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What the Mockers Think of the Ravens- Updated to 11/30 in the comments

Every year around now I like to take a first look at mock drafts, not so much for the exact players they have mocked to us but more to see the positions of perceived need that these outsiders are seeing. Though I must admit it is fun to see which players are mocked to us so when I watch a college game I can focus on those players.

ANYWAYS let's take the survey! This week most mock drafts have us drafting at 29, meaning they have us losing in the AFC Championship game. And at 29 the most popular pick for the Ravens is...

29. ILB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma- mocked to us by Carter Donnick @ The Draft Network:

I think Donnick sums up Murray very well: "rangy and aggressive LB with mind-blowing tackle numbers...tackles everything and I do mean EVERYTHING." That he's from Oklahoma and that the Ravens LOVE them some Sooners makes this an astute pick.

Other mockers have Murray going to us as well: Donnick's website co-writer Ben Solak, CBS' Josh Edwards, Tyler Roman of NBC Spoorts Washington, and Tankathon also have Murray going to the Ravens at 29 and notes that he is rising in draft boards. Murray is easily the most popular player mocked to us which at this point, in part because ILB is perceived as the area of biggest need, and Murray in particular because ILB1 and ILB2, Isaiah Simmons of Clemson and Dylan Moses of Alabama, are picked way before the Ravens pick.

I wonder if Bynes and Fort may steer the conversation elsewhere if they keep playing well. We'll see in the next few weeks.

Okay if not Murray and ILB where else are mockers looking? How about EDGE?

29, Julian Okwara, EDGE Notre Dame, mocked to us by PFF's Michael Renner. and also Matthew Valdovinos of Pro Football Network agrees with him, " The Ravens have been getting pitiful play by their edge rushers. 9 total sacks from their top-four edge rushers isn’t exactly inspiring. Okawra is a strong athlete who possesses natural hands and projects perfectly into the Ravens 3-4 defensive scheme. Okwara could go for 9 sacks as a rookie.

And also going EDGE but with a different player, 27. Curtis Weaver, EDGE Boise State by Vinnie Iyler of Sporting News.

I am a little surprised that EDGE is not mocked to the Ravens more but I do see that EDGE players are not projected much at the bottom of the first round. Note: I do like Weaver because he seems like the type of EDGE guy the Ravens would pick as he can slide inside on passing downs.

Okay what else? Defense again!

29. Neville Gilmore, DL Oklahoma is picked by Ryan Wilson of CBS

29. Jon Greenard, DL, Florida, is mocked to us by Walter Football.

29. Raekwon Davis, DL Alabama mocked to us by Sayre Bedinger of NFL Mocks

29. Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State by Free Agent Forecast.

No consensus of who on the DL but a bunch of mockers think the Ravens go that way next spring. With Michael Pierce probably going free agent route out of Baltimore this makes some sense, especially if the DL pick has some pass rush abilities. ...I'm not convinced that the Ravens will go IDL in round 1. They have had too much success in later rounds and UDFAs. But definitely the Ravens could use an IDL who can rush the passer.

Moving on...wide receiver!

29. Tyler Johnson, WR Minnesota mocked to us by Chris Trapasso of CBS

29. DeVonta Smith, WR mocked to us by Jacob Harrison of With The First Pick

29 Henry Ruggs WR Alabama is picked for us by Eddie Brown of the San Diego Union Tribune.

26. Laviska Shenault, WR Colorado, mocked byJordan Reid, The Draft Network

Those of us already following the draft know that WR is thought of as being very very VERY deep with high quality from the top of round 1 though day 3. There are good WR picks at basically any round of the draft. Of these four mocked above, I doubt Smith goes in round 1 as he is kinda slight though he's very good at what he does. Shenault to me would be a cheat code in the Ravens' offense as he lines up everywhere for Colorado including the backfield, and even though opposing defenses know he's the focal point of their offense he still gets the job done. He's a bit raw in technique though.

All that said, picking WR in round 1 means that there's not enough perceived receiving talent beyond Hollywood. Snead and Roberts are blockers first. Boykin hasn't yet impressed outsiders. Let's see what Boykin does the second half of the season. Again there are great WR prospects in every later round.

Finally we get to the OL. Remember when it was thought that OL was a big problem? We aren't thinking that too much these days and that is reflected in the lack of OL picks for the Ravens. Still, Bozeman is a below average G although Skura has obviously improved from last year.One wonders what Powers is like in practice. If Yanda retires then OL will shoot up in priority. Unfortunately and like EDGE players OLs are not seen much in mock drafts at the end of round 1.

29. Shane Lemieux, G, Oregon is mocked by Charlie Campbell over at Walter Football. For what it's worth, Charlie has a 2nd round mocked and he has us picking up Lemieux' teammate, C Jake Hansen. Charlie is most concerned about our OL. As an Oregon fan I like Lemieux a lot but I think he's a reach in round 1.

There you have it: early ideas on where the Ravens are weak plus some players who might be valued around pick 29. No CBs, also very deep this year and no TEs! Ha. Guaranteed this will change but it is fun to note what outsiders think f the team.

The opinions posted here are those of the writer of this article. They are in no way official comments from the team, the editors of this site or SB Nation as a whole, and should not be misconstrued as such.