All signs point towards the Ravens selecting Boston College QB Matt Ryan with the 8^th pick in the 1^st round, assuming the consensus #1 QB prospect is still on the board.  

Possessing off-the-chart intangibles (intangibles inherently can’t be measured with charts anyways though, right?), a solid arm, and All-ACC pedigree, Ryan appears to be the answer to the franchise’s eternal quest to find a franchise quarterback. 

Despite his fantastic senior season (59.3% passes completed, 4,507 yards, and 31 touchdowns), some draft experts doubt Ryan’s ability to develop into an elite player.

The most glaring issue is Ryan’s tendency to throw interceptions, as evidenced by the 19 he tossed last season.

The high total is somewhat deceptive, says NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock.  After studying film of all 19 INTs Mayock declared he was “not even a bit” troubled by the rash of turnovers. 

Instead, Mayock fingers Ryan’s suspect receiving corps.

“The reason is he is trying to make a play.  He doesn’t have wideouts who can uncover from a decent corner,” Mayock contends.                                                                                                                                 
Baltimore coveted Ryan long before QB Steve McNair’s surprise retirement on April 17, but with other glaring needs and Ryan previously projected to be drafted in the top five, the prospect of the BC signal-caller wearing purple and black seemed unlikely. 

The Dolphins (#1), Falcons (#3), and Chiefs (#5) all were considered interested in Ryan.   However, Ryan’s stock has fallen in the eyes of some teams picking before the Ravens and they seem to be looking in different directions.

Miami has been in serious contract talks with OT Jake Long.  The Falcons now seem enamored with DT Glenn Dorsey and the Chiefs recent shopping of DE Jared Allen makes DE Vernon Gholston a more logical pick for them. 

A bigger hurdle for the Ravens snatching Ryan is a potential move by the Carolina Panthers, who hold the #13 pick and are also desperate for a franchise quarterback.

Moving up from #13 to #7 would be quite pricy for Carolina, though.  According to the Trade Value Chart posted on nfldraftcountdown.com, such a transaction would require the Panthers giving up, in addition to the #13 pick, either its 2^nd round pick or 3^rd and 4^th round selections. 

In addition to decreasing interest in Ryan from other teams, the certainty of the Ravens selecting Ryan increased with GM Ozzie Newsome’s comments following the quarterback’s press conference.

"This (McNair’s retirement) will not impact our decision in the draft, not one iota," said Newsome.

If one takes Newsome at his word, the only logical conclusion from this statement is that the Ravens decided to select a QB in the first round 2008 draft before McNair’s announcement, since his departure certainly highlights the team’s need for one. 

So, it certainly seems that ESPN’s John Clayton will be correct with his claim that that there is “no way” the Ravens would pass on Ryan at #8. 

With the draft about as predictable as one of Kyle Boller’s passes, however, there is a good chance that the Ravens will be forced to trade up for Ryan or watch him don the hat of another team.

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