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 of NFLDraftScout.com changed his previous pick of cornerback Leodis McKelvin to Boise State tackle Ryan Clady.
Ryan Clady, T, Boise St. -"Certainly a quarterback makes a great deal of sense, but the one constant with Ozzie Newsome and the Baltimore scouting staff is an unwillingness to reach for need. Jonathan Ogden is likely to retire and his potential replacement -- Jared Gaither -- is much too raw to hand over the position."
Scouts, Inc. guru Todd McShay did the same thing as Rang, opting for Clady at the Ravens' position.
Ryan Clady, T, Boise St.- "The Ravens are one of the wild cards in the top 10. They will take the best available talent even if he doesn't fit a need, and odds are none of the available players at their need positions will be worthy of the eighth overall pick. An argument could be made for one of the top cornerback prospects here, but Clady carries a better grade, in my opinion, than any corner in this class, and he possesses the combination of size and feet to potentially take over for perennial Pro Bowler Jonathan Ogden."
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Pat Kirwan of NFL.com agrees on Clady, as well.
Ryan Clady, T, Boise St. -"The Ravens need a left tackle to replace Jonathan Ogden and a corner. In this draft, it's much harder to get the left tackle, so Baltimore grabs the best one on the board and looks for a corner in the second round."
The NFLDraftCountdown.com Web site has Clady dropping past the Ravens at No. 8, however. Scott Wright thinks that they'll pick Matt Ryan, the quarterback from Boston College.
Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College- "This is a dream scenario for the Ravens and while I'm not sure I would classify Ryan falling this far as likely it is definitely possible. I don't think the Dolphins are going to take Ryan at #1 so if the Falcons pass on him the only other team between #3 and #8 who would even consider him is Kansas City and they seem to be set on giving Brodie Croyle another chance. Ryan won't be a star right away but he is capable of managing the Baltimore offense in '08 and with a solid core of talent around him on both sides of the ball that may be enough to put the Ravens in playoff contention. If Ryan is gone they will most likely turn their attention to cornerback Leodis McKelvin."
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Ryan is also the pick for NFL.com writer Vic Carucci. Carucci also had Ryan going to Baltimore in his previous mock draft.
Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College- "This could be a reach, although the Ravens do need to a quarterback to lead them in the post-Brian Billick era. Cornerback also is a distinct possibility here."
In a surprising pick, Frank Coyle of draftinsiders.com thinks Michigan tackle Jake Long will drop all the way to the Ravens' spot. Long is considered by many to be the top lineman in the draft.
Jake Long, T, Michigan- "The Ravens are looking to improve their line - especially at tackle – because veteran bookend Jonathan Ogden is expected to retire."
Finally, Scout.com's Chris Steuber has the Ravens going for a cornerback in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the cousin of Pro Bowler Antonio Cromartie, who is with the San Diego Chargers.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State- "The Ravens have to identify a franchise quarterback and add some stability behind center, but adding a playmaker in the secondary is exactly what the Ravens need. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has seen his stock skyrocket over the last month and will ultimately land in the top 10 with the Ravens."
