Posts Tagged ‘Baltimore Ravens’

26. Baltimore Ravens

-Tyson Jackson (DE/LSU)

Tyson Jackson (NFL.com)

It’d hard to argue that a team that played the Super Bowl Champion within an inch of their life has a lack of talent on its roster. For Baltimore, they are facing depth issues at a few select positions more than being without a viable starter. They could use another receiver to take over for Derrick Mason, a defensive end to challenge  Trevor Pryce, the replacement for Bart Scott and backup for Ray Lewis, and another good cornerback to add depth..

Ravens’ GM Ozzie Newsome came into the organization in 2002, after the previous regime already established a strong defensive talent base.  But over the past two seasons, in his attempt to upgrade the offense by using each of his first 2 draft choices on offensive players, some of the core defensive players have aged. CB’s Chris McAllister and Samari Rolle were released, Ray Lewis is about to turn 34, and DE Trevor Pryce is a spry 34 too.

At the 26th pick, DE Tyson Jackson makes great sense as Baltimorebeatdown.com humorously puts it:

“when a super talented defensive lineman who perfectly fits your system at a position where your starter is 34 and there is no heir apparent falls to you, you thank God for blessing your team and waltz write up to the podium and take him.”

The LSU lineman has the versatility, desire, and intelligence to absolutely thrive in the Ravens defense. A perfect fit for 3-4 defensive end, Jackson is a great run stuffer at 6’4 295 lbs.

-Trade Up (for Rey Maualuga)

You just know that the Ravens are drooling over a guy with the nasty demeanor of Rey Maualuga. The guy is a thunderous hitter that could very well pick up the torch when Ray Lewis retires. Those Polynesian football players play the game with reckless abandon, and Baltimore has had terrific success with another Polynesian player by the name of Haloti Ngata who was a former rugby player. It just so happens that Maualuga also happens to fill one of position that Bart Scott just vacated, thus adding more value to this possibility. If the Ravens plan on getting an immediate starter to go beside Lewis, then the options outside of Maualuga are relatively slim.

-Darius Butler (CB/Connecticut)

Darius Butler (NFL.com)

As mentioned earlier, former bookend corners McAllister and Rolle have been cut, leaving vacancies to be filled by injury-prone Fabian Washington, up-and-comer Domonique Foxworth, and backups. I’m not sure exactly how the defense will change under new coordinator Greg Mattison, but if it is anything like Rex Ryan’s attacking style, he will want another young, athletic, instinctive cornerback opposite Washington.

UConn’s Darius Butler claims that the Ravens are one of the two teams that have shown great interest in him lately. With his athleticism and coverage instincts, he is a steal at #26. Personally, I would have thought the Ravens would want a guy who is known for more aggression. But Butler is very similar to Fabian Washington in that I believe he will get the message sent by his fellow teammates that physicality is expected from a Raven defender. If Butler is chosen, he should be honored to play with such a proud group of football players.

You can be sure that his cousin, Willis McGahee is talking up Butler to Ravens personnel, too!

Next on the clock: Indianapolis Colts

See entire Hybrid Mock Draft here

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