Fansided Mock Draft: The Baltimore Ravens Select….
Jan 02, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Louisville Cardinals running back Jeremy Wright (28) is tackled by Florida Gators defensive back Matt Elam (22) as his helmet comes off during the second half of the Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. defeated Florida 33-23. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Elam, S, Florida
Here is what they had to say about the pick
"Ed Reed will likely soon follow Ray Lewis into retirement which means the Ravens will need to replace both. Look for them to give Manti Te’o a serious look later in the draft, but Matt Elam is the guy who comes off the board first. He’s mean, he’s physical and he’s not afraid to let you know he just decked you. I don’t think you can personify the Baltimore Ravens defense any better than that, and Elam will fit right in with the youth movement."
The Elam pick does make some sense, but I am not entirely on board with it. I don’t think safety is a valuable enough position to take in the first round unless the value is just outstanding(Earl Thomas in 2010), or the talent is off the charts(Mark Barron in 2012) which it isn’t in this scenario. Elam is a solid player, but I would be more inclined to think the Ravens go with a front seven player or a receiver, this is a year I could actually see them trading up if there is a strong value available or potentially completely trading their 1st rounder for a future first if there isn’t one. I think the Ravens would be better served going after a guy like David Amerson in the second round and moving him to safety and taking a chance on a guy like Ogletree, Richardson or Teo in the first(I still expect a strong combine from Teo and a corresponding rise in stock back into the late first).