| Carl Setterlund. 20th April, 2006 - 3:03 am
 2005-06 Record: 6-10
Draft Position: 13th
Picks:
1st Round: 13
2nd Round: 44
3rd Round: none
4th Round: 111, 132
5th Round: 146, 166
6th Round: 181, 203, 208
7th Round: 219
Team needs: There is still a need for a quarterback in Baltimore, but knowing how stubborn Brian Billick is, even if Jay Cutler is still around at thirteen, the Ravens seem destined to go with at least one more season of Kyle Boller. Don’t be surprised though if the Ravens go after a QB later in the first day. Surprisingly, it is the characteristically weak Ravens offense that has the least holes to fill, although admittedly there is a need for quality offensive linemen past Jonathan Ogden. The trademark defense is really what I expect Ozzie Newsome to pay the most attention to. With the departure of Will Demps to the New York (football) Giants, there is a gaping hole at free safety and with few free agent alternatives it’s almost a certainty that this will be concentrated on in the early going of the draft. DT Maake Kemoeatu and DE Anthony Weaver are departed starters on the defensive line and only DE Trevor Pryce has been brought in to replace them. I’m nothing great at math, but I think that indicates some work on the interior defensive line has to be done. Along with the needs on the line and at safety, cornerback depth is sorely needed. Behind Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister (a duo that doesn’t need any improvement) there is virtually nobody. With only two first day picks, it will be interesting to see which of these needs Baltimore decides to invest their choices on.
First round breakdown: The consensus opinion on the first round among most experts is that there aren’t really any safeties deserving of being picked at #13 outside of Michael Huff, who seems a lock to go at least in the top 10. It would be interesting to see what happens if Winston Justice is available at #13 but I don’t think that will be the case either. Behind D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Justice, there just isn’t an offensive linemen who looks like a top 15 talent. Marcus McNeill? Probably not. Most draft analyzers are in agreement that the best value will likely be at defensive tackle. I see Buffalo taking a defensive tackle at #8 and the Ravens will end up with whichever defensive tackle this Bills pass on. I’m going to theorize that the Bills favor Haloti Ngata which leaves Baltimore (that is a bad way to word it because he is still a prize) with Brodrick Bunkley.
Predicted selection - Brodrick Bunkley, Defensive Tackle, Florida State
Overall outlook: It’s hard to tell exactly how good the Ravens come out of this draft but I’m going to predict that they do pretty well. It’s deceptive because with only two first day picks it would appear that Baltimore is in trouble, but I really see things going Ozzie Newsome’s way with those first two picks. I believe they’re going to be able to address defensive tackle by getting a real quality player in the first round at #13. At #44 I think they’ll again be able to address a need while also making a value pick. Where they’re picking, quality safeties will still be available. Daniel Bullocks, Ko Simpson, Darnell Bing, all have first round talent and Baltimore will likely have their pick of who they want to team with Ed Reed. Only two picks in the top 100, but they both look to be quality picks and that’s important. Eight second day picks still leaves plenty of opportunity to bring in guys on the offensive line and at cornerback to build some more depth and to bring some competition to the positions. You look at this draft and you’ve got to believe if Ozzie Newsome has this thing mapped out right that he can come away a winner. |
