| My admiration for Ravens head
coach Brian Billick has been well-documented. So it is with the utmost respect that I make
this suggestion: Despite all of the talk surrounding your desire to make a move in Round
One, I implore you, do NOT trade your first-round picks — either of them. I have
only the best intentions in mind for this up-and-coming Baltimore club. It’s obvious
that the groundwork was laid last season, when the Ravens rallied to finish 8-8 behind a
resurgent Tony Banks.
While I disagree with Billick’s assessment of Banks, I firmly agree with the head
coach’s signing of former Buccaneer Trent Dilfer, who I believe will eventually
unseat Banks as the starter. But that’s neither here nor there.
What is here is the 2000 NFL draft, and the Ravens are in perfect position to leave
their war room with two top skill-position players.
Joel Buchsbaum, PFW’s personnel expert, predicts the Ravens will stay where they
are in Round One and come away with Virginia RB Thomas Jones (No. 5 overall pick) and
Jackson State WR Sylvester Morris (No. 15). Not a bad pair.
Jones is Buchsbaum’s top-rated running back available. Jones has exceptional
balance; a quick, darting style; and good pass-catching skills. Morris ranks fourth on
Buchsbaum’s WR chart. He has excellent size (6-3, 216 pounds), makes the tough
catches over the middle and has big-play ability.
There are scenarios that could pan out for Baltimore. Given the success Billick had in
Minnesota with Randy Moss, I would love to see 6-6, 226-pound Michigan State WR Plaxico
Burress end up with the Ravens — and, yes, I am aware of Burress’ maturity
concerns. But he has everything Billick wants in a receiver, as Moss did.
If Billick goes with Burress at No. 5, he’ll have to hope that Alabama RB Shaun
Alexander (another favorite of mine) will fall to the 15th pick. In my opinion,
Alexander is the most complete running back in this draft, which is why it might be risky
to wait for him at No. 15.
If Billick takes Jones at No. 5 and Morris and Burress are gone by No. 15, maybe
Florida WR Travis Taylor will be available. Taylor doesn’t have Burress’ size,
but he has better speed and route-running ability.
So it seems the only way the Ravens could find themselves in a risky situation is if
they take a wide receiver at No. 5 and wait for a running back at No. 15. Remember, the
Giants will likely use their first-round choice on a running back, and Buchsbaum has
Alexander going their way. However, Tennessee RB Jamal Lewis’ stock has soared in
recent weeks, so he now figures into the mix as well.
Any way you look at it, the Ravens will most likely come away from Round One with a top
running back and wide receiver, which would fill two glaring needs. Trading out of that
situation — unless a proposed deal somehow leaves them with two first-round picks
— doesn’t make sense to me. |
