2001 NFL draft day coverage
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The Ravens add yet another weapon to an improving offense
By Ron Pollack, Editor-in-chief
April 21, 2001
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Normally, I hate it when a team drafts a tight end in the first round of the draft.
They tend to be busts a lot, and I don’t find tight end to be as much of an impact
position as most other spots on the field.
That said, I have no beef with the Ravens’ decision to take TE Todd Heap in the
first round.
First of all, as defending Super Bowl champions, the Ravens had the last pick in the
first round. In other words, this was pretty much a second-round selection.
In addition, the Ravens really don’t have a hole on their roster. I have serious
doubts about whether there is a player at any position who could have been drafted with
the 31st pick that could have started next season for the Ravens.
Throw in the additional fact that returning starting TE Shannon Sharpe is getting up in
years, and Heap has the potential to start not too far down the road.
Another thing to consider is the fact that the Ravens are loaded on defense, so offense
was the side of the ball that made the most sense to address. They get WR Travis Taylor,
their first-round pick last year back from injury, so they can upgrade that position
without a draft choice. They’re set at RB with young stud Jamal Lewis and at
quarterback with newly acquired Elvis Grbac, so they weren’t going to use a
first-round pick on those positions. The interior of the offensive line is where I would
have gone, but I hardly consider it a huge mistake that the Ravens did not do so.
The final reason I can’t complain about the Ravens taking a tight end is the fact
that Brian Billick is the head coach. The man is an offensive genius. You can’t go
wrong giving Billick another weapon to tinker with.
Heap is a quality receiver who is competitive and wants the ball. He can get downfield
better than the typical tight end. It will be fun to see Billick put yet another offensive
weapon into the arsenal.
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