The marathon that will be the 2010 NFL Draft begins this Thursday night. While you always have to be cautious when listening to NFL Executives this time of year, I tend to believe what you are hearing come from the Castle in Owings Mills. That being, while the Ravens would love the opportunity to trade down from their 25th overall pick in the 1st-round, and pick up additional picks – it does not seem likely to occur. That leads many to believing the Ravens should move Gaither and use him to pick-up an additional pick. I also do not see that happening.
With that in-mind, my focus remains on who appears likely to be available to the Ravens in the 1st round. Overall, I continue to believe the Ravens want to address the DL, and TE positions during the first two-rounds. The wild-card here is figuring out exactly what Baltimore internally thinks about their Secondary.
You continue to hear they anticipate Reed’s return, but just how confident are they? Behind him, how is Nakamura progressing from his injury? Ultimately I believe the Ravens will look at Saftey as non-pressing issue.
You are looking at a possibly different scenario at CB. If healthy, I like the CB trio of Foxworth, Webb, and Washington. If the Ravens are not sold on the ability of Webb, and Washington to be ready, they are going to have to address CB in these first two-rounds. DeCosta went to great lengths last year telling the local media you could never have enough Corners, and that you needed to select them early. Certainly the latest Mock Drafts below bear that out.
NFL.com posted April 17th:
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d8178682f&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
25. Baltimore Ravens
Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
The Ravens need to fortify their interior defense after losing Bannan and Edwards in free agency. Cody gives the team a mammoth nose tackle that is nearly impossible to move off the ball. He teams with Ngata to form an impenetrable wall at the point of attack. (Previous pick: Dan Williams)
Pro Football Weekly posted April 12th:
http://www.profootballweekly.com/2010/04/12/georgia-techs-thomas-climbs-up-draft-boards
25. Baltimore Ravens
CB Kyle Wilson, Boise State
The Ravens’ current cornerback situation is thin, with no greater need, and Wilson can play the physical press-and-trail coverage frequently employed by the club.
National Football Post posted April 16th:
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Mock-draft-60.html
25. Baltimore Ravens
Chris Cook, CB, Virginia
This might be a little high for Cook, but the Ravens need to add talent and size to their cornerback position, and no one has more in this year’s draft than him.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.