NFL Draft 2011: Baltimore Ravens Team Draft Retrospective

This article is part of a series that looks at each NFL team’s recent draft history with the hope of extracting information about the way they think and the players they value. The analysis is limited to the past five drafts in the interest of relevance, and the first three rounds because that’s where most impact players are taken.

This entry will focus on the Baltimore Ravens.

DRAFT HISTORY

In the past five years, the Ravens have taken the following players in the early rounds. Their positions and the rounds in which they were drafted are listed next to their names.

2006:   Haloti Ngata, DT (1)

            Chris Chester, C (2)

            David Pittman, CB (3)

2007:   Ben Grubbs, G (1)

            Yamon Figurs, WR (3)

            Marshal Yanda, OT (3)

2008:   Joe Flacco, QB (1)

            Ray Rice, RB (2)

            Tavares Gooden, LB (3)

            Tom Zbikowski, S (3)

            Oniel Cousins, OT (3)

2009:   Michael Oher, OT (1)

            Paul Kruger, DE (2)

            Lardarius Webb, CB (3)

2010:   Sergio Kindle, DE (2)

            Terrence Cody, DT (2)

            Ed Dickson, TE (3)

BREAKDOWN BY POSITION

Here is the number of players the Ravens have drafted for each position:

Offensive tackle: 3

Cornerback: 2

Defensive end: 2

Defensive tackle: 2

Center: 1

Guard: 1

Linebacker: 1

Quarterback: 1

Running back: 1

Safety: 1

Tight end: 1

Wide receiver: 1

IMPACT

Haloti Ngata is one of the top defensive linemen in the league and versatile to boot. Michael Oher is a very good right tackle, but wasn’t as effective this past year playing the left side. Chris Chester, Ben Grubbs and Marshal Yanda are all solid linemen. Joe Flacco is a talented young quarterback, but has struggled with some inopportunely timed turnovers thus far in his career. Ray Rice is one of the top halfbacks in the league, and also contributes in the passing game and as a blocker. Tom Zbikowski is a solid safety. Ed Dickson shows some potential at tight end.

Overall, the Ravens have consistently put out winning teams. However, they just can’t seem to overcome their No. 1 nemesis—the Pittsburgh Steelers.

TRENDS

General manager Ozzie Newsome has invested a lot in his offensive line, expending no fewer than five early picks on it. He has done a good job evaluating that talent as well, so his strategy has paid off and kept his young quarterback safe.

The other line has gotten some attention too, with two tackles and one 3-4 end being taken (the other DE, Sergio Kindle, was converted to outside linebacker). Keeping up in the AFC North means making sure you don’t get pushed around by the Steelers and Newsome understands the value of reinforcing the trenches.

Conversely, the offensive skill positions haven’t been addressed early very often. The Ravens have preferred to rely on veterans at receiver. However, Ray Rice, the lone RB taken in this span, has turned out to be a steal in the second round.

2011 Outlook

Baltimore has been a well run franchise that contends year in and year out, but they just can’t seem to get past the hated Steelers. These two squads are in a perpetual arms race to stack their trenches, and the first question Ozzie Newsome asks himself every offseason must be whether either of his lines needs any help.

In this case, they could look for some upgrades. The fate of the offensive line rests largely on the health of OT Jared Gaither and whether Marshal Yanda or Chris Chester leaves in free agency. It wouldn’t be surprising for Baltimore to look for a tackle. This isn’t the most pressing need, so they can wait until Round 3 and grab someone like James Brewer (Indiana) or Joseph Barksdale (LSU).

On the defensive side, they locked up Haloti Ngata for at least another year with the franchise tag, and they have second year player Terrence Cody waiting in the wings. However, Kelly Gregg and Cory Redding are both into their 30's, so the Ravens need to think about bringing in some reinforcements.

This year boasts a great defensive line class, so the Ravens could nab someone like Muhammad Wilkerson (Temple) or Cameron Heyward (Ohio State) in the first. Even if they wait until the second, quality linemen like Drake Nevis (LSU) should be available.

The linebacking corps could use some help too.

Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis are excellent, but the other half could use upgrades. The Ravens need to decide if Sergio Kindle, drafted last year, can shake his injuries and contribute. If not, a pass rusher selection might be in order. Brooks Reed (Arizona) and Justin Houston (Georgia) could entice them. An inside linebacker will probably be taken in the middle rounds as well. Ray Lewis can’t play forever.

Free agency could wreak havoc on the Baltimore secondary, so a cornerback may be needed. Curtis Brown (Texas) and Brandon Burton (Utah) make sense in the second or third.

The Ravens spent a lot of attention on the receiving corps last year, but it didn’t go as well as they hoped. Anquan Boldin was a huge disappointment in his first year in purple and black, but he’s too talented and cost them too much for them to give up on him. T.J. Houshmandzadeh is as good as gone, and it’s questionable how much Derrick Mason has left in the tank. If the Ravens really like a receiver such as Titus Young (Boise State) or Leonard Hankerson (Miami), they could jump on him.