2013 NFL Draft: Does McClain Signing Impact Ravens Plans

Nov 29, 2012; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Manti Teo watches during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at the Joyce Center. Notre Dame defeats Kentucky 64-50. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

So, The Ravens have brought on the high risk high reward player Rolando McClain, so will that change their draft plans?

Mel Kiper of ESPN says it means the Ravens wont push for a linebacker in the draft and likely will pass in the first round. I am not so sure about that.

I never believed the Ravens were going to be hell bent on taking a linebacker early no matter who they did or did not sign. If there wasn’t a guy worth taking, they were never going to make a big reach to fill the need. not with some decent players still on the market. If a guy like Manti Teo or Alec Ogletree is there at 32, the Ravens would have taken him whether they had McClain or not. On the flip side of that, if all the first round guys were gone and the best option was Khaseem Green, they werent going to reach that far even if they didnt have a single backer on the roster. Good teams like the Ravens don’t do that.

The other factor here, why change your draft plans in such a way that you force yourself to rely on a player who has been arrested twice in three years and has never been a great or even good NFL player? Does anyone think the Ravens are really relying on McClain that much? Would you rely on McClain that much?

If the Ravens draft plans have been altered at all, it probably isnt enough to make a big difference.