Mock drafts should not be taken too seriously. The nature of the NFL draft is such that one team's decision can affect the decisions of many teams with later picks. Mock drafts also typically operate under the assumption that teams pick in a set order. This, of course, is nonsense as many teams trade up or down in the draft order depending on the availability of players they covet. It is for these reasons that I don't waste time creating mock drafts. I leave that to Todd McShay and Mel Kiper because they seem to enjoy doing so. I, instead, prefer to take the three major positions of need for the Ravens and rank the top three players at each position. If, for example, the Ravens select a middle linebacker in the first round of the draft, then we can assume they'll use their second pick on a player from a different position such as defensive tackle or free safety. The Ravens draft philosophy, however, is to pick the best player available, and sometimes that means selecting by talent and not necessarily totally according to their perceived most pressing need.
The Ravens offense should be set for the next couple of years, but the defense needs major attention to make sure that the Ravens remain a complete team and don't become the Green Bay Packers or the New Orleans Saints with a high powered offense led by a high paid quarterback--with a defense that can't stop anyone. That's the beauty of the draft though; you get the opportunity to pick up relatively inexpensive talent that you won't have to seriously invest in for 3-4 years. The Ravens are arguably the best team in the league when it comes to drafting and evaluating defensive talent. Sure, Sergio Kindle and Terrance Cody didn't work out, but Lardarius Webb, Paul Kruger, Courtney Upshaw, Pernell McPhee, and Arthur Jones have all turned out to be total gems. And let's not forget the amazing defensive draft picks from years past with Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed, and Haloti Ngata.
There is one more factor that could have a large impact on how the Ravens draft: the free agent situation. The Ravens have some important decisions to make regarding current defensive free agents including Dannell Ellerbe, Paul Kruger, Ed Reed, and Cary Williams. I think it's safe to say that Paul Kruger and Cary Williams will not be Ravens next season, but whether or not the Ravens can afford to keep Ellerbe and Reed may affect heavily how they draft in April. If the Ravens lose Reed or Ellerbe then their may be far more urgency to possibly trade up in the draft to select a player that could step right in and play immediately at linebacker or free safety. Of course the Ravens won't only be selecting defensive players in the draft as they may find themselves in position to draft a talented natural left tackle, but we'll address that in the next week's offensive edition of the Draft Wishlist. Ok, now let's take a look at some possible draft pick!
MIDDLE LINEBACKERS
1. ALEC OGLETREE- This Alabama product and national champion very well may be picked long before the Ravens have a chance to snag him. He's demonstratably faster than Manti Te'o and Kevin Minter with an official combine 40 yard dash time of 4.70 seconds. That happens to be an almost identical 40 time as the Ravens' current fastest linebacker, Dannell Ellerbe. Ogletree has the speed to cover sideline to sideline and drop back into coverage. One has only to see Ogletree's highlights to understand what a ferocious tackler a team will be getting, but questions of his character arose after the young athlete was arrested for driving under the influence. That mistake is the only thing that could possibly drop Ogletree's stock enough to fall to the Ravens. The best chance that Ozzie Newsome has in acquiring a linebacker of this talent level is by trading up, and the amount it may take to trade up may simply not be worth it. Take a look at this monster in action:
ALEC OGLETREE'S HIGHLIGHTS
2. ARTHUR BROWN- This athlete didn't make much of a splash at the combine as it appears that he only performed the broad jump for some reason. That may play in favor of the Ravens, however, as Ihave not yet seen Arthur Brown on any first round mock drafts yet. Brown is the brother of Philadelphia Eagle Bryce Brown, and it appears as though athleticism runs in the family. Regardless of what 40 time Brown runs at his pro day, his game speed is absolutely vicious. He possesses the intensity and tackling ability to bolster the Ravens run defense, and he has the vision, ball hawking ability, and agility to be great in pass defense as well. I have him ranked as #2 on this list, but I'll be rooting for the Ravens to snag this guy before someone else realizes just how good he truly is. Take a look at his highlights: ARTHUR BROWN'S HIGHLIGHTS
3. MANTI TE'O- There are a fair number of expects that have Kevin Minter being picked before this controversial former Heisman candidate. After watching the film of both players, however, I still have to give an edge to Te'o. Sure, Te'o disappointed many with a 4.8 forty yard dash at the combine, but Kevin Minter ran almost an identically disappointing time. I don't think Te'o is an explosively speedy linebacker, but what he lacks in blazing speed, I think he makes up for in anticipatory instinct and tackling ability. If there's one thing the Ravens lacked this year it was consistent tacklers. It made me cringe to watch the Chiefs, Cowboys, Redskins, Broncos run right through the middle of the Ravens defense during the 2012 regular season. Te'o certainly embarrassed himself in the national spotlight, but that doesn't change what he's capable of doing on the field. He also proved to be a decent ball hawk with 6 interceptions on the year and the Ravens can never have too many ball hawks. Take a look at his highlights: MANTI TE'O'S HIGHLIGHTS
I will be posting the second segment of this wishlist tomorrow. We'll examine the best interior defensive linemen that could possibly go in the first round and potentially replace Maake Kemoeatu to further solidify the middle of the Ravens defense. Until then, make sure to be prepared for "Snowquester 2013" as one of my friends so ridiculously put it.
AS ALWAYS
GO RAVENS!!!
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