Ravens Draft

The 2007 NFL Draft is over and the Ravens selected the following players:

Round 1 (29th Pick): Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn
Round 3 (74th): Yamon Figurs, WR, Kansas State
Round 3 (86th): Marshall Yanda, G-T, Iowa
Round 4 (134th): Antwan Barnes, LB, Florida International
Round 4 (137th): Le'Ron McClain, FB, Alabama
Round 5 (174th): Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State
Round 6 (207th): Prescott Burgess, LB, Michigan

I'm not sure how the "experts" will grade the Ravens' draft, but I'm ecstatic. According to a lot of the analysts, Grubbs was one of the 15-18 best players in the draft. Finally, after years of neglect, the Ravens have addressed the offensive line the past 3 years, selecting Grubbs, Yanda, Chris Chester, Jason Brown, and Adam Terry in the first 4 rounds. Those 5 may be the Ravens' starting offensive line in 2008. Even next year I could see Grubbs, Chester, Brown, and Terry joining Ogden in the starting lineup by the end of the year.

I would argue that much of the Ravens' offensive problems over the last 8-9 years has been because of the o-line (except Ogden). Mike Flynn, Edwin Mulitalo, Bennie Anderson, Keydrick Vincent, Harry Swayne, and Tony Pashos had 0 Pro Bowls combined as Ravens. They were good run blockers at one time but pass protection has been an issue for years, making it hard to sustain drives. On top of that they lack athleticism (other than Ogden), making it difficult for the Ravens to run plays like sweeps, traps, and screens. This new group of linemen will give the Ravens' offense much more flexibility. It will also help them match up better against teams like the Colts, who have used their d-line's athleticism to shut down the Ravens running game.

The pick of Figurs is more for the return game than as a receiver. BJ Sams is coming off of a broken leg, may be suspended for his 2 DUI's, and is an unrestricted free agent after next season. His injury late last season really hurt the Ravens because his replacement, Cory Ross, could not generate anything in the return game.

Antwan Barnes is a 'tweener from a smaller school, similar to a 2000 6th Round Ravens' draft pick named Adalius Thomas. It took AD a couple of years before he cracked the Ravens' starting lineup so I wouldn't expect him to be a contributor right away.

Le'Ron McClain was one of the top FB's available. With the loss of Ovie Mughelli this is a good pickup. The Ravens will rely less on the FB with Willis McGahee but I like the pick if for nothing else than to provide depth.

Troy Smith is a very intriguing pick. As the last pick of the 5th round it's a worthwhile gamble. He has very strong leadership skills to go with a strong arm. The knock on him is that he's only 6'0'' so he may not be tall enough to play in the NFL. With the Ravens he'll likely be the #3 QB next season, learning the game from Steve McNair. In '08 Kyle Boller will likely be gone (whew-hew!!!) so he'll become the back-up. By that time we should have an idea as to whether he can become the QB of the future. I think the Ravens have finally figured out that Kyle Boller isn't.

Prescott Burgess is a guy that Ozzie Newsome noticed was in just about every play for Michigan. He will get the chance to make the team on special teams (like Bart Scott and Adalius Thomas before him).

Now I'll be interested to see who the Ravens sign as undrafted free agents. They have had success here with Pro Bowlers Bart Scott and Priest Holmes and other major contributors like Mike Flynn and BJ Sams.

Only 3 months until training camp starts! (I need it, the way the O's are playing. Please sell the team Angelos!)