With the #26 pick in the 2009 MHR Community Mock Draft, the Baltimore Ravens select.... CB, VONTAE DAVIS, ILLINOIS

Baltimore Ravens  Round 1, Pick #26 overall GM mla2131

Details of the pick after the jump...

A bird?  A plane?  Definitely a bird...

From GM mla2131:  Difficult choice (“Get a wide receiver!” shout the Bmore faithful) … but not really. All things equal, wide receiver is a greater need for the Ravens with the signing of starting (presumably) CB Dominick Foxworth, nickleback Chris Carr, and Samari Rolle (released and resigned). But with the remaining talent on the board, all’s not equal.  

First, Vontae Davis is a terrific combination of speed and size at the position. While some scouts consider him a boom/bust selection, Baltimore may be relatively well-positioned to develop Vontae Davis with Ed Reed at safety and veteran defensive backs at corner. His size and aggressiveness are also well-suited for the style Baltimore’s defense plays.

Second, the overall quality (Fabian Washington and Foxworth) and durability (Rolle’s age and Fabian Washington’s injury history) at the position remain areas of concern. Corner was arguably the Raven’s greatest weakness in the match up with the Steelers last January. At the very least, Davis gives Baltimore greater versatility and depth at the position, allowing Ed Reed to freelance and continue to be the best center fielder in the NFL. At best, Davis fills the role Chris McAllister once held with the team.  

Third, Percy Harvin (not the right fit) and Hakeem Nicks (would have been the selection, if available) are off the board. Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin were never expected to be available, so nothing to cover there. It is the local fan-favorite Darrius Heyward-Bey (DHB) who makes this such a tough decision. Conventional wisdom says the Ravens need a speedy receiver to stretch the field with the strong-armed QB Joe Flacco and power running game. While true, a deeper look reveals concerns about whether DHB’s hands and route running are first round material. Also, his (over-?) reliance on pure speed may not translate as well to the NFL. With a few solid options remaining at the second and third round level, and a short-term solution through free agency still possible (I’m looking at you, Mr. Holt), wide receiver can wait for now. 

Commish's Thoughts:   One of the most gifted physical DBs in the draft, I felt like he was a risk primarily because his head might not be able to catch up to his boyd.  Which is why I love the thought of him playing in Baltimore with Ed Reed.  Reed is a known film-junkie and mentor, and by taking Davis under his wing, the young DB should learn to soar on his talent.  The name of the game in B-more is defense, even as the offense is finding its A game.  Spending a first on D is a good way to keep it that way.

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ON THE CLOCK Indianapolis Colts are up next.  The first round is starting to wind down, and the GMs are doing an awesome job getting the picks to me early.  I'll do my best to try to keep up with you maniacs.... The deadline for this pick is NOON MST, April 9th..  As long as I receive the pick by that time it will be valid.  To send me the pick, just email me at the address shown in my profile.

Indianapolis Colts Round 1, Pick #27 Overall GM chikndnnr

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Round One

1. Detroit Lions:  McDah               OLB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
   
2. St.Louis Rams:  53guys          OT Jason Smith, Baylor
   
3. Kansas City Chiefs:  Papisan        DE/OLB Brian Orakpo, Texas  
4. Seattle Seahawks:  Denver_Native         OT, Eugene Monroe, Virginia
5. Cleveland Browns:  Zappa               WR, Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
6. Cincinnati Bengals:  DukeTC                    OT, Michael Oher, Ole Miss
   
7. Oakland Raiders:  V. Money                          DT/NT, BJ Raji, Boston College
8. Jacksonville Jaguars:  gunnermc               QB, Matt Stafford, Georgia
9. Green Bay Packers:  Broncosorbust          OLB, Clay Matthews, USC
10. San Francisco 49ers:  Elway's Ghost         DE/OLB, Everette Brown, Florida St.
11. Buffalo Bills:  Rep56                        TE, Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma St.
12. Denver Broncos:  broncofan91                            OLB, Brian Cushing, USC
13. Washington Redskins:  Chawkins06                    DE Aaron Maybin, Penn St.
14. New Orleans Saints:   gnarlybroncodude             DB, Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio St.
15. Houston Texans:  PredominantlyOrange            WR, Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
16. San Diego Chargers:  Sadaraine                         ILB, Rey Maualuga, USC
17. New York Jets:  danelama                                    QB, Mark Sanchez, USC
18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago):  Combat Chuk            RB, Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  OrangeCrush4082              QB, Josh Freeman, Kansas St.
20. (Dallas Cowboys) Lions:  BDAWKisaBRONC          OT, Andre Smith, Alabama
21. Philadelphia Eagles:  ejruiz                        WR, Hakeem Nicks, UNC
22. Minnesota Vikings:  War Eagle Aubie                WR, Percy Harvin, Florida
23. New England Patriots  bronco-Maine-iac         LB, James Laurinaitis, OSU
24. Atlanta Falcons:  Stovie47              DT/DE, Peria Jerry, Ole Miss
25. Miami Dolphins:  adamriggs                      CB, Sean Smith, Utah
26. Baltimore Ravens  mla2131                      CB, Vontae Davis, Illinois
27. Indianapolis Colts:  chikndnnr                      ON THE CLOCK
28. (Carolina Panthers) Eagles:   bcfunk             ON DECK
29. New York Giants:  Russ
30. Tennessee Titans:   Broncoman
31. Arizona Cardinals:  Calibroncoboy
32. Pittsburgh Steelers:  PABroncofan