B/c I tend to believe guards are much more plug-n-play than an OLB, but yes, it can go either way. If you think about it though, why would you be the 3rd or 4th to pick an OLB in the 1st round when you can get one who's just as good or almost as good 3 rounds later? I think you would go for one of the elite guards if there are only a couple.
Oh, please. Do you think Marvin Harrison would be such a great WR without Peyton Manning? Do you think Tomlinson would be a future hall of famer if the Cardinals had drafted him? :wink: Besides you forgot to mention the touchdowns Adalius Thomas scored over the last 3 years (interceptions and fumble recoveries). He's Mr. Johnny on the spot. He scored another one at the Pro Bowl. He's always around the ball.
Again- value is my point, Blaylock is the only guard worth our 1st pick, and he'll probably be gone. Grubbs would be ok in the second, but I don't want to chance missing him there either. So what, we reach and draft one of 2 good guards because nobody else in the draft is projecting as a starter? I don't care if we get the 10th LB in the draft with our first pick if the value is there- and there are probably 5 lb's I would take in the first that wouldn't be reaches, as opposed to 1 Guard-- and you can forget about getting a tackle who projects as a first year starter with thomas and brown gone by 25.
With where we are picking, no spot is more plug in and play than LB or RB. Rookies always have the biggest impact at those spots, and that's what I want to draft. RB and LB.
And you want to spend a ton of money on a position that is regarded as the easiest position on the offensive line? THAT'S the point I'm getting at. If you're going to throw big money at a guy, it's gotta be either Thomas or Clements, positions where you're getting the most bang for your buck.
I think the Ravens are only about 4 million under the cap. You don't let a guy like Thomas go unless you just can't afford him. Combine that with the the personell they already have in place on defense, and they may be gambling that the drop off will not be that significant.
