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Draft Pick # 26
Team Name: Baltimore Ravens
GM: orli
Selection: (OT) Derrek Sherrod, Mississippi State
Draft Pick # 27
Team Name: Atlanta Falcons
GM: BTB
Selection: (DE) Justin Houston, Georgia
OT, Derrick Sherrod H: 6-5, W:321, Mississippi state
Why The Pick (Baltimore GM: Orli):
Ok, the first thing we need to know about Ozzie Newsome (Ravens GM) is his nickname - Wizard of Oz. Well, in fact, that's the second thing we need to now about him. First thing is, Ozzie Newsome has for many years picked the best player available. So mocking as the GM of the Ravens, I would like to go Ozzie's way and pick the BPA. But then, there is a significant problem. At this point of the mock draft, I have no clue which player is now number one on Ozzie's board (Cory Liguet?). So I will make a compromise and pick BPAPN.
So here we go with the 4 biggest needs of Baltimore Ravens:
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Orli's pick rationale continued...
-WR: if you watched the Ravens last year, you should remember poor play from the wide receivers, especially in the postseason, where Houshmandzadeh's dropped pass showed the true face of the Ravens WR corps: TJ is absolutely beyond his prime and the experiment with Stallworth simple didn't work out. Mason is still solid, but aging and then they have No. 1 WR in Anquan Boldin. In my opinion, Boldin wasn't as good last year as his numbers show, but he definitely deserves respect. But what's common for whole WR corps of Ravens? Lack of speed...and lack of deep threats, so we will address this fact soon.
-CB: the majority of the Ravens's corners are going to be free agents. So they can lose Wilson or Carr, and then there is the question if Foxworth is worth of $4.4 M? So there is a possibility they won't all be back for 2011 season. I haven't mentioned too, that this group of cornerbacks was struggling last year at some point.
-DE/OLB : simply, they need to find a solid pass rusher opposite Suggs, and for me it looks like Ravens Nation is seeing the lack of pass rush opposite Suggs as the most important need to address this offseason. Sergio Kindle might not play in 2011 at all, so the Ravens need to address pass rush again.
- OL: Center Birk is aging, so the Ravens are going to shift Chester to play center soon, and Yanda to play RG in 2011, not RT as he played last year. Then, there is huge hole at RT, because Gaither status is up in the air and odds are that he is not going to re-sign.
Because of above mentioned needs, potential first rounders for Ravens are:
WR: Jonathan Baldwin, local kid Torrey Smith, Titus Young - we know that Ravens WR corps is slow and aging, so I would like to give Joe Flacco a deep-threat player that excels in stretching the field vertically. For that type of role, I would prefer Torrey Smith and Titus Young, but in the first round? Is it Young, Baldwin or even Smith? It's still a reach. I think that Young is seriously overrated just because he possesses excellent speed. His value is not in the first round, same fot the others receivers except Jones and Green.
CB: Brandon Harris, Aaron Williams - Jimmy Smith is not on the board and for me there is only room for 3 cornerbacks in first round - Peterson, Amukamara, Smith (possibly Aaron Williams late, late, late, late maybe where Steelers are sitting,and it will still be a possible reach. Harris has value in the second round, and Williams, too, because it is not even clear if he is going to play safety or cornerback in NFL. I would rather give the Cowboys a chance to snag him in early second.
DE/OLB: Justin Houston - as I said, the Ravens dearly need another pass rusher, and the biggest favorite of Baltimore BeatDown is Suggs 2.0 - Justin Houston from Georgia. But for me, it isn't working. Houston is in my eyes a reach at the 26th pick and we know very well that Wizard of Oz hates reaching in first round.
OL: Nate Solder, Derrick Sherrod - Pouncey is off the board so I can't piss off all of the Steelers fans, at least it would be quite funny to watch two brothers in a division showdown on different teams rosters. Back to OT, now there are two offensive tackles with first round marks on the board. Solder is freakish athlete, but in my opinion, he is overrated. The most intriguing fact? His advantage in speed and agility, not strength, and despite this fact, he is struggling against speed rushers. I hope he can handle it at RT, but he is not my favorite. And then there is Derrick Sherrod. Solid pass blocker with good initial quickness and enough strength to be a capable run blocker, too. He can start at RT and possibly move to LT if the Ravens finally realize that Oher may be better at the right tackle position after all. I also think that Solder and Sherrod are sure first rounders, so if I select one of them, it will not be a significant reach.
* Almost forgot, Corey Liuget, 3-tech, DT - he is for me now the pure BPA, but I would rather select BPA at position of need.
So I selected Derrick Sherrod to improve the Ravens OL, because except for Oher, every other offensive lineman had his own share of problems last year. It also should give Joe Flacco a chance to hold on to the ball a bit longer, and we know very well that he likes to hold on to the ball as much as any other QB in the league. With a revitalized OL, and a new offensive line coach, the Ravens should run the ball more successfully in 2011. I hope, I selected a solid player for the Ravens in the first round, so the rest of the draft is on you Ozzie!
(AP Photo/Kerry Smith)
-- Drafttek.com ranked #21 Overall, #3 at the position
-- Wes Bunting, National Football Post: #24 Overall, #3 at the position
Impression: A smooth, graceful blocker with good range, change of direction skills and quickness in both the run and pass game. Needs to learn to play a little lower, but has the ability to mirror in space and possesses the makeup of a starting left tackle in the NFL.
-- CBSSports.com ranked #25 overall, #5 at the position
-- Scout.com ranked #22 overall, #4 at the position
-- Mike Mayock ranked outside top 32
Pass blocking: Good initial quickness. Eases out of his stance and has the lateral agility and balance to mirror the defender. Good hand strength and has long arms that he uses to latch onto and control his opponent. Generally plays with good knee-bend and leverage, but can lose his anchor when he tires. Can become fundamentally lazy and lean into the defender; gets knocked off-balance and gives up the inside lane. Should improve in this area with greater focus on his technique, but has an upside-down triangle build due to broad shoulders and relatively narrow hips, making him top-heavy and susceptible to being overpowered. Among his better attributes is his recognition. Recognizes the blitz coming and gets a good initial pop on his primary target (defensive end) before passing him off to the guard and working his way outside to catch the rushing linebacker or stunting defensive tackle.
Run blocking: Comes off the ball too high and lacks the pad level and power to consistently knock defenders off the line. Good quickness and hand strength to turn and seal off defenders from the play. Good recognition to release from double-team and get out to the second level. Scouts would like to see him finish blocks with more authority before releasing.
Pulling/trapping: Good initial quickness to release to the second level, but has only average agility to re-direct in the open field. Locates his target, but has to do a better job of anticipating where the defender is going. Isn't fluid enough to change direction and hit the moving target. Too often extends his arms, "catching" the linebacker, which could result in penalty flags when playing against NFL-caliber athletes. Good trap blocker due to his initial quickness, big frame and recognition.
Initial Quickness: Good, though not elite, initial quickness off the snap. Has the agility and long arms to handle most right defensive ends (and thus remain at left tackle), but due to the fact that he is a bit top-heavy and lacks elite balance, is susceptible to quick jab-steps outside and spin or counter moves back to the inside. Is quick enough in the running game to turn and seal off the defender, creating a wall from which the running back can bounce off from.
Downfield: Gives good effort to block downfield. Above-average straight-line speed, though his average balance keeps him from being as effective at the second level as his speed and size would indicate. Gets in the way of defenders and has the wingspan to alter their path, but struggles re-directing his charge.
(AP Photo/John Amis, File)
-- Drafttek.com ranked #28 Overall, #7 at the position
-- Wes Bunting, National Football Post: #54 Overall, #10 at the position
Impression: An explosive pass rusher who has been productive in the SEC the past two seasons and knows how to consistently threaten the corner. Has the fluidity to develop a counter move, but needs some time. Looks like a potential impact-caliber pass rusher at the next level.
-- CBSSports.com ranked #40 overall, #10 at the position
-- Scout.com ranked #28 overall, rated as 3-4 OLB
-- Mike Mayock ranked outside top 32
Read and React: A work in progress. Typically asked to rush the passer in the Georgia scheme but shows moderate overall awareness dropping into coverage. Locates the ball quickly and shows good flexibility and balance to scrape and pursue.
Run Defense: Lacks the bulk to move back to defensive end on a full-time basis in the NFL. As a linebacker, has good upper-body strength and arm length to fight off blocks at the point of attack. Locates the ball quickly. Keeps blockers off his chest and shows some explosiveness in his hands to disengage. Good balance and lateral agility to keep his feet while fighting through blocks.
Pass Defense: At his best rushing upfield. Fires off the snap with an explosive burst from a three-point stance and as a stand-up pass rusher. Shows some agility to elude blockers. Good flexibility and balance to dip under the blocker's reach and the burst to plant his foot and drive toward the ballcarrier. Has a closing burst when the ball is near.
Tackling: Has good but not elite lateral agility to break down in the open field to make one-on-one tackles. Good strength for the drag-down tackle. Generates explosiveness as a hitter, bringing his hips through to launch himself into the ballcarrier. Has the awareness to attempt to knock the ball out in pursuit but had only two forced fumbles in three seasons.
Pass Rush/Blitz: His greatest strength is his explosive burst upfield. Varies his speed off the edge, showing the speed to cross the pass blocker's face and beat him around the corner, as well as the quick feet and balance to fake outside and cut back inside. Learning to use his hands, but is not as developed in this area as you might expect, considering his time as a defensive end. Relies on his burst to beat blockers, and lacks a repertoire of rush moves. A bit of a one-trick pony. Too often stymied when his speed off the edge is contained.
| Draft Pick | Team | 2010 Record | Assigned GM | Team Needs | Selection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carolina | (2-14) | Alexcomestokill | 4-3 DT, 4-3 DE, WR1, WR2, WR3, CB | AJ Green |
| 2 | Denver | (4-12) | Sean N | 4-3 DT, 4-3 DE, FS, SS, 4-3 OLB, 4-3 ILB, TE, ROT | Nick Fairley |
| 3 | Buffalo | (4-12) | BTB | Everything except RB and WR, Kitchen Sink | Marcel Dareus |
| 4 | Cincinatti | (4-12) | staubachfan | QB, 4-3 DT, WR, 4-3 DE, FS, 4-3 MLB, OG, OC | Patrick Peterson |
| 5 | Arizona | (5-11) | howboutdemcowboyz | QB, 3-4 OLB, CB, OG, LOT | Cam Newton |
| 6 | Cleveland | (5-11) | BlueEyedDevil | 4-3 DE, 4-3 OLB, 4-3 MLB, WR, FS, CB | Robert Quinn |
| 7 | San Francisco | (6-10) | regaberto | 3-4 DT, 3-4 OLB, CB, OC, QB | Von Miller |
| 8 | Tennesee | (6-10) | accidentalinnuendo | QB, CB, 4-3 DE, 4-3 OLB, 4-3 MLB | Da'Quan Bowers |
| 9 | Dallas | (6-10) | ChiaCrack | ROT, FS, OG, SS, CB, SILB, WILB, 3-4 DE, 3-4 OLB | Tyron Smith |
| 10 | Washington | (6-10) | Creasy729 | QB,RB, WR, OG, OC, 3-4DT, 3-4 OLB, FS, CB | Blaine Gabbert |
| 11 | Houston | (6-10) | I am Ironman! | 3-4 DE, 3-4 DT, 3-4 OLB, FS, CB | Prince Amukamara |
| 12 | Minnesota | (6-10) | KJDH2154 | QB, WR, 4-3 DT, 4-3 DE, FS, LOT, OG, | Jake Locker |
| 13 | Detroit | (6-10) | DIRE WOLF | CB, 4-3 OLB, MLB, ROT, OG, WR | Anthony Castonzo |
| 14 | St. Louis | (7-9) | Squishmytomato | WR, 4-3 DR, 4-3 OLB, 4-3 DE, FS, CB, OG, OC, SS | Julio Jones |
| 15 | Miami | (7-9) | iCoach | QB, 3-4 OLB, SS, OC, OG, 3-4 MLB, RB, WR | Mark Ingram |
| 16 | Jacksonville | (8-8) | gogokroz | 4-3 DE, 4-3 MLB, CB, QB, WR, OG, | Aldon Smith |
| 17 | New England | (14-2) | fivetwos | 3-4 DE, 3-4 OLB, CB, RB, WR, OG, OT | Cameron Jordan |
| 18 | San Diego | (9-7) | salas88 | 3-4 DE, 3-4 OLB, FS, CB, WR, OT | JJ Watt |
| 19 | NY Giants | (10-6) | Jeterian 2 | C, RB, OT, 4-3 OLB, SS, CB | Mike Pouncey |
| 20 | Tampa Bay | (10-6) | Blustartatoo | 4-3 DE, 4-3 MLB, FS, CB, OG, LOT, 4-3 OLB, ROT, TE, OC, WR | Ryan Kerrigan |
| 21 | Kansas City | (10-6) | Becho | 3-4 DT, WR, OC, ROT, 3-4 OLB, RB, 3-4 SLB, | Gabe Carimi |
| 22 | Indianapolis | (10-6) | BTB | 4-3 DT, 4-3 OLB, FS, CB, WR, OG, OC, OT | Muhammad Wilkerson |
| 23 | Philadelphia | (10-6) | JimmyK | CB, OG, 4-3 DE, 4-3 OLB, 4-3 MLB, SS, OT | Jimmy Smith |
| 24 | New Orleans | (11-5) | MicThaRock | RB, 4-3 DT, 4-3 DE, CB, 4-3 OLB | Adrian Clayborn |
| 25 | Seattle | (7-9) | Rena | QB, 4-3 DT, CB, WR, OT, OG | Colin Kaepernick |
| 26 | Baltimore | (12-4) | orli | WR, OT, CB, FS, SS, OG, TE, | Derrek Sherrod |
| 27 | Atlanta | (13-3) | BTB | 4-3 DE, CB, WR, OT, TE, RB | Justin Houston |