Baltimore Ravens 2007 NFL Draft Review

RD #

1 29 BEN GRUBBS G AUBURN

3 74 YAMON FIGURS WR/RS KANSAS STATE

3 86 MARSHALL YANDA T/G IOWA

4 134 ANTWAN BARNES DE/OLB FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL

4 137 Le'RON McLAIN FB ALABAMA

5 174 TROY SMITH QB OHIO STATE

6 207 PRESCOTT BURGESS OLB MICHIGAN

SIGNED COLLEGE F/A's

EDGAR JONES OLB SE MISSOURI STATE

JAMES WILHOIT K TENNESSEE

PICKS

G BEN GRUBBS is a guard worthy of a 1^st round pick. He will own the LG position for the next decade. Strong blocker for both the run and the pass. Can step right in and contribute. If he develops a mean streak, watch out.

WR/RS YAMON FIGURS Is an exciting figur {Doh!} who lit it up at the Combine and made himself a lot of extra money. Should be a fine return specialist, but has yet to show the likelihood of being a starting receiver. He is very thin and frail. With B J Sams coming off a broken leg, the return job is Figurs' to lose. Another example of Devin Hestermania, he was taken about a round earlier than would have been the case in past years.

T/G MARSHALL YANDA is probably best projected to guard, but was likely drafted to replace Tony Pashos at RT. "He's a guy that can now start to develop as a tackle, but can also play the offensive guard position," said GM Ozzie Newsome. In 25 starts at Iowa, 4 were at LG, 5 at LT and 16 at RT. He is versatile, if nothing else. T Marshall Henderson {3rd round Oakland} would have been a better choice. A one round reach.

DE/OLB ANTWAN BARNES is a tweener who is listed as an outside linebacker on the Ravens site. That is a surprise because he looked out of place during linebacker drills at the Combine. On the other hand, he was listed as a Yahoo sleeper, projected as a 3-4 scheme outside linebacker. Pro Football Weekly projects him as a defensive end. He really rocketed up the charts late. In January, he wasn't listed among the top 250 prospects for the draft, nor was he listed in the top 100 to 150 players on several other sites. By draft week, PFW had him pegged at #136 overall. Not bad, considering he went #134. Of Barnes 38 career starts, 17 were at linebacker. He is a true playmaker, with 3 blocked kicks, 23 sacks, 2 interceptions for touchdowns, 5 deflected passes and 6 forced fumbles. He is a potential steal if he ever gets comfortable at one position.

FB Le'RON McLAIN WILL LIKELY REPLACE THE DEPARTING Ovie Mughelli. McLain is all about power football. A good need pick.

QB TROY SMITH is a very good value in the 5^th round. I liked him in the 4^th, but figured someone would snap him up as early as the 3^rd round. He is a proven winner who could, stress could, overcome his clear NFL deficiencies and succeed. What I don't like about him is his character. He had had some legal troubles and he is not considered a leader in the huddle. I think the odds are against him, but he is a potential steal in the 5^th.

ILB PRESCOTT BURGESS was a safety converted to outside linebacker. The Ravens are moving him to the inside where his lack of instincts and open field tackling will be less of a hindrance. I think his future, if he has one, won't be more than as a special teams player, and deep backup.

PRIORITY COLLEGE FREE AGENTS

OLB EDGAR JONES could be a better player than 4^th pick Barnes in the long run. A DE at SE Missouri St, he will be tried at SAM in Baltimore. He can really get after the QB. He is a project with tons of upside. One of my sleeper picks. He should have been drafted. Very good signing for the Ravens.

K JAMES WILHOIT was an Academic All-American. Finished his college career making 11 of 12 field goals. He had four 50 yard over plus field goals and was Tennessee's 2^nd all-time point scorer. Can punt in a pinch. Looks to replace 39 year old Matt Stover, who seems to be getting better with age.

SUMMARY

Baltimore solidified big, literally, needs on the offensive line with the additions of Grubbs and Yanda, and with McLain at fullback. There were also some reaches. A pretty average draft, methinks.

FINAL GRADE

C