|
Ravens Pulse
|
Ravens 2006 Draft Review |
Baltimore Ravens 2006 Draft Review: Filling Needs, Betting on Traits, and Building for the Next Wave
Going into the 2006 Draft, I was in a very interesting spot. This was not a draft where I could afford to think only about luxury picks or one flashy splash move. This class had to be practical. I entered with the following selections: 1.25, 2.8, 2.17, 2.25, 3.17, 3.25, 3.29, and 4.13. That is a serious amount of capital, especially in the top three rounds, and it gave me a real chance to patch several holes in one weekend.
At the same time, there was a slightly bittersweet side to that setup. I love seeing that my latest pick was only 4.13. In one sense, that is great, because it means I had enough earlier selections to do most of my heavy lifting before the draft really started thinning out. But there is also a curse built into that. If I draft well, develop well, and keep finding real talent, eventually the bill comes due. I run into the reality that not everyone can be re-signed. So while this kind of draft position gives me power in the short term, it can quietly create future pressure too if enough of those players actually hit.
And I absolutely had reasons to use those picks aggressively. The needs were not small. At minimum, I had to come away with at least one starting offensive lineman, a starting outside linebacker, a starting middle linebacker, and then ideally some help at wide receiver, cornerback, defensive end, and depth at both safety spots. That is a lot to ask of one draft. It meant this class was not really about chasing one superstar or making one headline move. It was about whether I could thread the needle between present needs, future value, and player development. In that sense, this draft was always going to be judged more by breadth than by one single first-round name.
Looking back at the full haul, I think the fairest way to put it is this: I more or less got what I needed. Maybe not perfectly, maybe not with a home-run grade at every slot, but in terms of structure, this draft makes sense. I needed starters at OLB, MLB, and OL, and I got that. I also added a possible future starter at wide receiver and extra defensive depth in the secondary. That matters. This was never about one flashy player carrying the class. It was about building out the roster properly, and in that sense I gave myself a chance. |
| | Round 1 | 1.25 | OL Winston Justice
This was a very Ravens kind of opening pick. It was not the flashy selection some people dream about on draft day, but it was grounded in need, value, and long-term logic. Going into the pick, my hope had actually been that DT Kyle Williams might fall. The idea there was pretty simple: draft him, convert him into a giant defensive end, and try to build something rare physically on the front. But after seeing the post-skew numbers, I can live with the fact that he was already off the board at 1.16. Sometimes the board just tells you to move on.
So once that path closed, my focus shifted back to where I was thinner and where the best value lined up with actual need. After around six private workouts, Winston Justice emerged as the man. And once I had gone through the offensive linemen in detail, the plan became clear. Justice was not just being drafted as depth. I was drafting him to start at right tackle immediately. That is a big statement, especially with a name like Ogden sitting there. But that was exactly the point. Ogden was heading into what I expected to be his final season, and if Justice really had franchise tackle potential, then delaying the transition would only postpone the inevitable. At that point I was already thinking of moving Ogden inside to guard and letting Justice begin the long-term succession plan right away.
And the appeal is obvious. Justice has the physical ingredients I want to bet on. There is enough strength, enough blocking, and enough room for growth that I can project him forward with real confidence. The acceleration is the main blemish in the short term, but even there, the developmental arc is encouraging. Within six seasons, he should reach 80 ACC, which is more than enough to round him into a high-level player if the rest of his profile develops as expected.
Pre-skew: 42 SPD, 94 STR, 56 AWR, 61 AGI, 80 ACC, 84 PBK, 85 RBK
After skew: 49 SPD, 90 STR, 56 AWR, 59 AGI, 71 ACC, 84 PBK, 89 RBK
Difference: +7 SPD, -4 STR, +0 AWR, -2 AGI, -9 ACC, +0 PBK, +4 RBK
The skew is actually pretty fascinating here. I lose some raw power and a big chunk of acceleration, but the speed bump and run blocking gain help stabilize the overall profile. It is not a perfect post-skew line, but it is still a very workable one, especially for a player I am asking to step into a major role right away. The awareness staying flat is also fine for now. This is the kind of prospect where the body and blocking floor give me something real to work with from day one.
NOVR LT: 75
NOVR RT: 74
Those NOVR numbers tell the story pretty well. He is not entering the league as some absurdly polished blue-chip lineman, but he is comfortably in the range of a real starting-caliber investment. For me, badly needing a future pillar on the line, that is enough. This feels like a sensible first-rounder: not spectacular, not perfect, but absolutely defensible and quite possibly one of those picks that looks better with time. |
| | Round 2 | 2.8 | OLB Tim McGarigle
This was another value-driven pick. I did not go into the slot with one fixed dream target, but once the private workout came in, it was hard to ignore what was sitting there. Honestly, I could not believe he was still available. On pure frame, he is not ideal. He is a bit smaller than what some people want to see at the spot. But at ROLB, that is much less of a problem than it would be elsewhere. And once I started looking at the actual athletic mix, the profile became much easier to buy into.
The main concern is the acceleration. Sitting at 81 ACC after skew is not terrible, but it is also not where I want to stop. The good news is that I have a clear development plan. Add some more during training camp and across the next couple seasons, and suddenly I am looking at a player who can sit in the 85 ACC range while already carrying above-90 speed and solid strength. That is a real athlete. Above 90 SPD, around 80 STR, and eventually 85 ACC at outside linebacker is something I can absolutely work with.
Pre-skew: 89 SPD, 82 STR, 52 AWR, 80 ACC, 69 TAK
After skew: 89 SPD, 80 STR, 52 AWR, 81 ACC, 70 TAK
Difference: -0 SPD, -2 STR, -0 AWR, +1 ACC, +1 TAK
What makes this line attractive is that it barely moved in harmful ways. The speed held. The awareness held. The acceleration actually ticked upward. The tackling improved slightly. Losing a little strength is acceptable when the rest of the athletic skeleton stays intact. This is the kind of second-round linebacker bet I actually like: not overly polished, not some finished product, but physically credible enough that the role makes sense immediately.
NOVR: 58
Now, the NOVR is not screaming star value. That number tells me this is more projection than established certainty. But that is okay in this slot when the player fills a real need and still offers developmental upside. I needed a starting OLB, and McGarigle gives me a real shot at one. That is enough to make the pick feel logical, even if the long-term ceiling still needs to be earned. | 2.17 | MLB Tim Dobbins
This one is interesting, because philosophically I am usually not a fan of spending a first- or second-round pick on a player who is already 24 years old. Age matters, especially when you are drafting for development and long-term return. Younger players give you more runway. They give you more time to shape the final version. Dobbins does not really give me that luxury to the same degree. But even with that concern, I still did not see better value for my needs at that point in the board.
And the reason is pretty simple: he already looks like a usable football player. A lot of second-rounders are still selling you on what they might become. Dobbins already had 62 AWR and 74 TAK after skew, which is a pretty decent base for a middle linebacker who should be able to help right away. He is not some freaky upside swing. He is more of a practical starter-type pick. That fit what I needed. He will start in tandem with Scott, and that gives me an immediate answer rather than just another long-term project.
Pre-skew: 88 SPD, 72 STR, 62 AWR, 84 ACC, 71 TAK
After skew: 86 SPD, 72 STR, 62 AWR, 84 ACC, 74 TAK
Difference: -2 SPD, -0 STR, -0 AWR, -0 ACC, +3 TAK
That is a very stable post-skew outcome. Yes, I lose two speed points, but the awareness holds, the acceleration holds, the strength holds, and the tackling gets a useful bump. That is exactly the kind of trade I can live with for a player expected to start in the middle. There is not much mystery here. He looks like what he is: a mature, ready-ish linebacker who can help now more than later.
NOVR: 59
That NOVR is not exciting, but it is serviceable, and that probably fits the player. Dobbins may never be the glamorous pick from this class, but he does not need to be. If he gives me a steady starter at a position of need, then the selection did its job. | 2.25 | OT Rashad Butler
Looking back, this is probably the most disappointing pick in the upper half of the class. Not a disaster, not some complete waste, but definitely the one where I can most easily see the argument for doing something else. At the time, though, the board forced the question in a certain way. None of the wide receivers or cornerbacks I had done private workouts on really came back looking worthy of this range. So rather than force a skill-position pick I did not love, I stayed with the line and took another tackle.
There is still a case for Butler. The raw physical upside is not bad. His acceleration can get to 80 in a few seasons, his strength can hit 90 relatively quickly, and both blocking ratings were already sitting above 80 before the league got its hands on him. So the profile is not dead by any means. But it is the kind of pick that feels more understandable in context than truly exciting on its own merits.
Pre-skew: 58 SPD, 87 STR, 58 AWR, 45 AGI, 78 ACC, 85 PBK, 83 RBK
After skew: 58 SPD, 86 STR, 57 AWR, 49 AGI, 76 ACC, 82 PBK, 83 RBK
Difference: +0 SPD, -1 STR, -1 AWR, +4 AGI, -2 ACC, -3 PBK, +0 RBK
There is no catastrophic damage there, but it is also not a particularly inspiring post-skew sheet. The agility bump is nice. The rest feels a little flat or slightly disappointing. The player still has enough tools to become something useful, but compared to the other top selections in the class, this one feels more like a hedge than a strong statement.
NOVR LT: 65
NOVR RT: 69
Those numbers tell the story. There is value there, but not standout value. For a late-second tackle, that is not a killer. It just makes the pick feel fine rather than memorable. |
| | Round 3 | 3.17 | WR Todd Watkins
This is one of the most intriguing picks in the class because the outcome still feels unwritten. Watkins is not entering the league as a safe, finished, plug-and-play starter. He is raw. Very raw. And that cuts both ways. On one hand, it means he is going to need time, development, and real investment before I can trust him in a major role. On the other hand, it means there is at least a path where he becomes more than what he looks like on day one.
I potentially needed a starting wide receiver, and Watkins is at least a credible lottery ticket in that direction. But the big question is whether I will actually commit to the work. Because that is what this player requires. He is not someone I draft and just wait on casually. He needs targeted development, especially if I really want to squeeze starting value out of him. I am not fully sure yet whether I am willing to put in that level of effort, and that uncertainty is part of what makes this pick such a fascinating middle-round gamble.
Pre-skew: 90 SPD, 36 STR, 49 AWR, 85 AGI, 87 ACC, 76 CTH
After skew: 91 SPD, 42 STR, 49 AWR, 86 AGI, 88 ACC, 74 CTH
Difference: +1 SPD, +6 STR, -0 AWR, +1 AGI, +1 ACC, -2 CTH
For a raw receiver, that is actually a pretty fun post-skew line. The catch drop hurts a bit, but the boost in strength is very nice, and the speed-athletic package is clearly there. He looks like an athlete first and a refined receiver second, which is exactly why the long-term outcome depends so much on whether I decide to really build him up or just leave him in the “potential” category forever.
NOVR: 52
That NOVR reflects the uncertainty. There is not much evidence yet that he is anything close to a proven value. But in the third round, I can live with that if the traits are there. Watkins feels like a swing pick. Not a certainty, but definitely a live possibility. | 3.25 | CB Alvin Nnabuife
Nnabuife was the corner I liked best from the group that was still available, and that matters because this was not a draft where I loved the CB pool overall. He is another player who is going to need work, though, and that is the complication. I already have another corner I want to spend developmental attention on, so Nnabuife comes into the league in a difficult spot. The traits are interesting enough to justify the pick, but the path to real value is a lot narrower when the player is competing not just for snaps, but for developmental priority as well.
For now, that means he is more of a depth option than a true challenger for a starting role. That is not automatically a bad thing in the third round, but it does shape the way the pick should be viewed. This is not a ready answer at corner. It is a player I liked enough to take, but maybe not enough to build around immediately.
Pre-skew: 93 SPD, 73 STR, 45 AWR, 87 AGI, 91 ACC, 52 CTH
After skew: 89 SPD, 73 STR, 49 AWR, 88 AGI, 90 ACC, 52 CTH
Difference: -4 SPD, -0 STR, +4 AWR, +1 AGI, -1 ACC, -0 CTH
This is one of those lines where the skew both hurts and helps. Losing four speed points is annoying, but the awareness gain is probably more meaningful in practice for a corner who was starting from a pretty raw place mentally. The athleticism is still good enough. The awareness is still low, but less alarming than before. That makes him at least a believable developmental DB, even if the road is longer than ideal.
NOVR: 52
Again, not a number that screams immediate value. But for a third-round developmental corner, it is acceptable. The question is less whether he can become something and more whether I will have enough time and focus to make it happen. | 3.29 | SS Eric Smith
This was a blind pick. No private workout, no extra comfort, just a read on the profile and the board. That always adds some risk, but honestly, for what this pick was meant to be, I am satisfied. At strong safety, a player with 6’1” size and 88 SPD is already working with a decent base. He is not being asked to come in and save the secondary. He is a depth option. And for that role, there is enough here to feel okay about the selection.
The safety room needed some backup help, and that is exactly what Smith provides. There is no need to oversell him beyond that. Sometimes late third-round picks are not about chasing hidden stardom. Sometimes they are about building out a functional roster with players who at least have a workable physical profile. That feels like the case here.
Pre-skew: 87 SPD, 72 STR, 50 AWR, 89 AGI, 88 ACC, 53 CTH, 79 TAK
After skew: 88 SPD, 68 STR, 53 AWR, 86 AGI, 85 ACC, 51 CTH, 76 TAK
Difference: +1 SPD, -4 STR, +3 AWR, -3 AGI, -3 ACC, -2 CTH, -3 TAK
It is a mixed bag. The awareness bump is good, and the slight speed gain is nice. Most of the rest trends down a bit. Still, for a depth safety, the final profile is not bad enough to kill the pick. I can live with that if the role is clearly defined from the start.
NOVR: 60
That is actually one of the better NOVR marks in the back half of the class, which makes the pick feel more solid than the blind-process angle might suggest. He may never be much more than a sub, but as a sub, he looks perfectly usable. |
| | Round 4 | 4.13 | FS Nate Salley
This is the pick that closes the class, and it feels like exactly what it is: a lifetime sub. There is not much reason to pretend otherwise. He is not here to become the hidden jewel of the draft. He is here to give me depth at free safety, fill a roster need, and potentially stick around as a reliable reserve. That is still worth something, especially considering my need for secondary depth entering the draft, but it is obviously not the kind of pick that changes the trajectory of a class.
Pre-skew: 84 SPD, 61 STR, 56 AWR, 83 AGI, 85 ACC, 56 CTH
After skew: 84 SPD, 70 STR, 52 AWR, 86 AGI, 83 ACC, 58 CTH
Difference: -0 SPD, +9 STR, -4 AWR, +3 AGI, -2 ACC, +2 CTH
The post-skew line is actually funny in its own way. The strength jump is massive, and the agility increase is nice, but the awareness hit matters more than I would like at safety. Still, as a long-term backup, he is fine. He is not exciting, but he is also not useless. And in the fourth round, that can be enough.
NOVR: 62
For a player I am already labeling as a career sub, that is a perfectly acceptable number. It supports exactly what he looks like: not a future star, but a decent reserve option who can justify the roster spot. |
| Overall class verdict
When I zoom out and look at the full picture, I think I more or less got what I needed from this draft. That is probably the cleanest summary. I went in needing a starting offensive lineman, a starting outside linebacker, and a starting middle linebacker. I came out with Winston Justice, Tim McGarigle, and Tim Dobbins filling exactly those roles, at least in theory. That alone gives the class structural value. On top of that, I added another offensive tackle in Rashad Butler, took a swing at a possible future starting wide receiver in Todd Watkins, added a developmental corner in Alvin Nnabuife, and grabbed safety depth with Eric Smith and Nate Salley.
That does not mean every pick was perfect. Butler feels a little disappointing in hindsight. Watkins and Nnabuife are both players whose value depends heavily on how much developmental attention they will actually receive. Eric Smith was a blind shot. Salley is probably just a long-term reserve. But that is normal for a draft like this. Not every class is built around instant stars. Some are built around filling enough holes that the roster becomes functional again, and this haul absolutely did that.
If there is one real strength of the class, it is that I attacked the board honestly. I did not pretend I had fewer needs than I really did. I did not chase glamour over structure. I drafted what I needed and tried to find workable value along the way. In a roster-building sense, that matters a lot. Justice may end up being the face of the class because of his long-term role. McGarigle and Dobbins may end up being the real backbone because of where they slot into the defense immediately. Watkins may still be the swing pick that changes how people remember the whole group if he ever gets the necessary work.
So no, this is probably not the kind of Ravens draft class that gets remembered for one giant superstar or one all-time steal. But it may still be the kind of class that quietly does its job. And for a team with as many needs as I had entering the 2006 Draft, that might have been the most important thing of all. |
|
|
Forum Discussion
(by N_Huszti on 05/19/2026)
|
Replies - 0 :: Views - 9 |
|
Ravens Offseason part 2. |
The story continues with the draft, and for the first time all offseason, it felt like the plan actually had oxygen. We walked into the weekend with the following picks:
1.14 2.04 2.19 2.25 4.25 5.18 5.25 6.25 7.18
I love second round picks, so having three of them is an absolute blessing. In this league, Round 2 is where you can steal real starters: guys with NFL bodies, high ceilings, and just enough flaws that they slide. And with us committing to a rebuild, volume matters. The more swings you get, the faster you can replace expensive veterans with young, controllable talent.
Round 1
1.14 | OLB/DE Shawne Merriman
My target was Derrick Johnson, but he was taken at 1.11, and that changed the entire feeling of the pick. I already broke down the selection, so I won’t rehash the whole thing here. The short version is this: I still wanted an edge defender and I still wanted upside, and Merriman gives me a path to both.
The plan is straightforward. I’m converting him into a defensive end and I’m treating STR like a priority stat until he reaches 80 as soon as possible. Once he hits that threshold, his athletic traits and size start to matter a lot more snap-to-snap. He’s not a “finished” player, and he’s probably not a long-term OLB in my system, but as a developing DE with the right usage, he fits the rebuild timeline.
Round 2: Where the rebuild really starts
2.04 | DT/NT Anthony Bryant
This was the pick I felt best about all weekend. I was looking at Bryant early, his private workout came back strong, and I didn’t overthink it. We needed a real nose tackle since the beginning of the league, and this is the kind of player you build a defensive identity around. He’s raw, yes. 49 AWR is not ideal at all, especially at a position where you want your anchor to read blocks and react cleanly. But he’s 22. He has time.
More importantly, he has the trait you can’t manufacture: mass. If everything goes right, he’s my NT for the next 10 seasons. His strength projection is the real selling point too: he’ll be sitting at 94 STR in two seasons. Once that happens, he doesn’t need to be “smart” every snap. He just needs to occupy space, eat doubles, and let the linebackers run free. That is exactly what Baltimore needs right now, especially after the defensive leadership we moved out.
2.19 | CB Travis Daniels
Coming into this pick I was focused on CB or WR. After several private workouts, Daniels ended up being the best value, and it also matched the reality of the roster: my corner core was thinner than my WR room, especially for the long-term. I like taller corners because they matchup better against tall wideouts, and I’m trying to build a defense that doesn’t get bullied on the outside.
He’s raw with 49 AWR, which means the early games are going to be painful. Rookie corners already struggle. A rookie corner with low awareness can look like a free first down. But the upside is worth it. I’m aiming to build him into a 95 SPD / 95 ACC corner within three seasons. Once the athletic ceiling is realized and his AWR climbs into the mid-60s and beyond, he can become a legitimate starter you trust on an island.
2.25 | WR Paris Warren
This pick was almost locked in as a receiver unless the private workouts came back horrible. I went through three or four PWs and found my guy. Paris Warren fits what I want in the next Ravens wideout: 6'1", speed, acceleration, and a development path that makes sense for our timeline.
In two seasons, the plan is to have a 93 SPD / 94 ACC receiver who can actually be part of the offense and not just a “run straight” specialist. The key will be AWR. If he hits 70+ AWR, he becomes a real WR2 who can run routes and win consistently. If he stays in the low 60s, he’s more of a weapon than a receiver. Either way, he’s a valuable rebuild piece and a clean replacement project for what we lost.
Round 4-7: depth, insurance, and one or two future surprises
4.25 | HB Cedric Houston
This pick was for depth at OT, TE, or HB, and we ultimately went HB because we still needed a real HB2. In my opinion, that’s more important than depth at almost any other position. The decision came down between the two Cedrics at HB.
Cedric Benson looked more ready on paper because he had a big advantage in progressables (AWR, CAR, BTK), but Houston is two years younger. At the end of the fourth, both are good picks. I’m viewing Houston as a potential starter later on, most likely in four to five seasons when Jamal Lewis starts aging out and we need a new answer without paying premium free agent money.
5.18 | DT/NT Sione Po'uha
My target here was WR Brandon Jones, but he went at 5.11, and once that happened I pivoted to pure depth. There were two 325+ pound defensive tackles left. Vickerson had 83 STR, 58 ACC, 53 AGI. The other guy had 85 STR, 69 ACC, 69 AGI, so I took the better athlete with the better strength. Simple decision.
He’s going to be a lifetime backup. 45 AWR is ugly, but for a rotational NT who starts a few games here and there, I can live with it. His job is to be heavy, take on blocks, and survive.
5.25 | OT Scott Young
At this point I needed offensive line depth badly. After a lot of private workout digging, Young was the best of the remaining options. His 86 STR will be 89 in two seasons, which is acceptable for a depth tackle, and the most interesting part is his acceleration. 82 ACC this late is genuinely unique. It won’t make him a star, but it makes him usable, especially in a system where athletic linemen can survive until their awareness catches up.
6.25 | OG Justin Geisinger
Once I secured the OT depth, it was time to get an OG, and the board was basically empty. Three players left, that’s it. Kaczur had 41 AGI and far fewer progressables. Myers had 33 ACC, which is a deal breaker for me. So I stopped there. Geisinger isn’t exciting, but he’s functional. He’s the kind of guard who can protect the QB well enough as a backup, and that’s what this pick was about.
7.18 | HB Vernand Morency
A pure depth pick. He’s a career third-string back. CAR and BTK are good enough for that role, and his physicals are fine. I’m not expecting anything special. I’m expecting him to exist, not fumble, and give me emergency snaps.
Post-draft reality check
After the draft, we had $1.58M left in cap space, so there was no movement in post-draft free agency. The draft was the offseason. The plan is development, not shopping.
Projected lineup
Offensive Line
LT: Marko Cavka (73)
LG: Jordan Gross (91)
C: Jake Grove (79)
RG: John Welbourn (8
RT: Jonathan Ogden (99)
The offensive line saw real change this offseason. RG Edwin Mulitalo and C Mike Flynn were dropped from the starting roles due to underperformance. They started showing their age, and both were cut early in the offseason. The Cardinals trade that brought in Jake Grove solved the center problem quickly, and that stabilized the entire plan.
The bigger choice was shifting Jordan Gross inside to LG and starting Marko Cavka at LT. Gross’s presence next to two less experienced players is intentional. A strong veteran anchor can protect a young center and a developing tackle from getting exposed. If it works, Cavka and Grove will play better simply because Gross exists next to them.
Skill positions
QB: Cody Pickett (76)
HB: Jamal Lewis (90)
FB: Jeremi Johnson (77)
TE: Todd Heap (87)
WR1: Travis Taylor (79)
WR2: Paris Warren (73)
WR3: P.K. Sam (75)
Trading away Tyrone Calico still hurts. He was young, talented, and he felt like “ours.” But decisions had to be made, and he was the one who had to leave. The rebuild forces emotional trades. Paris Warren becomes the next project, and he’ll start opposite Travis Taylor immediately. It’s not ideal, but it’s honest. If he’s going to become something, he needs snaps.
The backfield stays the same: Jamal as the hammer, Jeremi as the unique fullback I refuse to replace. This is one of those “make it make sense” moments again, but that’s how I build. I’d rather draft and sign WRs and OLBs than hunt for a fullback that fits my mold.
Special Teams
K: Seth Marler (86)
P: Dave Zastudil (92)
No changes here. Zastudil is locked in long-term and Marler is the type of kicker I do not want to replace.
Defense: new bodies, missing brains
Defensive Line
RE: Marques Douglas (82)
DT/NT: Anthony Bryant (72)
LE: Adalius Thomas (96)
This team needed a real NT since the beginning of the league, and Bryant is supposed to be the cornerstone. That 360-pound body changes how offenses block you. Even as a 72 overall, he can matter immediately just by existing. The real payoff comes when his strength hits the mid-90s and his awareness starts to climb.
Linebackers
ROLB: Nick Greisen (75)
MLB: Bart Scott (87), Jay Foreman (73)
LOLB: Shawne Merriman (7
This unit changed the most, and it’s also the unit that got weaker. Two Ravens legends, Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware, are gone. You don’t replace that. You can only try to survive it.
Greisen arrived in pre-draft free agency. He’s fine, but he’s not a long-term answer. Merriman was drafted at 1.14 and is also not a long-term OLB for me. He’ll be moved to LE next season once position changes process. That means the rebuild plan already includes “replace this position again,” which tells you how big the hole really is.
Secondary
CB1: Chris McAlister (91)
CB2: Travis Daniels (71)
NCB: Michael Waddell (7
FS: Ed Reed (96)
SS: Will Demps (84)
Not much change here. Waddell moves to nickel because his development went well and he’s now smart enough to handle the role. Daniels starts opposite McAlister immediately. Again, not ideal, but necessary. Corners don’t develop in the dark. They develop by getting cooked and learning from it.
Year 1 of the rebuild
This season is the first true year of the rebuild, and there are five years left on the GM contract. I still want the team to compete and stay close to the playoff line, because I believe the current playbook and game plan works with Cody Pickett. Offensively, the structure is stable enough to function.
Defensively, we’ll feel the missing awareness immediately. You don’t trade away Ray Lewis level awareness and pretend it won’t show up. The defense might still have talent, but it won’t be as organized. It won’t be as clean. And that’s the price.
Next draft capital
We will have the following picks next season:
Ravens 1st
Ravens 2nd
Titans 2nd
Vikings 2nd
Ravens 3rd
Titans 3rd
Vikings 3rd
Steelers 3rd
Ravens 4th
That is serious ammo. If this season is about surviving, next offseason is about attacking.
Early needs for next season
WR
Travis Taylor is likely leaving in free agency, and I’m not sure about Ike Hilliard long-term. He will regress, and he’s set to make $4.52M with $3.2M bonus still on the contract. That’s the exact type of situation that forces decisions in a rebuild.
RT
Jonathan Ogden will leave the team. We cannot afford $13.8M salary with $6.66M bonus remaining. The rebuild logic says: draft the future RT early so that by the time we have a competitive QB, the tackle is already developed and stable.
OLB
Once Merriman becomes a DE, we need an OLB again. Possibly two, depending on how the Nick Greisen experiment goes. This is the ripple effect of the first round.
OG
This depends on the draft board, but there is a real chance we move on from John Welbourn if the right player is available.
MLB
We did not bring in a real replacement for the space Ray Lewis left. Jay Foreman is a short-term patch. If he plays well, he can survive for two seasons, but beyond that the position needs a real plan.
CB
This is a draft opportunity position. I can work with second round corners if the class is deep enough, and I’m always willing to build a CB room through volume rather than chasing one perfect prospect.
A new cycle has started in Baltimore. The painful part is not just losing legends. It’s knowing that the replacements are not supposed to be legends yet. They’re supposed to be projects. And now we find out which projects are real. |
|
Forum Discussion
(by N_Huszti on 02/12/2026)
|
Replies - 0 :: Views - 17 |
|
The story of the Ravens offseason |
The story of the Ravens offseason
The cap situation going into the offseason was not looking good. We were sitting at a little over $10M in available cap, while the roster itself was in rough shape; only about 35 players left under contract. On top of that, we had six key players whose contracts expire in two seasons, which meant the clock was already ticking on multiple long-term decisions. This wasn’t going to be a “patch a few holes and run it back” type of spring.
With a sophomore QB on the roster, the conclusion was pretty clear: a full tear-down rebuild is the direction. Painful? Yes. Necessary? Also yes. If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it properly; reset the cap, collect picks, and build the core the way I like to build: through the draft.
Step one: fix the cap.
My main rule for cuts/trades is simple and consistent: I compare salary to cap penalty. If the cap penalty is higher than the salary, cutting doesn’t make sense. If the penalty is lower than the salary, it’s at least worth considering; because the space gained can be the difference between surviving the offseason or being stuck making desperate decisions later.
That led directly to two legendary Ravens whose contracts were simply too heavy for where we are as a team: Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware. Both were carrying over $10M salaries, and in both cases the cap penalty was lower than the money we would free up. Those are the kinds of deals you can’t ignore when you’re trying to reset a franchise.
So, yes; it happened. They were traded to the Cardinals.
It’s controversial, and I understand why. These are franchise icons. But this rebuild isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about timing, value, and making sure the next Ravens era starts with a clean foundation. The move freed up over $20M in cap space and, just as importantly, it helped address the gaping hole at Center that was created when I cut Mike Flynn.
That one might raise eyebrows too. Flynn is still a solid player on paper, but he had a brutal season and I couldn’t justify keeping him at his cost. The replacement ended up being one of the sneaky turning points of the offseason: bringing in Jake Grove. It turned into a key decision because we didn’t just fill a spot; we found what looks like a legitimate young starter to build around.
Step two: deal with the “two-years-left” contracts.
The next wave of decisions was about the players whose contracts expire in two seasons. These situations are tricky because you’re not in a panic today… but if you wait too long, you lose leverage and suddenly you’re forced into a bad extension or a bad trade.
Here’s how those decisions shook out:
FS Ed Reed – He will turn 30 three seasons from now and he’s currently one of the best FS in the league. This one was never really on the table for me. A rebuild still needs pillars, and Reed is the kind of player you build the next defense around. If I’m restarting the Ravens identity, it still has to include elite secondary play.
WR Tyrone Calico – From the beginning, I was afraid Calico might be one of the players we trade away. He’s the exact kind of receiver I love: 6'4" with 91 ACC and 87 SPD. He produced immediately too; 868 yards in his first season. Then Year 2 was messy: rookie QB growing pains, injuries, and Calico only played 8 games for 414 yards. The talent is real, but the timing didn’t match our rebuild window, and the market was strong enough to justify the move.
So he was traded for a future 2nd and 3rd to the Titans.
OLB Joe Odom – This one hurt. Odom was my draft gem winner and he just put up 10 sacks last season. That’s not the type of player you want to move when you’re building from the draft; because I usually don’t trade away guys I drafted. It goes against how I run a franchise.
But again: timing and value. If I’m truly committing to a reset, turning a big season into additional capital is how you speed up the rebuild. Odom went to the Vikings for a future 2nd and 3rd.
OL Jordan Gross – Gross was drafted 10th overall back in 2003. There was no scenario where I was moving him. Instead, I restructured him into a 7-year deal and made a key adjustment: I position-changed him so he can play LG. The idea was to put my newly acquired young center next to a proven, stable lineman. You all know how it goes; if you can anchor a younger, less talented player between veterans, the line plays cleaner, the QB plays calmer, and the rebuild doesn’t become a sack simulator.
FB Jeremi Johnson – This is a “my heart vs. my spreadsheet” decision. Jeremi is a really unique fullback. None of the current fullbacks in the league have his combination of movement; at least 82 ACC and 85 SPD; and it makes the offense more flexible. I got some strong offers for him, including packages that had a future 1st involved, but I decided to keep him. Sometimes you keep a player because he makes your offense feel like your offense.
K Seth Marler – I hate hunting for kickers and punters. I hate it. He was on the block, I listened, and then I did what I always end up doing: I kept him.
So yes… I traded away a WR and an OLB, and kept a FB and a kicker.
Make it make sense…
But honestly, that’s franchise mode. Sometimes you value the positions you enjoy developing and you’re willing to replace them via the draft or free agency. And sometimes you keep the “annoying-to-replace” pieces; like a fullback who actually fits your scheme, or a kicker you trust; because you don’t want to spend your offseason playing tryout roulette.
After all of these moves, I managed to create about $11M in cap space; but also took on over $15M in cap penalty. That’s the cost of ripping off band-aids and shifting contracts around. And it’s not done yet: by the end of the season, we’re planning to let go of Jonathan Ogden and Travis Taylor to open the door for a younger generation of players.
A new cycle is starting in Baltimore. The first steps are ugly, the fan-favorite names are leaving, and the roster looks thinner than anyone is comfortable with; but that’s the price of doing a rebuild the right way instead of doing it halfway.
Now it’s time for the fun part.
Onto the draft. |
|
Forum Discussion
(by N_Huszti on 01/26/2026)
|
Replies - 0 :: Views - 15 |
|
Ravens squad strenght |
About the Rankings:
I used two tools for each player:
• Fit the System: Lists how each player stacks up based on key attributes (not weighted, just filtered).
• Grade: My custom ranking using personal weights for the same attributes.
Below, you’ll see the relevant attributes for each position and both rankings.
Offense
QB: Jeff Blake
• Attributes: THP, THA, AWR
• Fit the System: 9th overall
• Grade: Top 20
Blake brings a strong arm, accuracy, and awareness. He’s a top-10 system fit and reliable enough to keep the offense rolling.
HB: Jamal Lewis
• Attributes: SPD, STR, BTK, ACC
• Fit the System: 1st overall
• Grade: 8th
Absolute workhorse elite speed, strength, and break tackle. No one fits our run scheme better.
FB: Jeremi Johnson
• Attributes: SPD, STR, ACC
• Fit the System: Top 2
• Grade: Top 30
The heaviest FB in the league (275 lbs) but still explosive. Speed and strength in a bulldozer’s frame.
TE: Todd Heap
• Attributes: SPD, STR, ACC, AWR, CTH
• Fit the System: 3rd overall
• Grade: 9th
A versatile weapon with speed, hands, and football IQ, an ideal fit for both blocking and receiving.
WR1: Travis Taylor
• Attributes: SPD, ACC, CTH, AWR
• Fit the System: Top 20
• Grade: Top 50
Solid blend of speed and catching reliable target who fits the scheme.
WR2: Tyrone Calico
• Attributes: Height (6'4"+), SPD, ACC, CTH, AWR
• Fit the System: Top 7
• Grade: Top 125
Calico may not have elite speed, but his size, acceleration, and reliable hands make him a matchup problem on contested catches and in the red zone. He’s a physical receiver who wins with strength and body control.
LT: Jordan Gross
• Attributes: SPD, STR, ACC, AWR, PBK, RBK
• Fit the System: 2nd best
• Grade: Top 20
Agile and strong, he anchors the blind side with elite pass/run blocking.
LG: John Welbourn
• Attributes: SPD, STR, ACC, AWR, PBK, RBK
• Fit the System: 3rd best
• Grade: 8th
A tough, smart interior blocker, top-tier fit for power runs.
C: Mike Flynn
• Attributes: SPD, STR, ACC, AWR, PBK, RBK
• Fit the System: 4th best
• Grade: Top 10
Dependable center with great awareness and balanced skills.
RG: Edwin Mulitalo
• Attributes: SPD, STR, ACC, AWR, PBK, RBK
• Fit the System: Top 10
• Grade: 14th
Strong run blocker who helps power the inside game.
RT: Jonathan Ogden
• Attributes: SPD, STR, ACC, AWR, PBK, RBK
• Fit the System: Best RT
• Grade: Best RT
Elite at everything, no RT in the league compares.
Defense
NT: Maake Kemoeatu
• Attributes: WGT, STR, ACC, TAK
• Fit the System: Top 12
• Grade: Top 20
Massive presence with power and quickness to disrupt inside runs.
RE: Marques Douglas
• Attributes: STR, ACC, TAK, AWR
• Fit the System: 5th
• Grade: Top 20
Strong edge-setter with athleticism to make plays.
LE: Adalius Thomas
• Attributes: STR, ACC, SPD, AWR, TAK
• Fit the System: 2nd best
• Grade: Top 10
Versatile playmaker, brings speed, strength, and intelligence.
MLB1: Ray Lewis
• Attributes: SPD, ACC, AWR, TAK
• Fit the System: Best MLB
• Grade: Best overall
The gold standard, dominates every attribute, every down.
MLB2: Bart Scott
• Attributes: SPD, ACC, AWR, TAK
• Fit the System: 7th best
• Grade: Top 20
Physical, fast, and smart, excellent depth and rotation.
ROLB: Peter Boulware
• Attributes: SPD, ACC, AWR, TAK
• Fit the System: 2nd best
• Grade: 4th
Explosive rusher with top-tier linebacker skills.
LOLB: Jamir Miller
• Attributes: SPD, ACC, AWR, TAK
• Fit the System: Best LOLB
• Grade: 2nd
Sets the edge with speed and awareness huge difference maker.
CB1: Chris McAlister
• Attributes: SPD, ACC, AGI, AWR, HEIGHT, CTH
• Fit the System: 2nd best
• Grade: 11th
Tall, fast, with great hands and coverage IQ top shutdown corner.
CB2: Gary Baxter
• Attributes: SPD, ACC, AGI, AWR, HEIGHT, CTH
• Fit the System: Best
• Grade: Top 50
Another big, athletic corner gives flexibility in coverage schemes.
FS: Ed Reed
• Attributes: SPD, ACC, AGI, AWR, CTH
• Fit the System: Best FS
• Grade: 3rd
Elite ball-hawk with speed and awareness true game-changer.
SS: Will Demps
• Attributes: SPD, ACC, AWR, TAK
• Fit the System: 4th best
• Grade: 33rd
Solid tackler with enough speed to cover ground and support the run.
[b]Special Teams[/b]
K: Matt Stover
• Attributes: AWR, KAC, KPW
• Fit the System: 9th best
• Grade: Top 20
Consistent veteran, reliable on FGs and kickoffs.
P: Dave Zastudil
• Attributes: AWR, KAC, KPW
• Fit the System: 4th best
• Grade: Top 20
Strong leg, good accuracy helps win the field position battle.
Summary
I built this squad around matching player strengths to the exact attributes my scheme requires, not just their overall rating. From Ray Lewis and Jamal Lewis to Ed Reed and Jonathan Ogden, we have league-best talents surrounded by perfectly fitting role players. This roster is ready for a playoff push, bring on the season! |
|
Forum Discussion
(by N_Huszti on 07/16/2025)
|
Replies - 1 :: Views - 28 |
|
At A Glance
| TEAM CAPTAINS |
Off. Captain
QB Cody Pickett |
Def. Captain
CB Travis Daniels |
ST Captain
K Seth Marler |
| INJURY REPORT |
| PLAYER |
POS |
OVR |
LENGTH |
| AFC North |
| RNK |
TEAM |
W-L-T |
PCT |
DIV |
| #11 |
 Steelers |
3-2-0 |
0.600 |
1-0 |
| #21 |
 Bengals |
2-2-0 |
0.500 |
2-0 |
| #24 |
 Browns |
2-3-0 |
0.400 |
1-2 |
| #28 |
 Ravens |
1-4-0 |
0.200 |
0-2 |
| RAVENS SCHEDULE |
| Preseason |
| WK |
DATE |
OPPONENT |
SCOUT/RESULT |
| P1 |
Mon |
vs  Eagles #8 |
|
| P2 |
Sun |
vs  Giants #18 |
|
| P3 |
Sat |
at  Redskins #5 |
|
| P4 |
Fri |
at  Falcons #1 |
|
| Regular Season |
| 1 |
Mon |
at Bengals #21 |
|
| 2 |
Sun |
vs  Jets #19 |
|
| 3 |
Sun |
vs  Cardinals #12 |
|
| 4 |
Sun |
at Browns #24 |
|
| 5 |
Sun |
at  49ers #22 |
|
| 6 |
Sun |
vs  Rams #2 |
Match-up |
| 7 |
Sun |
at  Bills #29 |
Match-up |
| 9 |
Mon |
at Steelers #11 |
Match-up |
| 10 |
Sun |
vs Bengals #21 |
Match-up |
| 11 |
Sun |
vs Browns #24 |
Match-up |
| 12 |
Sun |
at  Chargers #10 |
Match-up |
| 13 |
Mon |
vs  Patriots #7 |
Match-up |
| 14 |
Sun |
vs  Colts #26 |
Match-up |
| 15 |
Sun |
at  Dolphins #23 |
Match-up |
| 16 |
Sun |
at  Seahawks #9 |
Match-up |
| 17 |
Sun |
vs Steelers #11 |
Match-up |
|
