Baltimore Ravens: Building a 2012 NFL Draft Big Board

Every team constructs their draft-day big boards a little differently, but I am of the opinion teams should only list the players they personally have interest in, either based on their talent level or how well they fit specific needs.

With that in mind, here is a brief, 15-player big board for the Baltimore Ravens that should reflect the players they are targeting with their first-round pick.

1. Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Bryant McKinnie will be sticking around for one more season, but he still needs to get his weight under control, and regardless, he won't likely be with the Ravens beyond 2012. If the team could find a better starter this year, McKinnie could be phased out and used as depth.

Granted, the Ravens won't land USC's Matt Kalil (he's likely to be taken in the top five), but he needs to be at the top of their big board. He's the best player who also fills an immediate need.

2. Peter Konz, C/OG, Wisconsin

The Ravens need a guard right now to replace Ben Grubbs and will need a center either next season or in 2014, when Matt Birk retires.

Wisconsin's Peter Konz can play both positions, starting out at guard this year and then ultimately moving to center. That kind of versatility on the line is something the Ravens sorely need this year.

3. Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Replacing Ben Grubbs is literally the Ravens' top priority in this year's draft, so I will be surprised if they don't go with an offensive lineman with their first-round pick. The only way they don't is if their top targets are all spoken for, including Georgia's Cordy Glenn.

Glenn can also play tackle if need be down the line. He has long arms and is a great run blocker and pass protector.

4. Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Ravens director of player personnel Eric DeCosta said this draft will be about meeting needs and especially building depth, and bringing on inside linebackers who could ultimately make an impact as starters is part of that.

If the Ravens can't land the offensive lineman of their dreams in the first round, defense would be their No. 2 priority. Alabama's Dont'a Hightower is still a bit raw but can be rotated in this year and ultimately developed to be a starter.

5. Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Ravens have lost safety depth (as well as special teams acumen) when free agents Haruki Nakamura and Tom Zbikowski went elsewhere. But now starter Ed Reed is also threatening to retire without a new, lucrative deal.

So the safety situation in Baltimore is on the precipice of going from not good to very bad, depending on what happens with Reed.

Even if Reed sticks around in 2012, he's certainly close to retirement, and snagging his replacement will be a major issue for the Ravens this or next year. So it's no surprise that they would have the league's best safety, Mark Barron, high on their draft board.

6. Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Why is Stephen Hill on the Ravens' board above other, generally higher-ranked wide receivers? Simply because the Ravens seem to have very serious interest in him.

He will work well on the other side of the field from Torrey Smith, with his impressive speed (at least at the scouting combine), height and great hands. Other receivers may be "better," but Hill is best for the Ravens. There's an outside chance they pick him up in the first round.

7. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Some of those so-called "better" receivers are still on the Ravens' draft board, because they simply cannot be ignored.

Michael Floyd will be spoken for by the time the Ravens' first-round pick comes around, but that doesn't mean they don't have their eye on him.

8. Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

The Ravens lost linebacker Jarret Johnson to the San Diego Chargers in free agency, leaving a hole at the position. While Kuechly isn't an exact copy of Johnson, he does still provide a similar run-stopping ability, and his pursuit tackling of running backs would be a great complement to the pass-rushers around him.

9. Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

One thing the Ravens want to do in this year's draft is upgrade and increase depth in their pass rush. Alabama's Courtney Upshaw certainly fits the bill, but his high level of talent means the Ravens won't have a chance to get him with how late they pick in the first round.

10. Nick Perry, DE, USC

USC's Nick Perry is more of a 4-3 defensive end, but his speed makes him suitable to switch to 3-4 outside linebacker.

Again, the Ravens are looking to add more pass-rushers to their ranks. If they think Perry could make the switch smoothly, they could nab him as an eventual starter.

11. Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

Not every team will have Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler so high on their big board, but with the Ravens needing a starting guard and not guaranteed to land any of the other first-round prospects, that could easily vault Zeitler into their top 15.

Wisconsin is known to produce excellent offensive linemen, so it's doubtful they'd be disappointed with him.

12. Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

Again, the Ravens have just two safeties on the roster at the moment, and Ed Reed's status is currently shaky.

Notre Dame's Harrison Smith might not be their most compelling of first-round picks, but he must be high on their board simply because of his talent level and how well he meets one of their most immediate needs.

13. Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus is a vicious pass-rusher who could potentially still be available for the Ravens' first-round pick. Again, this is another merger of need and talent that puts him in the top 15 of the Ravens' big board.

14. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Ravens do need to acknowledge their (marginal) need at cornerback. Depth has been depleted, and though they're guaranteed the services of Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith for seasons to come, No. 3 corner Cary Williams is set to be an unrestricted free agent next year.

The Ravens will likely look to a later round to find depth at the position, but Dre Kirkpatrick is the kind of player who needs to be on the Ravens' board if they have even a slight need at corner. 

15. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Rumors—mostly unfounded—about Alshon Jeffery's issues with weight and motivation have seen his draft stock slip a little, so the Ravens might land him in the first round if receiver is the direction they want to go with the pick.

There are few questions about his talent, and he has an incredible amount of upside.

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