Baltimore Ravens Stockpiling Picks for a Talented Draft Class

Recent moves have left some Baltimore Ravens fans with concerns over the team’s near future and there is certainly some reason for this. Long-time Raven Haloti Ngata is gone. Jacoby Jones, Torrey Smith and Pernell McPhee are all also out the door and the secondary still needs depth. Have no fear though, as things are not as bleak as they seem.

I’m trying to count how many times I have seen #InOzzieWeTrust on Twitter and all I’m getting is a headache, but there is a reason we all believe in our GM. We all know there is a plan, just not what it is.

The Haloti Ngata trade could be a stroke of genius, leaving the Baltimore Ravens with two mid round picks, and this wouldn’t have been done just hoping there is value.  Ozzie and the scouting team have their eyes on players.

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Throw this in with the three compensatory picks the team is expected to get (likely 4th/5th round) and it adds up to a total of ten picks in this year’s draft. This screams master plan.

The strength of this draft class is running backs, wide receivers and pass rushers, with some good tight ends at the top end. These are all positions the team will be interested in and ones that the scouts have had a particular focus on for a few years leading up to now.

As I see it there are three options: Using the picks as leverage to trade up for talent in the first 3 rounds, increasing the chances of finding great value game changers by using all the picks, or trading the extra picks for better value in years to come.

With the strengths of this year’s class being more or less aligned with what the team will want to build on, I see either trading up or using them all.

I won’t get into to a mock draft at this point as there are plenty out there but consider this – the Baltimore Ravens getting a great running back, a big time tight end, a few receivers to add options, and a few specialist pass rushers to fill in for McPhee. Add in maybe some depth on the offensive and defensive lines and it could be a memorable draft.

This could, however, leave the secondary still in need of depth so watch for corner backs to potentially be targeted in free agency.

Next: Latest 2015 NFL Mock Draft

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