Mocking the Draft 2nd Live Draft: Baltimore Ravens
After what was a very successful seven round live draft over at Mocking The Draft, we decided to start up another one to see how our views towards certain players and draft strategies have changed. Many of the picks were different from the first draft and it lead me to change my approach towards the Ravens' first two picks. We were only able to get two rounds done because of complications with other team representatives not showing up, so another 7 round live draft will be done after the 2010 combine. Here are the picks I made for the Ravens. Full draft results here.
1. (25th overall): Carlos Dunlap, DE - Florida (6'6" 290 lbs) Highlights
- Dunlap may be the strongest Defensive End in the 2010 draft. Coming from power house, University of Florida, Dunlap showed why he deserves to be a first round pick. A perfect 3-4 DE for style of football played in the AFC North. His weight may scare off some because of the league being used to DE weighing 250-280 pounds, but he is "blessed with a rare combination of size, strength and speed -- Dunlap has drawn comparisons to former No. 1 overall selections Julius Peppers and Mario Williams -- Dunlap appeared capable of challenging to be the top pick in the draft based on his production in the SEC." A first team all conference selection who finished with 9 sacks in 2009, including 2 more in the Sugar Bowl blowout against Cincinnati. Great against the run and even though he does not possess elite quickness on the edge like a Dwight Freeney, his strength and long upper body allows Dunlap to get around Tackles very quickly. Very good awareness of where the ball is and tosses away most O-Lineman to get to the ball. "Forces the pass blocker wide, opening a lane for his spin back inside. Among his better traits is his explosive initial pop due to his upper body strength and long arms. Can knock back the run blocker and make the tackle in the hole. Good leaper. Has blocked four kicks in his career." Dunlap would be an immediate impact in the Ravens pass rush and was ranked #13 overall on my board.
- (See Round 2 pick and commentary after the 'Jump.')
2. (57th overall): Dexter McCluster, Athlete - Ole Miss (5'8" 165 lbs) Highlights (Destroying Tennessee)
- McCluster's stock is rising really fast right now after his dominance in the Senior Bowl practices a few weeks ago. Some of the best CB's such as Javier Arenas had a really tough time covering him in drills. I refer to McCluster as an "Athlete" because of the fact that he played Running Back at Mississippi, but is projected to be a WR in the NFL. I heard one scout who is high on McCluster say that he is a more explosive Percy Harvin and a tougher Darren Sproles. That is a some high praise. Incredible straight-line speed and is stronger than his size makes him out to be. A fearless player who seems to not back down from any defender and there are a few clips of him laying killer blocks on Linebackers. Great effort down field to help out other WR and RB. Extremely elusive and almost gets lost by other defenders because of his size and quickness. For someone his size to be a RB in the best college football conference in the nation, that shows what kind of toughness McCluster possesses. Would be an ideal player in the slot or 4 spot on 3rd downs as well as 2nd and longs. Cam Cameron would have no choice but to revamp this offense to incorporate "unusual" plays for McCluster out of the back field and as a WR.
- To see a list of all players in the 2010 draft and overall ranking made by one of the managers of this live draft, check out this well put together google document.
- Look for another 7 round mock draft after the combine this year, where we will finally have our full evaluation of all players.
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21 comments
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Comments
I see your coming around on McCluster...
If he was still there in the second round for us, it’d be amazing for us to pick him up.
I’d take this start to the the draft in a heartbeat.
Wow Pierre-Paul fell till the second round.
Bring on the F’ real draft!!! April can’t get here soon enough.
Great #1 pick
I love Dunlap’s ability to disrupt the opposing offense, on run plays and pass. He is tall enough to block the QB’s view and bat down balls and has amazing quickness for such a large guy. Absolutely reminds me of Williams and Peppers, as he doesn’t look to have3 any belly fat at all on his large frame. You’d be surprised how a guy like him could make our corners immediately look better back there, even Frank!
McCluster seems like a reach fro us at #2, because his size to too close to Rice’s and we need a taller wideout. That said, the kid is a freak in speed, size and most of all, guts. He will frustrate defenses wherever he goes and if Ozzie does go for it, imagine what he and Rice would do to the opposition?
aka 'Rexx'
Dunlap is slowly becoming one of my favorite players
He is relentless. A very mean DE. He just needs to improve his speed and he will be unstoppable. I had some good players left on my board when I drafted him, but he was 13th on my board and the closest guy to him was 20. Had to go with Dunlap.
Yea, I did sort of reach on McCluster, but I am not the only one. A late 2nd round pick for him I have seen a few times so far in other drafts. And his stock is rising. If he can show he can catch the ball well at the combine, he might be a top 5-8 pick in the 2nd round.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Yeah, and the
kick in of his afterburners were amazing! Plus, he has dreads, which we all know what that theory of mine means!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Feb 23, 2010 5:24 PM EST up reply actions
Notgood with injjuries when you have dreads though (Webb)
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Baltimore Warrior on Feb 23, 2010 6:00 PM EST up reply actions
Yea, also not good when you are the starting #2 CB and the coaches are playing you on Special Teams in the 4th quarter in a blowout game against the Bears.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
True
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Baltimore Warrior on Feb 23, 2010 9:51 PM EST up reply actions
I want Dezmon Briscoe
from Kansas more than a Percy Harvin type player just because I want a tall deep threat instead of just an explosive reciever. I also like that he is a bigger guy especially compared to Demetrius Williams… I am still worried Ozzie will decide that he’s going to be our special deep threat this year and put him as our number 2 with stallworth as 1 or 3 depending on whether we keep Mason…
But
I do love the Dunlap pick in the first round! That is if he slips to us. I think he’s dropping fast but with the rest of the line that we have I think he won’t have to be a force in himself and I would love that!
by NgataChance!! on Feb 23, 2010 6:27 PM EST up reply actions
And his name sounds like a term for screwing something up
“Hey Paul, did you get ant last night with Alexis?” “Oh yeah, I Dunlapped her up…..”
“I Got a 63 on my math test, I really Dunlapped up”
“Hey! Stop Dunlapping around, we have work to do.”
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Baltimore Warrior on Feb 23, 2010 9:55 PM EST up reply actions
What to Olympic sprinters say when they pass one of thier opponents?
“I Dun-Lapped you!”
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
never thought of that
but I really enjoy that now! and I think I want to draft him even more now haha
by NgataChance!! on Feb 24, 2010 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
Dunlap and Suggs
at the bookends w/ Ngata in the middle!? Ray who?
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Feb 24, 2010 10:25 AM EST up reply actions
I get the same feeling
I really hate hearing Newsome and Harbaugh talk about how much they love the WR we have on the team. They always bring up that we got far in the playoffs the last 2 years with those WR, which is true. But you have to see that with big time players at WR, we could have been Superbowl champions both those years, especially last year.
I won’t get on Ozzie too much because we all complained and moaned about trading away a 1st and 3rd last year for Marshall or Boldin, which those two picks ended up being Oher and Webb, two future stars on this team. So can’t knock on him too much. But this is THE year that we must do something. I might not be a Ravens fan next year if Stallworth, Clayton and Williams are our top 3.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Can't blame you
My back-up is the Titans. They are very Raveny like, but they take chances, and that’s why I love Jeff Fisher.
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Baltimore Warrior on Feb 23, 2010 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
Don't believe everything you hear
behind closed doors, they’re not happy and with them all being either FA’s or RFA’s they now have the chance to improve the group. Up to now, they were just “towing” the company line.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Feb 24, 2010 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
I won't believe it till I see it.
Ozzie has already taken that step with the Stallworth signing, so I like that. But he has to realize that Joe needs a new #1-3 group. I hope Ozzie doesn’t fill this team with career #2-3 guys. Make the move Oz, just do it.
If you can let go of Travis Taylor after a few years, you can do the same with Clayton. Just gotta stop taking 5’10" WR in the first round man. Go for the 6’3" 220 guys please.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Thomas or Benn...
I’ll take either of those guys first round too. Save the small receiver for the 3rd round like a Jacoby Ford.
I like Briscoe too,
hoefully is still available in the 4th or 5th round and we can snatch him up. He reminds me of Colston.
Dunlap is really talented, but I’ve heard he has character concerns. He had that DUI and some reports say he doesn’t try as much as he should – that usually doesn’t cut it in the NFL. But I’m sure the Ravens will interview him at the combine and if they think his character checks out then it would be a great fit.
I don’t really know about McCluster, but I do know I would prefer a big, red zone threat type of wideout sometime in the draft or free agency.















