Previous Picks
1) Miami Dolphins: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
2) St. Louis Rams: Jake Long, OT, Michigan
3) Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
4) Oakland Raiders: DeSean Jackson, WR, California
5) Kansas City Chiefs: Chris Long, DE, Virginia
6) New York Jets: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
7) New England Patriots: Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State
The Longest Mock Draft in NFL History Continues...
I just recently discovered that Bleacher Report is read by over 400,000 people per month.
That’s a lot of pressure. I always assumed it was just my parents, wife, and a few other people like me reading this thing.
I handle pressure like Shaq handles foul shots—awkwardly and with very little chance of success.
I was so stressed over the potential number of readers that I actually forgot which team picked next in my mock draft. My wife assures me that it’s the Baltimore Orioles.
We’ll just assume she means the Ravens.
You can’t talk about the Baltimore Ravens without talking about Steve McNair’s quarterback play.
You can’t talk about Steve McNair’s quarterback play without laughing for at least ten minutes and then quietly suggesting a forced retirement.
Unless you’re a Baltimore fan, in which case you can’t discuss Steve McNair’s quarterback play without coming to tears.
The Ravens haven’t had a real quarterback since Trent Dilfer, who himself could only be considered marginally real (though he did get to go to Disney World…and he’s great on the NFL network).
I’m an Ohio State fan, mostly because I’m a front runner and until the BCS figures out how to add a “suck conference” factor into their ratings, the Buckeyes are pretty much guaranteed a spot in the national championship game every season, but to steal a phrase from Adam Schein, if Troy Smith is the answer, I’m not sure I want to know the question.
Kyle Boller looked good at times (especially against the Patriots), but he has one very crucial thing going against him: He’s Kyle Boller. Kyle Boller is not an NFL caliber starting quarterback.
That said, Matt Ryan is the only quarterback in this draft worth taking in the top ten. There are no other sure-thing prospects. Brian Brohm has “Chad Pennington” written all over him.
Plus, Andre Woodson and Chad Henne will be there in the second round (presumably).
They could also take a shot at Colt Brennan, but he played in a fantasy world and put up stupid numbers in college. Those guys never seem to translate their collegiate achievements into NFL success.
The Pick: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Jonathan Ogden is going to be 34 years old in July—and at times last season he looked every bit his age. John Harbaugh has said he’s not sure Ogden is going to be back next season. Even if he is, they’re going to have to start grooming his replacement.
Ryan Clady is the right guy for the job. He’s a tremendous pass blocker and a work-in-progress run blocker. He’s athletic and huge, the perfect combination for an NFL left tackle.
Whomever the Ravens go with at quarterback, whether it’s Troy Smith, Steve McNair, Kyle Boller, or a draft pick, that person will be extremely happy to have Ryan Clady guarding his blind side.
Second Choice: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
Brian Brohm was supposed to be the best quarterback prospect in the 2008 draft, but Matt Ryan has taken the undisputed lead in that category.
Brohm is a decent player, but does nothing special. He’s relatively accurate, but doesn’t have a terribly strong arm. He’s an OK leader, but probably isn’t vocal enough. He’s also been hurt quite a bit.
That said, he’s still the second best QB prospect in the draft, and the best one available at this pick, so the QB poor Ravens will certainly give him a look.
But hey, if they want a Chad Pennington they can probably get the real one from the Jets for far less than the 8th pick in the draft.
Sleeper Pick: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
The Ravens dealt with injuries in their secondary all season. To have someone like Mike Jenkins, who can start at the nickel and fill in for McAlister or Rolle in case of injury would be a pretty decent luxury to have.
Jenkins can play safety and corner, the only question is whether he can play either at a high level in the NFL.
I’m not convinced that he’s a sure-thing lockdown corner, and I’m not sure he’s the best corner in the draft, but he’d fit what Baltimore does on defense well. Plus, he’s been arrested, so he’s sure to get along with Ray Lewis.
I’m SeanMC.
SeanMC is a Columnist at Bleacher Report. His archive can be found here. You can find everything he writes, including articles for other publications, here.
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5 months ago
this article fails
from 5 months ago
I was never good at tests...
5 months ago
i think that the chances they draft offense are 90% to 10%, because unless they are stupid they relize that they lost most of their games because they couldn't play both sides of the ball.
5 months ago
good article, especially since I'm a ravens fan. I don't think another Offensive lineman is the right pick, especially since they got LT Jared Gaither from Maryland last year in the supplementary draft, who is 6'9" and 360 pounds, just like Jonathan Ogden. HOWEVER, it was smart of you to pick the OT from Boise State because it seems like Baltimore drafts a lineman in the first round every year. Last year was Grubbs and the year before that was Ngata.
from 5 months ago
Gaither is a physical freak, but I'm not sure he's the Ravens' LT of the future. I'd much rather go with Clady, and if Gaither pans out you can find another spot for him on the O-line.
The Patriots and Giants both proved that you win with linemen...both offensive and defensive.
from 5 months ago
Yep, you're right. It wouldn't be that hard to change Gaither out of his LT position and maybe put him on the other side of the line.
5 months ago
I like the firing of Brian Billick. They mostly need help on the offensive side, because I think their defense is pretty good. And Steve McNair, it's time to hang it up.
5 months ago
I like the firing of Brian Billick. They mostly need help on the offensive side, because I think their defense is pretty good. And Steve McNair, it's time to hang it up.
from 5 months ago
they hired Brian Billick to get help on the offensive side. If you didn't remember, he was the Offensive Coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings before he came to Charm City. He just didn't produce and couldn't bring offensive to the table like Rex Ryan could bring defense
5 months ago
ELI BABY MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP!
from 5 months ago
he didn't deserve that. the defense was the real reason they one, not Eli. If the defense couldn't pressure Tom Brady, it would have been the blow-out some people were expecting.
5 months ago
Its ok Cameron maybe your front running ass and the Pats can take their prettyboy faces and actually finish the job next year instead of assuming the superbowl was all ready over before they played. 9/14 140 yds 2 TDs Eli's numbers in the 4th quarter. ( I think he deserved it. This just proves my point about all of you sore Pats losers who can't deal with the fact that a manning ran your lives and sent you home two years in a row. MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP! MVP!
from 5 months ago
first of all, I'm not a patriots fan, I like the ravens, which didn't do to great this year. second, the Patriots worked for the super bowl all year long. If you remember any player quotes, they talked about getting to and winning the super bowl as opposed to the undefeated season. Third, the reason he won it was because he played slightly above average, so they just threw it at him. No one else on the team played anywhere close to mediocracy, in terms of individual performances, excpet for the defensive line. And no, Eli Manning is the best or number 1. Technically, he is ranked as the 31st best QB to play in a superbowl. HOWEVER, if you look at Justin Tuck for the Giants, he is ranked Tied for 2nd all time in sacks and tied for 37th all time in tackles. This, to me, is more impressive than Eli's feat because he comepetes against 3 other teammates and had to play against the Patriots' All-Pro offensive line.
5 months ago
You wrote, "Plus, he’s been arrested, so he’s sure to get along with Ray Lewis." Was that entirely necessary? Lewis' trial is ancient history and he's been a Bible-thumping role model ever since.
from 5 months ago
I'm not sure he's a bible-thumper, but he hasn't witnessed any murders recently, so that's good. I'm also pretty sure if I were in the same position he was in a few years ago I would have spent some time in jail. Making him fair game, as far as I'm concerned....
5 months ago
we wont draft an QB, i think troy smith will be a star for the ravens, and boller could be a nice back up, i would love to see golston fall to us at 8, or jake long. But clady would be fine too, we need a RT after JO
from 5 months ago
I'm not too high on Troy Smith. But I do think he deserves a shot...
5 months ago
I would love to see golston fall to us at 8, I dont think we will draft an QB this year, i think troy smith did enough to be starter next year, he has a great arm, and very moble, he needs the line to block for him. I would also love to see jake long to fall us at 8, but most likey that wont happen
from 5 months ago
I really hope Smith becomes a starter for us, but I don't see it happening yet. He only got to play in the 4th quarter of some games last year. He looked pretty good, but I don't think he's earned the starting role yet. What I think they should do is let Smith play in at least 2 first-half games in the preseason and see how he does. I want him to do good and be successful, but no one can tell just yet. And short QB's have a tendency to not produce as well as bigger, taller QB's.
from 5 months ago
Jake Long would be perfect...Clady's not bad though.
5 months ago
article jack the open go crow poop
from 5 months ago
Interesting comment. I'll take it under advisement.
4 months ago
Yeah they dont even really need a QB with Troy Smith hes young and inexperienced but he is good no doubt about it. But with the fact that Jonathan Ogden might retire they need to replace him and with Flynn leaving they need a new OL.
4 months ago
Yeah they dont even really need a QB with Troy Smith hes young and inexperienced but he is good no doubt about it. But with the fact that Jonathan Ogden might retire they need to replace him and with Flynn leaving they need a new OL.
4 months ago
Times like this, you wish Billick hasn't had such a big stiffy for boy toy Boller and had actually allowed Troy Smith to show what he's worth.
I disagree with Brohm being Chad Pennington. In fact, I've got Matt Ryan and his 19 interceptions as the tentative Rex Grossman of this draft.
I wouldn't mind the Ravens taking Brohm if it was just a little bit clearer whether or not Smith could be a starter. At the moment, it's all conjecture.
But for all the people promoting him as a future savior, let's take his Buckeye pedigree, his Heisman trophy and his almost-championship ring out of the picture. And what you've got left is a proposal considering retiring a starter, kicking down your backup and having your third-string quarterback start the season.
You can't tell me that doesn't sound risky.
It's like the Falcons passing up a QB in the draft and starting Chris Redman in '08.
Actually, it's worse, because at least Redman looked somewhat decent in numerous starts.
3 months ago
Ehhh....
I still think the Ravens need a LT more than a QB. Clady would be ideal... maybe even ahead of J. Long because J. Long is more of a RT-style (better run blocker than pass blocker). Any QB looks a lot better with an Ogden-like specimen guarding his blind side, anyway... besides, Troy Smith has a lot to work with around him- Pro Bowl TE (if he's healthy), Pro Bowl RB (even without a passing game), at least one decent WR (figuring at least one of Clayton and Mason will have an okay year).
At worst, you've taken the LT of the future while you pick a QB in next year's draft. Maybe they'll even be smart and make Ray Lewis take a pay cut at the end of this season? (He's in the last year of his contract and is making $14m. That's probably more than I'm worth.)
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