With the NFL Draft coming up on April 26 - 27, BaltimoreRavens.com takes another sweep around the web to look at what others are saying about the Ravens' chances with the eighth pick.
Keep in mind that things will change as free agency progresses, and teams will most-certainly try to trade picks, players and money to move up or down in the first round, but here is another early look at what the pundits think:
Don Banks, venerable NFL writer from SI.com, changed his pick at No. 8 to cornerback and return threat Aqib Talib instead of Troy's Leodis McKelvin, another dangerous cornerback and returner.
Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas: "The Ravens need some youth at cornerback and Talib has been bumped up on our board thanks to a strong pro-day workout last week. Every cornerback in this year's draft has a hole of some sort, but Talib has prototypical size and runs well. What about a QB, you say? The Ravens sent eight people to watch Delaware's Joe Flacco at his pro day this week, and while no one forsees him cracking the top 10, I could see Baltimore trading down to have a shot at him in the second half of the round. The Ravens would also have a very interesting decision to make should Ryan get past No. 3 Atlanta."
Todd McShay of Scouts, Inc. also previously had the Ravens taking McKelvin, whom he now has going to the New England Patriots one spot earlier. Now? The choice is Ryan Clady, the talented tackle out of Boise State whom we previewed here last week.
Ryan Clady, T, Boise State: "The Ravens are one of the wild cards in the top 10. They will take the best available talent even if he doesn't fit a need, and odds are none of the available players at their need positions will be worthy of *the eighth overall pick. An argument could be made for one of the top cornerback prospects here, but Clady carries a better grade, in my opinion, than any corner in this class, and he possesses the combination of size and feet to potentially take over for perennial Pro Bowler Jonathan Ogden."*
Scout.com's Chris Steuber agrees with Banks. He's got Talib coming to Baltimore.
Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas: "The Ravens have to identify a franchise quarterback and add some stability behind center, but adding a playmaker in the secondary is exactly what the Ravens need. With the Ravens passing on Brian Brohm, he will free fall in the first round. The Ravens choose Aqib Talib over Brohm."
The Brohm he's talking about is Louisville quarterback, whom many analysts see dropping into the later part of the first round. Quarterback, though, was a popular choice for the Ravens.
Rob Rang from the SportsXchange is looking for the top signal-caller in the draft to fall to the eighth spot.
**Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College**: "While most teams feel Ryan is the top quarterback in the draft, there is a general consensus that he isn't a rare enough talent to rank as a surefire top-five pick. Should he begin to slip, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome would likely pounce here even with new coach John Harbaugh standing behind Steve McNair to this point."
As does Vic Carucci of NFL.com. Last week, Carucci saw South Florida's Mike Jenkins going to the Ravens. In this version of his mock draft, Jenkins is selected by the Detroit Lions at 15.
Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College: "This could be a reach, although the Ravens do need to a quarterback to lead them in the post-Brian Billick era. Cornerback also is a distinct possibility here."
CBSSportsLine.com's Pete Prisco updated his mock draft to place Ryan in Baltimore, as well.
Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College: "How happy would the Ravens be if they get a chance to take the top quarterback in the draft? It's time they get a franchise passer."
Switching gears, Chad Reuter of NFLDraftScout.com has the Ravens picking Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a largely unknown prospect out of Tennessee State that is fast rising up the draft charts.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State: "The Ravens needing some young talent at corner behind Rolle and McAlister. DRC's supreme athleticism was on display at the Combine, but his nice play at the Senior Bowl is more important to teams. Brian Brohm could be the pick, but the team apparently likes Troy Smith and may be wary of using another top ten pick at QB. If Rivers falls here, he could get the call...the Ravens never really replaced Adalius Thomas. OT Ryan Clady could be the pick, but the Ravens already have Adam Terry waiting to play and could find another tackle later in the draft."
Clark Judge, another representative of CBSSportsLine.com, thinks Baltimore will bolster their defensive line with USC's Sedrick Ellis.
Sedrick Ellis, NG, Southern California: "File this one under best player on the board."**
And, if it's a tackle you're looking for, you have something in common with Frank Coyle of DraftInsiders.com. He thinks Jake Long of Michigan, who was coached by Ravens assistant offensive line coach Andy Moeller, will be wearing purple and black next year.
Jake Long, OT, Michigan: "The Ravens are looking to improve their line especially with an available bookend tackle and vet Jon Ogden expected to retire."
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Check back next week for more updated mock drafts right here on the Mock Draft Monitor.
