It’s draft time! We’ve had our experts tell you who will be drafted where, but now it’s time for you to throw on your GM cap and decide for yourself. Each day we will present an argument for each player and why the respective team should pick him. Then, it’s up to you. You make the pick. The next day, we will compile the results and you can see who is off the board. Disagree with all of the options? Be sure to write in your pick below in the comments section. OK, let’s get into it. The Baltimore Ravens are on the clock.
1. Houston Texans select South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney
2. St. Louis Rams select Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins
3. Jacksonville Jaguars select Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles
4. Cleveland Browns select Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel
5. Oakland Raiders select Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack
6. Atlanta Falcons select Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans
8. Minnesota Vikings select Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr
9. Buffalo Bills select Texas A&M offensive tackle Jake Matthews
10. Detroit Lions select UCLA outside linebacker Anthony Barr
11. Tennessee Titans select Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater
12. New York Giants select Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald
13. St. Louis Rams select Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan
14. Chicago Bears select Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
15. Pittsburgh Steelers select Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert
16. Dallas Cowboys select Auburn defensive end Dee Ford
With eight picks in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Ravens should make it a priority to better assist quarterback Joe Flacco.
Flacco’s first year of his $120 million contract didn’t go according to plan and the surrounding pieces must get better. They added a premier pass catcher in Steve Smith and re-signed left tackle Eugene Monroe. They allowed right tackle Michael Oher to walk in free agency and 2013 fifth-round pick Ricky Wagner is currently slated to fill that hole.
The defense, however, could improve with the right selections. With two very notable names on the board, it could be hard to pass on either of them. So, who should the Ravens select with the No. 17 overall pick?
Louisville FS Calvin Pryor
If the Ravens are looking for a throwback, in-the-box safety, Pryor should be their guy. Although they spent a first-round pick on Matt Elam last season, they lost James Ihedigbo via free agency. Since they have an obvious need at the position, Pryor would slide in immediately and be an upgrade over Anthony Levine. Pryor plays with an unmatched amount of confidence and has a thirst for punishing the opposition.
Alabama ILB CJ Mosley
The Ravens play the 3-4 defense, which is fueled by two tackling machines at inside linebacker. While Baltimore has Daryl Smith, Arthur Brown, Josh Bynes and Albert McClellan on the roster, Mosley can fill the hole much like Ray Lewis did for a decade-and-a-half. The two-time All American is instinctive and a sure-handed tackler.
Notre Dame OT Zack Martin
Martin started 52 games at Notre Dame, which is a school record. He’s light on his feet and very athletic for his 6-foot-4, 308-pound frame. Adding Martin would give the Ravens a very dependable lineman.
Oregon State WR Brandin Cooks
Since he was named an All-American and the Biletnikoff Award winner, teams have taken notice of the 5-foot-10, 190-pound wide receiver. Cooks blew scouts away by running a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash, but what’s more is he’s a precise route runner. His production can’t be discounted: 128 receptions for 1,730 yards and 16 touchdowns during his junior year.
North Carolina TE Eric Ebron
While the Ravens have two very good tight ends on the roster in Dennis Pitta and Owen Daniels, Ebron is the best player available. Ebron, who averaged 17 yards a catch during his three-year career in Chapel Hill, has the size and speed combination to excel in the league. Adding Ebron would give Flacco another big target in the middle of the field.
