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 an early look at what the pundits think:
Todd McShay of Scouts, Inc. sticks by his previous selection for the Ravens' pick with tackle Boise State's Ryan Clady. Clady is an athletic mauler that is rated as one of the top linemen in the draft.
Ryan Clady, T, Boise State - "The Ravens are one of the wild-card teams in the top 10. They, too, are a team that likes to take the best available talent even if he doesn't fit a need, so if DT Sedrick Ellis falls this far, he is a definite possibility. I have Clady graded higher than any corner in this class, though, and he possesses the combo of size and feet to potentially take over for perennial Pro Bowler Jonathan Ogden."
SI.com's Don Banks is also in the Clady camp in his latest mock draft.
Ryan Clady, T, Boise State- "The Ravens usually have the discipline to draft players at the game's positions of value, and that gives them some nice options if they don't wind up trading out of this slot. Clady represents an obvious replacement for bookend left OT Jonathan Ogden, where youngster Jared Gaither remains a project. But the Ravens have to be tempted by Ellis as well, and GM Ozzie Newsome usually lives by the rule that you take a highly rated defensive lineman when one falls to you. Lastly, Baltimore's crying need for youth at cornerback brings Rodgers-Cromartie, McKelvin and Kansas's Aqib Talib into the discussion. One last thought: If Ryan tumbles, the Ravens will pounce on him."
Vic Carucci, writer for NFL.com, recently changed his latest Ravens selection from quarterback Matt Ryan to Clady.
**Ryan Clady, T, Boise State***- *"Cornerback remains a distinct possibility here, as does quarterback. But the Ravens need to fill a gaping hole on their offensive line created by the likely retirement of *Jonathan Ogden."*
Rob Rang of the SportsXchange has the Ravens selecting Ryan.
Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College - *"New head coach John Harbaugh may have tipped his hand in admitting the Ravens' starting quarterback next year 'could be on the roster, and there's a chance he's not.' If an early run on defenders forces Ryan to fall, the Ravens are poised to snatch him." *
Baltimore native Mel Kiper, Jr. is another analyst that posits the Ravens selecting **Ryan**.
DraftKing.com is also pushing for the Ravens to pick a quarterback, but not Ryan. With the Boston College gunslinger going to Atlanta at No. 3, the site thinks Baltimore will turn to Brian Brohm of Louisville.
Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville -*"The Ravens are a team with a solid core, particularly on defense. And, with the Ravens having so much difficulty performing on offense, a new coaching staff, and Steve McNair turning 35 this off-season, a quarterback like Brohm would be a great addition to the team. *
"Brohm would be a bit of a stretch at this position, and with so much defensive line talent still on the board under this scenario, Baltimore would be very wise to trade down. But if that doesn't happen, Brohm makes a great deal of sense for a team that needs a young QB prospect."
Chad Reuter of the comprehensive NFLDraftScout.com Web site thinks the Ravens will take promising but below-the-radar cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from Tennessee State. Rodgers-Cromartie is the cousin of Antonio Cromartie, the Pro Bowl corner for the San Diego Chargers.
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. Jenkins is another worthwhile selection. Matt Ryan may fall here if Atlanta or Kansas City don't take him...that would be an interesting scenario. Otherwise, they'll probably wait until the second round to get competition for former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith as the team's future 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."
Leodis McKelvin, whom we featured here on BaltimoreRavens.com Tuesday, is the pick for NFL.com's Pat Kirwan. The pundit writes that McKelvin is a need pick for the Ravens.
Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy - "The Ravens may have hoped for Matt Ryan to fall to them but April creates a sense of urgency for quarterbacks and now the Ravens turn to another big need, cornerback. McKelvin gives them a player with man cover skills and terrific return skills. He returned seven punts and one kickoff for touchdowns in college."
It is the same pick for Mike Mayock, the draft expert on NFL.com. He has McKelvin falling at No. 8.
Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy - "The Ravens would like to trade down, but if they stay at eight they get a corner and a punt returner. Troy's Leodis McKelvin can immediately play the nickel and return punts."
And for Pete Prisco of CBSSportsLine.com.
**Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy** -"They are hoping to land an upgrade over Samari Rolle. McKelvin is a good man cover player."
As for the most original selection for the Ravens? That falls to Clark Judge this time. The CBSSportsLine.com reporter has linebacker Keith Rivers of USC in purple and black next season.
Keith Rivers, OLB, Southern California - "He's too good for defensive-minded Ravens to pass up."
