibly be available to the Ravens in the second round of the draft.
MIDDLE LINEBACKER:
Dont'a Hightower: If he falls to the 29th pick, the Ravens simply must select this man. He ran an official 4.68 forty yard dash, and that is made even more impressive by the fact that he weighed in at 265 pounds and stands over 6'2". Hightower has rather long arms and uses his superior anticipation to make up for being somewhat heavy. I have no doubt that Hightower could drop to the 245-250 range and get even better at covering sideline to sideline as well as pass coverage. This guy won't fall to the second round, so if you can get him at the end of the first, you damn well better do it!
Mychal Kendricks: If the Ravens don't select a middle linebacker in the first round, then it's entirely possible that they look for one in the second. Mychal Kendricks displayed incredible speed at the combine with an official 4.47 forty yard dash. He is exactly the same height as Ray Lewis (6'1") and about 10 pounds lighter at 240. Like Ray Lewis, Kendricks is a brutal tackler, and his speed would allow him to cover sideline to sideline the way that Ray did for the first decade of his career. Kendricks wasn't part of an elite college defense the way that Hightower was, but a player of his speed and intensity would almost certainly turn into an absolute animal under the tutelage of Ray Lewis. If this guy is available by the end of the second round, he absolutely needs to wear a purple draft hat.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN:
Peter Konz- Many mock drafts already have the Ravens selecting Konz in the first round. Konz has the size, strength, and leadership ability to put him ahead of the rest of the pack in this year's draft. Konz is 6'5" and 314 pounds. He may not be much of a bench presser as he only hit 18 reps with 225 pounds at the combine, but he derives his on-field strength from the power of his hips and legs. I wouldn't complain if the Ravens selected Konz in the first round of the draft, but with Matt Birk announcing that he's not retiring and fellow probowl center Andre Gurode as his backup, I don't feel that the Ravens are in as dire a need for a center as many have speculated.
PASS RUSHER:
Zach Brown- It wouldn't be right of me not to mention a talented young player from my own high school. Brown is an exceptional athlete with surprising speed for his size. He ran a official 4.5 forty yard dash at the combine and weighed in at 244 pounds. His athletic potential makes him almost a lock for the first round. With the guidance of Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis, Brown could tap into all of his potential as an NFL athlete. After a great showing at the combine, I can't see Brown falling to the Ravens at the 29th pick. The Ravens have decent depth as far as OLB/DE type players are concerned so this isn't an area of dire need, but Ozzie Newsome made it clear that he's looking for pass rushers, and Zach Brown has the speed to chase down just about any quarterback whose name doesn't rhyme with Trychael Vick or Bram Newton. This Maryland native would look fantastic in purple and black, no doubt.
There are some more players that deserve to be mentioned, but sadly, I have run out of time to write for the day and will continue with more combine analysis tomorrow, so stay tuned! As always, GO RAVENS!
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