This is mock draft season.
With the NFL Draft just a day away, the Internet is full of "expert opinions" for what all 32 teams will do during the three days of selections.
We decided to toss our hat in the ring to predict the moves the Ravens will make with their eight selections this year.
Take a look, and we'll see how we do.
NOTE:This mock draft was made without any insider knowledge of who the Ravens are going to pick. These predictions on based on the writers' opinions, not those in the front office.
Garrett Downing
First Round (17): TE Eric Ebron, North Carolina
General Manager Ozzie Newsome said last week that he wanted to add a tight end in the draft, even after re-signing Dennis Pitta and adding Owen Daniels. Ebron is widely regarded as the best tight end in the class, and he could slide to the Ravens in the middle of the first round. He's a dynamic pass catcher who would be another prime target for quarterback Joe Flacco.
Second Round (48): OG Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA
Su'a-Filo was a three-year starter in college, playing both left guard and left tackle. He likely projects as a guard in the pros, and he could play left guard or potentially right tackle for the Ravens. At 6-foot-4, 307 pounds, Su'a-Filo has the kind of size the Ravens want in their interior linemen. He would fill a need on the offensive line and be a good value pick in the middle of the second round.
Third Round (79): WR Allen Robinson, Penn State
Newsome said the Ravens will likely add a receiver with their first five picks if the opportunity is there, and Robinson could be a great fit. He is 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, and had a highly productive career at Penn State. Robinson had 97 catches for 1,432 yards last season, and he could take some time to develop behind receivers Torrey Smith, Steve Smith and Jacoby Jones.
Third Round (99, compensatory): S Terrence Brooks, Florida State
Brooks is a rangy safety that would add depth to the position and give the Ravens another option on the back end of the defense. Brooks is a former cornerback with strong coverage skills, and he fits the profile of an athletic free safety that the Ravens want to acquire.
Fourth Round (134, compensatory): ILB Preston Brown, Louisville
Brown was a tackling machine during his college career, amassing 207 tackles over the last two seasons. He would bring additional competition to the inside linebacker spot along with last year's second-round pick Arthur Brown and former undrafted free agent Josh Bynes. He has good size (6-1, 251) for the position, and he is best suited at stopping the run.
Fourth Round (138, compensatory): RB James White, Wisconsin
Adding a running back important to the Ravens, and they can get a quality back in the second half of the draft. White rushed for 1,444 yards on 221 carries last season with the Badgers, and he already has a relationship with new Ravens new Running Backs Coach Thomas Hammock, who spent the last three years as an assistant for Wisconsin.
Fifth Round (175, compensatory): QB Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech
The Ravens want to bring in another quarterback with Tyrod Taylor entering the last year of his rookie contract, and they could look to his successor at Virginia Tech. Thomas is more of a pocket passer than Taylor, and he has the tools to become a reliable backup. Thomas still has some developing to do, and the Ravens could use this year as a time to groom him under Flacco and Taylor.
Sixth Round (194): OL Josh Walker, Middle Tennessee State
Offensive Line Coach Juan Castillo loves working with players from small schools and the Middle Tennessee State lineman falls into that category. He has the size of an elite lineman – 6-6, 320 pounds – and the Ravens could select him as a developmental late-round pick and give him time to develop.
Ryan Mink
First Round (17): OT Zack Martin, Notre Dame
I don't like making a pick solely based on need, but when need and talent converge, it just makes too much sense. Martin is solid as a rock and good value at No. 17. The Ravens are looking for someone to make an immediate impact, and top priority is improving the running game and protecting Joe Flacco better. Plug in Martin at right tackle and get an instant upgrade.
Second Round (48): WR Cody Latimer
In any other year, Latimer could be a first-round pick. In a draft stacked with wide receiver talent up top, he slides into the middle of the second round. Latimer is a freakish athlete (check out this slam dunk contest) who could excel in Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak's West Coast scheme. He's strong enough to get off press coverage, has good hands and is a willing and solid blocker.
Third Round (79): TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa
Fiedorowicz is a huge target at over 6-foot-5. He also may be the best blocking tight end in this year's draft class, which makes him immediately useful in the Ravens* *offense. Fiedorowicz has upside to develop as a pass catcher, showing toughness to make catches over the middle in traffic.
Third Round (99, compensatory): RB Terrance West, Towson
The Ravens have gotten a good look at West considering he plays just around the corner. Director of College Scouting Joe Hortiz compared him to NFL legends when watching him in last year's Football College Subdivision playoffs. West tore up the lower competition, and could step in immediately and produce if the Ravens are without Ray Rice at the start of the year.
Fourth Round (134, compensatory): DT Caraun Reid, Princeton
The Ravens dip into the small-school pool again to grab Reid, an Ivy League prospect who has a lot of upside. Reid is versatile and would fit well into the same spot Art Jones vacated. The Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year finalist helped lead Princeton to a conference title.
Fourth Round (138, compensatory): CB Antone Exum, Virginia Tech
Exum was possibly Virginia Tech's best cornerback as a junior before a torn ACL and sprained ankle knocked him out of most of his senior year. But he's a well-built 6-foot-0, 213-pound cornerback who also has a lot of experience at safety and should be a very strong special teams player.
Fifth Round (175, compensatory): ILB Lamin Barrow, LSU
The Ravens want to add more depth at inside linebacker and Barrow is a talented prospect who can immediately contribute on special teams. He was a team captain at LSU, which is leadership ability the Ravens look for. He's athletic enough in coverage and compares to former Raven Dannell Ellerbe.
Sixth Round (194): QB Keith Wenning, Ball State
Baltimore is looking to add competition and perhaps a future backup in this year's deep quarterback class. But I don't see them using a mid-round pick on it considering they've hardly used a backup over the past six seasons with the extremely durable Joe Flacco. Wenning is smart, driven and best suited for a West Coast scheme.
