*With the NFL Draft coming up on April 26 - 27, BaltimoreRavens.com takes another sweep around the web to look at what others are saying about the Ravens' chances with the eighth pick. *
Keep in mind that things will change as free agency progresses, and teams will most-certainly try to trade picks, players and money to move up or down in the first round, but here is an early look at what the pundits think:
Rob Rang from the SportsXchange thinks that Boston College's Matt Ryan could slip down to No. 8. That would be an impressive sight, considering some of the teams drafting ahead of the Ravens are in need of a quarterback. Here's what Rang wrote:
**Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College** - *While most teams feel Ryan is the top quarterback in the draft, there is a general consensus that he isn't a rare enough talent to rank as a surefire top-five pick. Should he begin to slip, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome would likely pounce here even with new coach Jim Harbaugh standing behind Steve McNair to this point.
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Chris Steuber of Scout.com also has a quarterback coming to Baltimore, but his is Brian Brohm from Louisville.
Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville- The Ravens have to identify a franchise quarterback and add some stability behind center. New head coach John Harbaugh, who comes from Philadelphia, understands the importance of having a franchise QB. With Matt Ryan off the board, the Ravens luck out and grab the draft's best QB in Brian Brohm.
Frank Coyle agrees with Steuber on DraftInsiders.com.
Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville -The Ravens want one of the top two QBs and may have to settle for Brohm at this spot in the top ten.
NFL.com's own Vic Carucci offers his first version of a mock draft, with South Florida's Mike Jenkins bolstering Baltimore's secondary.
Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida - With Pro Bowl starters Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle finishing last season on the injured-reserve list and their limited depth at the position, it makes sense for the Ravens to find another good cornerback.
Todd McShay from Scouts, Inc. is in the Leodis McKelvin camp. The Troy cornerback and return threat would be an interesting option for the Ravens. McShay previously thought the Ravens would bite on Ellis, but now he has the big defensive tackle falling to the Bengals, one spot after Baltimore's pick.
Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy - Unless Ryan slips, Baltimore will need to wait at least a round to address its seemingly endless need for an upgrade at quarterback. Ellis is not an ideal fit for its defensive scheme and wouldn't fill a need position, but in this scenario he is a strong possibility for a Ravens organization that is among the league's most disciplined when it comes to drafting for value. With all that in mind, McKelvin makes the best match. He is the most natural cover corner this class has to offer and he also can provide competition for Yamon Figurs in the return game.
Scott Wright's NFLDraftCountdown.com also thinks McKelvin will be the choice.
Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy -There is no question the Ravens would love for Matt Ryan to fall into their laps but that probably isn't going to happen so they'd have to explore a trade up to get in that sweepstakes. With no other quarterback worthy of this high of a choice Ozzie Newsome turns his attention to the secondary, where they have some issues at cornerback. Chris McAlister is still a great player when he is healthy but injuries to him and the aging Samari Rolle really exposed their lack of depth last year. Leodis McKelvin is the top corner available and he's also a terrific return man which should endear him to head coach John Harbaugh, who has a background in special teams.
Make it three, as McKelvin is the popular choice for SI.com's Don Banks.
Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy - Giving the Ravens' a first-round cornerback is the safe pick, and McKelvin seems as clean as any corner in a crop that lacks a consensus No. 1 at this point. But I'm tempted to consider a quarterback in this slot, either Louisville's Brian Brohm or the hottest name at the combine, Delaware's Joe Flacco. The top 10 would appear to be too rich for Flacco, but some believe he's destined to climb into the bottom third of the round. Boise State offensive tackle Ryan Clady is another option.
Finally, the guru himself, Mel Kiper, Jr., has the Ravens drafting USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis.
We'll be back with more updated mock drafts next week.
