Rotoworld's First Mock Draft

[baltimore_hokie]

The Ravens take...Demaryius Thomas, WR Georgia Tech


25. Baltimore Ravens - Georgia Tech WR Demaryius Thomas

Thomas isn't in the first-round discussion yet, but he's a player many GMs will fall in love with this February. Calvin Johnson's successor goes 6'3/229 and has unrivaled vertical skills. Though Thomas caught only 46 balls as a junior in Georgia Tech's decidedly run-based offense, he accounted for nearly 60% of the Yellow Jackets' completions and averaged a mind-boggling 25.1 yards per catch. "Bay-Bay" is also a bone-crushing run blocker. In addition to giving Joe Flacco the deep threat he sorely needs, Thomas would maintain plenty of value in running situations.


Sounds like a perfect match for us, and it's interesting to see someone agree. The run-blocking is huge for us, in addition to deep-threat abilities.

THis has Gresham going at 26 and Spikes going at 32. Graham and Griffen were both passed on by the Ravens too.




http://www.rotoworld.com/content/features/column.aspx?sport=NFL&columnid=60&articleid=34629&pg=3

[Rxdoxx]

Good info

Just watched his youtube highlights, impressed with separation and that he catches with his hands... wish I could see "low-lights", did see him making catches like the one DWill dropped, but don't know if/or how many of those he didn't make off a highlight reel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMK59U6nCuw

[Thrall]

Sounds like a player to me.

[Sua Sponte]

Good info

Just watched his youtube highlights, impressed with separation and that he catches with his hands... wish I could see "low-lights", did see him making catches like the one DWill dropped, but don't know if/or how many of those he didn't make off a highlight reel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMK59U6nCuw

I watched a lot of tape on Bay Bay and he did have a few drops but it seemed like he dropped some easy stuff and made up for it with great catches, the catches i did see him drop seemed like he was trying to turn up field and make the most out of it before he looked it in, which is probably due to the lack of attention he receives in that Offensive scheme. There is no doubt the guy can go up and has hands and the run blocking is a big plus in this offense. I like Dez Bryant as well, but that is something he sems to lack is run blocking technique and gets called for a lot of holding.

Bay Bay will probably be legit.

[psuasskicker]

What's holding this kid back? The fact that he was an underclassman in a run-first offense with an absolutely horrendous QB?

I'm all for proven experience being a big factor. But I haven't heard anything like we heard about DHB last year, where the kid has attitude questions and stone hands. Seems to me like this kid is a poor-man's Calvin Johnson who was playing with an even worse QB than Johnson had to play with.

- C -

[baltimore_hokie]

What's holding this kid back? The fact that he was an underclassman in a run-first offense with an absolutely horrendous QB?

I'm all for proven experience being a big factor. But I haven't heard anything like we heard about DHB last year, where the kid has attitude questions and stone hands. Seems to me like this kid is a poor-man's Calvin Johnson who was playing with an even worse QB than Johnson had to play with.

- C -

The offense he played in is knocking him down, but he won't be a secret for long. He doesn't have the showcase games to tear up, so that should keep him hidden for a little longer.

He will soar up draft boards at the Combine, and should be a consensus first rounder by the time the Draft rolls around. Remember, it is still several months until the draft. Lots of time like guys for Bay-Bay and Pierre-Paul to improve their stock.

My only worry with Thomas is the lack of coverages he saw with that option offense. He got a ton of one-on-one coverage throughout college, and didn't really have to beat many double teams. On the Ravens, that shouldn't be too much of an issue because we can run on almost anybody. Our WR's see a ton of single coverage as well, but you would still like to see him beating double and triple-teams if we take him in the 1st.

I would love to watch the bowl game again when he was shut out to see what happened there. It could easily be traced back to poor QB play, but it might have been a function of no run success, thus more attention in coverage.

Either way, it's pretty obvious that I like the kid and think he can ball.

[Sua Sponte]

WOW!

I think we tend to look at so many players that we forget that there are only 32 teams and according to this Mock draft there will be a load of talent left at DE and WR in the 2nd, but I would still say WR 1st and DE 2nd because the trend is for teams to take WR, RB, and LB's in the 2nd.

DL
Hardy (Ole Miss)
Griffen (USC)
Alualu (CAL)
Marvin (NC)
C.J Wilson (ECU)

WR
Tate (ND)
Benn (IL)
Williams (USC)
Lafell (LSU)

They only have one TE going in the 1st, I can see talent still there in the 3rd for TE.

I'd like to see

WR
DE
TE
then the rest best on the board, unless another gem falls into our lap like last year. I think Ozzie was thinking WR last year until Oher fell so far and he couldn't resist.

[baltimore_hokie]

And these guys just missed the first round:


USC WR Damian Williams, Clemson OLB Ricky Sapp, LSU OT Ciron Black, TCU DE Jerry Hughes, Penn State LB Navarro Bowman, Florida TE Aaron Hernandez, Illinois WR Arrelious Benn, USC DE Everson Griffen, Notre Dame WR Golden Tate, LSU WR Brandon LaFell, California RB Jahvid Best, Florida State CB Patrick Robinson, Missouri LB Sean Weatherspoon, Penn State DE Jared Odrick, UMass OL Vladimir Ducasse, Arizona TE Rob Gronkowski, Cincinnati WR Mardy Gilyard

That's 10-15 more guys that the Ravens would not likely be interested in that would go in between our first two picks.

[Sua Sponte]

And these guys just missed the first round:



That's 10-15 more guys that the Ravens would not likely be interested in that would go in between our first two picks.

Yup, I can see us landing one of the DE's mentioned. I hope it is Hardy or Alualu. I think if we drafted Thomas, one of those 2 above and a good TE in the 3rd, i wouldn't care what they drafted after that.

I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but you have to think Ozzie looked at last years 1st rd as building the gate around the Castle (Castle = Flacco) (Gate = Oher) unlike the Lions who put the Cariat out to get smashed and will now probably get the Horse to pull it. Now Ozzie should know what the missing piece is (WR maybe 2)

[Jeremiah W]

I could not believe how much of a beast Thomas was last year. 25 ypc is a huge stat.

It is all going to depend on his 40 if the Ravens even get a shot to pick him. To me he looks like a 4.4 flat type and at 230 is a freak along the lines of Calvin and Andre 3000, T.O., Fitz or Marshall. He does have very good hands and the abiltiy to adjust to very poorly thrown deep balls and grab the ball away from his body and out of reach for the defender. Then the blocking is violent. He is like a big Hines Ward. I am sort of hoping he strains a hammy or something at the combine just so the Ravens have a shot at getting him at 25. Even if he runs 4.6, you can just tell that he plays faster than that and smaller CBs can not jam him or run with him if they get close, or tackle him on bubble screens if they play off. He has incredible balance for a big Wr. You really have to tackle him. even when he goes up and high points the ball, he lands on his feet ready to run.

[baltimore_hokie]

I could not believe how much of a beast Thomas was last year. 25 ypc is a huge stat.

It is all going to depend on his 40 if the Ravens even get a shot to pick him. To me he looks like a 4.4 flat type and at 230 is a freak along the lines of Calvin and Andre 3000, T.O., Fitz or Marshall. He does have very good hands and the abiltiy to adjust to very poorly thrown deep balls and grab the ball away from his body and out of reach for the defender. Then the blocking is violent. He is like a big Hines Ward. I am sort of hoping he strains a hammy or something at the combine just so the Ravens have a shot at getting him at 25. Even if he runs 4.6, you can just tell that he plays faster than that and smaller CBs can not jam him or run with him if they get close, or tackle him on bubble screens if they play off. He has incredible balance for a big Wr. You really have to tackle him. even when he goes up and high points the ball, he lands on his feet ready to run.

I hope he runs a 4.6 because he won't be around for us if he runs in the 4.4's. He could be a Suggs-like situation, where we will still like him even if he runs slow.

[Jeremiah W]

I hope he runs a 4.6 because he won't be around for us if he runs in the 4.4's. He could be a Suggs-like situation, where we will still like him even if he runs slow.

There is also the factor of how deep the draft is that could push him down. If a lot of major scouting services have him as the 4th, 5th or 6th WR, there is a pretty good chance he will be there at 25. QBs, OTs and DL players that were rated as late 1s or early 2s always seem to creep up the board on draft day. Last year there was a bit of a run on WRs in the 1st round even though Crabtree, Maclin and Harvin went a litle lower than projected, DHB, Nicks and Britt went above or where they were mocked, but the year before they all dropped to round 2.

I am pretty sure the Ravens will have very good options in the 1st 3 rounds this year and as much fun as this kind of stuff is for fans we have one of the few teams that does the draft thing very well.

[Rxdoxx]

Went looking for CB prospects just to see who might fall
http://www.draftcountdown.com/Rankings/CB.php

And found Scott Wright's mock draft who has us taking ARRELIOUS BENN, WR, ILLINOIS 6'2"
http://www.draftcountdown.com/sub/Mock-Draft-B.php

[ravensnhokies]

My problem with Thomas is that he was in an offense that allowed him to catch a bunch of jump ball 9 routes in single coverage and he made them b/c he was much taller than the DBs. Does he really know how to run a true NFL route? Not yet. You gotta expect him to take at least 2-3years for him to develop into a competent NFL WR. Unless he runs a 4.3 (which he wouldnt fall to the Ravens' draft spot anyways), I expect about a 15 catch year as a rookie. So for many fans who expect immediate returns...very disappointing. Honestly, no college WR is NFL ready, but definitely some college wideouts are more prepared than others b/c they are seniors and in pro style offenses. Thomas is in that Heyward-Bey category of being very underdeveloped.

I would not mind drafting this guy at #25 for the future, but we absolutely need to get a proven vet WR to be a #1 (or a co#2 with Mason returning).

[Jeremiah W]

My problem with Thomas is that he was in an offense that allowed him to catch a bunch of jump ball 9 routes in single coverage and he made them b/c he was much taller than the DBs. Does he really know how to run a true NFL route? Not yet. You gotta expect him to take at least 2-3years for him to develop into a competent NFL WR. Unless he runs a 4.3 (which he wouldnt fall to the Ravens' draft spot anyways), I expect about a 15 catch year as a rookie. So for many fans who expect immediate returns...very disappointing. Honestly, no college WR is NFL ready, but definitely some college wideouts are more prepared than others b/c they are seniors and in pro style offenses. Thomas is in that Heyward-Bey category of being very underdeveloped.

I would not mind drafting this guy at #25 for the future, but we absolutely need to get a proven vet WR to be a #1 (or a co#2 with Mason returning).

Maclin, Britt, Nicks and even Crabtree once he signed all had more than 15 grabs. It is unreasonable to expect a rookie to come in and be a #1 WR, but it is not a bad time to draft our #1 WR of the future and get 5 or 6 TDs and 40-50 grabs. Clayton had 44 as a rookie.

[baltimore_hokie]

My problem with Thomas is that he was in an offense that allowed him to catch a bunch of jump ball 9 routes in single coverage and he made them b/c he was much taller than the DBs. Does he really know how to run a true NFL route? Not yet. You gotta expect him to take at least 2-3years for him to develop into a competent NFL WR. Unless he runs a 4.3 (which he wouldnt fall to the Ravens' draft spot anyways), I expect about a 15 catch year as a rookie. So for many fans who expect immediate returns...very disappointing. Honestly, no college WR is NFL ready, but definitely some college wideouts are more prepared than others b/c they are seniors and in pro style offenses. Thomas is in that Heyward-Bey category of being very underdeveloped.

I would not mind drafting this guy at #25 for the future, but we absolutely need to get a proven vet WR to be a #1 (or a co#2 with Mason returning).

I can see where you're coming from, but I don't see DHB when I watch this guy play. If he can catch anything on the 9 routes it will be gravy in his rookie year, when you think about the blocking he can provide and explosiveness he brings in the bubble screen game.

I did not get to watch him much, but I have seen him get a good deal of separation. His deep speed and ability to hit on the long ball will cause DB's to give him some space, and that will continue in the NFL.

If he can start out as a dominant run blocker and home run hitter, I am willing to wait a year or two for him to develop his route running and be a game changer. I can see him having a rookie season similar to Crabtree or Britt though.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

I really like Thomas. I wasn't bringing him up in earlier convo's about WR's because I felt like he could be somewhat of a sleeper guy...maybe get him in round 2. But obviously, if he is going in the first, I'd love to have a shot at him.

If I ranked the available WR's IMHO it would go...

1.Bryant

2.Thomas
3.Benn



4.Tate
5.Lafell


The only think about Thomas though is that there is no way this team should draft him and think the WR issue is solved for this year...he is just too raw. We'd still need to get another big time guy in here and let Thomas grow from maybe the number 3 guy to start out.

[jonboy79]

Kid looks good, but that's a bit early to select him.

[Sua Sponte]

I wouldn't expect him to come in and dominant, but what he will do is provide a deep threat and Mason will probably get open more. Even if can only run a few routes D's will have to play us different than they did last year, if he can come in and grab 4-5 balls a game that is better than what Clayton did, so the point is anything has to be better than Clayton and if he is making plays it takes the pressure off of Mason (if Mason returns, which I hope he does).
It also gives Joe the ability to expand his game. I noticed that when Joe threw the ball deep to D-Will he seemed more comfortable, maybe becasue he was a bigger target, and Bay Bay is way bigger than D-Will, so the game plan opens up a bit, Joe develops more and we add youth to the O to grow with Joe.

I think he is a good choice, but would like to see more doen at WR than just him.

[Carey]

Yup, I can see us landing one of the DE's mentioned. I hope it is Hardy or Alualu. I think if we drafted Thomas, one of those 2 above and a good TE in the 3rd, i wouldn't care what they drafted after that.

I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but you have to think Ozzie looked at last years 1st rd as building the gate around the Castle (Castle = Flacco) (Gate = Oher) unlike the Lions who put the Cariat out to get smashed and will now probably get the Horse to pull it. Now Ozzie should know what the missing piece is (WR maybe 2)

Couldn't agree more! Grab Pitta in the 3rd, I'd go WR in the 4th, remember if Mason comes back its probably only for a year. I'd look at Jacoby Ford or Blair White......Dezmon Briscoe, Mardy Gilyard or Danario Alexander if they fall. The rest of the draft i'd just look for cb depth, a hb with Mcgahee situation being up in the air, and just value in general. Also just to throw out there, we could look at a blocking fb in the 6th or 7th, if they do move Mcgahee then Mcclain could carry the ball more with a lead blocker in front of him. Cory Jackson from Maryland comes to mind. We did sign Charles Ali back however.

[baltimore_hokie]

Couldn't agree more! Grab Pitta in the 3rd, I'd go WR in the 4th, remember if Mason comes back its probably only for a year. I'd look at Jacoby Ford or Blair White......Dezmon Briscoe, Mardy Gilyard or Danario Alexander if they fall. The rest of the draft i'd just look for cb depth, a hb with Mcgahee situation being up in the air, and just value in general. Also just to throw out there, we could look at a blocking fb in the 6th or 7th, if they do move Mcgahee then Mcclain could carry the ball more with a lead blocker in front of him. Cory Jackson from Maryland comes to mind. We did sign Charles Ali back however.

We would have to take Gilyard in the 2nd to get him. Alexander has apparently looked like complete crap at Senior Bowl practices.

Here's something I would like to hear some feedback on: if there are two talents that are arguably the same in the second round at DE and CB (Oghabaase from Duke at DE and Cook at CB, for example) who do we take??

[Carey]

Found another mid to late rounder sleeper....Carlton Mitchell, a WR from USF. Expected to run 4.4 to 4.5 and he is 6-4 and 218 lbs. Guy has alot of ability, reminds you alot of Brandon Marshall, could use some coaching but might be worth a look in the 3rd or 4th.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U-ubxSJeEQ

[Carey]

We would have to take Gilyard in the 2nd to get him. Alexander has apparently looked like complete crap at Senior Bowl practices.

Here's something I would like to hear some feedback on: if there are two talents that are arguably the same in the second round at DE and CB (Oghabaase from Duke at DE and Cook at CB, for example) who do we take??

Im really nervous personally about leaving this draft without a 3-4 DE that has starting ability down the road so i'd have to say DE.

Gilyard to me is a 3rd round guy, i've heard some up and down reviews about him. I heard the same things about Alexander, i'd like to see how he does saturday, people love his size tho i dont think he is as fast as people think i think he's intruiging enough to look at in the 4th but the more i see and here about this Carlton Mitchell guy, the more i like.

[baltimore_hokie]

Found another mid to late rounder sleeper....Carlton Mitchell, a WR from USF. Expected to run 4.4 to 4.5 and he is 6-4 and 218 lbs. Guy has alot of ability, reminds you alot of Brandon Marshall, could use some coaching but might be worth a look in the 3rd or 4th.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U-ubxSJeEQ

Wow, that kid looks like a beast. His frame looks like Marshall's but he's faster. I might have a new favorite WR...

Screw taking a DE, I want D. Thomas in the first and this kid in the second. Instantly have a WR corps to grow with Flacco for the future.

[Carey]

Yeah the guy has big time ability, maybe as much as any WR in the draft. Cant wait to see how he runs and how he does in the drills catching the ball at the combine.

[NC Raven]

We would have to take Gilyard in the 2nd to get him. Alexander has apparently looked like complete crap at Senior Bowl practices.

Here's something I would like to hear some feedback on: if there are two talents that are arguably the same in the second round at DE and CB (Oghabaase from Duke at DE and Cook at CB, for example) who do we take??

All things being equal (whatever that means) I'd take the DE, because a strong pass rush makes up for deficiencies in coverage. OTOH, you can have great CBs but if there's not a good rush, they can only cover for so long. The Giants a couple years ago were like that -- killer pass rush, so-so secondary that played --statistically-- above its talent level due to the pass rush. And I do like Oghobaase. He's a great talent (top 10 DT out of HS if I recall correctly, don't have the Phil Steele guide on my desk at the moment) and of course, smart if he went to Duke. I like smart players, and smart players with talent - hell yeah.

[Sua Sponte]

All things being equal (whatever that means) I'd take the DE, because a strong pass rush makes up for deficiencies in coverage. OTOH, you can have great CBs but if there's not a good rush, they can only cover for so long. The Giants a couple years ago were like that -- killer pass rush, so-so secondary that played --statistically-- above its talent level due to the pass rush. And I do like Oghobaase. He's a great talent (top 10 DT out of HS if I recall correctly, don't have the Phil Steele guide on my desk at the moment) and of course, smart if he went to Duke. I like smart players, and smart players with talent - hell yeah.

I would have to disagree on Oghobaase, I watched alot of tape on him because I kept hearing alot of hype and I wasn't to impressed. Maybe it was due to the fact that hecan't tackle for shit, he was fast and able to get off blocks but missed alot of tackles.

[Sua Sponte]

Found another mid to late rounder sleeper....Carlton Mitchell, a WR from USF. Expected to run 4.4 to 4.5 and he is 6-4 and 218 lbs. Guy has alot of ability, reminds you alot of Brandon Marshall, could use some coaching but might be worth a look in the 3rd or 4th.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U-ubxSJeEQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U-ubxSJeEQ)

Nice find.. he looks like a burner and gets wide open a lot. If he makes it to the third, i would put TE on hold for another rd pending who is available and grab this guy.

Good research

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=190636
(He did disappear a bit against better teams, but that could also be a matter of QB performance) In the games that Mitchell did not produce many stats, B.J Daniels (QB) only had 44 attempts in 3 games (Pitt, FSU, U) and only completed 18 passes. Daniels was the back up to Grothe who went down with an injury after 3 games. Mitchell also missed 2 games