Who would you take between these guys in Round 2 of the NFL Draft?

by Rexx on Apr 12, 2009 11:01 AM EDT Comment 24 comments

In an earlier post, I wrote about who the Ravens should take in the second round. Well, over at Mocking The Draft, a SB Nation blog dedicated to the draft, all the lead bloggers of SB Nation are conducting our own 2 round mock draft. We are coming up to the Ravens pick and I am looking at the following thre guys to try to decide between:
Phil Loadholt (OT), Jairus Byrd (CB) and Fili Moala (DT). I know Moala is Haloti's cousin, but don't be swayed by that, as we have him, Gregg, and Bannan firmly entrenched and Moala would only be situational as a player. Byrd could be the dime back right off and move to nickel in case of injuries. Loadholt would be a reserve and surely move into a backup or starter in a year or so. See my earlier post with more information about each guy by clicking here. So which guy do you all like and if none of them, then who. Take a leap over to Mocking the Draft by clicking here to check out what's transpired so far and who is still on the board. If you scroll down their page to the sidebar on the right, you'll see every team and their selection up until this point.

0 recs | Comment 24 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Tough one between Moala and Byrd

I think both those guys fit the Raven mold very well.

If Moala is related to Haloti, I can deal with having another guy like that on this team. I would love to have him on our team only under one condition, if he can play DE for us. This team is loaded with young DT right now with Ngata, Edwards and McKinney. And with Bannon and Gregg still having the ability to be dominant, the DT is set for many years. It is the DE that worries me since Pryce does not have to much left and he is really our only stud pure pass rusher. Moala could possibly fill his role or line up in front of Suggs.

Byrd is one of the most athletic CB’s in this draft and did a great job at Oregon. He nearly has Chris McAlister type size being that he is 6’0" and 200 pounds.

This secondary is one of the fastest and most athletic in the league, if not THE most. However, I am still unsure about how physical we will be at times to keep up with the most physical division in the NFL. Byrd makes huge hits and could bring a very aggressive style to our nickel and dime packages.

I wont even go into OL, cause this group is strong as can be IMO. We have depth, and we have the starters. Many of our OL can play multiple positions, so I think that really helps. Loadholt sure is a load, isnt he like 6’8" 340 pounds or something? If we choose him, I would like to see him be the main #2 behind Jared.

Any 3 of these guys fall to us in round 2 and we take one, I will be ecstatic. I have full faith in Ozzie and expect him to always make the right pick for us.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 12, 2009 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Loadholt

although he played LT in college, is being projected as a RT. That might be great, with him being either behind Adam Terry and not have to use cap spacew on Willie Anderson, who is at the end of his line. A huge guy like Loadholt would be great as a reserve, but he’d probably start in the next year or so, making Terry expendable if he wants too much cash.

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 13, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Byrd

I’d take Byrd. I think he can help immediately in the nickle/dime packages and can also help in the punt return game. Good athlete – tough guy. I am concenred that Loadholt isn’t quick enough in pass protection for the speed rush guys – a Tony Pathos type. But he s a force in the run game. Agree with MaLor that DT is not a need position and Moala would be third on my list as BPA anyway.

by Fandemonium on Apr 12, 2009 5:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

pretty much agree

I like either Byrd or Loadholt with Byrd being more of a priority over Loadholt. Then again Loadholt would be a nice pick if we see him before Byrd or Moala or if he’s the best player available. Byrd solidifies the secondary while we do need a tackle to shore up the future of the o-line. Tough decisions but we have the right guy to make them.

"But like my father said, you want Jennifer Lopez but does she want you? No. I'll just take what ever they give to me."-Julian Taverez

by purpleonblack86 on Apr 12, 2009 6:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What's with Nicks over DHB?

And I’d go with Byrd…

by Markakis and Wieters 4 Life on Apr 12, 2009 10:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

More polished and better routes

But DHB beats Nicks in the speed department and down field separation. I am all for DHB over Nicks.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 12, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Same... mainly because we need someone to stretch the field.

Nicks Also reminds me of a Mark Clayton but a little better…

by Markakis and Wieters 4 Life on Apr 12, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

a little better...half joking but we'll see..

"But like my father said, you want Jennifer Lopez but does she want you? No. I'll just take what ever they give to me."-Julian Taverez

by purpleonblack86 on Apr 14, 2009 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry guys

but Nicks is far ahead of DHB in EVERY category other than straight line speed. He has better “football” speed and even had more long catches in 2008 than DHB (Nicks had over 20 receptions more than DHB in ‘08) based on his great moves and pattern running. The pro CB’s won’t respect DHB’s short patterns and he will rarely get free for long catches.

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 13, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

gotta get a Phil Loadholt. the best excavation name by far. and no more small receivers!

by raven on Apr 12, 2009 10:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Phil Loadholt would solidify our RT postion for the next 10 years. He could come in and learn from Willie anderson for a year, then take over for him full time next season or, the way Willie seems to get hurt, this season. I think were pretty much set at CB. I wouldn’t mind taking one in the 3rd or 4th and moala may be a good DT, but just because he’s related to Ngata does not mean he will perform any where near his level. We already have a good quilty of yound DT. Grap one later in the draft. Also, Just because DHB has the speed to beat guys down the field does not mean he has the hands to hurt them. I say take Nicks or Maclin if he;s still there. We need a guy who can make plays, not just run fast down a field.

FEAR THE NEVERMORE DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Benji5203 on Apr 13, 2009 1:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Loadholt and Maola are now gone

with the Pats taking Loadholt and the Broncos taking Maola with their picks so far in the Mock Draft. Therefore, I am now focusing on Jairus Byrd, unless someone can give me names and reasons for selecting someone else still out there. Anyone?

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 14, 2009 9:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

CB Alphonso Smith (Wake Forest)

is still available and is rated a better corner than Byrd. Should I take Smith over Byrd or even someone else like Missouri TE Chase Coffman?

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 14, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

YES!

For the love of God! Take Alphonso Smith! I seriously doubt that he will fall this far in the real draft, but if it does happen, it would be a huge steal.

by BAL_Hawk on Apr 15, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, I took Byrd

Smith’ stock took a huge drop based on a very poor Combine in most every category.

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 16, 2009 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

5 picks past me

Smith is still on the board, with two other CB’s taken since my pick of Byrd. Check it out over at www.MockingtheDraft.com.

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 16, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

Sorry, Rexx. I think that this is a bad pick. Smith is going to be a great NFL corner. You should know that measurables don’t mean much! I mean… you picked Hakeem Nicks! Nicks ran a slow 40! Smith is the same type of player. He has one physical question mark (his height), but if you turn on the film, he plays better than any corner in the draft!

The ONLY knock on him is that he’s short. If he was 1-2 inches taller, he’d be a top ten pick. Smith is the best ball hawk in the draft, and a natural play maker. If he falls to the second round, I’m sure that the Ravens would take him.

by BAL_Hawk on Apr 16, 2009 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"but if you turn on the film, he plays better than any corner in the draft!"

Does that include the Wake Forrest vs Maryland game where Heyward-Bey put up career numbers of 11 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown on your boy Smith?

Not buying into him. My favorite CB in this draft is Darius Butler from UCONN. Physical guy. Smith just does not seem like he will be the physical specimen that this 2ndary is lacking.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 16, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude… Every corner has a bad day. It’s still a team game, and if a WR is shredding the defense, the blame (usually) doesn’t fall completely on the CB. Darius Butler was torched by Kenny Britt in the Rutgers game. It happens to every player in college… Talent evaluators look at their games as a whole, and as a whole, I believe that Smith has the best skill set of all the corners in the draft. I’m still mad that you passed on him, Rexx!

by BAL_Hawk on Apr 16, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know

Just wanted to give you a hard time. You know how me and DHB are. If we take Smith, then its a great decision by Ozzie like always. I welcome any college player the the Ravens if Ozzie takes you.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 16, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

By the way, I agree with you about Butler. I like him a bit better than Smith, but Butler was a first rounder at MTD. Smith was still on the board, and Rexx took Byrd over Smith. I like Byrd, but I just CANNOT see passing up Smith in the second round.

by BAL_Hawk on Apr 16, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like a different Smith

Sean Smith from Utah. A 6’3" cornerback!?! The only other guys with height like that is rodger-cromartie and antonio cromartie, two of the best at the position. I think taking the 6’3" Sean Smith over the 5’9" Alphonso Smith is better for us.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 16, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and Asomugha

6’2" 210

I got Summer hatin' on me cuz I'm hotter than the sun. Spring hatin' on me cuz I ain't never sprung
Winter hatin' on me cuz I'm colder than Y'all. And I will never, I will never, I will never Fall.
-Lil Wayne, Mr. Carter

by shake n bake on Apr 18, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah but Sean Smith

will be gone earlier in the first round and Alphonso Smith might last until the early-mid second round. I’ll take the guy that made All Pac-10, playing against tough pass happy offenses like USC, Washington State and others.

Rexx

by Rexx on Apr 20, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs