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Baltimore Ravens 2008 NFL Draft Needs
The Baltimore Ravens are coming off a pretty poor season in which they finished 5-11 at the bottom of the AFC North. The team was the 8th worse team in the whole league, which means they get the 8th pick in this year’s draft. Things went from bad to worse when Steve McNair announced his retirement, meaning Kyle Boller is back in the starting lineup and will likely get another shot at leading the team to victory. The team has only added two new faces in LB Brendon Ayanbadejo and CB Frank Walker. The team did a solid job limiting the losses besides McNair, and didn’t really see a big time name leave the team. The Ravens have many ways it could go about using their first pick, and here is a look at the 5 positions we think they will be discussing when they are on the clock.
1. Quarterback
This is pretty simple, you couldn’t win with Boller before, and you aren’t going to win with him now. It’s likely you might be stuck with him for at least part of another season. The team could have Boston College’s Matt Ryan fall to them, or pull the trigger on a trade to make sure they get a big time QB. If they miss out on Ryan, look for the team to have their eyes locked on Louisville’s Brian Brohm.
2. Offensive Tackle
The team could probably start the season just fine here, but what kind of difference would it make if the team could land a big time tackle to fill the hole left by Jonathan Ogden. There is chance that Boise State’s Ryan Clady might still be available and the team could pull the trigger on him in round one.
3. Cornerback
This pick isn’t really for the 2008 season as it is for the future, but a solid #3 corner to go along with the veterans Chris McAllister and Samari Rolle. There is a slight chance they pick based on best available when they are up at #8 and take a guy like Troy State’s Leodis McKelvin.
4. Wide Receiver
This might surprise some people that they are this high on the team needs, but if Kyle Boller is going to be your starting quarterback than you better have someone good for him to throw the ball to. Derrick Mason is getting up there but likely still has a few more solid years left in him, and Mark Clayton still has potential to be a really good receiver at some point. The offense could be greatly improved if they get a guy like Michigan’s Marrio Manningham in round 2. The team might wait till later in the draft and go after someone like Coastal Carolina’s Jerome Simpson, who is a big time sleeper in this year’s draft.
5. Outside Linebacker
The team is pretty solid on three out of the four linebacker spots in Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, and Terrell Suggs. The team will probably be fine if they stick with Jarret Johnson, but with a team that has been so good at finding good talent in the draft they might be able to find a big time linebacker late in the draft. Our guess would be a guy like Purdue’s Cliff Avril or Maryland’s Erin Henderson.
Be sure to continue to check back as we will continue to be bringing you team-by-team draft articles. Also, be sure to check out our first round Mock Draft. Feel free to leave any comments you might have on the draft and each team’s draft needs in our comment box.
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