Baltimore Ravens 2010 Draft Review

The Ravens didn't change a thing in the 2010 draft. They moved down and picked up players that were values at their positions. Sergio Kindle was thought to be a top 15 but a knee injury and character issues allowed the Texas pass rusher to fall to the Ravens at pick 43. Terrence Cody was also rumored to be a first round possibility, and Baltimore was able to secure him with the 57th overall pick. Two possible impact defensive players for a discount price. The selections of Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta have been rumored to end the Ravens' career of Todd Heap. The Ravens' second selection of the fifth round, Arthur Jones, could develop into a starting caliber defensive end. The Ravens might have traded out of the first round, but they came away with plenty of top-end talent.


Round 2, Pick 43
Sergio Kindle, OLB/DE, Texas

Ht: 6’ 2 7/8” Wt: 250

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Kindle is an excellent pass rusher.  He plays the game in the opponent's backfield and is perfectly suited for the Raven's 3-4 defense.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Athletic, explosive hybrid rusher with the power and explosion to make a Shawne Merriman-like impact heating up the edges from the outside in a “30” front. Biggest questions center around his maturity, but there is no doubting his physical talent.

NFL projection: Top-15 pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Teams running 4-3 or 3-4 base defenses should be enamored with his elite athleticism, ability to play in space, length, and pass-rush skills.  His inconsistency getting off blocks, even from tight ends, shows he has some room to grow before becoming an all-around playmaker.  Kindle’s off-field issues will be part of his draft resume.  He served a three-game suspension in 2007 for a drunk and driving charge.  Then in July 2009, he made headlines by running his car into an apartment building because he was texting while driving.   

Round 2, Pick 57

Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama

Ht: 6’ 3 5/8” Wt: 354

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Cody is a classic, run-stuffing, nose tackle.  A huge behemoth, he can instantly change a team's run defense game.  He's not a three down player and will need to be part of the rotation but the Ravens are deep at the D-line position.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Exceptionally strong, one-dimensional, two-down run stuffer who can factor on first and second downs as the anchor of a 3-4 front. Entered the program tipping 420 pounds on the scales and has continually dropped weight, cutting from 370 at the Senior Bowl to 354 at the Combine. Still must prove that he can keep his weight in check and a lack of overall discipline will knock him off some draft boards.

NFL projection: Second- to third-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  No running back rushed for 100 yards against the Tide after Cody transferred from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.  As dominate as he is in this role, he is a one-trick pony.  Alabama rotated or substituted at the position enough that some teams view Cody as a specialist, which will no doubt impact his draft standing with those teams

Round 3, Pick 70

Ed Dickson, TE, Oregon

Ht: 6’ 4 ¼” Wt: 249

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Dickson is a fine tight end prospect who's a better blocker than most "big wide receiver" types  in this class. He has excellent hands and could develop into a starting tight end after Todd Heap retires.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Is best split wide working against air and could become a pass-catching weapon detached from the line if he can assimilate to a pro-style offense. The ability to grasp a more complex, demanding playbook will define his career.

NFL projection: Second- to third-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Dickson leaves as Oregon’s all-time receiving leader at the position with 124 catches for 1,557 yards and 12 scores.  He won’t provide his future NFL team with much as a blocker, but should fit right in with the new emphasis clubs are placing on matchup nightmares who can stretch defenses down the seam.  

114.)  Baltimore Ravens
Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU
Ht:  6' 4"  Wt 245

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Pitta is a classic 'tweener:  bigger than a wide receiver yet probably too small to be a full-time tight end, he is an extremely intriguing prospect.  The Ravens can use him right away to create matchup problems against line backers.  

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Although he’s a better blocker than most think, the three-time first-team All-mountain West Pick might struggle to convince NFL teams he can be more than situational receiving option.  Pitta must prove he has the agility and strong hands to handle coverage from top-flight linebackers.

156.)  Baltimore Ravens
David Reed, WR, Utah
Ht: 6' 0" Wt: 188

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Reed is another player that needs to get stronger physically and learn the NFL passing game.   He does not possess the speed to return punts or kicks so his chances of making the Ravens are not excellent.  If he can find a place on the team playing special teams in some other capacity that would improve his chances of staying on.  

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Reed was the go-to big-play receiver in Utah’s offense the past two seasons after setting the national junior college reception record with 11 catches in only 10 games in 2007.  Considering his lanky frame and ability to absorb hits while maintaining his feet to make plays in space, some NFL team will get a good return on its investment in Reed.  

157.)  Baltimore Ravens
Arthur Jones, DT, Syracuse
Ht: 6' 3" Wt: 301

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Jones is an undersized 4-3 defensive tackle but maybe perfectly suited as a 3-4 defensive end in Baltimore's D.  Jones has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons but has played at a much higher level than his draft position would indicate.  

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Jones had a torn pectoral muscle after the 2008 season and torn meniscus in his knee, ending his ’09 season and drawing durability questions from scouts.  If those scouts see that pre-injury versatility to push the pocket, discard blockers to make plays in the backfield and downfield hustle in pre-draft workouts, then Jones may get himself back into the top 75 overall. 

194.)  Baltimore Ravens
Ramon Harewood, OT, Morehouse
Ht: 6' 7" Wt: 360

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Another steal by the Ravens, Harewood is a huge physical specimen and could develop into a starter.  With tackle being a strength, taking a risk on this raw prospect was worth it.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:   College left tackle who will have to make it on the right side in the pros or potentially on the inside, where he would have help on each side and could better function in a short area. Combination of size, smarts and arm length could attract a patient coach eager to refine raw talent. Would be best playing closer to 330 pounds and clearly has coachable upside.

NFL projection: Late draftable pick.

Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Preview available @ http://www.pfwstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=695

Lindy’s Sports 2010 Draft Guide available @http://www.lindyssports.com/product.php?cn=332

Every Morning Quarterback by Aharon Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.everymorningqb.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at www.everymorningqb.com.