Pick # 1
With the start of the first round of playoffs, the picture for the NML draft becomes a clearer. As teams battle it out for the Sammy Baugh trophy other teams are looking towards their first round picks. Eligible college players are currently submitting papers to the NML offices for the upcoming draft April 30. Nothing is certain until these college prospects make their declaration, the senior bowl takes place, and they enter the combine. What is certain, is the needs of the top NML teams to help them achieve success in the 2011 season.
The Baltimore Ravens are hard pressed to find a QB on their depth chart. Brady Quinn and Matt Flynn were ranked last out of 41 active QBs in 2010. They threw a combined 1968 yards for an average of 115 yards a game. They are both young prospects who haven’t had enough time to develop. To put it plainly, this team needs help in their aerial assault. Could a QB be the answer? The real question is: can the Ravens waste a 1st round pick on another development project? Andrew Luck was the only shot this team had at acquiring an immediate starter and because he chose to stay at Stanford this team will have to address other needs.
A key area to add depth to would be the receiver position. I believe inconsistent play from wide receivers has caused this offense to stall. Aging Donald Driver is not the answer. This team needs a serious influx of talented wide receivers to help the offense improve. Either acquiring a sound #1 through trade or the draft would help this team greatly. They could choose to move down the board with a trade of a 2nd tier receiver from another team and then acquire AJ Green or Julio Jones in the middle of the 1st round. Both are elite prospects expected to go by the end of the first day. I also like Jonathon Baldwin out of Pitt. He is fringe first round receiver with good speed and great height.
Another avenue the Ravens could take is adding to their run game. The offensive line is above standards and some later picks here might bolster their rushing attack. The Ravens only rushed for 801 yards in 2011 with 47 yards per game. Laurence Maroney, Jason Snelling, and Brandon Jackson are all back up running backs. A couple of years in the league have shown that they are not top tier quality running backs. Trading down to acquire a wide receiver and then landing Mark Ingram could potentially help a lackluster backfield. If the Ravens traded down for a solid receiver, then acquired Ingram it would help add a spark to an otherwise abysmal offense.
On the other side of the ball, the Ravens have a strong young group. Yes they did give up the 2nd most points in 2010, but they are growing and played well down the stretch. With the amount of passing done in the NML, corner backs and safeties are at a premium. The addition of ready to start Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara could help this team contain enemy wide outs. I project both of these players to go by the 10th pick. There is no safety like Eric Berry in this years draft and the Ravens would have to trade out of the 1st slot to obtain my number 1, Rahim Moore or find themselves vastly reaching. A good Safety and decent safeties can be found in the 2nd round for this team if they wish to avoid a waste of their . The most intriguing pick for this team would be a pass rusher. Von Miller the OLB would be a stretch, but Da’Quan Bowers would be an excellent fit. Projected way ahead of my other down linemen, this young man is a force not to be trifled with. He is quick off the ball and attacks tackles with violent hands. He could be this years Julius Peppers.
Best Pick: AJ Green
WR
Best Draft Move: Trade away spot for later 1st round pick and acquire a WR, DB, RB
Todd Kiper Sr: OLSEN Insider