Tag: ben cleveland

Did the Ravens improve their roster enough during 2021 draft?

The Baltimore Ravens addressed multiple needs during the 2021 NFL draft. However, did they improve their roster enough?

As the Baltimore Ravens watched the 2021 NFL draft wind down, they came away confident that they had put together a great group of rookies who could come in and play quality football at the highest level. A big part of that was not only did they draft quality football players, but they also filled plenty of holes on their roster. However, did they improve their roster enough to be seen as true contenders for a Super Bowl?

In short, the answer is yes. No team is able to fill every single need with a high quality player unless they get extremely lucky with development, drafting, and free agency bargains. With Baltimore, they addressed many of their holes that were issues heading into the draft, and have already shown a willingness to round out their roster with free agents at the needs that they didn’t look at during the draft.

The Ravens took two wide receivers in Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace to add more talented weapons for Lamar Jackson. They drafted two edge defenders in Odafe Oweh and Daelin Hayes to try to offset the losses of Matthew Judon, Yannick Ngakoue, and Jihad Ward. They selected a guard to shore up the interior of their offensive line in Ben Cleveland, while also taking a do it all H-back in Ben Mason. The team also made sure to shore up their secondary by taking both Brandon Stephens and Shaun Wade.

That draft haul for Baltimore signifies an effort to put the best possible roster on the field in Week 1 of the 2021 season. However, the Ravens didn’t select an offensive tackle or a defensive lineman, sparking a bit of panic as to how they planned to fill out those positions. While the team hasn’t addressed the defensive line (and honestly doesn’t need to until the 2022 draft), Baltimore signed tackle Alejandro Villanueva, who should slot into the right tackle spot that so desperately needed a starter after the departure of Brown.

The draft is a way to fill holes while also leaving room to improve a roster in the remaining waves of free agency. The Ravens used that strategy to perfection, and still could use another veteran edge rusher to truly have minimal needs remaining to address. While Baltimore didn’t plug up every single hole on their roster during the 2021 draft, they improved their team and added enough talent to keep them in the Super Bowl contenders category.

Ravens ranked at No. 5 in Touchdown Wire’s post-draft power rankings

The Baltimore Ravens had a great 2021 NFL draft. Touchdown Wire ranks them at No. 5 in their post-draft power rankings

The Baltimore Ravens improved their team during the draft, filling out holes on their roster while also getting quality playmakers. The organization now boasts a very well balanced roster that can go toe to toe with any team in the league.

Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire put together post-draft power rankings of all 32 NFL teams, and he felt like Baltimore has what it takes to compete for a Super Bowl, giving the Ravens the No. 5 spot. He pointed to Baltimore’s acquisition of two quality wide receivers as a reason why he gave the Ravens a high ranking.

“Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta was quite miffed in his pre-draft presser when it was presented to him by the media that his receiver group might be less than stellar. But the proof is in the picking, and Baltimore took two receivers with starting potential, which says it all. Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman gives the Ravens a contested-catch machine they haven’t had since Anquan Boldin (which is also the last time they won a Super Bowl), and fourth-round target Tylan Wallace from Oklahoma State is a speed slot receiver who could produce early.”

Farrar also talks about a few more of Baltimore’s 2021 selections, namely edge defender Odafe Oweh and guard Ben Cleveland.

“First-round edge rusher Odafe Oweh from Penn State could be a nice combination of Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue, the two pass rushers Baltimore lost in free agency, and if you have 6-foot-6, 343-pound guard Ben Cleveland blocking gap with free-agent acquisition Kevin Zeitler, defenses are going to make business decisions.”

In his rankings, Farrar ranked the Ravens ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and even the Kansas City Chiefs. The only two AFC teams that he ranks higher than Baltimore are the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 3 and the Buffalo Bills at the No. 2 spot. There are certainly plenty of talented teams in the NFL, and the Ravens are among the cream of the crop.

Full details on Alejandro Villanueva’s contract released

The Baltimore Ravens signed tackle Alejandro Villanueva to a two-year deal. The full details of his contract have been released

After signing offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva to a two-year deal, the Baltimore Ravens now have a very solid offensive line unit that should be able to perform better than last season. The team also added guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency and drafted guard Ben Cleveland to go along with players such as Ronnie Stanley and Bradley Bozeman.

In Villanueva, the Ravens are getting a quality player who didn’t break the bank. The former Pittsburgh Steeler signed for $14 million total over the two years, but it goes a bit more in depth than that. The full details of Villanueva’s contract with Baltimore were released, providing some insight into what his contract actually means for both him and the Ravens.

From the looks of the numbers of the contract, it would seem that in reality, Villanueva will only be with Baltimore for one season. The Ravens can let him go with just $3.5 million in dead cap space if he’s not on their roster on the 5th day of the 2022 league year. However, if he performs extremely well in 2021, the team could opt to bring him back if they feel like he can continue to play at that level.

PFF mock draft pegs Travis Etienne to Bills in Round 2

Pro Football Focus 2021 NFL Draft mock has Buffalo Bills selecting Clemson running back Travis Etienne in the second round.

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Typically in any mock draft the first round is always of the most interest.

Pro Football Focus recently made a case for the second round being the more interesting one for the Bills in 2021.

The football analytics outlet dropped their latest 2021 NFL Draft mock on Monday. In it, the Bills take two offensive linemen in the three-round exercise. But in Round 2, their selection is Clemson running back Travis Etienne.

Not only have other mock drafts speculated the Bills might take him in Round 1, some even suggest Etienne might be drafted before their first pick at No. 30 overall. Does PFF know something we don’t?

Here’s a full rundown of the Bills’ picks in PFF’s latest mock:

30. BUFFALO BILLS — IOL LANDON DICKERSON, ALABAMA
The ACL tears are concerning, but without them, Dickerson is a top-20 pick. The Bills don’t need him Week 1; they need him come playoff time. Dickerson has played every offensive line position over his college career, and there’s no more NFL-ready interior lineman in the class. He was the highest-graded center in the country last season.

61. BUFFALO BILLS — RB TRAVIS ETIENNE, CLEMSON

93. BUFFALO BILLS — IOL BEN CLEVELAND, GEORGIA

Via Dickerson and Cleveland, the Bills add to an interesting spot in the trenches. Buffalo can certainly stand to use some younger prospects there, and these selections would put Jon Feliciano and Cody Ford on their toes. Those two are currently slotted in as the Bills’ starting guards ahead of the upcoming draft after Feliciano was re-signed by the team prior to free agency.

In Etienne, the Bills would bring in an all-around dynamic running back into their backfield with Zack Moss and Devin Singletary. There’s a reason why the Clemson product is often mocked as a first-round pick. He’s perhaps the top running back prospect in the draft this year. Most debate Etienne or Alabama’s Najee Harris as the No. 1 rusher, so if Buffalo got him in the second round? Many would consider that a steal.

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Giants’ Chris Pettit got firsthand look at Azeez Ojulari at Georgia Pro Day

The New York Giants aren’t attending many pro days, but they sent some personnel to scout Azeez Ojulari down in Georgia this week.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on things such as travel and face-to-face communication, the New York Giants have chosen to be very selective about which college pro days they attend.

“Because of the travel around the country right now and then also some of the restrictions at the campus, we’re going to be selective about where we send coaches as far as being out to work guys out because, again, you’re more going there as an observer than you are to actually work out the players. It’s definitely different than in the past,” head coach Joe Judge said earlier this month.

“Will there be people out there? There will. Is it going to be as much traveling as in the past or as much interaction? No, it won’t.”

That ultimately means the Giants will be extremely selective when it comes to attending pro days in person, which is why Chris Pettit, the Giants’ director of college scouting, and secondary coach Jerome Henderson showing up in Georgia is so significant.

The Giants remain in need of an edge rusher and it’s beginning to look more and more like they’ll take one in the draft. Azeez Ojulari is an obvious target and the Giants wanted to put eyes on him in person.

This is what our friends at Draft Wire had to say about Ojulari:

One of the most exciting pass rushers in this year’s class, Ojulari’s impressive 2020 campaign turned him into a potential top-20 pick. He has the explosion, speed and bend to become one of the most feared quarterback hunters at the next level.

In addition to Ojulari, Henderson also spent some time working with Georgia cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Eric Stokes, each of whom are projected second round picks.

New York also got an up close and personal look at 6-foot-6, 335-pound guard Ben Cleveland, who could be a mid-round target.

The Giants — and general manager Dave Gettleman in particular — are no strangers to drafting players out of Georgia. In recent years, New York has taken cornerback DeAndre Baker, linebacker Tae Crowder, edge rusher Lorenzo Carter and, of course, left tackle Andrew Thomas.

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Falcons 2021 mock draft: Trade nets Atlanta an All-Pro CB

With the 2021 NFL draft rapidly approaching, the Falcons will need to hit on the majority of their picks and potentially trade down in order to address all of the team’s needs.

With the 2021 NFL draft rapidly approaching, the Falcons have several holes to fill. The team may need to trade back in order to acquire more picks and fill out the roster.

In my second mock draft, I have Atlanta making a major trade for an All-Pro cornerback to pair with A.J. Terrell.

Falcons 2021 mock draft: Trade nets Atlanta an All-Pro CB

With the 2021 NFL draft rapidly approaching, the Falcons will need to hit on the majority of their picks and potentially trade down in order to address all of the team’s needs.

With the 2021 NFL draft rapidly approaching, the Falcons have several holes to fill. The team may need to trade back in order to acquire more picks and fill out the roster.

In my second mock draft, I have Atlanta making a major trade for an All-Pro cornerback to pair with A.J. Terrell.

Three Bulldogs opt out of upcoming bowl game

Three Georgia football players make decision to opt out of bowl game, ending their time in Athens playing for the Bulldogs.

Three Bulldogs who have played pivotal roles within the team have decided to opt out of Georgia’s upcoming bowl game, ending their time in the red and black.  Among those players are graduate senior tight end Tre’ McKitty, senior defensive back DJ Daniel and senior inside linebacker Monty Rice.

UGASports.com initially broke the news, followed by multiple reports confirming the opt outs.

No. 8 ranked Georgia (7-2) could very well play Clemson in the Orange Bowl, should Notre Dame beat the Tigers in the ACC Championship Game today.  If Clemson comes out on top, the projection is that Georgia will likely face off against Cincinnati in the Peach Bowl.

Isaiah Wilson, J.R Reed and Andrew Thomas all skipped last year’s Sugar Bowl victory over Baylor and Deandre Baker skipped the Sugar Bowl during the 2018-19 season.  This is starting to become a trend, especially for Georgia’s defensive players trying to stay healthy for the NFL draft.

There are still some question marks surrounding other players on the Dawgs’ roster.  UGASports additionally reported that defensive backs Mark Webb, Richard LeCounte and Eric Stokes are also leaning towards an opt out, as is offensive guard Ben Cleveland.

Although this season didn’t turn out how Dawgs fans wanted, there is a bright future in Athens with head coach Kirby Smart locking in the 3rd best recruiting class in the nation so far.  Georgia’s bowl game will be announced Sunday afternoon following the conference championships on Saturday.

Georgia vs. Missouri: Potential Chargers 2021 NFL draft prospects to watch

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out the prospects that Los Angeles could have their eyes on.

The college football season is winding down, with bowl season now in hindsight. That also means that scout’s traveling to watch prospects at various programs across the nation is close to coming to an end.

Here are a few prospects to watch in the matchup between Georgia and Missouri on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 10:00 a.m. PT.

The Bulldogs boast a trio of cornerbacks that could serve as a long-term option, Eric Stokes, Tyson Campbell and DJ Daniel. Stokes has the prototypical build for the position with speed, physicality and plus coverage ability. Campbell is a physically gifted and reactive athlete with great length that possesses speed, excellent closing speed and instincts. Daniel is a sub-package ace who is quick and agile with very good mirroring skills.

With Melvin Ingram slated to be a free agent after this season, finding an edge defender to compliment Joey Bosa could be something that the Chargers look to do early on. Azeez Ojulari has seen his stock increase with his strong play this season. Ojulari is an explosive and athletic player with the pass rush ability, bend and range to be a solid starter at the next level.

Linebacker Monty Rice has gone under the radar. Rice uses quickness, football intelligence and coverage ability to make impactful plays in pass defense, and his read and react and speed to make plays against the run. With Denzel Perryman set to hit free agency and Drue Tranquill coming off a serious lower body injury, the Chargers could be looking to the middle rounds to address the position.

The Chargers could be looking to upgrade the interior part of the offensive line, as Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney are both slated to hit free agency, which is why someone like guard Ben Cleveland could draw some interest. Cleveland is a solid interior lineman with great size, strength, hands and awareness to flash dominance in the run and pass game.

While Georgia draws the majority of the attention, Missouri has a couple of defensive backs that could be on the Bolts’ radar. Joshuah Bledsoe and Tyree Gillespie, who both accepted their invites to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, have different, yet appealing skillsets that could be nice additions to the defensive side of the ball.

Bledsoe has a combination of physicality, play speed and coverage skills to serve as a back-end safety/slot defender and special teams ace while Gillespie is a big guy who could be a productive single-high due to his range, ball skills and finishing ability.

Georgia football defensive back accepts Senior Bowl invite

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Mark Webb has accepted an invitation to the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Mark Webb has accepted an invitation to the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Mark Webb is a senior out of Archbishop Wood High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Webb has come a long way since arriving in Athens as a four-star wide receiver recruit. Webb converted to defensive back in 2017 and primarily plays the slot cornerback position. He’s proven himself to be a steady run defender and a consistent tackler. Webb will look to improve upon his coverage versus elite competition.

Mark Webb’s acceptance of the Reese’s Senior Bowl invitation means he’ll in all likelihood declare for the 2021 NFL Draft following the college football season. This season is unique for college football because players who played in every game this season can return next year without elapsing any of their eligibility. Webb will play in his final home game Dec. 5 against Vanderbilt.

Webb joins fellow Georgia Bulldogs players to accept an invitation to the game like tight end Tre’ McKitty, offensive lineman Ben Cleveland and defensive lineman Malik Herring. Bulldog fans should expect several more Dawgs to accept invitations to the game. Look for a lot of Georgia Bulldogs to be selected in the 2021 NFL Draft.

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