Latest Mock Draft From SB Nation

by Bruce Raffel on Mar 22, 2011 2:00 PM EDT

Over at SBNation.com, they've done just one more updated Mock Draft for the first round of April's NFL Draft. Now they have Auburn QB Cam Newton going first overall t the Carolina Panthers. Anybody want to join me in a "pity-party" for Panthers QB Jimmy Clausen, who has been barely mentioned as an option for Carolina?

Overall, it's a solid Mock Draft in my opinion, as the better guys go to the teams that could definitely use them, with really none of those head-scratching picks that the real draft always seems to have. SB Nation made the pick, 26th overall, for the Baltimore Ravens and I applaud their selection.

They project the Ravens to pick Wisconsin offensive tackle Gabe Carimi as their choice to either step right in at right tackle or perhaps even earn his way there by starting at right guard and then ultimately switching with current Raven Marshal Yanda once he gets enough experience and the confidence of the coaching staff. Here is what SB Nation's Brian Galliford wrote abut Carimi:

26. Baltimore Ravens: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin. Jared Gaither's future is in doubt, and though the Ravens found respectable play at right tackle last year, a true bookend to Michael Oher would be a good idea.

Regardless of what positions you may think the team needs, offensive line is definitely one of them and the Ravens could not go wrong with the selection of Carimi, who is ranked among the best offensive linemen in this year's draft class.

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Comments

I really do not want to draft an OT in this draft because I feel they all have major flaws in some part of their game, but I see why we may need to. We can’t have the line perform the way they did last year, but I feel if we go OT all we are doing is drafting our RT and I don’t like using a first on a RT. Ozzie is the man though and I’m sure he’ll decide what will be best and make the right decision.

by AV23 on Mar 22, 2011 2:37 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

If the Ravens are just looking for a right tackle then I think David Mims

or Marcus Cannon could be good candidates in later rounds

by jazz20 on Mar 22, 2011 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Absolutely no problem with this pick

All bearing if a new CBA hasn’t been reached, and Gaithers future in Baltimore is still in question. But if Carimi is still there at #26, we pretty much have to take him.

"Anything worth doing, is worth doing right."
-Hunter S. Thompson-

by StuckInUtah on Mar 22, 2011 2:39 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I want Houston so much if he is there. He just ran a 4.57 at his pro day and I don’t know if he will be there when we pick.

by AV23 on Mar 22, 2011 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I would love to have Houston on this team. I believe he’d be a guy who could contribute right away. But I feel like the O-line is more of a concern right now. But if Ozzie is confident he can either bring Gaither back, or fill the need through free agency, then by all means let’s get Houston in black & purple (if yes still there at #26)

"Anything worth doing, is worth doing right."
-Hunter S. Thompson-

by StuckInUtah on Mar 22, 2011 3:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I definitely think it will be easier to improve the OL through free agency than it would the pass rush. I could definitely see another Willie Anderson type situation being in place for us if we don’t like anyone in the draft. But I still fully expect Ozzie to pick up an O-Lineman or two in this draft. We have pretty good starters, but we definitely need depth and possibly a new RG/RT.

"If only Flacco could put up numbers similar to Matt Ryan, or maybe just improve his stats year-to-year, he wouldn’t seem like such a wasted draft pick. It’s as if a young quarterback needs to put up better stats in his first three years than nearly every other quarterback to play in the NFL to justify a first round pick." - Amp

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 22, 2011 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it all comes down to Gaither. Here is a guy that is still young and powerful in the run game. I don’t like many of the tackles, but of them Carimi is my favorite for us. I think it would be a shame though because we could address other areas that have been lacking for awhile like DE. I saw Houston and he looks really, really good. I think he is starting to creep up the board a little bit and if he’s there at 26, I’d be breathing a sigh of relief. I think if we decide to go pass rusher/best defensive player available, he’s our guy. He is actually one guy that could step in and impact us immediately. He moves really well for a 270 pounder and he is thick all the way around. He does look like Suggs a lot as far as body type is concerned. We’ll have to see what happens.

by BmoreRavensFan on Mar 22, 2011 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

That’s why I love him because he does reminds me of suggs and he could very well be the best pass rusher coming out of this draft. All the teams will be worried about suggs and Ngata on the other side and he could create so much havoc going one on one every time. I agree that I like Carimi the best out of any of the OT’s, but I really don’t see any of them becoming elite players and most of them will probably end up on the right side. Houston as well as some other defensive players I see becoming elite and that could factor into ozzie’s decision.

by AV23 on Mar 22, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I tabbed Houston as a ‘Raven’ type of player ever since watching his highlight clip. He actually even ran a faster 40 today (4.57) and he looked really quick and nimble. He is real fast for being 270 pounds. I worry that he’s going to be gone by the time we pick. I can’t see us trading up unless he fell to 24 where we could trade a 6th rounder to the Saints. I look at them, Tampa Bay, and KC as the 3 that could pull the trigger on him. Do you have any confidence that he’ll be there at 26?

by BmoreRavensFan on Mar 22, 2011 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I have seen quite a few mocks with him still being there at our pick, so it’s one of those things we will have to wait and see. This draft is stacked with talent at the DL position and some great OLB prospects. It will all be team preferences as to which player fits their scheme best. He definitely could, but even if not I am confidence there will be some highly rated player who ends up slipping to us and I feel so much more confident in the defensive talent in this draft than I do any of the offensive positions.

by AV23 on Mar 22, 2011 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions

*confident

by AV23 on Mar 22, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I was very high on Houston until I heard Mike Mayock and Michael Lombardi say they don’t see his talent show up consistently on game film. I know he had a good workout today, but that’s what apparently confuses these two about Houston…he looks great in shorts, but on game day he doesn’t always appear to be giving 100%. On the other hand, his measurables are off the charts and with good coaching, he could be a stud in the pros. I know Dean Pees met with him privately during his pro day, so if he’s there at 26, there is a good chance we take him. My bet is we go either d-line or o-line in the first round, provided we hold that selection.

by JoshuaStein on Mar 22, 2011 7:08 PM EDT reply actions

he looks great in shorts, but on game day he doesn’t always appear to be giving 100%.

The exact same thing was said about Suggs, and look how that turned out. Houston is Suggs 2.0, and I think we will all love his services. A little bit of coaching and some Ray Lewis is going to make this guy go 100%, I know that for sure. People don’t quit on this team, this ain’t Washington.

"Can you call Flacco a bust? He’s had super bowl caliber teams but has never gotten them there. The Ravens get into and win playoff games only because of the caliber of the rest of the team. The Ravens do not dominate much weaker defensive teams by winning the game by a large margin. The defense gave him a sizeable lead against Pittsburgh and he wasn’t able to close out the game. For all the reasons you call Boller a bust are the same things I see in Flacco." - TheShadow

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 22, 2011 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Houston is Suggs 2.0

I like that. I can definitely see the resemblance, but Houston is more of a edge rusher than Suggs. I think they’d compliment each other very well. Throw Kindle into the mix and you have a ridiculous pass-rushing trio. I’m already seeing visions of 2006-like pass-rushing dominance. Here’s hoping that Pagano knows how to call blitzes.

by BAL_Hawk on Mar 22, 2011 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I have heard them question that about him, but I’m going off the ability I see on film. Some of the snaps looked like he was the first one moving on defense or offense. He has a great first step and that’s what I look for in the pass rush. I’m sure once he talks to Ray he will have no problem putting in the work.

by AV23 on Mar 22, 2011 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I feel like Houston wouldn’t be a good pick for us. Unless he is going to take over at RE, he isn’t going to be on the feild most of the time. Plus, he can’t help in pass coverage situations. I’d prefer coaching T. Cody and givng Redding a chance (he was learning the defense on the go last year and he started to show up a little towards the end of the year). Otherwise, a guy like Cameron Jordon would be an amazing pick up, but he probably won’t be there.

That’s the ravens probably go OT in the first.

by instinct07 on Mar 23, 2011 3:08 AM EDT reply actions

He is too small to play end in a 3-4 and with his pass rushing ability he would be in probably every passing down situation. He does need work on coverage, but that is something that can be taught and he is a lot more athletic than JJ. I don’t think he takes JJ’s spot in his first year, but I do see him having a huge impact in the first year and I think he has great value at the end of the 1st because he could potentially be the best pass rusher to come out of this draft.

by AV23 on Mar 23, 2011 6:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I think your going to see a lot of 4-3 from the Ravens this year which is why the Houston pick would make sense.

by BmoreRavensFan on Mar 23, 2011 12:14 PM EDT reply actions

I was thinking that we have the personnel to do it as well if that’s what pagano wants. JJ doesn’t really fit into it very good, but a front of Houston,Cody, Ngata, and Suggs. Then LB’s of McClain, Lewis and Kindle if healthy would be our best group to run it. I don’t that we completely abandon the 3-4, but like I said if Pagano likes a 4-3 we definitely could put in a group to run it.

by AV23 on Mar 23, 2011 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

Houston is more inclined for a 3-4 defense, so he may not be the guy we want if more of a 4-3 set will be seen next season. I’d take Adrian Clayborn or Cam Jordan if that happens.

by JoshuaStein on Mar 23, 2011 2:24 PM EDT reply actions