Ravens Draft

DiamondDave · 05-01-2007, 08:34 AM

Well... certainly not the most exciting draft for Baltimore. No big moves. No huge names. Not much press or praise from the 'experts'. But I think we had a productive draft.

1) We got an OL that we seriously needed in Grubbs. He was the top Guard in the draft, and we needed work on the OL. He should be an immediate opening day starter and an instant improvement. Getting him at 29 was quite the steal, IMHO. Many had him rated as a top 15 talent.

2) Yamon Figurs was a shock that high in round 3, but he also immediately fills another need. I do not think, with his hands of stone, that we will be seeing him on offense, but he should IMMEDIATELY be the replacement for Sams in the return game. This was the fastest person in the draft, bar none. His return ability is there but needs polished.

3) Marshal Yanda is a versatile OL. He should be able to play Guard or Tackle, as needed. He has strength issues, which is why he did not go higher, but he has the size and stature to be a starter for us. He may not be right away, but probably in a season or so.

4) Antwan Barnes is who the Ravens think will be the eventual replacement for Thomas. He is versatile as a LB, but I do not think we will see him playing any DE like Thomas occasionally did. He is just too light for that. I have faith that the Ravens know what they are doing with this though, we have always seemed to find the hidden defensive gems. He needs education and technique work, but that is why we have a guy like Ray Lewis, to help these youngsters get to their potential.

5) Leron Mcclain could end up being our opening day fullback. He is a freight train of a blocker, and should help immensely with McGahee. The problem is that he is not really a receiver at FB, and that is something the Ravens like. We may have to change the playbook a bit with him at FB.

6) Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith is a nice addition. While I must say I am disappointed with not getting one of the 2nd tier QB's, getting Smith in round 5 was nice. He needs to learn the mental part of the game. The kid has tools but does not know really how to use them His improvisation is not good enough to carry him at the pro level.

7) Prescott Burgess is sort of your ho-hum OLB, which is why he was taken as our last pick. He has decent size at 240 or so, he was a pretty decent tackler in college, but he simply does not have the strength or speed, as of yet, to play in a defensive role in the pros. At most he could be special teams, and if not I think he is destined for the practice squad.

JoseA · 05-02-2007, 09:38 PM

Ben Grubbs and Marshal Yanda will surely help out the OL and provide some protection for McNair.

With Steve McNair mentouring Troy Smith I say watch out, Smith could become a pretty decent QB if he puts his mind to it.

It's too bad the top wideouts (Bowe, Ginn, Meacham) were gone at the 29th pick, but Grubbs was solid I guess at 29th.

05-01-2007, 08:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
DiamondDave Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: MD, on the Potomac River Posts: 5,390	Ravens Draft Well... certainly not the most exciting draft for Baltimore. No big moves. No huge names. Not much press or praise from the 'experts'. But I think we had a productive draft. 1) We got an OL that we seriously needed in Grubbs. He was the top Guard in the draft, and we needed work on the OL. He should be an immediate opening day starter and an instant improvement. Getting him at 29 was quite the steal, IMHO. Many had him rated as a top 15 talent. 2) Yamon Figurs was a shock that high in round 3, but he also immediately fills another need. I do not think, with his hands of stone, that we will be seeing him on offense, but he should IMMEDIATELY be the replacement for Sams in the return game. This was the fastest person in the draft, bar none. His return ability is there but needs polished. 3) Marshal Yanda is a versatile OL. He should be able to play Guard or Tackle, as needed. He has strength issues, which is why he did not go higher, but he has the size and stature to be a starter for us. He may not be right away, but probably in a season or so. 4) Antwan Barnes is who the Ravens think will be the eventual replacement for Thomas. He is versatile as a LB, but I do not think we will see him playing any DE like Thomas occasionally did. He is just too light for that. I have faith that the Ravens know what they are doing with this though, we have always seemed to find the hidden defensive gems. He needs education and technique work, but that is why we have a guy like Ray Lewis, to help these youngsters get to their potential. 5) Leron Mcclain could end up being our opening day fullback. He is a freight train of a blocker, and should help immensely with McGahee. The problem is that he is not really a receiver at FB, and that is something the Ravens like. We may have to change the playbook a bit with him at FB. 6) Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith is a nice addition. While I must say I am disappointed with not getting one of the 2nd tier QB's, getting Smith in round 5 was nice. He needs to learn the mental part of the game. The kid has tools but does not know really how to use them His improvisation is not good enough to carry him at the pro level. 7) Prescott Burgess is sort of your ho-hum OLB, which is why he was taken as our last pick. He has decent size at 240 or so, he was a pretty decent tackler in college, but he simply does not have the strength or speed, as of yet, to play in a defensive role in the pros. At most he could be special teams, and if not I think he is destined for the practice squad. __________________ Reagan in 08... Even though he's dead, he's the better choice! Superdelegates - Because even the Democratic party knows it's base is too stupid to make really important decisions.

05-02-2007, 09:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
JoseA Moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA Posts: 2,097	Ben Grubbs and Marshal Yanda will surely help out the OL and provide some protection for McNair. With Steve McNair mentouring Troy Smith I say watch out, Smith could become a pretty decent QB if he puts his mind to it. It's too bad the top wideouts (Bowe, Ginn, Meacham) were gone at the 29th pick, but Grubbs was solid I guess at 29th. __________________ Register here and join the discussion