SB Nation Writers Mock Draft: Round 2

by Bruce Raffel on Apr 23, 2011 9:37 PM EDT

In the SB Nation Writers Mock Draft, I picked the players on behalf of the Baltimore Ravens in this two-round draft. In the first round, I was amazed and jumped all over selecting Missouri DE Aldon Smith, whom I thought was easily a top-15, if not a top-10 talent. His ability to drop back into coverage as a linebacker or rush the passer as a hybrid or down lineman would instantly take pressure off of Terrell Suggs as the only defensive player to worry about getting to the opposing team's quarterback.

With the 58th overall pick of the NFL Draft, I was also pleased to have to decide between a bevy of talented guys who no matter which player I took, would stir debate amongst most Ravens fans. However, this is a great dilemma to be in and I really had little problem with my decision.

Pittsburgh's Jon Baldwin was still on the board and with the thought that the Ravens could get a solid offensive lineman in the third or later rounds as well as my opinion that the cornerback position was not as much a dire need as many so-called experts thought it was, I went for the type of guy I thought could be the missing piece on the offensive side of the ball.

Baldwin's skill set will complement both Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason, and he should develop the chemistry with QB Joe Flacco to growinto a solid passing combination in the future. The only thing that many fans will ask is that between Baldwin, Torrey Smith (Maryland), Greg Little (UNC), Titus Young (Boise State) and Randall Cobb (Kentucky), why did I choose Baldwin?

Personally, I like his size and versatility to go long as well as over the middle filled the void more so than any of the other guys who were either a deep threat or a possession receiver. However, any of those guys would have improved the Ravens receiving corps and the fact I was in the position of having these choices would be a great situation for the Ravens to find themselves in next week in the actual 2011 NFL Draft.

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Comments

Too many teams over reached to fill a need in this mock draft

by instinct07 on Apr 23, 2011 9:57 PM EDT reply actions

Doubt he is still there, but would be amazing if he was or even if we traded up some to get him. He would be a great target for Flacco and somebody I see giving a lot CB’s some serious trouble.

by AV23 on Apr 23, 2011 10:44 PM EDT reply actions

This has to be the best mock I’ve seen in terms of good players falling to the Ravens.

I would love to see Baldwin in the second round, and Aldon Smith in the first is just crazy.

by BAL_Hawk on Apr 23, 2011 11:26 PM EDT reply actions

Agree and surprised

that both guys were still there in each round. Seriously doubtful if this ends up reality. Too good to be true.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Apr 24, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Aldon Smith and Jon Baldwin is a dream draft. Man, that would rival Ozzie taking Joe and Rice in the first and second rounds in 2008.

Real G's move in silence like lasagna

by Mr MaLoR on Apr 23, 2011 11:47 PM EDT reply actions

Instant

Super Bowl favorite!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Apr 24, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

They say Baldwin is a bit of a diva, but most good WRs are. If he’s there that late in the second round, that might be a tremendous value selection.

by JoshuaStein on Apr 24, 2011 8:49 AM EDT reply actions

Baldwin would be amazing in the redzone. Can you imagine how tough it is to guard someone who is 6’5, 230 lbs with a 40’’ vertical? Now the fade route in the redzone would actually make sense when Cam calls it.

by AV23 on Apr 24, 2011 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

If Billick had Baldwin

instead of Clarence Moore, he might still be the head coach here (fade=Billick’s favorite play)!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Apr 24, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Beautiful draft Bruce.

Maybe the Ravens would have you in their draft room this week. If nothing else you’d be their rabbits foot. ;)

But I think this draft shows that for the Ravens and us fans the excitement is all about watching teams ahead of us crack and over reach. Who we pick might be just as much due to how the teams in front of us mess up and let guys like Smith and Baldwin fall to us if not more so. And really, I do think something like this will happen for us: someone(s) will fall that shouldn’t.

by ursula on Apr 24, 2011 11:00 AM EDT reply actions

I will be at The Castle on Draft Night

Invited by Ravens. Will blog live from their media room, with access to conference calls with draft picks and press conferences with Ozzie, Harbs and others as well.

Best of all, free food! (Ravens do it right)

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Apr 24, 2011 11:04 AM EDT reply actions

Are you serious? You’ll be there?

by JoshuaStein on Apr 24, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Was there last year as well

Got to speak with Harbs, Ozzie and listen in on conference calls with other media with draft picks who called in minutes after being selected. That’s where we heard Kindle say about his car accident at Texas, “I never knew how far a car could go in two seconds when you are looking for your cell phone on the floor!”

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Apr 24, 2011 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions