Another option in Round One:
ALEC OGLETREE
6’3″, 236 lbs. , Georgia
Strengths:
-Excellent burst to the ball carrier
-Can deliver big hits
-Light on his feet and pursues well
Weaknesses:
-Off-field issues (DUI arrest)
-Misses too many tackles and at times takes improper angles
-Difficulty shedding larger blockers such as pulling guards/full backs
Ogletree has the feel of boom or bust about him. His athleticism is impressive among others at his position and many feel he is the top rated backer in his group. He also exhibits some potential red flags that would cause him to fall to Baltimore at pick #32.
He has issues in the run game and was abused in the SEC championship game as larger opposing players were able to blow him off the ball. Otherwise he had a solid stat line with 111 tackles (11.5 for a loss). Some of those issues were technical while others speak more to his average strength. He seems more at ease in open space than when engaged with a blocker.
The most recent DUI arrest in February is just one of the bad decisions that Ogletree has made over the course of his three years as a Bulldog. He was suspended for four-games at the start of 2012 for a failed drug test and during his freshman season he was suspended for stealing a scooter helmet. You wonder if some teams may totally eliminate him from their draft boards due to his shaky past.
A converted Safety Ogletree has solid balls skills in coverage. He was a middle backer at Georgia but he seems to project better as an outside linebacker due to his speed and explosive rush off the edge. That is where his skills may be best suited and maybe why the Ravens may take a chance on him when their pick is up.
Matt has lived in Maryland his entire life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall and Towson University. has always been an avid Baltimore sports fan. Since 2007, he has been writing and talking about Baltimore sports, especially the Ravens. His work has appeared on Ravens Gab, Russell Street Report, and he currently co-hosts a podcast “The Blitz- A Ravens podcast” with Brent Harris.