Draft Grade Roundup

Ravens Draft Central

Now that everyone has had a chance to digest last weekend's NFL Draft, BR.com takes a look at what they're saying about the Ravens' 2007 haul of new prospects.

Ken Murray, Baltimore Sun: C
Pick to Watch: Ben Grubbs should be a solid, productive player at RG for years.
Analysis: They didn't get the successor for LT Jonathan Ogden, which is bad only if Ogden doesn't play past 2007. Otherwise, Ozzie Newsome has upgraded the line again.

Rick Gosselin, Dallas Morning News: B
Good players always slide to the Ravens at the end of the first round: Ray Lewis, Todd Heap, Ed Reed and now Grubbs. He'll be a Pro Bowler. Heisman Trophy winner Smith has the perfect QB mentor in Steve McNair.

Dr. Z, SI.com: B-
What I like about the way Ozzie Newsome drafts is that he doesn't try to snow you with this "best available athlete" Olympic Games jazz. They need fortification on the offensive line, so they go high for a pair of guys as earthy as their names -- Grubbs and Yanda. Ben Grubbs is the best guard, Marshal Yanda is a towering figure well schooled in the Iowa system. But man cannot live on grubs alone, so for the exotic section of the menu the Ravens can offer the fastest man at the combine workouts, WR Yamon Figurs (4.30) and one of the more intriguing figures on the board for almost two full days, Troy Smith, the Heisman QB.

Don Pierson, Chicago Tribune: C
Guard Ben Grubbs can be plugged in immediately, although they might have preferred tackle Joe Staley before the 49ers traded up to get him. The Ravens tried to get into the Brady Quinn sweepstakes and had him on the phone at one point. They need to think about life after 34-year-old Steve McNair, so they took a flier on Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. Considered too short at 6 feet, Smith has a record that's too good to ignore.

Mel Kiper, Jr., ESPN: B
Ben Grubbs is a great pick and pure guard. Yamon Figurs has speed to burn and will be the returner the Ravens need with B.J. Sams coming off an injury and being a free agent after 2007. Grubbs will start right away, and Marshal Yanda possibly also could start at guard or right tackle. Antwan Barnes is a typical hybrid combination between a defensive end and outside linebacker. Le'Ron McClain was the best pure fullback in the draft. Not only does he fill a need, but he could start since the Ravens lost Ovie Mughelli in free agency. This was a good organization for Troy Smith to go to as a developmental quarterback. He also could push Kyle Boller, who will be a free agent after 2007. Prescott Burgess had a nice career at Michigan, and getting him in the sixth round is a nice move because Burgess should have a solid NFL career.

Todd McShay, Scouts Inc.: Best pick: Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn. Guards are never a sexy choice in the first round but Ravens fans won't be complaining when Grubbs starts 16 games as a rookie in 2007 and is still holding down the fort in 2017.
Worst pick: Yamon Figurs, WR/RS, Kansas State. This is the Ravens' biggest reach and, to be honest, it's really not that much of a reach. Figurs should contribute immediately as a return specialist and he could eventually develop into a No. 4 slot receiver.

Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports: B
Baltimore Ravens: No draft is particularly exciting when your team is taking a guard (Ben Grubbs) in the first round. Yippee, make that inside block. The Ravens also missed out when they tried to trade up for free-falling quarterback Brady Quinn in the first round, but it was hard to match the offer Cleveland put on the table for Dallas. That said, the Ravens came up with the top-rated interior offensive lineman in the draft and filled some other needs along the way. Return specialist Yamon Figurs has big-time speed and can replace troubled and injured return man B.J. Sams. Marshal Yanda is a right tackle candidate and Antwan Barnes has superior speed for his size (6-4, 307). Former Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith is a nice gamble in the fifth round.

Tom Weir, USA Today: Three Stars
Ben Grubbs was the highest-rated guard in the draft, though taking him with the 29th pick may have been a little high for that position. WR/KR Yamon Figurs had the fastest 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. Heisman winner Troy Smith could play a role with QB Kyle Boller having just a year left on his contract.

John Czarnecki, FOXSports.com: C-
The Ravens tried to make a deal to trade into the first round to get Notre Dame's Brady Quinn, but didn't have the ammunition that Cleveland had. But with their last pick, the Ravens took Heisman winner Troy Smith, who has a strong arm, but is considered too short at 6-feet tall. First-round pick Auburn guard Ben Grubbs will start right away for the Ravens, who lost veteran guard Edwin Mulitalo. WR Yamon Figurs of Kansas State was considered the second-best kick returner in the draft behind Ted Ginn, Jr. OT Marshall Yando of Iowa and OLB Antwan Barnes fill more needs. With Steve McNair getting older and Kyle Boller entering his final season, Smith is a fascinating pick.

Pete Prisco, CBSSportsLine.com: C
Best pick: It was their first one. Guard Ben Grubbs will be an opening-day starter.
Questionable move: Third-round pick Yamon Figurs can fly, but he's raw as a receiver. If this is for his return skill, taking him that high is a risk.
Second-day gem: Fullback Le'Ron McClain, the team's fourth-round pick, is a road grader as a blocker and should be a starter.

Mike O'Hara, Detroit News: C
OT Joe Staley was snatched away a pick earlier. They settled for G Ben Grubbs in the first round. Having no second-round pick hurt. Ohio State QB Troy Smith in the fifth round might provide versatility.