As we get closer and closer to the NFL Draft (April 22-24), amateurs and experts alike are eager to offer their thoughts on who each team is going to pick in the first round.
And with the Ravens making additions to their receiving corps and defensive line this offseason, just who will be coming to Baltimore remains a mystery.
Some mock drafts have the Ravens selecting tight end Jermaine Gresham, a very popular pick. Offensively, Georgia Tech wideout Demaryius Thomas' name has recently surfaced. And of course, the defensive side of the ball is getting a lot of attention, with the likes of massive Alabama tackle Terrence Cody, defensive end Carlos Dunlap of Florida and Penn State's Jared Odrick fitting the bill in some draftniks' eyes.
It has been only a week since we scoured the Web for updated mock drafts, and it seems that new ones have cropped up.
For reference: MDM 1.0 | MDM 2.0 | MDM 3.0 | MDM 4.0 | MDM 5.0
Here is a look at several key mock drafts you can monitor for yourself:
ESPN.com, Mel Kiper, Jr.(Updated April 7, Last pick – TE Jermaine Gresham)
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia TechThe Ravens have made moves to add help for Joe Flacco , but drafting a young WR that can grow with Flacco is still an important consideration. Thomas is a big, physical home run threat, and even this high, may have been undervalued because he was stuck in a running system at Tech. He's the perfect downfield target for Flacco's big arm, a guy who can make plays even when the defense knows it's coming.
ESPN.com,** Todd McShay**(Updated April 7, Last pick – TE Jermaine Gresham)
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia TechBaltimore has a reputation for cashing in on the best available player and this is another opportunity to do so. Thomas would be a steal here given his size/speed combination and give QB Joe Flacco another dangerous weapon to go with offseason acquisitions Anquan Boldin and **Donte' Stallworth**.
NFL.com**, Pat Kirwan**(Updated April 6, Last pick – DE Carlos Dunlap)
Carlos Dunlap, DE, FloridaThe Ravens fixed their wide receiver issues this offseason with Anquan Boldin, Donte Stallworth and the re-signing of Derrick Mason. Now on to a defense that lost Justin Bannan and Dwan Edwards in free agency. Trevor Pryce isn't getting any younger. At 6-foot-6, 277 pounds, Dunlap could become a fine player. Ray Lewis will shape him up quickly.
NFL.com**, Bucky Brooks**(Updated April 2, Last pick – Jermaine Gresham)
Dan Williams, DT, TennesseeThe Ravens have an obvious need at tight end, but this team typically takes the best available player on the board regardless of position. Williams would give the Ravens a young defensive tackle to pair with Haloti Ngata in the middle of their defense.
NFL.com, Charles Davis(Updated April 6, Last pick – Jared Odrick)
Earl Thomas, S, TexasEd Reed continues to be on top of his game, but while Thomas is prepping behind him, he can play in their nickel packages, and some corner, too. He is talented enough.
NFLDraftScout.com, Rob Rang(Updated April 5, Last pick – Jermaine Gresham)
Jermaine Gresham, TE, OklahomaBy adding Anquan Boldin, the Ravens gave Joe Flacco a legitimate No. 1 target and Ozzie Newsomeshowed he is committed to giving aging stars Ray Lewis and Ed Reed one more shot at the Super Bowl. Todd Heap, when healthy, has proven to be one of the better tight ends in the NFL but has struggled with durability in recent years.
NFLDraftScout.com**, Chad Reuter**(Updated April 5, Last pick – Last pick – WR Demaryius Thomas)
Kareem Jackson, CB, AlabamaJackson brings youth to an aging secondary and plays with the type of physicality the Ravens require.
CBSSportsLine.com**, Pete Prisco**(Updated April 2)
Jared Odrick, DT, Penn StateHe would fit perfectly as a 3-4 defensive end. He's a Ravens-style player.
Pro Football Talk, Evan Silva(Updated April 3, Last pick – DE Carlos Dunlap)
Jared Odrick, DT, Penn StateNew addition Cory Reddingwas initially billed as a likely starter in Baltimore, but the injury-prone underachiever would be better suited to coming off the bench. Odrick, the 2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, has a better chance to make an impact as a two-gapping, five-technique end with the ability to collapse the pocket.
SI.com, Don Banks(Updated April 7. Last pick – TE Jermaine Gresham)
Jermaine Gresham, TE, OklahomaThe Ravens are stocked at receiver now with Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth on board, but they still covet a play-making tight end who gives them more downfield than Todd Heap has been able to muster in recent years. Gresham is the best the draft has to offer on that front. A cornerback like McCourty would be an excellent Plan B.
National Football Post, Wes BuntingUpdated April 7, Last pick – NT Terrence Cody
Terrence Cody, NT, AlabamaThe Ravens not only had Cody in for a visit, but having already addressed their wide receiver needs this offseason, getting an immovable nose tackle at the end of round one is quite a find.
Draft King, Lou Pickney(Updated April 6)
Jermaine Gresham, TE, OklahomaTodd Heap has suffered from multiple injuries in recent years, and a very talented tight end like Gresham could fill that role quite nicely. Gresham, himself an injury victim in 2009, would likely have been a top ten selection if he had played a full season. As it is, he would represent the biggest first-round tight end steal since Heath Miller if he was to slide to this spot.
