Reviewing 3 of the Baltimore Ravens' Team Needs in 2012 NFL Draft

We're a month away from this year's NFL draft, so teams are continuing to take hard looks at their areas of need and trying to match them with players projected to go in any and all rounds.

Here are three of the positions the Baltimore Ravens should be prioritizing in this year's draft, and a few players who could be good fits.

Offensive Line (All Positions)

Losing left guard Ben Grubbs in free agency—without being able to bring on a legitimate veteran replacement—means that the Ravens are going to have to find their starter in the draft.

Starting tackles Michael Oher and Bryant McKinnie aren't as effective as they should be and center Matt Birk is in the last year or two of his career. The offensive line is going to be a major focus for the Ravens in next month's draft. 

The question is whether it's an area the Ravens will address in the first round. If so, Wisconsin's Peter Konz would be a great pickup at center; if they want to go center in the second round, then Michigan's David Molk should still be on the board.

Baltimore does have two starting tackles, so they'll likely wait until later rounds if they want to add a player who can serve as depth in the short-term and potentially become a starter. Auburn's Brandon Mosley, Iowa's Markus Zucevics and Florida State's Andrew Datko could be among their targets.

Of any offensive line position the Ravens could choose to fill in the first round, it's guard. Losing a player like Grubbs surely stings, and the talent pool of potential starters drops off after the first eight to 10 prospects.

The Ravens would love to see a player like Cordy Glenn still on the board when they pick 29th overall, but it's not likely he will be. Next-best options include Troy's James Brown, Wisconsin's Kevin Zeitler, Illinois' Jeff Allen and Iowa State's Kelechi Osemele.

Wide Receiver

Only two wide receivers are guaranteed Ravens starters right now—Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin. The team also has Tandon Doss rostered up, but it doesn't look like he'll get much action on offense with the Ravens more interested in keeping him primarily as a special teamer.

The Ravens are working hard to negotiate a contract extension with quarterback Joe Flacco, so it's imperative that they provide him with more weapons for the money to be truly well spent. It's a deep draft class for wide receivers this year, so the Ravens shouldn't have trouble picking up a playmaker in rounds two through four.

In fact, they could pick up two. A number of receivers would be perfect for Baltimore, ranging from feature types to possession players including Arizona's Juron Criner, Marvin Jones from Cal, Wisconsin's Nick Toon, Michigan's Junior Hemingway, Miami's Tommy Streeter, Appalachian State's Brian Quick and Ohio State's DeVier Posey.

That's a long list, but the Ravens should be looking at even more than just these seven players; receiver is a major need this year, and they should leave no draft stone unturned in their search for another starting wideout.

Linebacker

No, the Ravens aren't likely to find their successor to Ray Lewis in this year's draft (at least, according to Mel Kiper)—but can they ever? It's not just the way he plays the game, it's also his leadership that has made him practically irreplaceable.

But Lewis can't play the game forever, and the Ravens have yet to bring on a player who can match his intensity and skill level. This year's draft might provide them with a player worth grooming for another few seasons, but they're better holding off until next year.

However, outside linebacker is an immediate need they can fill in 2012. Though the team is hopeful that Sergio Kindle can play, and play well this year, a proper Plan B is worth consideration.

The Ravens could go this route in the first round and select a player like South Carolina's Melvin Ingram or Illinois' Whitney Mercilus. Later in the draft, Troy's Jonathan Massaquoi, Syracuse's Chandler Jones or Marshall's Vinny Curry could be possibilities for Baltimore.

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