Ravens draft: Courtland Sutton vs. Derrius Guice

The Baltimore Ravens must have taken a good look at these two players:

It’s no secret that Alabama’s Calvin Ridley is the most coveted prospect amongst Raven fans. It’s also no secret that the likelihood of Ridley being there at the 16^th overall pick are slim, to say the least. We have seen some draft drops over the years, I just don’t see Ridley falling quite that far. So, the question is who should be next on Ozzie Newsome’s list? Many fans would say LSU’s Derrius Guice is next on that list.

The Tiger running back accumulated 2,638 yards these last two seasons at Death Valley. Running a 4.49 at the combine just the other day, he’s a wrecking ball with speed, that’ll put any defense’s best defender on the asphalt. He’ll unquestionably be the second running back off the board, it’s just hard to tell where. The Redskins and The Buccaneers are certainly considerations, as both teams have needs at the position.

The next prospect on that list would probably be SMU’s Courtland Sutton. The Mustang receiver stands at 6’4 and weighs approximately 215lbs. He would give quarterback Joe Flacco something he hasn’t had since wining the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Flacco hasn’t had a big target to throw to since Anquan Boldin was traded following that Super Bowl win.

Sutton would certainly give Harbaugh and Flacco something to work with at wide receiver. As they had the worst receiving core in the league last year. The Mustang receiver accounted for 22 touchdowns and over 22 hundred yards these last two seasons. He would surely give Baltimore production they so dearly needed this past season. The only questions that surround Sutton is his speed and separation when getting away from defensive backs. And, is he worth taking as high as 16^th overall?

 The Ravens needing an overhaul at their skilled positions. But what if they’re faced with this kind of conundrum with their first-round pick? 

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Ravens fans are at that point in time where they will take any receiver they can get. And I get that, its been a while since this offense has had a receiver they can lean on. But, drafting a guy based on position need than actual play is never a promising idea. It’s how the team ended up with Breshad Perriman. We all know how that’s ended up, so far. If there are questions surrounding a player, you shouldn’t take him just because it’s a needed position, when there is clearly a better player available. Courtland Sutton is going to be a phenomenal player in the NFL. I just don’t know if I’m taking Sutton over Guice when I look at production and who is the better prospect.

I know what some of the rebuttals are going to be: “We have Alex Collins! He’s going to be a great running back. Why take another running back when there is a big play wide receiver that can take the top off of opposing defenses?” My answer would be, look at the team that just won the Super Bowl. They won it all with three running backs in their backfield in Jay Ajayi, LeGarrette Blount and Corey Clement.

One guy just doesn’t get it done in today’s NFL. The Eagles are the perfect example. Pairing Guice with AC would be thunder and lightning duo. They would complement each other’s games. Guice could give them something the team hasn’t had since Ray Rice. A feared running attack that could take them back to the days of Jamal Lewis.

Bottom line

If it comes to both of these young talents at 16, I’m taking Guice without any hesitation. And I’m not losing a wink of sleep over it if I’m Ozzie Newsome. Drafting a player like Guice is something you can’t pass up. He would give a dynamic to this offense that has been missing since they won the Super Bowl. Another thing fans have to take into account about this draft is the majority of the talent at wide receiver comes after day one.

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Guys like DJ Moore, Michael Gallup, Macell Ateman, Anthony Miller, DeSean Hamilton, James Washington, Simmie Cobbs Jr, will all be there on day two. So, they would be crazy to pass on a guy like Guice and reach when they could possibly get two of the names listed above on day two of the draft.