Baltimore Ravens 2010 Draft Grade

BALTIMORE

2.43 Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
Wow, the Ravens played the draft like a fiddle. Kindle was a guy that many had in the first round, and his fall when halted by a Ravens team that will use him perfectly to fill a major need. He’s a bit of a boom or bust guy, and admitted at the combine that usually just blitzed, but I believe the Ravens will coach him up. GRADE: A-

2.57 Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama
Cody is an excellent fit in Baltimore where he won’t be asked to carry the whole noseload. He could really be groomed there in that defense. Might turn into a star. He can be brought along slowly in Baltimore due to their lack of heavy needs at 0-tech. Of course, he’s a guy that a lot of people passed on, so you have to wonder if he’s Michael Oher or Michael Johnson, to quote the ‘09 Draft. GRADE: B

3.70 Ed Dickson, TE, Oregon
Dickson was one of the best receiving tight ends left in the draft. Yeah, he carries some intelligence concerns, but his vertical ability is a big boon for the Birds. Flacco suddenly has an array of options. GRADE: B

3ROUND GRADE: A

4.114  Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU
Smells a little like overkill if you ask me, but Pitta is a polished product. He showed better athleticism than expected this offseason, and Topp Head could use 2 replacements. GRADE: B

5.156 David Reed, WR, Utah
The Ravens really want to help Joe Flacco. And they did a nice job this offseason. Reed will be an interesting project, and he has the tools to succeed inside. GRADE: B

5.157 Arthur Jones, DE, Syracuse
I really like this pick. I was never super high on Jones, and he spent a lot of time off the field with dinged wings, but he fits well as a 5-tech, and Baltimore absolutely had to get younger there. GRADE: C

6.194 Ramon Harewood, OT, Morehouse
Call me crazy, but it seems like Baltimore is really serious about letting go of Gaither. Harewood won’t replace anyone anytime soon, but he’s good potential at 6-07 360. Still, a reach. GRADE: C

Best Pick: Sergio Kindle
Worst Pick: Dennis Pitta (b/c he was 2nd TE in a row)
Sleeper Pick: Terrence Cody

FINAL ANALYSIS
The Ravens really do a great job every year. They brought in a guy who was supposed to be a first rounder in Sergio Kindle. He needs coaching, but played for a complex guy in Will Muschamp. Cody could be a real steal this late, but he could also eat his way out of the league, or at least to strict two-down-duty. Dickson is boom or bust at tight end, while Pitta shows a lot more polish with less electricity.

Jones looks like good value at the bottom of the fifth, but it’s important to remember that 31 other teams passed on these guys for a reason. Reed has some upside, and could be a quality option as a slot player, and it just feels like a good fit. Harewood has loads of potential, but won’t be ready to contribute early. Still, his size is intriguing.

The Ravens will get a degree’s worth of A+s from people, but there’s a lot of boom or bust in this class. More than we’ve come to expect from Baltimore. If Kindle, Cody, and Dickson hit, this could be a special group.

FINAL GRADE: B+

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