Baltimore Ravens Forecast
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Baltimore Ravens (6-10)
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(13) Brodrick Bunkley, DT. Florida State
(44) Daniel Bullocks, S. Nebraska
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The Ravens are a very interesting team in this year's draft. Above all, they would prefer to grab an elite quarterback like Matt Leinart or Vince Young. If the opportunity presents itself, expect them not to pass. However, the team also has legitimate needs on the defensive side of the ball. Will Demps has left as a free agent to the Giants, leaving Ed Reed without a counterpart at safety. Reed has the flexibility to play either the free or strong safety spots, so a safety of Ravens' proportions would fill a need. The secondary is also very thin at cornerback. Beyond Samari Rolle and Chris McAllister is Dale Carter, who is aging and looking forward to retirement and not a full-time role as a nickel back. Lastly, suring up the offensive line is a priority. If value presents itself day one, expect a right tackle to be selected.
(13) Brodrick Bunkley, DT. Florida State
For having such a dominating career, Ray Lewis has certainly not done it alone. This is almost heresy to say, but Ray Lewis and his successes hinged on having a big-bodied defensive tackle to take up space in the middle. This allowed him to roam free and exhibit his sideline-to-sideline range. Brodrick is just that guy. He is big and athletic. He can take on two blockers in the running game and get to the quarterback as a pass rusher. His 6'3"/306 size is an incredible compliment to his sub-5.0 speed. Someone with his rare blend of size, speed, and athleticism does not come around often. He is a dream defensive candidate for the Ravens, who love players of Bunkley's caliber.
(44) Daniel Bullocks, S. Nebraska
Needing to grab the best available defensive back in the second round, the Ravens would find a steal in Daniel Bullocks. Having lost Will Demps to free agency, safety is a more pressing need than corner, and Bullocks is just who Ravens' fans would love to have. Daniel Bullocks of Nebraska is a better prospect than his brother, Josh, was a year ago. Josh went in the early second round to the Saints and proceeded to start every game. Daniel has excellent size at 6'1"/212. His 4.38 speed is elite among safeties. He has excellent mobility and range. He is relatively poor in man coverage, making him an ideal candidate for a centerfielder. He is simply the fast, rangy style of defensive back that the Ravens would love in centerfield along side Ed Reed.
(*) Winston Justice, OT. USC
Winston Justice is a dominating force up front. After being stagnant for about two months, Justice's stock rose substantially after a dominating Pro Day. At 6'6"/320. Justice managed a vertical jump of 39". He benched 38 reps @ 225lbs and managed 5.04 in the 40-yard dash even after coming up lame and hobbling the last five yards on one leg. Simply put, Justice is a physical freak. He is an outstanding run blocker and an excellent pass blocker. He is mobile and has tons of upside. What he lacks in technique at the moment, he makes up for with Pro-Bowl potential. Justice's major knock is having been a part of a series of incidents off the field -involving an AirSoft gun among other things- that led to his suspension for the entire 2004 season. Nevertheless, he is an elite prospect.
Baltimore Ravens (6-10)
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(13) Brodrick Bunkley, DT. Florida State
(44) Daniel Bullocks, S. Nebraska
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The Ravens are a very interesting team in this year's draft. Above all, they would prefer to grab an elite quarterback like Matt Leinart or Vince Young. If the opportunity presents itself, expect them not to pass. However, the team also has legitimate needs on the defensive side of the ball. Will Demps has left as a free agent to the Giants, leaving Ed Reed without a counterpart at safety. Reed has the flexibility to play either the free or strong safety spots, so a safety of Ravens' proportions would fill a need. The secondary is also very thin at cornerback. Beyond Samari Rolle and Chris McAllister is Dale Carter, who is aging and looking forward to retirement and not a full-time role as a nickel back. Lastly, suring up the offensive line is a priority. If value presents itself day one, expect a right tackle to be selected.
Brodrick Bunkley would give the Ravens that
big body to fill the middle of their defense
(13) Brodrick Bunkley, DT. Florida State
For having such a dominating career, Ray Lewis has certainly not done it alone. This is almost heresy to say, but Ray Lewis and his successes hinged on having a big-bodied defensive tackle to take up space in the middle. This allowed him to roam free and exhibit his sideline-to-sideline range. Brodrick is just that guy. He is big and athletic. He can take on two blockers in the running game and get to the quarterback as a pass rusher. His 6'3"/306 size is an incredible compliment to his sub-5.0 speed. Someone with his rare blend of size, speed, and athleticism does not come around often. He is a dream defensive candidate for the Ravens, who love players of Bunkley's caliber.
(44) Daniel Bullocks, S. Nebraska
Needing to grab the best available defensive back in the second round, the Ravens would find a steal in Daniel Bullocks. Having lost Will Demps to free agency, safety is a more pressing need than corner, and Bullocks is just who Ravens' fans would love to have. Daniel Bullocks of Nebraska is a better prospect than his brother, Josh, was a year ago. Josh went in the early second round to the Saints and proceeded to start every game. Daniel has excellent size at 6'1"/212. His 4.38 speed is elite among safeties. He has excellent mobility and range. He is relatively poor in man coverage, making him an ideal candidate for a centerfielder. He is simply the fast, rangy style of defensive back that the Ravens would love in centerfield along side Ed Reed.
Winston Justice could play opposite Jon
Ogden now, replacing him in the future
(*) Winston Justice, OT. USC
Winston Justice is a dominating force up front. After being stagnant for about two months, Justice's stock rose substantially after a dominating Pro Day. At 6'6"/320. Justice managed a vertical jump of 39". He benched 38 reps @ 225lbs and managed 5.04 in the 40-yard dash even after coming up lame and hobbling the last five yards on one leg. Simply put, Justice is a physical freak. He is an outstanding run blocker and an excellent pass blocker. He is mobile and has tons of upside. What he lacks in technique at the moment, he makes up for with Pro-Bowl potential. Justice's major knock is having been a part of a series of incidents off the field -involving an AirSoft gun among other things- that led to his suspension for the entire 2004 season. Nevertheless, he is an elite prospect.