Trent Williams is falling like a rock because he was completely exposed this season without Duke Robinson and Phil Loadholt on that line. I don't think he'll be a first rounder, because he's a lot smaller than his listed height/weight and he has short arms. Plus, a lot of GMs KNOW that he can't play left tackle. I was high on the kid before the college season started, but my opinion changed quickly. Also, you don't move an above average-to-elite guard like Ben Grubbs or a quality run blocker like Marshal Yanda to center because an old man retires. You draft or sign a replacement center...and let him develop behind Birk.
Passing up BAP to reach for a need is never a good idea. Players get hurt, traded, or lost in free agency. Building the best and deepest OL in the league is never a bad idea.
I was talking about Chris Chester moving from guard to replace Birk, not Yanda. Yanda would most likely ride the bench. With Gaither and Oher on the team, Williams won't have to play LT. If I didn't go OL, Kindle would have been the pick and everyone would be whining about the Ravens not needing a pass rusher becasue they already have Suggs.
I'm not saying it's bad idea, I just disagree with it...a lot. That's like having the Jets draft a quarterback in 2010 because he's BPA. Baltimore already went after a tackle prospect in 2009, so they wouldn't have to in the future. Ozzie Newsome is an awesome GM - he's been building that offensive line for years. It's in damn good shape. The Ravens have basically no receiving corps, and it's going to get even worse if Derrick Mason decides to retire...again. Mark Clayton is leaving for free ageny and Todd Heap isn't getting any younger. Joe Flacco needs weapons. Different teams have different BPAs - in the Ravens' case, BPA should be an offensive playmaker.
I know that...but he also won't have to play right tackle either, so in my opinion, it's a wasted opportunity. You're the Ravens' GM, so you have complete control. I was just stating that I didn't agree with it. There's still plenty of picks left.
Different teams factor needs into their rankings but best player available is something else altogether than the best player that arbitrarily fills a team's perceived needs. The best available player is the best player available regardless of position. Just because the Ravens would like the BPA to be an offensive playmaker doesn't make it so. When the BPA isn't what they want him to be they can ignore need and take him or reach for a lesser player that does fit their needs.
The receivers just didn't work for me in round one at all. If I had taken Sergio Kindle (my highest rated player not on the OL) how would you have liked that pick?
Sergio Kindle would make more sense. I know the Ravens have Terrell Suggs, one of the league's premiere pass rushers, but look who's on the other side: Jarrett Johnson Johnson is a pretty good role player - he hustles, but the Ravens could definitely use an upgrade at LOLB. The Ravens drafted Paul Kruger last year as a developmental pass rusher, so they might pass on taking a pass rusher as well. I don't know how the Ravens' front office feels about Kruger.
Our first no show of the day......-MC- I made the pick based on need for the Cowboys and BPA.....Charles Brown was a no brainer.
Sorry WW. This weekend has been very hectic for me. I'll be good to go from now on, I just finished with school this past week, so Ill have a lot free time on my hands. Sorry to ruin the good flow, almost did the first round in a day, good stuff. I shouldn't miss another pick. Brown was a great pick :up: Hes a good athlete and was bpa for the Boys.
This... I really really really don't agree with that picks! The Ravens have some needs and some very good players at those positions are still available... why go after an OT with the prospects they already have!?
Mike Iupati falls to the Jets......not too many should be upset with the selection....BPA. KurtTheJetsFan sent a very nice board for the Jets. Kurt, always the aficionado when it comes to the O-Line.....great pick.
Great pick! Iupati was the player I was targeting from the beginning. I just couldn't pass on Williams.
For Iupati, I must say, I'd be a happy SOB if he fell to us and we grabed him. That said, I have a feeling we are going DL or DB in the first round this year. With guys some of the guys still around I think Rex would be wetting himself, or eating an entire pizza..or both.
