Ramses Barden: Why The Ravens Need to Go Small-School Again

Cal Poly wide receiver (on left, sustaining hit) is a great draft prospect. Despite coming out of a very small school, he is the 12th best wide receiver prospect in a stacked wide receiver class that includes Michael Crabtree, Percy Harvin, Jeremy Maclin and Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Last year, the Baltimore Ravens were a very good team, finishing 11-5. Quarterback Joe Flacco had 2,971 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. While the touchdown-interception ratio isn't incredible, it's much due to the fact that the Ravens don't have a tall receiver. Ravens No. 1 receiver Derrick Mason is still amongst the most consistent receivers in all of football, but he is 34 years old and won't be in the NFL forever. Former first round pick Mark Clayton has had one consistent season, in 2006. This year, he had 41 catches for 695 yards and scored three touchdowns. He had some games where he shined and some games where he didn't catch a pass.

The Ravens will be very busy this offseason. Linebackers Bart Scott and Ray Lewis, safeties Jim Leonhard and Dawan Landry, punter Sam Koch and kicker Matt Stover are all free agents. Despite Baltimore finishing 11-5 last year, they have plenty of holes. They don't have a tall receiver, an elite corner and tight end is becoming an issue. The Ravens draft will be a big indicator in their success. My advice: take Ramses Barden.

The Ravens, as I mentioned, need a tall, playmaking receiver. Barden is 6'6", the tallest receiver in the draft, yet projects as a 3rd-5th round pick. The main reason for this is his route running isn't as crisp as those from elite schools like Ohio State, Florida, Miami, Tennesee, USC, etc. Also, being that he never faced a real elite defense this year, Barden won't be given the credit much deserved.

"I'm excited. Everything is sort of culminating, everything is adding up. It's not the be all end all but this is an important week for me," said Barden during a phone interview. "I'm going to make the best possible impression that I can to show that I'm a great value to any team that is looking to draft me." Barden claimed that the Ravens have even expressed interest in him, along with Tampa Bay, Minnesota and Dallas.

His level of competition might concern some scouts, but he has the tools to become a great professional receiver. He is tall, has great hands and if his route-running improves, he's NFL ready as far as I'm concerned. Scout.com's Ed Thompson compared Barden's leaping abilities to that of Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who fans were very familiar with during the playoffs and during this season.

During the Senior Bowl, he caught two passes for 20 yards, not bad for a guy from Cal Poly. "I think I did well at the Senior bowl. Scouts got to see me play against the rest of the elite players in the country and they saw what I can bring to a NFL club. I talked to almost every team but the ones that showed the most interest were the Dolphins, Seahawks, Cowboys, Ravens, Bucs, and Rams," said Barden.

Barden should make an impact with the Ravens and might have the opportunity to catch 50 passes as a rookie. Heck, he has the right quarterback. Barden has had plenty of good games, but when asked to describe which showed his talent, he said: "As far as the tangibles that you are speaking of as far as athleticism and all that, I would agree with you that Weber State is one of the better games.  I like Western Oregon, except for I had a series of dropped balls.  Other than that, Western Oregon was OK except for some dropped balls.  I lost a little concentration and had to get it back in subsequent weeks.  As far as production, Idaho State, easily, but as far as the athletic ability, I would agree that Weber State is a good game to go with."

In the Western Oregon game in 2007, he caught four passes for 121 yards and scored a touchdown. Against Weber State, he dominated, with six catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns. The Ravens need a guy like Barden. A tall wide receiver who can not only catch most passes thrown his way, but a guy who can get yards after first contact.

Ozzie Newsome should do whatever he can to put Ramses Barden in Purple and Black next year. Right now, wide receiver is one of the Ravens main priorities.

The Ravens should pursue their more urgent needs first, such as cornerback and tight end. In the first round, the Ravens should select D.J. Moore out of Vanderbilt. Moore had six interceptions as a senior. However, his stock is climbing and could climb him all the way into the top 15 - out of the Ravens reach - but it's unlikely. In the second round, with the aging Todd Heap, the Ravens should select Chase Coffman out of Missouri. While Brandon Pettigrew out of Oklahoma State would be awesome if Moore is taken off the board, D.J. will likely reach the Ravens. Coffman caught 90 passes for 970 yards and scored ten touchdowns and at 6'6", he's a perfect target for Flacco.

Just saying. 

via bleacherreport.com