Baltimore Ravens 2014 NFL Draft: The Players, The Picks, The Fit
By Ben Natan
Jan 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker C.J. Mosley (32) runs toward Oklahoma Sooners ball carrier during the second half of the Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
CJ Mosley, LB, Alabama
6’2″, 234 LBs
The Player
CJ Mosley is a great coverage linebacker. He is very fluid with great recognition skills. He does a good job of coming downhill in the run game but that is not his strongest suit. He really has very few flaws besides an injury concern.
The Pick
It is peculiar because the value for this pick is very good, but it begs the question what they do with Daryl Smith or Arthur Brown? They could have added a certain Alabama free safety, but they went with the best player available and I commend that.
The Fit
Long term, we are looking at two very good linebackers, Arthur Brown and CJ Mosley, manning the middle of that defense. Both have very good coverage ability and fly to the ball. Great player, great fit.
Timmy Jernigan, DT, FSU
6’3″, 299
The Player
Jernigan is a massive player who displays great strength, anchor and even some quickness. However, he has a very bad motor and his stance and pad level really negate his tools from down to down. If those things can be fixed, he could be a very disruptive player.
The Pick
I think this is a reach, but I know a lot of people in the draft community were very high on Jernigan.
The Fit
Jernigan’s size and athletic ability could put him all over a defensive interior, but realistically he is playing nose and maybe some 5 Tech for the Ravens.
Terrance Brooks, S, FSU
5’11”, 198
The Player
Brooks is a tremendous athlete who displays very good range and ball skills when playing in deep coverage. He also can come up and play the run. He needs to cut down on the wasted movements and take better angles, but he is a talented safety play the center field.
The Pick
An athletic, rangy safety in the third round? Steal.
The Fit
Brooks perfectly compliments Matt Elam and he could start day one as the free safety and allow Elam to patrol underneath.
Nov 23, 2013; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Terrence Brooks during the first half of the game against the Idaho Vandals at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Crockett Gilmore, TE, CSU
6’6″, 260 lbs.
The Player
Gilmore is a very raw player, but he has great size and moves very well. He is a powerful blocker and can create mismatches all over the field.
The Pick
Decent value but I would have taken Arthur Lynch.
The Fit
Gilmore comes onto the team as likely the number two tight end behind Dennis Pitta. He will be a valuable blocker and could develop into a very good red zone threat.
Brent Urban, DT, UVA
6’7″, 295 lbs.
The Player
Urban is a powerful defender who disrupts the line of scrimmage and is a very, very good run defender. He needs to add some pass rushing moves, but he has all the tools to develop as a well balanced player.
The Pick
Urban is too good of a player to have fallen this far. This was highway robbery.
The Fit
Urban can start day one at 5 tech and at the very least give the Ravens a very good rotational player.
Apr 6, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers defensive tackle Brent Urban (99) chases Cavaliers quarterback Phillip Sims (14) during the spring game at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, CCU
6′, 226 lbs.
The Player
Not a very impressive athlete, but has great vision and patience as a runner. Very good size and strength.
The Pick
I like the value here.
The Fit
With Ray Rice in what seems like limbo, Taliaferro could see heavy snaps from day one. A back with his vision fits perfectly into Gary Kubiak’s offense and it would not shock me at all to see him take over as the lead back.
John Urschel, OG, PSU
6’3″, 312 lbs.
The Player
Has decent quickness and footwork and is a smart player, but not an overly impressive athlete and has very poor functional strength and length.
The Pick
This is a reach.
The Fit
The Ravens need help on the inside of their line so Urschel may have a chance to compete if he bulks up, but he is likely a depth player.
Keith Wenning, QB, Ball State
6’3″, 218 lbs.
The Player
Not a player who wow anyone with his physical traits, but he is a very smart quarterback who has very good accuracy and anticipation. He will stand in the pocket and can threaten all levels of the field.
The Pick
This is very good value for a smart quarterback with starting potential.
The Fit
With all the money the Ravens gave to Flacco, it is doubtful Wenning wins a starting job any time soon. That being said, he is a guy who can win games if the starter goes down and may have starting ability down the line.
Michael Campanaro, WR, Wake Forrest
5’9″, 192
The Player
Michael Campanaro is a smart, tough player who runs the best routes in this class and has some of the hands in this class. He will go over the middle and make the tough grab in traffic. He is also a tough player after the catch, willing to fight for extra yards. His size is not ideal and there is an injury concern but he is well built and should avoid injury down the line.
Sep 28, 2013; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers safety Travis Blanks (11) loses his helmet while tackling Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver Michael Campanaro (3) during the first quarter at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
The Pick
This is a guy I liked in the top 50 in this draft. He is one of the most dependable players in this draft. Criminal he fell this low.
The Fit
Michael Campanaro is a player who can start in the slot and catch 100 passes tomorrow. I expect him to work his way up the depth chart very quickly and become Joe Flacco’s best friend very quickly.