Tonight is the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Baltimore Ravens enter the night with the #16 overall selection.

Here we discuss what the reactions and local sentiment will be tomorrow, if certain moves occur.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

Imagine yourself later tonight.

You’ve flipped away from the O’s game, and the offense blowing another quality start from Bundy.

You’ve gone through two hours of build-up waiting for the Ravens to be on the clock.

Maybe you’ve stuck with ESPN’s coverage, headed by Baltimore’s own Mel Kiper.

Maybe you’ve been watching the dual FOX Sports / NFL Network coverage, with Daniel Jeremiah, Deion Sanders, and Steve Smith each having former ties to the Ravens.

Either way, the Ravens logo is now showing.

Since the 2017 Ravens season ended December 31st, you’ve been waiting to see which way the Ravens go to improve their organization.

What will Ozzie pull out of his hat, during his last draft?

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell strides back to the podium.

He’s booed. Again.

“With the 16th pick, in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens select….”

Picture how that sentence ends.

What’s your reaction?

Here are my guesses:

 “…the Baltimore Ravens select Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville.”

Half of the fanbase: “There are tools to like. He can sit behind Flacco in 2018, and work on his weaknesses. He could flame out, but he could also be a star. He was in a pro-style offense under Petrino, and improved in the pocket during 2017. He’s got a strong arm. He’s an exceptional athlete. I’m excited for the potential. Potentially you have a guy that can be a productive starter during the ’19-’22 seasons at a minimal cost. The accuracy concerns due completion % are overblown. Each offense isn’t the same. Does he have the ability to throw people open? Go through his progressions? Those are bigger questions. Obviously the Ravens feel good about the answers.”

The other half of the fanbase: “His footwork concerns me. Despite the weight he’s put on since his season ended, he still looks frail. I question if he’s going to be a guy you want to invest a second contract into. With this being Newsome’s last draft, and Harbaugh’s seat being hot; I was expecting more immediate help. Especially after missing the playoffs three consecutive seasons. If you were going QB there, I  liked Randolph better. The completion percentage was ugly, and does not bode well.”

The entire fanbase: “2018 is now definitively Joe Flacco’s last year in Baltimore.”

 “…the Baltimore Ravens select Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame.”

The entire fanbase: “It’s not sexy, but good value once again fell to the Ravens. With McGlinchey, and a returning Yanda; the Ravens line can be a strength. Flacco will have more time, unfortunately the weapons are still highly limited.”

“…the Baltimore Ravens select Vita Vea, DT, Washington.”

The entire fanbase: “Ozzie is just trolling us at this point.  He’s a very talented player, at a position you already feel good about. I’ll tell you want you can do with your Best Player Available mantra.”

“…the Baltimore Ravens select Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama.”

Half of the fanbase: “Hey look, the Ravens took another player from ‘Bama. An offense starved for weapons, adds the most polished WR in this draft. He’s older, and he’s not overly physically imposing; but he runs great routes and should be productive.”

The other half of the fanbase: “The Ravens made the correct decision in taking a WR, but they took the wrong one.”

“…the Baltimore Ravens select DJ Moore, WR, Maryland.”

Half of the fanbase: “I actually liked him better than Ridley. Ridley should be more polished, he’s significantly older than Moore.  Moore just made plays at MD, and he did that with his QB’s continually being on the shelf. It’s also not like the Moore had the surrounding talent that Ridley did. I was impressed by what he did at the Combine, he showed to be a better athlete than he was advertised as.”

The other half of the fanbase: “16 feels like a reach. You weren’t able to trade back and get him lower?”

The entire fanbase: “He a Terp.”

“…the Baltimore Ravens select Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas San-Antonio.”

Half of the fanbase: “Not my first choice, but an athletic DE is needed. This team needs that rush off the edge. Like the potential.”

The other half of the fanbase: “I would have preferred Landry if you were going to go DE.”

The entire fanbase: “So, about that offense….?”

“…the Baltimore Ravens select Harold Landry, DE, Boston College.”

Half of the fanbase: “Not my first choice, but an athletic DE is needed. This team needs that rush off the edge. Like the potential.”

The other half of the fanbase: “I would have preferred Davenport if you were going to go DE.”

The entire fanbase: “So, about that offense…?”

“…the Baltimore Ravens select Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State.”

Half of the fanbase: “They added an athletic talent at a position of need. Rookie TE’s historically don’t do much in their first year.”

The other half of the fanbase: “I would have preferred Hurst if you were going to go TE.”

The entire fanbase: “A TE is a security blanket. A TE is a QB’s best friend. I’m sure Joe is happy.”

“…the Baltimore Ravens select Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina.”

Half of the fanbase: “Played in the SEC. Played Minor League baseball. Quality hands. Rookie TE’s historically don’t do much in their first year.”

The other half of the fanbase: “I would have preferred Goedert.”

The entire fanbase: “A TE is a security blanket. A TE is a QB’s best friend. I’m sure Joe is happy.”

 

Bonus: “We have a trade. The Baltimore Ravens have given up their #16 pick for multiple picks.”

Half of the fanbase: “They should have stayed at 16.”

The other half of the fanbase: “There was a lot of value in trading back, and accumulating picks.”

The entire fanbase: “I stayed up for this?”

 

Enjoy watching tonight, and join us at the BSL Board to give your thoughts!

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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