I wanted to look at how Ozzie drafts since he is considered one of the best or maybe the best GM in football. The one thing that stands out to me is the focus on the front seven on defense and making sure he has 2 good safeties. I know they have a franchise QB but he was chosen 18th overall in 2008, we complain as jets fans that we have no offense but looking at ozzies choices he goes mostly defense also. The one difference I see is that CB is not a highly rated position with the Ravens, granted they don't finish with a poor record so they can't draft high but even with middle of the pack spots they don't pick them high. What do you guys think is the disconnect? I know we have not had our franchise QB, but looking at ozzies drafts, is there any reason t think that the jets focus too much on CBs? They took 3 in the last 2 drafts, and don't get me wrong, if there is a DR on the board you have to take him, but rare are the times that we see those types of players. Let me know what you guys think. FIRST-ROUND SPOTLIGHT: The Ravens made it sound like taking Florida safety Matt Elam with the last pick of the first round was a no-brainer for them. Elam stood out to Baltimore because he was one of the few safety prospects in this draft who has the versatility of being physical enough to play in the box and fast enough to play deep coverage. The Ravens completed the overhaul at safety, going from Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard to Elam and Michael Huff. Elam was the third safety taken in the draft, behind Kenny Vaccaro (15th overall to New Orleans) and Eric Reid (18th to San Francisco). The Ravens picked Elam over linebacker Manti Te'o, safety Johnathan Cyprien, and wide receivers Justin Hunter and Robert Woods, all of whom were selected with the first 10 picks of the second round. IN HINDSIGHT: The Ravens moved up to get the inside linebacker they wanted in the second round (Arthur Brown), but they weren't aggressive in addressing wide receiver. West Virginia's Stedman Bailey was taken two picks before the Ravens' selection in the third round, and Louisiana Tech's Quinton Patton was drafted one pick before the Ravens were on the clock in the fourth round. It makes you wonder whether the Ravens should have released some players (like fullback Vonta Leach) to keep wide receiver Anquan Boldin and his $6 million salary. BEST VALUE: DE-OLB John Simon, Ohio State. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year lasted until the fourth round. He's known for a relentless motor and for average athleticism. That sounds like a prospect the Ravens drafted in the same round a decade ago, and Jarret Johnson developed into a starter by his third season. Simon was so beloved by Urban Meyer that the Ohio State coach once said he would consider naming a son after him. TOP LATE-ROUND PICK: DE Kapron Lewis-Moore, Notre Dame. The sixth-round pick is unlikely to see the field this year. After tearing his ACL in the BCS National Championship, he'll essentially be redshirted this season. Multiple knee injuries in college severely hurt his draft stock. If he can stay healthy, the Ravens will look smart in taking a chance on Lewis-Moore, a team captain who has upside as an inside pass-rusher. SOMEONE WHO DIDN'T LIKE THIS DRAFT: Rolando McClain. The Ravens just didn't draft an inside linebacker. They traded three picks (ones in the second, fifth and sixth rounds) to move up six spots for Brown. When the Ravens signed McClain earlier this month, he was expected to start alongside Jameel McClain in the middle of Baltimore's defense. After McClain's latest arrest and the addition of Brown, you have to wonder how long Rolando McClain will remain on the roster. 2013 Baltimore Ravens Draft Picks Round Pick Position Player College 1 32 S Matt Elam Florida 2 56 LB Arthur Brown Kansas St. 3 94 DT Brandon Williams Missouri Southern St. 4 129 DE John Simon Ohio State 4 130 FB Kyle Juszczyk Harvard 5 168 G Ricky Wagner Wisconsin 6 200 DE Kapron Lewis-Moore Notre Dame 6 203 C Ryan Jensen Colorado State-Pueblo 7 238 WR Aaron Mellette Elon 7 247 CB Marc Anthony California 2014 Mel Kiper Jr. gave the Baltimore Ravens a B in his post-draft marks. Now, let's give a grade for each of the Ravens' nine draft picks, based on value, fit, immediate impact and overall projection: FIRST ROUND C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama: He was rated among the top 10 players in this year's draft by the Ravens, and their board has been more right than wrong over the years. Mosley has Pro Bowl potential and can anchor the Ravens' defense for years. The only drawback is that this wasn't a glaring need. Grade: A-minus. SECOND ROUND Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State: There's no question that he has first-round talent and is an impact player when he's on the field. The questions with Jernigan are his endurance and his fit in a 3-4 defense. At the very least, he'll be a major part of the defensive line rotation as a rookie. Grade: B. THIRD ROUND Terrence Brooks, FS, Florida State: At no other point in the draft did need meet value better for the Ravens. Brooks is the type of athletic, rangy free safety that the Ravens have been looking for all offseason. Sure, he doesn't have great hands. But no one would have argued if the Ravens picked Brooks a round earlier. Grade: A. Crockett Gillmore, TE, Colorado State: This was the biggest reach in the draft for the Ravens. He was No. 165 on Todd McShay's prospect rankings, and the Ravens selected him No. 99 overall. Tight ends are a big part of Gary Kubiak's offense, and the Ravens needed a third one behind Dennis Pitta and Owen Daniels. It's just surprising that the Ravens went with a developmental tight end this early. Grade: C. FOURTH ROUND Brent Urban, DE, Virginia: His size and athleticism make him a perfect fit as an end in the Ravens' 3-4 defense. There's a little bit of a risk because he's raw and is coming off injury. Still, he has the burst and length to be a future starter. Grade: B-plus. Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, Coastal Carolina: A lot of one-cut runners like Taliaferro have had success in Kubiak's ground game. His size (230 pounds) will improve the Ravens in short-yardage and goal-line situations. But his small-school status and lack of burst make you wonder whether he'll ever be more than a role player. Grade: B-minus. FIFTH ROUND John Urschel, C-G, Penn State: Everyone will bring up his intelligence, and it's a fact that Urschel was the draft's smartest player. He's also a solid technician who plays with power. There is potential here, and center could end up being his best position. Grade: B-plus. SIXTH ROUND Keith Wenning, QB, Ball State: He's a developmental passer but you can see he has the physical tools to be a legitimate No. 2 quarterback in this league. His poise and toughness stand out, especially late in games. Wenning won't dazzle anyone with his throws deep downfield, and he's at his best working the underneath, timing routes. Grade: B. SEVENTH ROUND Michael Campanaro, WR, Wake Forest: The Ravens wanted him so much that they traded a sixth-round pick in next year's draft to get Campanaro in the seventh round this year. It was a surprise to see him last this long in the draft. He isn't the biggest or fastest receiver, but he is a savvy route runner who is exciting to watch after the catch. Durability is a concern. Grade: B-plus.
Good post. In regards to the CB question id say its rexs scheme that makes corners so important to us and we became accustomed to having superstars at the position. Now that revis and cromartie are gone, rex's scheme is much more vulnerable
